First ever UC upgrade - few questions please!

Hi everyone,

This is my first post since finding this fab forum so hopefully I am doing this correctly! I did search on my questions below but couldn't find all the answers so thought I would see if anyone can help!

Thanks to all the amazing info on this site I am super excited to have booked my first ever uc upgrade!! Flying on the Newark to London evening flight which I think is an A330-300.

I just wondered if any of you experienced fliers would be able to advise on the following:
1) which are considered the best seats on these planes? There are 2 of us traveling so how is best to sit so we can chat etc?
2) I'm guessing as its a night flight a lot of people want to bed down to sleep, but will we be able to use the bar for a couple of drinks or do they close this to minimize noise etc?
2) Are we allowed to utilize all of the additional UC benefits such as the arrivals lounge at LHR, fast track security etc? I just wondered as this was a miles upgrade if any of the UC benefits are not extended to us?
3) Does anyone know if there is a lounge at Newark we can use?

Any other advice on maximizing my UC experience greatly appreciated, sadly it might be a while before I get to do it again Although I suspect I will be ruined forever after turning left!

Thanks very much,

Alex

2) Yes you can use the bar.
2)again? Not sure if you get into the arrivals lounge but certainly departure lounge and fast track.
3) There will be a lounge, I just hope it's better than the Delta lounge at MCO.
Dick D

Hi and welcome.

Yes you'll be able to take advantage of all the UC perks including Virgin Atlantic's own Clubhouse at Newark which - although not the largest and best equipped of the Clubhouses - is extremely welcoming and streets ahead of any US airline lounge with waiter service restaurant and cocktail bar.

You will also be able to use Revivals at Heathrow so you may opt to skip breakfast on the plane as they'll serve you a much nicer one in the lounge.

All UC passengers are entitled to use lounges where available, except those who are "op upped" (upgraded for free).

On board, yes absolutely you can use the bar once dinner service has finished but you will indeed find most passengers just go to sleep.

The layout of the UC cabin isn't great for couples who want to chat so I'd go for two adjacent window seats towards the front (eg 3A/4A or 4A/5A).

That's really great, thank you so much for the replies!

[honey lamb]

Just to add to what the others have said:

While the bar technically should be available for the whole of the flight and secured only for landing, because it's a night flight a lot will depend on the passengers (and the crew). I've been on a flight from IAD where, the minute the seat belt sign went off, a group congregated there for the entire flight on a pre-suite configured A343 and kept the rest of the cabin awake for the night. (I was in row 1 and had ear-plugs but still heard them!)

On another flight (ironically from EWR) I couldn't sleep and decided to go to the bar. The FSM was clearing it and made it quite clear she didn't want to serve me saying "I need to get my rest!" A letter went to Crawley Towers following that one, especially as it wasn't long after the meal service.

Revivals is the great unsung hero of LHR and even being on a G will give you almost as much access as a J (no chauffeur driven car)
Just cos it's a night flight don't let that put you of going to the bar, it's there for a reason.


Oh and yes, after your flight you will be ruined...no more turning right!

Thank you! 7.30pm is a pretty early bed time for me so it's good to know I can enjoy a few (quiet) drinks at the bar if I choose to do so.
I'm excited but a little nervous about having the pressure to fund my miles account sufficiently to keep me in the way in which I'm likely to become accustomed!!

Lexy, you may find it handy to use Miles Booster which enables you to buy additional miles for your flight - take a look on the VS website under Flying Club, it's the fourth one down just under the Flying Club name. It works out at about 1p/mile and when you look at what you're saving, it's very worth while.

I'm excited but a little nervous about having the pressure to fund my miles account sufficiently to keep me in the way in which I'm likely to become accustomed!!

Use the Virgin Amex credit card wherever possible as it gives twice the miles.
Always shop online via the Virgin link.
If you are happy with Tesco, shop there and convert your points to miles.
As already mentioned consider miles booster. I just bought 3000 miles on an Edinburgh flight for £30. You get six months after flying to buy using miles booster so plan ahead and do your sums.
Dick D

Not sure if someone answered but yes, you are eligible for fast track immigration at Heathrow. You usually have to ask the crew on board or take one of the brightly colored tickets while on board. Are you a UK or US citizen? If you are from the EU, it might be faster anyway to use the E-Gates to get through. I took the VS2 a few weeks ago and ever since they moved the slot from 9AM arrival to around 7AM....immigration at heathrow has been much worse. Fast track was so full (and less officers) I wasn't convinced it saved me any time tbh.

Not sure if someone answered but yes, you are eligible for fast track immigration at Heathrow.

Only if you're not an EU, EEA or UK citizen I believe.

Brits and other Europeans don't get fast track - in theory, I guess, because the queue moves pretty fast anyway. Which it does, but that doesn't mean the queue isn't sometimes horrendous.

Thanks all, I already have the black amex card but will consider the miles booster option too, seems like a cheap ish way to buy back miles.

I'm a UK citizen but my OH is a US citizen so I will make sure he asks for the fast track pass. If I get through quickly I will just have to wait for him in the revivals lounge

Oh, and thanks gumshoe, I booked 4a and 5a on your recommendation

Excited!

Thanks all, I already have the black amex card but will consider the miles booster option too, seems like a cheap ish way to buy back miles.

I'm a UK citizen but my OH is a US citizen so I will make sure he asks for the fast track pass. If I get through quickly I will just have to wait for him in the revivals lounge

Oh, and thanks gumshoe, I booked 4a and 5a on your recommendation

Excited!

I am a US and my OH is UK and she came in the fast lane with me last time we came into heathrow. At least we waited together.