LHR DTCI vs T3 Checkin

Hi all!

Looking for some experience and opinions -

My wife and I are travelling UC from LHR to JFK and our while outbound flight comes with the chauffeur, our return does not.

I'm trying to weigh up our travel options with regards to getting to/from LHR. If we use the chauffeur service on the way to LHR, then getting home afterwards would mean public transport or taxi, both of which are more expensive options than booking T3 parking at Heathrow for the duration of our trip.

My main question is, how much more worth it is using the chauffeur service and DTCI? If we parked at T3 and used the normal terminal, do I have to queue up normally and then go through to the CH, or can we use the dedicated wing still for check in? Is the check in still a swift experience?

Any other options to recommend?
The flight is VS3, 08:50 departure.

Many thanks!

[mitchja]

Welcome to V-Flyer

All Upper Class passengers can use the Upper Class Wing regardless of how they arrive at the terminal. For none-DTCI passengers, once you have checked in at the normal desks, you head upstairs to departures, but then you can enter the Upper Class Wing area by scanning your boarding pass.

Upper Class check-in is usually pretty quick.

What part of the U.K. are you travelling to? Uber is extremely cheap... AddLee also regularly gives out 20% coupon codes. For our last trip we used Wheely. I signed up, recommended the OH and she got 20% off.

Thanks both for your replies.

I'm travelling back to the east of Essex, and cab fares are well over £100. Rail fares are also fairly pricy for the pair of us (not to mention lugging the cases between trains and a cab from the station home). Heathrow parking I'm looking at around £40 (using an APH discount through work). I guess the question is, is the DTCI worth the extra £60+ ?

Just so my understanding is correct, checking in via T3 UC desk means queuing up and checking-in in the traditional sense? Dropping bags off and them printing your boarding pass?

Is the security etc still done in the UC wing?

Thanks again

[mitchja]

Just so my understanding is correct, checking in via T3 UC desk means queuing up and checking-in in the traditional sense? Dropping bags off and them printing your boarding pass?

Is the security etc still done in the UC wing?

Thanks again

Correct, but there's not usually much queuing at the desks. There's an entrance to the Upper Class Wing on the upper level which does indeed have its own security so you don't need to go near the standard security lines.

Once you enter the Upper Class Wing area you merge with any passengers coming from the DTCI so either way, you do get to use the same security line within the Upper Class Wing.

Once you get through the Upper Class Wing security though, you are brought out in the same area where standard security brings you out so you do still have to negotiate the duty free shops and T3 departure area to walk to the Clubhouse.

My personal experience of DTCI was that it was identical to normal check in. No-one greeeted us at our car, our Uber driver actually helped us with our bags.

Walked in bang on the time we'd pre booked 2 weeks before and there were some people already at the desks so we were asked to sit and wait. After 5 or so mins we were called over to the desk where they checked in our bags exactly as per the usual T3 desk. Nothing seemed pre prepared for us.

I wouldn't bother with it again given how it went for us and our friends who were 30 mins behind (they had an identical experience). So if you need to go to the T3 check in desks don't worry at all.

I have used DTCI 4/5 times now and I’ve never had anything but a flawless service with everything all already for me.

Thanks - good to get some different experiences.

It seems what you miss out on is the exclusive feel and having your stuff printed in advance.

One other thing, what time does DTCI open? I've seen mixed reports, some suggest about 06:30..? If you arrive early, do you have to go through the T3 check in anyway?

No, the wing isn’t “worth” that. I’m used to parking at LHR being closer to £100 and thought you’d be able to bag an Uber around the same value. Do spare a thought what you might end up doing on your last day... In NYC, we’ll often go for drinks in Manhattan before the CH. The drinks continue there and often on board until at least half way across. Even if I didn’t drink from boarding, I wouldn’t risk jumping in the car. I appreciate not everyone spends their vacations on bar tours.

Just to add to the above couple of posts... My experience of the wing has been flawless.

Thanks - good to get some different experiences.

It seems what you miss out on is the exclusive feel and having your stuff printed in advance.

One other thing, what time does DTCI open? I've seen mixed reports, some suggest about 06:30..? If you arrive early, do you have to go through the T3 check in anyway?

Ignore me, just seen on their website that the Clubhouse opens at 06:30.. so one would assume that the DTCI wouldn't open much before that?

I'm not sure if on a ticket like yours that gets you the CDC on one leg if you can use it on the non qualifying leg if you chose to.

In which case I'd use the CDC on your ticket to get from home to LHR and your wife's ticket (because you'd both qualifyf or a CDC assuming she's also on a ticket with the right fare code) to get from LHR to home

Might be worth a call to VS to clarify.

IMO DTCI has had zero benefit over just using the 'standard' UC check in desks downstairs whenever we have used it.

The queues this morning at UC in T3 were annoying, especially as Delta pax kept walking in front of the VS pax. No policing of it. First time ever I actually said something it was so annoying.

DTCI everytime. I have been extremely unlucky with always ending up behind UC passengers with like 5 suitcases each. Have been called to check in at PE and Y desks more often than not, and you just think, what is the point?

I'm not sure if on a ticket like yours that gets you the CDC on one leg if you can use it on the non qualifying leg if you chose to.

In which case I'd use the CDC on your ticket to get from home to LHR and your wife's ticket (because you'd both qualifyf or a CDC assuming she's also on a ticket with the right fare code) to get from LHR to home

Might be worth a call to VS to clarify.

I will call VS and ask, worst they can say is no.

However does anyone know what time DTCI opens? I'd be disappointed if I decided to go for it but then arrive too early and not able to use it anyway. Of course I want to be at LHR as early as possible to use the lounge.

[mitchja]

I believe DTCI opens around the same time as standard check-in which is around 06:15.

No luck from VS, but I expected they wouldn't allow it.

Ah well, thanks all for your help, I'll have a think. Shame I can't get the chauffeur service to pick me up from the LHR carpark ha

I'm not surprised that VS would not budge on the CDC provision to the OP. A few years back I did MAN-MCO on a D fare and only wanted the CDC to take me to MAN as I would be collecting a hire car in MCO. As I was entitled to two CDC's I asked Virgin if I could use the one I wasn't using in Florida on my arrival back in the UK & got a very firm "not possible" answer.

They also stick religiously to the 75 driven mile limit too before whacking additional charges on. If Google Maps says you're more than 75 driven miles from the airport, you're going to pay.

[honey lamb]

My CDC experience was that while we were greeted on arrival, we still had to check in at the desk in the DTCI area even though this was in the era when it was only CDCs were allowed into the area. On occasion when the UC desk area in T3 was busy, I have been directed up to the DTCI area to check in - and very nice it was too!

No luck from VS, but I expected they wouldn't allow it.

Ah well, thanks all for your help, I'll have a think. Shame I can't get the chauffeur service to pick me up from the LHR carpark ha

What you could do (and I’ve done it ) is drive through DTCI in your own car drop off people and bags and get your boarding pass, then drive out and drop your car a few yards away at the LHR valet parking, then just walk across into the terminal, up the lift to the private wing and meet the rest of your party (only took me a couple of minutes to drop the car and back into the terminal) then all go to the clubhouse together.

Thanks for all of the help. We've decided to book the parking as it's the easiest option once we return.

Looking forward to the clubhouse!

Enjoy the Clubhouse! It’s such an amazing experience!