VS071 GLA-MCO 24 MAY 14 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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It was time to plan another trip to the sunshine state, ......... for some sunshine.

Getting a little adventurous with booking methods, miles fares, combo fares and stopovers etc, this was to be a trip that maximised points, tier points and minimised cash and so the planning stages began.

As I have said in the past, I sometimes enjoy the planning more than the actual journey and find it interesting now there are so many options available.

The problem with this trip was, there were too many options available and it began to make it as clear as mud

The problem began the day or the night before departure as an event that couldn't be missed had a pretty late finish and didn't exactly entice an early start without wanting to miss a days holiday and so it brought about a rethink.

I always tend to forget about the Glasgow flights even though one of them ranks in the top 3 flights ever taken with VS but the timings of them often don't fit in our sporadic plans. This time however was to be an exception. (Or nearly)

I have become a bit of a fan of the combo ticket after using it last year (one way paying with points and one way with cash) It helps keeping the mileage pool from getting to large and there is still a potential of collecting tier points and so I thought as the day of departure was going to be a Saturday, what better way to start than with an outbound out of Glasgow.

Lo and behold it was take your pick of dates and classes on the mileage side (with even a reward fare in upper still showing the day before departure) but the inbound was going to be difficult as I needed to be back in Scotland for Thursday 5th for duties at Hawick Common Ridings 500th year anniversary. Departure on a Wednesday ruled out Glasgow.

That meant another potential problem of a Glasgow departure and an Edinburgh arrival assuming coming back from orlando into Gatwick and a BA flight up or arrival into Heathrow and Little Red back into Edinburgh. However this was fixed with the offer of a lift upto Glasgow for departure and a pick up from Edinburgh ( and no airport parking charges to boot)

So where to comeback from. And as if by magic a 5 day sale appeared

A plan was hatched. Outbound with VS in upper from Glasgow on points, a Delta flight up from Orlando to JFK in business (for tier points and baggage allowance) and the second half of the combo fare in cash back from JFK to LHR in premium(at the moment) finished off with a little Red flight back to EDI (again for the tier point). Priced around £650 plus a couple of hundred dollars for the delta flight with hopefully booking my bags from Orlando right through to Edinburgh.

So, back to the1st flight. A very quick journey up to Glasgow at stupid o'clock in the morning got us in around quarter past seven for the ten past ten departure.

Check in was fine and in the main terminal now. Don't know if they still have the portacabin type terminal 2 building in use or if it's been changed but it was next to the rest of the American bound flights that day. Fast track security which was ok and a forced walk through a pretty standard duty free area before getting into the main departure area.

It was straight upto the shared lounge after a hunt for a post box, only to discover that there are none after security The kind lady on the desk offered to post them, so hopefully they will arrive.

The lounge was the usual standard issue. A few "nibbles" and some drinks but a nice view of the gates and of the massive VS jumbo arriving.

We had been informed of a twenty minute delay which is really nothing so were content to make a few phone calls etc before departure.

Boarding was good with Upper being called just before any "assistance required" and so it wasn't too long before being seated with the first of a few glasses of champagne.

Food was good, I had the soup, nice and hot (and not gloppy at all), the chicken, which again was good (although the crew were very worried about how long it was taking) and some cheese and biscuits and coffee.

The length of time for the chicken to arrive (which wasn't a problem at all) kind off put me out of sync with the rest of the cabin and I can't remember getting asked for dessert although that wasn't a problem as they weren't that appealing to me.

A few films later, more than one or two power naps and it was soon time for afternoon tea.

Some nice sandwiches and a few cups of reasonable tea later it was soon time to secure the cabin.

The crew, while good, were kinda occupied by a family with a young child for most of the time which took the shine off their performance for the rest of the cabin a little.

