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#766698 by BuddingPilot
07 Feb 2011, 19:08
I'm off to Las Vegas but due to limited availability of UC miles tickets I have booked to fly UC to LAX then a short transfer flight. This is my First UC experience and I'd assumed that nearer the time, if a G seat came up on the Las Vegas flight, I'd just switch my booking. However, after reading quite a few posts here I'm now thinking that there are quite a few advantages to the LAX flight
- Heathrow is slightly (30 minutes) more convenient for me so the door-2-door times for going via LAX is not as bad as it could be
- Heathrow sounds like it has a better lounge
- The planes from LHR are in better condition with better IFE systems

So, can anyone advise a UC virgin on their first flight :) And what is so good about 8G?
#766699 by Neil
07 Feb 2011, 19:10
All of the things you have said are correct, and going via LAX or SFO is something that is done a lot by members on here, including me. LAX is only a short and cheap flight or a very easy 4 hour drive to Vegas so no hassle at all really.
#766701 by tontybear
07 Feb 2011, 19:16
BuddingPilot wrote: And what is so good about 8G?


Not sure about the '8' but the G is the fare bucket that a reward UC ticket is allocated from.

And as you have picked up there are more G's to SFO and LAX than there are to LAS.
#766716 by Slipperman
07 Feb 2011, 20:28
tontybear wrote:
BuddingPilot wrote: And what is so good about 8G?


Not sure about the '8' but the G is the fare bucket that a reward UC ticket is allocated from.

And as you have picked up there are more G's to SFO and LAX than there are to LAS.


I think the OP is talking about his chosen seat. :)
#766717 by DragonLady
07 Feb 2011, 20:33
8G as in the seat on the 600 airbus? If so not my favourite place to sit (and it's a bassinet position to boot).
This is a TR from my last trip to LAS in November
LINK
The LHR CH has far more wow factor than the LGW CH but the LGW 747 UC cabin is diddy in comparison to the large 600 cabin (and much more "special" in feeling). How about flying out to LAS and back via LAX if you can?
DL
Last edited by DragonLady on 24 Jun 2015, 22:23, edited 2 times in total. Reason: To fix link
#766720 by honey lamb
07 Feb 2011, 20:51
If you're travelling on your own I wouldn't got for 8G for the reason stated above and also because you will be facing the person in 8K. For privacy you might prefer something like 3-4K or 10-11A where you would be facing a low wall
#766734 by honey lamb
07 Feb 2011, 21:37
DragonLady wrote:My link above doesn't seem to work. Could a mod tidy it up for me please?
Thanks
DL

Tis done! :D
#766735 by miopyk
07 Feb 2011, 21:39
Always fly into LAX or SFO when visiting the South West, it's so much easier and convenient. Vegas, as has already been pointed out is just a short hop away by plane or car. We're back there in May like you on a couple of Gs. Oh and our favourite seats are 10, 11 or 12 A on the 346.

Enjoy your trip

Miopyk
#766752 by platinumleo
08 Feb 2011, 04:01
BuddingPilot wrote:I'm off to Las Vegas but due to limited availability of UC miles tickets I have booked to fly UC to LAX then a short transfer flight. This is my First UC experience and I'd assumed that nearer the time, if a G seat came up on the Las Vegas flight, I'd just switch my booking. However, after reading quite a few posts here I'm now thinking that there are quite a few advantages to the LAX flight
- Heathrow is slightly (30 minutes) more convenient for me so the door-2-door times for going via LAX is not as bad as it could be
- Heathrow sounds like it has a better lounge
- The planes from LHR are in better condition with better IFE systems

So, can anyone advise a UC virgin on their first flight :) And what is so good about 8G?


Upper Class is a new experience, if you've never done it before. Having flown to Las Vegas from gatwick and used the Heathrow as well.

Heathrow Vs Gatwick for one.
(1.)Heathrow you have the Upper class wing, you can enter via a car or from the terminal through a dedicated lift (that will only work from your barcode) dedicated passport and security.
(2) Gatwick all you get is the 'fast' security
(3.) LHR clubhouse is million times better then LGW! If its your first time then go via LHR.
(4.)LHR has the better planes and the IFE can be better (fingers crossed you get odyssey!)
For the internal flight its (as mentioned) very cheap LAX-LAS many airlines fly the route domestically.
Any more advice please pvt me, enjoy the front of the plane y)

EVen if I was paying I'd always fly via LAX/SFO with a G I would due to more availability on the fare bucket and all of the above :?

All I would suggest on the return flight get a seat on the right hand side, therefore you get a view of London at sunrise its stunning! ^)

Platinum Leo
#766844 by BuddingPilot
08 Feb 2011, 23:47
Thanks for all the comments, as a result I think I will stick to LAX, change my seat and maybe do a road trip rather than flight :-)
#766846 by DragonLady
09 Feb 2011, 00:03
Darren Wheeler wrote:Barstow!!!


In N Out Burger :D :D :D
Nom Nom
Barstow is still a seriously odd place with seriously odd residents :0 :0 .
#766849 by mattdell
09 Feb 2011, 00:31
What's so special about Barstow?
#766851 by honey lamb
09 Feb 2011, 01:07
mattdell wrote:What's so special about Barstow?

See above :D
#766866 by Becca1007
09 Feb 2011, 02:39
Just a note to you BuddingPilot, not sure when you are traveling, but the drive to Vegas from LA can be brutal on a Friday afternoon/evening. Any other day of the week it is a breeze, but if you are flying in on a Friday I might consider the short plane flight over the drive.
#766874 by MrT
09 Feb 2011, 08:48
Becca1007 wrote:Just a note to you BuddingPilot, not sure when you are traveling, but the drive to Vegas from LA can be brutal on a Friday afternoon/evening. Any other day of the week it is a breeze, but if you are flying in on a Friday I might consider the short plane flight over the drive.


+1, we left LAX about 1700 (after immigration interrogation) on a Friday pm and arrived at the strip at about 11pm. The crawling LA traffic, setting out in the light and arriving in the dark and the long plane trip were particularly bad points. I would probably consider overnighting in a LAX airport hotel and then setting off early in the morning if doing it again.
#766960 by BuddingPilot
09 Feb 2011, 22:47
Thanks Becca & Mr T, I am indeed arriving on a Friday evening flight so a flight is probably in order unless I manage to switch to the Sat/Sun which are my prefered days but no reward seats at the moment - might just sleep off the jet lag in LA and drive to Vegas at 4am which is when I tend to wake up after a flight to the west coast. Vegas by 9am !
#766974 by Luke085
10 Feb 2011, 00:26
Tinkerbelle wrote:
BuddingPilot wrote:Vegas by 9am !


Just in time for the Champagne Brunch!!

:D


Or breakfast at the bellagio!
Virgin Atlantic

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