UC Check in

Just a quick question I have a z class ticket for HKG in June and obviously don't qualify for a free limo. So have booked my own using Tristar (the company VS use)can we still use the drive thru check in ? I know that with the VS limo the driver calls ahead to get a member of staff available.

Thanks in advance[^]

The last time I tried this at LHR it did not work. The woman at the drive in check in turned the Tristar driver away and refused to speak to me! The reason she gave was a health and safety issue. Use to do it at LGW but found it more difficult the last time. If one is using a Tristar car, I can not see what the real issue is.

[RichardMannion]

I know it sounds bizarre, but as EuroHill said - they will turn you away. They have a list of elligble passengers that they are expectign to come thru the Drive-Thru Check-in; if they were to allow passengers that have booked TriStar themselves, other passengers that had booked a non-tristar transfer would complain. So think of it as an incentive to book a higher UC fare

Anyway, I've never done Drive Thru check-in, and I much prefer seeing the people I know at conventional check-in (well one in particular - but thats telling)

Thanks,
Richard

The Tristar drivers do take some details from you when you are picked up for a drive-through check in that I guess get communicated to the check-in people. They presumably wouldn't do this if you are not on a suitable ticket.

Mind you, I love drive through check-in at LHR, check-in, walk down the ramp from the car park direct to FastTrack security, waltz past the hoi-polloi and you can be in the lounge in minutes. However, the benefit is not worth the difference between a D and Z fare!

BC

What are the Tristar rates like are they charged per mile, per hour? I have looked on their site but cannot find any prices.

[Decker]

It's all done on Car Type/Zone - for example around £45 from Ealing to LHR - but that zone will take you further East I believe. They'll mail rate sheets on demand.

I've used Tristar when travelling with Emirates. J class provides for service up to 65 miles - over that Tristar's stated rate is £1.80 per excess mile.

Having said that some of their drivers seem to have trouble with arithmetic as I've been charged various sums between £16 and £36 for the 85 mile journey from Heathrow to my home in Essex.

Another Essex chap. Nice to know there are more of us around.

FWIW, I live in Rayleigh (near Southend) and don't get charged any excess. I reckon I'm just on the border for paying the excess. I guess an Essex boy that gets charged must almost qualify as being from Suffolk...

csparker

Out in the sticks not far from Colchester - about 10 miles from Suffolk border. Witchfinder General territory. Us country boys really appreciate a ride in a nice Volvo - its a real treat after the Massey Ferguson!

AFAIK, not having had an opportunity to take advantage of the full UCS service yet, there is no mileage limit with this? The 65 mile limit applies to Emirates Bus class pax using the service - Emirates First there is no limit either.

It used to be 50 miles which takes you to approx J28 on M25 (A12). One of the drivers was telling me last year when this was the limit that his previous customer that day had asked to be dropped off at the services by that junction where he had a taxi from Ipswich to meet him as this worked out slightly cheaper. That's Suffolk people for you!

Thanks all, just got an email from VS customer services, Tristar are the only company allowed to use the drive through check in. If I provide VS with the job number they will have staff waiting there to chexk us in.
It has cost £60 per journey from St. Albans to LHR which I think is OK considering the cost of on airport parking.

Will I miss watching the queue at economy check in ..yes but then I can gloat at the gate [}:)]

Tim

Thanks Tim for the the advice
I have given customner services my Tristar booking reference on Fridays flight at Gatwick and agreed drive through check in. Two years ago when I tried that, they said no way! So will be interesting to see if it works.

Let me know how you get on, I'm not going till june so I'll wait and see what happens to you.

I had no problem using the drive through check in on Friday at LGW. But my Wife who came out on Monday using the drive through at LGW had problems, as they had no records for her! They did finally allow her to check in. I had rang up Customers Services and given both of our Tri Star booking references. We both were travelling on award tickets, and Gold members and yet treated differently. So my advise is to telephone the day before and check that you are on the system.

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by eurohill
. So my advise is to telephone the day before and check that you are on the system.

Thanks for the feedback eurohill.

Thanks for that