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#860544 by Fordie
31 Oct 2013, 22:19
Hello

i am flying from LHR in january UC and i used virgins live chat to ask about the DTCI and if i can book my slot now to have my family relative drop me off and shes said the following below...Is she right?

"This is only available to you if you receive an email from us, the only thing you can do now is use points, or pay for the full car service. "
Followed by my reply is this using airmiles....
Agent:"That is correct, you can spend 17500 Flying Club points on a car one way through the Contact Centre, would you like the number to call to add this on?

Also i can only use DTCI if i receive an invitation?

Can some one please give me clarification as you guys/gals make more sense compared to the VA live chat..

thanks
#860547 by Trevski220
31 Oct 2013, 22:28
Think the operator doesn't know what they are talking about! You can book it to use without an email invitation or booking a CDC

I quote the website:

"As long as you're an upper class passenger, all you need to do is call 01293 493600 within 1 month of travelling and up to 12 hours before your flight"

Line is open 7am to 8pm
#860550 by Fordie
31 Oct 2013, 22:32
Trevski220 wrote:Think the operator doesn't know what they are talking about! You can book it to use without an email invitation or booking a CDC

I quote the website:

"As long as you're an upper class passenger, all you need to do is call 01293 493600 within 1 month of travelling and up to 12 hours before your flight"

Line is open 7am to 8pm


I also thought this but seeing as they work for virgin i thought they must know there details! but i felt like saying excuse me your wrong. and i mentioned about booking 1 month before but then the agent said you can book whenever until the 12 hours before?

i want a relative to drop me off using either my car or his. and should i wait until december to give them a call and book a slot?

if they had to give out uc wing invites then whats the point paying extra for a UC seat.
Yet again V-flyer make things simple and easy for me
#860553 by joeyc
31 Oct 2013, 22:44
Fordie wrote: but seeing as they work for virgin i thought they must know there details! but i felt like saying excuse me your wrong.


Feel free to correct the agent if they are wrong, but not in a snooty manner, it is normally all down to a misunderstanding along the way - usually leads to a bit of banter. y)

There has been one occasion though when I was trying to get the correct number of TPs and miles from the FC line and the CS agent really dug in like a tic that they were right and I was wrong and used the fact that he worked for Virgin to mean he was the authority on all things of the company. If you are feeling puckish do what I did, open up google and test them on financial performance, pax figures etc.. see how smug they are then ):

The agent is partly correct and I would say that she simply didn't explain the point very well, the 'invitation' referred to is probably going to be the email they send out when your departure date is approaching (sent out within the month of travel).. this encourages people to get all their ducks in a row so to speak (also usually peddles currency exchange, upgrades etc..) and if flying UC from LHR informs about the DTCI and how to book. You will also find the info and phone number in MMB - could take that as an invite if ya wish :P

It is still too early to book this Fordie, as Trev says max time out is a month - just booked my slot in the wing for my November flight but I can't for my December ones just yet.

Give the UC team a call after the 4th December ii)
#860558 by starquake
31 Oct 2013, 23:10
I can't wait, my first UC drive-up checkin is er, next Weds....

Well once I get the car booked from work anyhow ;)

Hope it is as good as advertised.
#860562 by honey lamb
31 Oct 2013, 23:27
Possibly the agent was referring to a time when VS did begin to open up DTCI to people using their own cars. In the early days when it was being trialled you could only use it if you were emailed inviting you to use it and giving you a code. However, thanks to VF, people began to call VS to ask if they could be invited - and they were. y)

That has long since gone but the poor chat agent is obviously working off a manual the same age as some of the web pages! :?
#860564 by pjh
31 Oct 2013, 23:35
Sounds like the agent is confused between CDC and DTCI. Check here...

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... -wing.html

..the relevant part

As long as you're an Upper Class passenger, all you need to do is call 01293 493600 within one month of travelling and up to 12 hours before your flight (between 7am and 8pm) with the following information:

Full flight details, including unique locator reference or ticket number

The names of all the passengers in the vehicle, and whether or not they're flying

The full passport details of flying passengers, and the address of their first night stay if travelling to the U.S.

The car registration, make, model and colour
#860578 by Fordie
01 Nov 2013, 14:33
Thanks to Everyone who posted a reply. And I can understand virgin agents follow scripts and a system but alt least we go some straight forward answers on here! I will call them up 4th/5th December to book a slot.

I've only ever flew from lgw and used their clubhouse but never the upper class wing at LHR so it will be a good experience.
#860737 by SteveAndBarbara
05 Nov 2013, 03:59
When we booked we just provided both passenger details, car make, model colour and driver's name, who was my dad.

Was a great experience. They open the door for you, greet you by name, and carry your suitcases in for you :)
#860766 by Fordie
05 Nov 2013, 23:25
SteveAndBarbara wrote:When we booked we just provided both passenger details, car make, model colour and driver's name, who was my dad.

Was a great experience. They open the door for you, greet you by name, and carry your suitcases in for you :)


It sounds great, I am looking forward to the experience of the UC wing and dtci. It adds that special touch on departure day.
#860776 by gfonk
06 Nov 2013, 00:10
I have yet to try it but reckon VS DTCI must be the envy of SQ et al
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