A Virgin Virgin has a question

The first time is always awkward...

Hi folks. I'm Steve and I am flying with my wife to London on the 20th for a friend's wedding and will spend 2 weeks in Great Britain as well.

I'm booked in Premium Economy on the way over (after figuring out how to get PE through Orbitz. That seems to be a mystery so I will post on that and what I did to get it soon). This is the first time I've flown across the pond and PE seemed the way to go. My wife is a member of the flying club (but is at the lowest level as she flies 1 round trip a year)

We are booked in Economy on the way back.

My question(s) are:
1) Could I upgrade to PE on the way back at check-in w/ Orbitz when I depart? I cannot do this on Virgin's website due to using Orbitz. Or rather, how likely would getting exit row upon appearance be (we're in shape).

2) I know I could contact Orbitz and upgrade to PE on the way back, but there would be about 500 in fees for the ticket change. Not quite sure that would be worth it given the differences in E and PE prices.

2a) I know I should have just upgraded months ago. What can I say, I am a virgin virgin!

3) Upper Class is half empty on the flight over tomorrow. If they're offering upgrades, what in your opinion is it worth? I'm not averse to upgrading for an amazing experience, but I'm a frugal person in general.

Thanks to everyone who responds. I'm new to Virgin and I'm looking forward to our flight tomorrow

(PS: Go England in the World Cup. At least until we (hopefully) meet your boys again in the Elimination Rounds)

[buns]

Hi Steve and welcome to V-flyer

Hope you enjoy your trip to the UK - be prepared for close to the same language, but an entirely different culture - for example don't expect free refills of coke at mc Donalds ):

Turning to your questions:

1. If you are prepared to part with your hard earned money on the day, then ask what the prices are at theCheck in desk - I suspect you will be taken aback with the price, as the days of getting a great deal on the day, seemed to have disappeared. ISTBC but if you go for PE on the day, you will incur the higher UK Airport taxes.

2. If Orbitiz offer you a price, you think fair, then go for it y)

2a. Not sure if it has been reading this site that has got you on the upgrade bug so soon ):

3. The UC experience is fab - but only if you get it a a good price (if the cost is coming out of your own pocket ). If you take my history of flying with Virgin, first it was PE, then after some time I got an operational upgrade and now all I want is to do UC. Some might say that Virgin do it deliberately, just like the Drug Dealers ):

Come what may, enjoy your flights and make the most of your time over here - BTW don't mention the football, we seem to be on the way out :w

buns

And in any case, get your wife to send you a "miles more friends" request to join flying club - she'll get some bonus miles when you have actually flown.

Regards
R3dV

Welcome to V-Flyer and I hope you have a fab trip to the UK - you don't say where you will be visiting but there will be loads of intersting things to do. If you do a post with places you will soon be given lots of advice !

Am not sure what Orbitz is and how that prevents you from using 'manage your bookings' on the VS website as upgrades, if available, are often advertised there.

One of the reasons why there is a 500 charge (I assume $ not £) is that the cheaper fares are either (a) already bought or (b) no longer availale due to the time restrictions. BUT as Buns says if you are happy with the price then go for it.

Please be aware that your luggage allowances are lower in Econ than PE - 1*23kg bag each compared to 2 * 23kg in PE so if you do some shopping it will be cheaper to pay for the extra bag(s) online rather than at the airport.

Oh finally when Buns says 'football' he does of course mean 'soccer' but whatever you call it best not mention it !

Hope you and Mrs J enjoy the wedding and your visit to our fare land!

We'll be in England for two weeks, one in and around London and one in Scotland touring distilleries and castles and the like. My best friend is getting married on Jul 3, the purpose of the trip. Is there a Doctor Who museum or any way to meet the Top Gear folks (My wife and I pretty much watch BBCAmerica all the time, save world cup matches)?

We'll be in Averbury, Cardiff, Southhampton, London, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Oban. Any pub suggestions or awesome things that are not typically tourist frequented welcome. We're also hiking fans, so we're going to be walking alot, so if there are good walking tours...

Gotta pack, we leave in a few hours!


Replies to posters

Buns,

Correct, I figure the best way to get the upgrade is to pay for it, so I've set an amount that I am willing to pay (about 1K) and we know that PE and UC are quite empty on the return trip.

I'm not one of those Americans who goes for the big size Coke's! I can say that you all have some weird crisp flavors.
Redvee,
I went ahead and sent myself a miles more friends invite from my wife. Nice idea.

Tontybear,
Orbitz is a ticket broker in the US. I just got off the phone with them and was told that since I have checked in to my flight, I would have to upgrade at the counter. Orbitz did confirm that PE is wide open just as your load check tool here says it is (I figure confirmation on the tool is good!)

Across the pond, PE hasnt caught on yet. So our brokers don't have the codes automated. If you do know the seat code, then you can get a switch. It is very tough and VA's customer service wasn't very good (in fact, so bad I emailed several executives and got quite a few responses that I could share! but no upgrade for my hassle ...)



And I think England is in if they win. And we got robbed. So I'd like it if you all beat the team that robbed us (or the ref...)

a wide range of places!

I'm not too good on pubs but there is a Dr Who exhibtion in Cardiff at the moment

details here

I think the only way to meet the Top Gear Chaps would be at a recording but no idea if they are filming at the moment but the tickets will be very popular and probbaly already allocated.

Enjoy your trip !

[buns]

The only pub tip I can give to say


Over here when we buy a drink in a pub we do not tip

Depends on where you are staying in London as to what might, or might not be a good pub

buns

A while ago, Top Gear had a two year waitlist for audience tickets. They do host an event called Top Gear Live but the next shows are not until November.

http://www.mphshow.co.uk/index.php

The only pub tip I can give to say
Depends on where you are staying in London as to what might, or might not be a good pub

Same goes for Edinburgh. I spend a fair amount of time in public houses and restaurants, so let me know the kind of thing your after - local character, bar design, literary association.....

If Upper is showing low occupancy, the chances are that you may be able to get an upgrade if you ask but...and it's a big but...it may be expensive (£1000+ each)

Paul

Sigh.

Looking at our flight status, apparently VSUN was very late getting off today, so we're doing to have a 50 minute delay. Anyone know why?

We have a bus reservation w/ national express at 10AM local time out of heathrow. Arriving *now* at 7:50AM local time. Hope 2 hours is enough to get out of the plane, get backs, and get to our bus.

Sigh.

Looking at our flight status, apparently VSUN was very late getting off today, so we're doing to have a 50 minute delay. Anyone know why?

We have a bus reservation w/ national express at 10AM local time out of heathrow. Arriving *now* at 7:50AM local time. Hope 2 hours is enough to get out of the plane, get backs, and get to our bus.

Two hours from aircraft to National Express should be a breeze!

Oh, for pubs, I'd rather be at a pub the locals like versus tourist trap pub.

I intend of watching the world cup when I can. I'm one of those few Americans who love soccer

thanks Tinkerbelle. Good to know. I would not be happy if I missed our connection out to Swindon where we'll be staying with friends.

Oh, for pubs, I'd rather be at a pub the locals like versus tourist trap pub.

I intend of watching the world cup when I can. I'm one of those few Americans who love soccer

Just sent you a PM...

I'll be posting a trip report soon, since that appears to be the norm.