Tips for a Newbie in UC

Ok, so I'm sure if your a regular on here you have seen my previous posts about upgrading from PE to UC. Well I am very excited to say an upgrade opened up and I was successful in upgrading using my FC miles. I've booked a getaway vacation from Los Angeles to London thats always been on my bucket list, and I'm going all out.

As Im sure you can tell, I'm pretty excited as I have never flown UC before with VS so I'm not really sure what to expect at all, or what the expected etiquette should be. Ive never been to a clubhouse or used any of the amenities included in UC and I'm not sure what is complimentary and what isn't.

Im sure I could figure this all out once I get there, but being the type A personality that I am, and my OCD need to plan ahead, I figured I would ask for advice from all the travel gurus on here.

Any tips, suggestions, musts, warnings, etc would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again for taking the time to read this and for any replies =)

Well done on the upgrade.

Have a read of some trip reports on here, ask lots of questions, look at you tube-videos or links from here and just enjoy it.

I'm not familiar with that route, so the first thing to establish will be what plane you will be on, then you can seek advice on the seat.

Hi Marshy, thanks for the reply. I will be on a an Airbus A340-600 and I booked seat 10A

Have a search on here for that route and also 'A346' as that will give you details on the plane itself.

Did you manage to upgrade the route back? LHR is a clubhouse you NEED to visit if you possibly can!

Hi

What dates are you flying?

I am flying LAX - LHR in Sept and have not seen many UC reward seats available as yet. I'm hoping some will open up nearer the time.....

Marshy, I upgraded both trips ( I knew I had to see the clubhouse at LHR, *can't wait*)

Semtex, I am flying on March 12th and 19th, good luck to you in securing an upgrade, I have been watching daily and mine opened this morning!

Hi codeman,

Where to start. LAX clubhouse is a shared lounge so don't expect much. There will be complimentary drinks and nibbles without a doubt.

Wear what makes you comfortable on board, no need to 'dress up' as you'll need to be comfy. If any of the flights are night flights then CC will hand out sleep suits (PJs), so you might want to get some sleep. Some people, me included, take our own PJs as they're more comfortable. You might want them even if not a night flight, depends on what will be comfy for you.

Now, the LHR clubhouse will probably knock your socks off! It's quite acceptable to arrive 4-5 hours before your flight to get the best of the facilities. If you are someone who likes spa treatments, massage, manis / predis, haircut, shave etc, then check out the list of what's available on the VS website under Virgin Experience and select the LHR clubhouse. Most treatment are complimentary, with some longer ones to pay for, or you can have a complimentary treatment and pay for an extra one. Whatever you choose, if you want one, go straight to the desk as soon as you arrive to book it.

Then kick back and do what you like. Plenty of different areas to sit, and food and drink is complimentary. The acknowledged tradition is to order champagne / cocktail and settle down to whatever you want to eat. There is a menu and depending on time of day it will be breakfast food or from 11:30am lunch, tapas. There is also a deli. Quaff your drink, order another, and enjoy.

And enjoy London. If you wanna see a show and haven't already booked something, there are ticket booths in Leicester Square where you can queue for tickets on the day and even buy some in advance I think. Just enjoy. If you plan to use the underground transport a lot, then think about a day travel card rather than pay as you go. There's a lot to see and do and most things are in walking distance from anywhere. Great food to be had in Chinatown (my favourite is Wan Chai Corner on Gerrard Street, it's not very stylish but the food is excellent and it's one of the few in Chinatown where you will find a lot of local Chinese eat. Dumplings Legend is also excellent, they specialise is Shanghai dumpling dim sum).

If you're used to standard US business class lounges, the Clubhouse at LHR will blow your mind. Many V-Flyers happily spend 3 hours plus there enjoying the food (waiter service), drink (full cocktail bar) and spa (first treatment or haircut is free).

It's a shame that your first experience of Upper Class will be in the shared lounge at LAX which isn't run by Virgin. If you're lucky you'll get the Air Nee Zealand Koru lounge which, by US standards, isn't bad (though not a patch on the LHR Clubhouse). If you're unlucky and it's full, as it often is, you'll have to use the Air France lounge.

If your flight to London is the VS8 see if the Revivals lounge at LHR is still open when you arrive (it normally closes at 1.30pm). Located landside after customs and immigration, it offers showers, a small spa and a nice breakfast/brunch. A great way to become human again after a 10 hour flight and prepare you for your first day in London.

On board - just relax and enjoy the service. And be sure to try out the bar at the back of the UC cabin!

Nice one. My only word of warning is that it is very difficult to go back to VS PE or indeed any other longhaul airline after sampling UC!
I've used the LHR clubhouse 4 times and now any trip to T3 is a let down unless I get to visit. I've flown in UC on two trips and its a brilliant product. You must have a few drinks at the onboard bar and chat with the CC, sometime get a few words with the pilots as well Have fun!

Hi all V Flyers,
I've read on some of the older posts that people mention sleeper suits in UC.

Do they still issue them and does every get one ?

Thanks all

Yes they do and yes there are normally enough for everyone who wants one (which in my experience is not very many people).

Great news!
B4 my 1st UC experience I went thro all the info on the VS website umpteen times and still went back for more! There are some good videos on YouTube of both AC and clubhouse.

I have to agree with neil_young, once you get a taste you won't want to go back!
Darren

Yes they do and yes there are normally enough for everyone who wants one (which in my experience is not very many people).

Thanks gumshoe y)

Thank you all so much for all of your advice and tips! I'm counting down the days until my trip! Im super excited about the LHR clubhouse, stay tuned for post once im there =)

No need really to wish you a fabulous time, you'll certainly have that. What to wear does cause concern for a newbie, we've all been there. For me, it's something I can sit about in comfortably but in which I feel "good". You'll yearn for UC and the CH every time you fly afterwards, it'll ruin your finances! Enjoy every minute, drain the fizz supplies dry and give us all a wave from the CH and then the on-board bar.

Mrs T & I have now flown UC for our last 4 long haul trips & we still get really excited with the "product"! We've only experienced the LGW CH & that is fantastic, I believe LHR CH is even better - enjoy!

I agree you should wear what you feel comfortable in, there is no dress code. As others have said check out the VA website to get to know the UC experience, we still do before every trip in case something has changed.

Please let me know if you would like any help with good Hotels or shows as we stay a few times a year in London & love the West End shows.