The flight passed pretty quick (unlike some when you look at your watch and think hell have we only been going for 4 hours) so I guess I must have some long "naps"

With over 430 on board immigration was going to be a challenge especially with a Thomas Cook flight before us but all the new machines were working and it didn't really take that long. The signs reported "all bags" on belt 3 but after standing for a few laps, it actually meant all bags but not upper or premium which were on belt 2

A huge queue for customs, which I have never seen before, and we were soon heading to dollar express to pick the car up.

I was handed back the customs form which was a little confusing and don't know if it was meant to be or a mistake from a harassed official

A quick trip to the Hilton for a few days before travelling to Disneys Saratoga Springs for the last week meant we had a few extra hours on the first day and it would have been rude not to have taken advantage of the Memorial Day sales at the outlets

Overall, mmm, maybe an 8 out of 10. Nothing really wrong, but no real sparkle. Maybe that was because I was so tired or maybe because the last Glasgow flight was fantastic. Who knows.

The bonus being, it's so hot here at the moment. 97 yesterday with low 90's today. Phew. !!!

Thanks

David

(Apologises for any spelling / auto correct mistakes. Blame apple

Thank you for your TR. I enjoyed all the wheeling and dealing and glad it all worked out. Wow - 97 . That is hot for so early in the Summer.
Hope still having your customs form doesn't pose any problems for you leaving the country !
Envy you the sunshine .....
hiljil ( watching the rain )

Thanks for the TR , my mrs says I am like you planning the details and trying every option , only last March I changed a G flights to a Z and M class because the deal was so good. Now looking agin for 2015

Hi David, always nice to see somebody else post a Glasgow trip report!

The main terminal check-in must be a new thing, they were still in the Portacabins last year. In a way I've grown to tolerate "terminal 2" as it is quieter and more spacious and better for the kids to run about.

Sounds like you ended up in the business wing of the Sky Lounge which is better than the "holiday wing" which has delightful views of the car park. The Emirates lounge opens next month, would be nice if they take walk-ups or PP but I doubt it.

I think the problem with MCO now is they've sorted (debottlenecked in my company speak) the immigration queues so now everybody gets stuck at customs!

Will keep a keen interest on your return trip! Assume you checked MIA-LHR-EDH. Living next to GLA I don't really consider flying back to EDH, might do so in future if I can't get availability.

Thanks for the TR David.
What a change for you not to schlep down to LGW
And, the fare chasing certainly seems to have worked out

Enjoy the Mouse Hunting.

Paul

A mighty fine TR with fabulous deals David Dickinson would be proud of a Really enjoyed the read and glad it all worked out well

Thanks for a great TR David, gets me in the mood for my own MCO trip next week. Have a great holiday.

Jon

Just out of interest, are Glasgow UC flights the same price as MAN/LGW flights despite no Clubhouse?

Hi Hiljil

Yes the thought had occurred to me about the customs form but I wonder if it was something to do with the new machines because you answer the same questions on the touch screen - here's hoping ! And yes, just to cheer everyone up, the hot weather continues with another 94 this afternoon (and don't tell anyone but I had to give up at the pool this afternoon -it was brutal )

Jfenney - I am rapidly becoming a fan of the combi fare. Stops the miles from getting too high while only needing one G for the trip, and of course you get some tier points on the return (with hopefully a chance of a paid upgrade at the desk )

Fuzzy14 - the checkin was down by the rest of the trans Atlantic flights - just were the jeep "came in". The lounge part was indeed the business wing, never had a look elsewhere but I had hoped it might be the Emirates lounge, maybe next time and the retune this time is MCO JFK LHR EDI which should give me a few tier points. As for the prices, I think they are all within a few pounds so you do miss out on the clubhouse experience.

Paul - yeah, must admit I did miss the Clubhouse or maybe was it just the champagne at 7 in the morning Lol it defiantly does add to the whole experience and hopefully won't be too long before I'm back

Petmadness - thanks. I love to read others so hopefully am putting a little something back.

Horburyflyer - hope you have a great trip, even without visiting the "mouse" it really is a great place to wind down and de stress great weather, great food and always felt safe


Thanks

David.