I lost my VIRGINity today.

Well it's let me complete online check in for tomorrow's flight in UC so I'm taking that as a good sign.

Got seq 3 & 4 too which was nice coupled with my seq 1 & 2 for today's little red flight.

I'm pleased to hear this! We're unable to do OLCI because of our connecting flight from Cork so we can't see whether the UC cabin is there or not. We'll have to check in at LGW tonight or in the morning.

Just arrived at heathrow so will be getting the national express over to gatwick and then doing twiglight check in. Will make sure everything is back on track when at check in desk and then let you know.

Everything back on track. Checked in and 3 class aircraft is functional.

Everything back on track. Checked in and 3 class aircraft is functional.

Thanks for reporting back
Hope you have a good flight

Well jlucioli i saw the flight arrive over Barbados today as I took my mid afternoon dip, so hope you had a pleasant, if a little delayed, flight. y)

Well jlucioli i saw the flight arrive over Barbados today as I took my mid afternoon dip, so hope you had a pleasant, if a little delayed, flight. y)

Thanks marshy11, it was a very pleasant flight after all. We're by the pool ourselves now! I spoke to the crew about the delay - apparently a problem with the landing gear so they had to fly it to Miami to get it fixed.

How did they land at MIA?

Interestingly on another forum someone started a thread asking I'd vs or BA were better. Last time I checked, every single poster voted for BA.
Interesting again that the vs service seems to be rapidly declining.

[Darren Wheeler]

Interestingly on another forum someone started a thread asking I'd vs or BA were better. Last time I checked, every single poster voted for BA.
Interesting again that the vs service seems to be rapidly declining.

The stats from trip reports don't seem to support that.

the-toolbox/flyer-ratings

Interestingly on another forum someone started a thread asking I'd vs or BA were better. Last time I checked, every single poster voted for BA.
Interesting again that the vs service seems to be rapidly declining.

I don't think VS service is declining, well little bits now and then, but is remaining steady. Where as BA are vastly improving on customer service, something that has apparently been lacking in the past few years.

Now, has BA overtaken VS, or will it? (If I am unfair and compare BA F with VS J, BA is vastly better! But I haven't flown CW so cant compare there.)

Massive problem is personal preference, the service style of each airline is vastly different!

Having flown both VS & BA in J this year I believe that for the business class passenger BA are better focused. The crews on BA were clearly able to deliver that enhanced customer service, for instance on my last flight with BA 109 to Dubai I started by having to make two connecting flights before arriving at T5 which was a pleasure to get around. The lounge may not have all the bells and whistles but is more than adequate and I try to spend as little time as possible in the airport anyway. Priority boarding was professionally dealt with, I was welcomed at the door personally the the FSM (as we're all first and club passengers). I found the seat far more to my liking as I loved flying "backwards". Once in the air the FSM came to take my meal order and I explained I had already made two flights and had two meals so I asked if I could just have a hot chocolate and a cookie. The FSM then went straight to the galley and within two mins I had the chocolate and Cookie. Compare this to the VS flights where I always seem to find it a hassle pushing to the front for priority boarding, and in my general experience the crews treat you more like a holiday flyer and I was gold for six years and never once was I welcomed on board by name. So I would agree that BA has totally upped its game and whilst the general service for VS has remained constant, it's the things that made it different that have disappeared such as on board therapist, horrible amenity kits, and worst of all the decision to but aircraft without a business class cabin.

As Hamster says it is all about personal preference.
I really like VS as so far I have always had a good experience whichever class I have flown in. Yes some times the customer service isnt always great but it seems like it depends on the crew at the time. Human beings arent machines so sometimes we have bad days.
Personally I am happy for the two airlines to be distinct. I think the competition is healthy and if I have to take a flight where VS dont serve the route then more than likely I would pick BA with the exception of SQ ofcourse .
I have yet to fly BA but if I ever do I will aim for CW or F.
VS would go up in my ratings if they created a proper first class experience such as Suites similar to SQ or a first class cabin experience like that of AF.
Perhaps when VS get back in the black we will see the old services back such as on board therapist, proper amenity kits and the freedom menu.
When it comes to my regular route LHR-NRT VS win due to the flight arrival times. VS arrive from 08.30 - 09.30 and BA arrive at like 5am - 6am. For the Business traveller to NRT BA would probably be more favourable but I am a leisure traveller so VS is my choice.

