Just booked BMI/Virgin to DXB - Questions?

I have just booked our holiday to Dubai for next June (Thanks Mr Tesco) - one week at the Mina A' Salam in a Premium leisure room - can't wait.

We also booked the LHR clubhouse as well as we have quite a few hours between our connecting flight.

Anyway, we have booked BMI from MAN to LHR and when we booked I asked if we could book all the way through, but the booking agent wasn't too sure.

- Can we book all the way from MAN to DXB including checking our baggage all the way, ow will we have to pick up bags and re check in at LHR?

- If we can, will we be able to request extra legroom seats / bulkhead (we are only economy) for the VS400 part of the flight, or not as we will be booking in at BMI desk?

- If not, (and we do check in for VS400 at MAN) , can we either go to a VS desk at LHR and get this changed (availability dependent), or can we even do this at the clubhouse.

- as we have paid to get into the clubhouse and are not flying business, can we still get treatments. I thought we could but someone has since told me it is not for paying guests?

- Since we have paid for clubhouse access, does this also include fast track at security?

[HighFlyer]

Hi Carolynn,

To answer a few of your questions ....

- Can we book all the way from MAN to DXB including checking our baggage all the way, ow will we have to pick up bags and re check in at LHR?

I assume you have already booked the VS flights? You can call VS and ask them to add the connecting flights for you. If both flights are on the same booking then yes you can through check your bags to DXB. If they are not on the same booking then generally the answer is no, although there have been instances where this has happened.

- If we can, will we be able to request extra legroom seats / bulkhead (we are only economy) for the VS400 part of the flight, or not as we will be booking in at BMI desk?

I'm not sure on this one, but if you do get checked in for the flight by Bmi and you are not happy with the seats you can change them at VS check-in or the Clubhouse.

- as we have paid to get into the clubhouse and are not flying business, can we still get treatments. I thought we could but someone has since told me it is not for paying guests?

Paid access should entitle to you to one treatment but you are not supposed to be able to pre-book. Who did you purchase access with?

- Since we have paid for clubhouse access, does this also include fast track at security?

No, its the Upper Class ticket that gives you fast track access, not the Clubhouse pass.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks Sarah,
we have booked everything with Virgin Holidays so I am presuming the flights are all on the same booking. I can't check online with VH as their system is down at the moment, and our flight details is not yet showing on the VA website. We only booked at the weekend so I am presuming it takes a few days.

We also got the Clubhouse with VH and I thought we couldn't pre book. Oh well, we are there for a few hours so fingers crossed we can sort that when we arrive.

TBH I am more concerned with securing Extra legroom / Bulkhead seats. I have a bit of a dodgy knee and the extra space can make the difference of me hobbling for the first few days of the holiday or walking normally. Would love to go PE but out of our budget on this one.

Following on from this, as you can't book a treatment in advance when entering the CH on a paid voucher through VH what is the likelyhood of not being able to get a treatment as they are booked up? I am flying LGW - ANU on the 20th September and am considering adding on the Club House.

Originally posted by barnstaple
Following on from this, as you can't book a treatment in advance when entering the CH on a paid voucher through VH what is the likelyhood of not being able to get a treatment as they are booked up? I am flying LGW - ANU on the 20th September and am considering adding on the Club House.

A lot has to do with no-shows. Obviously there is more chance of no shows on the LHR routes than the LGW due to the business predominance and flexible tickets. Also, they will generally not fully book in case one beauty therapist calls in ill for example, so, should they all turn in to work there should be some excess slots.

The very, very best way to get a chance is to get there as early as possible and go straight to the booking desk.

Hmmmmm! How much do I want to leave to comfort of the Hilton to get there to (maybe) get a treatment????

[HighFlyer]

There is more to the Clubhouse than just the treatment, and I know where i'd rather be with a choice of the Hilton and the Clubhouse. [:D]

I usually pre-book so cant comment on general availibility (I hope some others can?) but given the wide range of treatments (from 15 minutes to an hour) I'd be surprised if they couldnt fit in a short treatment if you were there for around 3+ hours and it wasnt insanely busy.

Thanks,
Sarah

I have yet to receive a treatment at LHR. Given I have flown 16 Upper Class flights from LHR this year alone - normally booked whitn 2 weeks of travel, I have not been able to pre book and so always go and ask for a cancellation. Not had one yet but I live in hope.

Gatwick, on the other hand, I have not had an issue getting a treatment from there.

Originally posted by Carolynn

- If we can, will we be able to request extra legroom seats / bulkhead (we are only economy) for the VS400 part of the flight, or not as we will be booking in at BMI desk?

Exit rows/bulkheads can only be released by VS staff at LHR so BMI would not be able to assign them to you. Also, as you are travelling in economy, there is a charge to sit in the exit rows.