LHR connections to use or not to use?

On the 10th April I am off to NYC in upper using the AMS trick. I arrive in to T5 at 07:30 on BA423 and then depart on VS45 at 14:00. I am planning on taking hand luggage only as it is only a 4 day trip. My question is do I use Flight Connections or do I leave T5 get the HEX to T3 and then check in for the VS45 there?
If it sways the decision this will be my first longhaul flight from LHR since being AU and my first flight in upper.

Personally I'd use FC, as it saves you clearing immigration at T5 and all the walking to and from the HEX. The only thing you'd miss out on is the dedicated VS security channel in the UC wing at T3 but at the end of the day it's just an airport security channel!

The main thing is you'll still get to use the Clubhouse - for a good 5 hours by the sound of it - and that, to me, is the biggest benefit of being Au and/or flying UC.

I did the AMS trick myself just after Christmas - albeit via BRU instead of AMS and to LAX instead of JFK, but with similar timings to yours - and while the cost saving was amazing (at least £1500), I think next time I'd do the initial Europe-LHR leg the day before rather than the same morning as it ended up being an extremely long day with a very early start off not much sleep!

I believe the trick works with a layover in the UK lasting anything up to 24 hours so if you live in or near London and have the time you could enjoy a nice day trip to AMS/BRU/wherever the day before, get home for the night and be nice and fresh for the long haul the following day.

I've tried pricing up a trip via AMS on matrix but don't seem to be able to put a VS flight after a BA connection - any tips on what I'm doing wrong?

You need to use a site like expedia.co.uk, put you departure as AMS and select VS as your preferred airline.

It will then give you a price for the complete trip.

David

You need to use a site like expedia.co.uk, put you departure as AMS and select VS as your preferred airline.

It will then give you a price for the complete trip.

I always wondered about that. Thanks.

Personally I'd use FC, as it saves you clearing immigration at T5 and all the walking to and from the HEX. The only thing you'd miss out on is the dedicated VS security channel in the UC wing at T3 but at the end of the day it's just an airport security channel!

The main thing is you'll still get to use the Clubhouse - for a good 5 hours by the sound of it - and that, to me, is the biggest benefit of being Au and/or flying UC.

I did the AMS trick myself just after Christmas - albeit via BRU instead of AMS and to LAX instead of JFK, but with similar timings to yours - and while the cost saving was amazing (at least £1500), I think next time I'd do the initial Europe-LHR leg the day before rather than the same morning as it ended up being an extremely long day with a very early start off not much sleep!

I believe the trick works with a layover in the UK lasting anything up to 24 hours so if you live in or near London and have the time you could enjoy a nice day trip to AMS/BRU/wherever the day before, get home for the night and be nice and fresh for the long haul the following day.

I am night stopping in AMS the night before my AMS-LHR-JFK for the reason of it being a long day and my not booking deprecate flights without a large time gap in case of delays.

I will take your advice and use connections with my VS boarding pass in passbook as long as that works!!

Looking forward to the clubhouse next week.

You need to use a site like expedia.co.uk, put you departure as AMS and select VS as your preferred airline.

It will then give you a price for the complete trip.

David

Cheers, that works perfectly! Shaves about £500 off a £2500 UC ticket to JFK - is that normal or is it sometimes even more?

You need to use a site like expedia.co.uk, put you departure as AMS and select VS as your preferred airline.

It will then give you a price for the complete trip.

David

Cheers, that works perfectly! Shaves about £500 off a £2500 UC ticket to JFK - is that normal or is it sometimes even more?

It can be more but depends on the cost of flights being sold.
There may also be savings departing other European airports.

£2k to NY is pretty high to be honest - I'd be loathe to pay much more than £1500.

Going via AMS is only one option - try BRU which can often be cheaper. Going via there over new year I got outbound to LA & return from Vegas for just under £1800 (plus £39 for the Eurostar). Normal VS price would have been £3300.

But it can vary widely depending on your combination of US & European cities so try lots of options eg Frankfurt, Paris or even Copenhagen.

It sounds like you have plenty of time for your connection so either way works fine.
I have found that if you are short of time exiting T5, taking the HEX and re-entering T3 is faster than hanging around for the bus and going on the sightseeing coach trip round the airport.

As for departing AMS - you need to be mindful that most (bit not all) of these fares are non changeable. My experience is when I have a changeable I don't need to change it and when I don't…...