I lost my VIRGINity today.

Haven't flown UC out of gatwick and have often wondered if the service differs from heathrow ( either better or worse ) as its more of a leisure route departure airport

[honey lamb]

Haven't flown UC out of gatwick and have often wondered if the service differs from heathrow ( either better or worse ) as its more of a leisure route departure airport

It shouldn't differ and as far as I have been concerned, it hasn't (well except for the time that there used to be a security bod manning the entry to the desks. Aer John and I arrived at the entrance to the UC/PE area at the same time as a family headed by an elderly gentleman of military bearing, complete with blazer, cravat and moustache. The dragon in charge swithered between the two of us and decided that the family was more appropriately positioned and asked if they were travelling in PE. The confirmed that they were and she proceeded to process them with much conviviality while I fumed silently by. Having sent them on their merry way, she then turned to us and asked in the sympathetic tones of those dealing with the not-so-bright who are in the wrong place, if we were travelling in Economy. When I informed that I was in fact in UC, she became all sweetness and light, but sorry darling, it was too little too late!) In the greater scheme of things this is trivial compared with marshy's experience and I have always treated it as such as something to dine out on rather than pursue, but to get back to Blacky's point, there should be no difference between a leisure and a so-called business route. Most of my travel on VS has been from LHR but I, along with a significant number of others, have also been leisure travellers. Equally some of the leisure routes, especially LAS and MCO, are also major convention centres and are likely to have business travellers on board

Haven't flown UC out of gatwick and have often wondered if the service differs from heathrow ( either better or worse ) as its more of a leisure route departure airport

Forgiving the UC helpline advising us incorrectly, twice.

We have since been told that the Twilight staff at LGWare "agency" staff. I have no idea what this means but it may explain the complete lack of interest and care there.

What is so annoying is his could have been avoided completely. Had they called us when they say they did (turns out another error on their part and someone forgot to call us). We could have rebooked our dates in the conform of our sitting room. A slight inconvenience but nothing an explanation couldn't have resolved.

Just to echo the feelings of everyone on here, I am so sorry to read this horrendous experience for you.

To be offered compensation and then for it to be taken away, is simply not on.

I truly hope that Virgin come to their senses and honour the compensation. I know that you eventually got to your destination but with all that heartache, worry and what seems like rudeness from the ground staff, it leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth.

I certainly would keep persevering with this. Have you tried speaking to a senior customer service manager? I only ask this as I had a problem in June and spoke to someone high up as I really felt justified in my quest to have a reward booking (put on hold) honoured.

Good luck

... and it looks like someone higher up the food chain in Crawley has vetoed it.

But surely the time to veto the 40k miles per person was BEFORE the letter was sent out making the offer and not once the miles had been posted to the account??

... and it looks like someone higher up the food chain in Crawley has vetoed it.

But surely the time to veto the 40k miles per person was BEFORE the letter was sent out making the offer and not once the miles had been posted to the account??

My point entirely. It's one thing to have caused all this unnecessary and avoidable mess, but to compound it with an offer, which took a few days to accept as we couldn't work out what our son was being offered, to have it given then taken away, is just unforgivable.

My thanks to Jo who FB'd me (I don't know her ID on here) but my post was invisible other than to my own FB friends yesterday. After her updates on that post (which have now been removed ii) and her suggestion on how to get them to 'unhide' my post) it is now visible and duly prompted a reply from Greg and an email from the Execs office. It's being dealt with next week by way of a review.

Until then, the dust can settle on this very long thread.

keep us posted !

Twas me!

Regards my posts being removed I was in the process of doing that when someone else was deleting them. Not a problem though

A long overdue but probably dreaded update!

I have today heard back from Craig Kreeger.

An explanation, apology and furthermore a lovely offer of 2 clubhouse invites to either Gatwick or Heathrow any time in the future.

I have replied asking they be donated to a (particular) charity.

My intention wasn't to benefit from this last "complaint", but to ascertain why we were dealt with in this fashion and to help prevent any reoccurrence.

I hope this is possible and it would be lovely to report back, finally putting this awful thread to bed!

An explanation, apology and furthermore a lovely offer of 2 clubhouse invites to either Gatwick or Heathrow any time in the future.

I have replied asking they be donated to a (particular) charity.

Having read through 6 pages I must say this is very much like reading through a nightmare...

For many the anticipation of a holiday is what keeps us going – paying the extra to taste luxury we can’t have each and every day and the chance to relax. To be treated like this is awful and if this happened to me and god forbid it does it would leave a really bitter taste in my mouth. I feel for you...

I work in a customer service industry and when we offer compensation only to have it donated to charity means one thing – we have lost a customer. Simple as that, and that hurts – to get an offer from the CEO is pretty big and to have that turned down would cause my boss to ask some serious questions! He wouldn’t be best pleased and would be on a personal mission to sort it out, I hope Craig is the same kind of boss.

I hope they come back with a better offer, and indeed win you back. We choose Virgin because we love the experience they offer and the ‘Brand’. I will be honest and say that I choose Virgin because of this, but they have had numerous chances to sort this out.

For me, and what I tell my fellow workers is simple – if there is a problem nip it in the bud. If there is an issue then resolve it first time and dont let it become an issue... If on the day they explained that the metal had an issue and they had to change it or there would be no flight – they gave you PE tickets with a decent sum of miles along with CH access etc and looked after you would it have changed your mind..? Perhaps a sincere apology, a complementary meal at the Hilton and a taxi back to the hotel with a car there for the morning to take you to the CH – along with something special once you arrived at your destination would this have done?

Either way, let us know how it goes... Again, I feel so bad for you and I now begin to worry about my honeymoon!