Virgin DTCI alternative

Hi

I am thinking of staying at Premier Inn, Heathrow- Bath road, rooms have just been released for £35 for the night prior to my departure to JFK.

My question is as I called DTCI yesterday they advised that they still require the car registration but I will need to get a cab from the PI to DTCI, but I called Kabbee just to enquire and they said that they will not be able to provide a reg until the driver has been allocated which could be 15mins before I am due to leave....fair enough!

How has anyone else got around this or who have you used?

I do not want to take the risk and just go and hope that they accept me as I have read on here has happened to one or two people.

I am travelling on a G class fare so I am not entitled to the car service, if I was to pay it is £88 from home.

Opinions please?
Thanks
Kelly

Hi Tenille123

I recently travelled on Gs to LAX and back via SFO. I pre-booked a DTCI slot but explained that I would be arriving by taxi. They advised that I just ring when the taxi picked me up to advise them of the registration number.

As it happened the driver said he knew the procedure and I didn't call in the registration number. On arrival at the security barrier he just provided my name and flight number and up we went.

I hope this helps.

ScoobySu

Hi Kelly

Despite what VS told you on the phone, IIRC you no longer need to provide your reg number in advance. The rules changed several months ago, probably in attempt to encourage more passengers to use the facility.

[mitchja]

As previously noted, pre-registration is no longer needed for DTCI.

I received this following email a few day before my last Upper Class flight in March (I didn't use the DTCI though as I was connecting from MAN):

Hello there,

As you’re travelling in Upper Class from London Heathrow tomorrow, we’re delighted to invite you to use our award winning Upper Class Wing at Terminal 3.

Arriving by car or taxi*
If you’re being driven to Terminal 3, you have the opportunity to use our Upper Class Wing before heading through our Private Security Channel. Then in no time at all, you’ll be relaxing with a cocktail in our Clubhouse.

Check in online
To help make the most of the Upper Class Wing experience, we recommend you check in online at virginatlantic.com, where you can select your seat and print your boarding pass before arriving at the airport. You can do this between 24 and 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight.

Here’s how it works:

Ask your driver to take the last left before the usual Terminal 3 drop off location. It’s signposted Virgin Upper Class Wing.
You may choose to pre-register on 0344 412 4666, that way you’ll get automatic entry when you arrive and we will meet you at your car with your bag tags and boarding pass.
If you choose not to register ask your driver to press the intercom at the security barrier and give your name and flight number. A member of our team will let your car in.
At the top of the Upper Class Wing, please park in one of the parking bays, where a member of our team will be there to meet you.
Arriving another way
If you’re not arriving at Terminal 3 by car or taxi, you can still check in at our Upper Class desks within the main terminal in Zone A. Our dedicated lift will then take you straight through to our Private Security Channel, so you can be enjoying a cocktail in our Clubhouse in no time at all too.

We look forward to welcoming you for your Upper Class journey.

* Some important things to note

Please arrive at the Upper Class Wing no later than 90 minutes before your flights departure time, after this time access will not be possible
Parking is not available, all drivers will be required to exit the Upper Class Wing after you have been met
Access restrictions (maximum vehicle height of 4.4 metres, maximum vehicle weight is 7.5 tonnes and the maximum length 5.8 metres. Stretched chauffeur cars, over-sized vehicles such as Humvees are excluded)
Valet parking is not permitted
Please take care whilst driving in the Upper Class Wing area

Thank you for your replies.