Upper Class limos = car rental

[preiffer]

This is where I have to admit my own stupidity - but I figured it could be for the benefit of others, so here goes...

For ages, I've been flying back and forth in Upper and only using 2 of the 4 limo transfers. Why? Well, I get one to LHR and one home from LHR on returning to the UK - but always hire a car in the US.

Since cars are more expensive to drive one-way (and then you factor in airport pickups/timings/costs for part-days etc), it always seemed more sensible to hire a car through airline-network/transhire/expedia/hertz for the duration; collecting from and dropping off to the airport.


Now, I'm comfortable with this (or was) - I have my routine. The only thing is, last month, I learned there's another way. Granted, if you read the ground transfers page on va.com, it's mentioned, but until FC mentioned it to me last month, it had completely escaped my attention.

For every single J/D flight you take with VS, you can "swap" your limo ride for 2 days car hire. I'm in SFO for 5 days next month, so I've now traded two of my limos (one at SFO and the other I won't use in BOS) for 4 days car hire. Extra days are £32 - and all insurances are included, along with a tank of fuel. (Essentially, it's a VH Platinum Package)

So for my next trip, I have 1 x limo to LHR; 5 days car hire; 1 x limo back home - for a total of £32 extra [y]

Just one word of warning, the car hire has to be BOOKED before departure. You can't ask for it mid-trip, as I learned last month... [:I]



To ask the inevitable question, am I the LAST person to know this was an option? [:I]

[RichardMannion]

I've known about this since October 2000 [:I] but yes its not advertised per se, you have to really know about it.

Kind of similiar to the radius of the limo transfers, some people are very surprised at how far out they will go!

Thanks,
Richard

I found out about this in 2003.

[mitchja]

I do seem to remember reading about this little gem on here some time ago but admittedly I had forgotten about it.

Slightly OT but do VS still swap limos for regional flights as well as I seem to remember then doing this is the past. For example, if I were to fly on a D or J from LHR would VS fly me from MAN to LHR or would they just provide me a limo to MAN?

Regards

James - the ground transfers page sets out what happens in this case. You get a ride to Manchester and have to book your own connecting flight.

Paul - I doubt you're the last to realise this option, but I did know this slightly longer than a month ago

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Kind of similiar to the radius of the limo transfers, some people are very surprised at how far out they will go!

Thanks,
Richard

Just how far do they go Richard - the only thing I could ever find out from the VA site (admitted I could call) was the limit was the HOme Counties - not sure exactly what area that includes.

Jilly

[Nottingham Nick]

From the VS website

Flights to/from Heathrow or Gatwick
Any mainland UK destination in counties south of and including Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Powys, and Ceridigion.

Nick

Thanks NIck - I did look honest.

Back to my wine!

Jilly

Actually - I wasn't going completely mad - the Home Counties are referred to when looking to book a limo with miles.

Jilly

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by jilly
Thanks NIck - I did look honest.

Back to my wine!

Jilly

LOL .... It's like a lot of gems on the VS website.... well hidden [8D]:D

Nick

Paul,

Thanks for the reminder. I was the same as you. I knew about it and dismissed it to the back of my mind. My next flight with VS is in D class and I will not be using the limos at the US end, so 4 days car hire to me seems good. Only problem is that I prefer an SUV, can you upgrade from what I guess is an economy hire?

Paul

You can upgrade the 'complimentary' car type for a reasonable fee, but beware, they need at least 48 hours notice to arrange Car Hire. You get 2 days of Economy Car hire for each US leg of trip without CDC use.

Hope this helps.

Juliet

[mcmbenjamin]

Still the free limo MIA to the GA side of the GA/TN border near CHA rocks

[fozzyo]

We were surprised to find out the Limo service will come as far as Wolverhampton. It was fabulout coming back from Hong Kong, landed around 5:00am, Revivals and home in Wolves by 8:00am.

Mat xxx