Well, sorry to resurrect this ii)

I'm back from a wonderful break at Turtle Beach, have penned my letter to Virgin Towers and am drafting trip reports, having gone out CW and back UC.

Hope all those affected managed to enjoy their break as much as we did.

Well, sorry to resurrect this ii)

I'm back from a wonderful break at Turtle Beach, have penned my letter to Virgin Towers and am drafting trip reports, having gone out CW and back UC.

Hope all those affected managed to enjoy their break as much as we did.

Glad to hear it was a great holiday - I came within a whisker of booking Turtle Beach this year until an irresistible Antigua offer diverted me. Perhaps next year, as I do have fond memories of the place.

TR for BA http://ba-flyer.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... bbe61e0c78 and VS forum/index.php?f=6&t=281523&rb_v=viewtopic

May I ask why people are willing to put their trips off by several days rather than accept a downgrade to PE (with partial refund/miles/flight voucher). Statements like "PE is not a option" perplex me.

Things happen, it's only a few hours in a metal tube. The folk who turn right don't bite.

We would not be able to tavel in PE, as my husband has a severe back problem that means he can't sit for any length of time and HAS to lie down!

TR for BA http://ba-flyer.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... bbe61e0c78 and VS forum/index.php?f=6&t=281523&rb_v=viewtopic

Interesting read. Will you be using BA over VS for future trips?

Thanks.

In truth I would happily fly with either now but we really on accrue enough miles for one loyalty, so I will wait and see what the outcome is from Virgin Towers. It may be a case of spend those and change.

Well we have today had a letter from Virgin Holidays.

They have enclosed emails to/from themselves and VS showing and apologising for a breakdown in communication. They tell us they had given us a Red Select voucher for economy flights or 40k air miles at Gatwick when they checked us in.

I am on the telephone now explaining that nothing of the sort happened.

What would be the best option to take. 3 x economy flights or 40k each for myself and hubby (nothing for my son of course due to his age).

Edit - Just to add, VH don't know the T&C of the offer from VS, so they are going to call me back tomorrow. I have explained that if they want to offer 3 economy flights or 40k airmiles, then the airmiles for my son should be added to my account, ie 120k. Cheeky but let's see.

Has anyone any experience of a Red Select flight and what T&C there are or how (un)likely it is to ever be 'spent'.

Thanks in advance.

Marshy11 - thanks for your TRs - really well balanced reporting!

Couple of points for you - did you realise you do get the Avios on BA for your son? Plus you can get a household account where you can effectively pool all the Avios earned.

I agree on the CW bed, I too find that more comfortable.

Really glad you enjoyed Turtle Beach - I'm back there in October for our 6th Visit, with the 7th booked for next year already! What a terrific place that is...

In terms of your other questions, I'd suggest that the 3 x economy red select vouchers are probably better value than the 40k miles...this rather depends on whether you'd actually ever use them. By which I mean, do you think you'd fly to one of VS destinations in economy with your family? I'm pretty sure they are not upgradable in any way, miles or money, but will happily stand corrected.

Good luck with getting it straightened out...

Marshy11 - thanks for your TRs - really well balanced reporting!

Couple of points for you - did you realise you do get the Avios on BA for your son? Plus you can get a household account where you can effectively pool all the Avios earned.

I agree on the CW bed, I too find that more comfortable.

Really glad you enjoyed Turtle Beach - I'm back there in October for our 6th Visit, with the 7th booked for next year already! What a terrific place that is...

In terms of your other questions, I'd suggest that the 3 x economy red select vouchers are probably better value than the 40k miles...this rather depends on whether you'd actually ever use them. By which I mean, do you think you'd fly to one of VS destinations in economy with your family? I'm pretty sure they are not upgradable in any way, miles or money, but will happily stand corrected.

Good luck with getting it straightened out...

Thank you.

Re the Avios, yes we did this on our return, set up the family account and BA very kindly added all the miles on for the flight.

VS did credit us for the outward flight too eventually, so that was a nice bonus.

