Twilight check-in

I'm due to fly out of Gatwick in November, I have already booked the night before at the Hilton (I know a lot of people prefer the Sofitel, but I like the convenience of the short walk )

I'm planning on doing OLCI at T-24, then driving to Gatwick.
As I am flying PE (so hopefully the queue won't be too big at the check-in desk in the morning), is it really worth bothering with twilight check-in? I was thinking that it would be earier just to pack all the clothes and toiletries into my suit case in the morning, saves carrying it onboard. Then popping over to the PE check-in and go straight through to security (which don't imagine would be too time consuming) Or am I missing something obvious that makes dropping the cases off the night before the right idea ?|

It's a matter of opinion of course, and depends on the timing of your flight, how much luggage you tend to carry etc, but I do the Hilton/twilight check in thing at least a couple of times a year on holidays and it's perfect. No dragging suitcases around the hotel, longer in bed the next morning (or the CH if you're lucky enough) - provided you can keep a small overnight bag with you, I wouldn't do it any other way.

Are you leaving your car at the Hilton ? Is it worth you popping a small bag in for your overnight stay and then leaving it in the car until you come back ? Or take throwaway toiletries and take your "dirty" clothes with you ?

If you are doing OLCI, I guess it would negate the need to Twilight Check In as well. However, if you want to confirm your seats as best you can for your trip ... might be worth it.

Also might mean that you don't need to get up quite so early in the morning to drop your bags off.

I think what I am trying to say is that it is all about preference ) )

I am parking at the Hilton, although I believe that once you drop your car off at the valet parking, they take it somewhere off site.

My flight is 12:30, so not too early, but then again I never seem to slep the night before I go on holiday anyway lol

I remember reading a trip report somewhere where a V Flyer member's daughter had a birthday and the car parking folks let them keep the car at the hotel overnight so they could put her presents in the boot. Worth a quick phone call to see if they could do this for you ?

I remember reading a trip report somewhere where a V Flyer member's daughter had a birthday and the car parking folks let them keep the car at the hotel overnight so they could put her presents in the boot. Worth a quick phone call to see if they could do this for you ?

That's certainly food for thought |:)

When we did it this summer we basically took stuff to the hotel that could be disposed of. Strolling into and through the airport carrying only minimal hand luggage but knowing we were on a long haul flight felt very cool.....

When we did it this summer we basically took stuff to the hotel that could be disposed of. Strolling into and through the airport carrying only minimal hand luggage but knowing we were on a long haul flight felt very cool.....

Thats what I do - I travel to the airport in clothes that I no longer want or buy a cheap pair of trousers and a top from primark and leave them at the airport hotel, I also take small travel toiletries and leave them so that I only have my normal hand luggage the next morning and don't have to lug my dirty clothes with me.

Really interesting thread folks...thanks!

I'm flying from LGW on flight VS43 two weeks today, and as yet have no seat allocation available to view (due to the refurbs). So is it possible to use OLCI on Friday morning, and still use the twilight service to drop off the luggage?

Thanks again,

Mark

[Neil]

Really interesting thread folks...thanks!

I'm flying from LGW on flight VS43 two weeks today, and as yet have no seat allocation available to view (due to the refurbs). So is it possible to use OLCI on Friday morning, and still use the twilight service to drop off the luggage?

Thanks again,

Mark

Yes you can

We are booked in the Ramada and you park at hotel overnight then take your car to long term car park next morning so we can leave our overnight bags in the car. Will do TLCI on way to Hotel.