I was hoping the 3 x economy flights may be upgradable, but if they aren't then I think I will opt for the miles. We have enough for a couple of UC flights, so that would be good to have another in the bank so to speak. I'm afraid I don't do Y as I find it all too claustrophobic. So I shall try and get 40k x 3 miles for us.

Turtle Beach is one resort we will definitely go back to. We've never been returnees, but it was so wonderful (despite TS Chantal turning up!) that we will certainly go back again. Enjoy your trip across in October, I shall look forward to the TR!

P.S is it just me (Safari) or is this site playing up, the text is all over the place?

I'll differ to those more knowledgeable on the upgradability (is that a word?) of the red select vouchers - perhaps try doing a google search on the T&Cs?

I recall reading on here as well, that those vouchers turn out to be quite hard to use due restrictions etc - especially if you want to travel during school holidays.

Anyway, I'm sure others will be along to adiise soon...

Re Turtle Beach - it's got so silly now with out return visits that we're on first name terms with all the staff, and get hugs every time we go back!

Hope Sam and Ricky and the boys looked after you all on the beach, the very fact that resort has such minimal staff turn over tells it's own story...

I'll differ to those more knowledgeable on the upgradability (is that a word?) of the red select vouchers - perhaps try doing a google search on the T&Cs?

I recall reading on here as well, that those vouchers turn out to be quite hard to use due restrictions etc - especially if you want to travel during school holidays.

Anyway, I'm sure others will be along to adiise soon...

Re Turtle Beach - it's got so silly now with out return visits that we're on first name terms with all the staff, and get hugs every time we go back!

Hope Sam and Ricky and the boys looked after you all on the beach, the very fact that resort has such minimal staff turn over tells it's own story...

Thanks, I don't know why I didn't think to google it. Although info seems split between having the RS and paying/not paying taxes. I think the miles will be the best bet.

Re Turtle Beach - the staff were all fantastic, we've been to some amazing resorts all with great staff but really none as wonderful as those at TB.

If you don't mind me asking, do you book direct with TB.

If you don't mind me asking, do you book direct with TB.

I have tried booking direct, they offer good discounts for return visitors, however I've always found better deals elsewhere.

Travel Republic have usually got the best price, although I did once get an amazing price out of Virgin Holidays (accommodation only).

For my trip this October, I got an amzing deal from BA on flights with accommodation...same price as economy with Virgin Hols and same hotel/duration/dates etc.

These days, I look around at a few sites, as soon as I see one that works out less than my benchmark price, I grab it. For 3 people, I can usually better £300 per day at TB...

I'd seriously suggest trying Travel Republic, they've often given me a great deal.

Good to see that they've got back to you with the offer of some sort of compensation.

However I'm a little confused as to why they'd offer a business class passenger free tickets in economy.

If you don't mind me asking, do you book direct with TB.

I have tried booking direct, they offer good discounts for return visitors, however I've always found better deals elsewhere.

Travel Republic have usually got the best price, although I did once get an amazing price out of Virgin Holidays (accommodation only).

For my trip this October, I got an amzing deal from BA on flights with accommodation...same price as economy with Virgin Hols and same hotel/duration/dates etc.

These days, I look around at a few sites, as soon as I see one that works out less than my benchmark price, I grab it. For 3 people, I can usually better £300 per day at TB...

I'd seriously suggest trying Travel Republic, they've often given me a great deal.

I've got my own little cluster of Caribbean specialist agencies that I tend to use depending on who is cheapest for what I want (Barbados Ambassadors and TropicalSky have historically been good), but never tried travelrepublic before - are their prices good for packages or is it more accommodation only? May have to check them out for next Easter...

Thanks all for the advice and apologies to bump this but one last time (I hope the others who were affected see it)......we finally settled on 120K air miles across the three accounts - our son (13) is entitled to an account although we were previously told he needed to be 16, so he has his own miles compensation now but am not happy I didn't check myself as he's missed out on some decent miles in the last 18 months. Never mind.

Thanks also to Turtle Beach who sent us £50 by means of an apology for the wait when we first arrived at the hotel (VH hadn't given them the correct dates for our arrival).

Off to check where we can go with our miles......