Virgin upper - bidding for it
Discussion
I've been fortunate enough to fly both BC/UC and FC quite a few times on various airlines.
First Class with the likes of BA simply isn't worth the premium over business. The beds are slightly larger and there are a couple less customers per staff member. BC on the other hand can be pretty cost effective if you book with cash and upgrade with points. I use my BA branded Amex for literally everything I can and it's pretty rare an upgrade costs me more than about £500.
Upper Class with Virgin is different to BC because there is much less room per passenger. The beds are at 45° to the walkway and pretty small. They lie flat but you have to stand up to get them that way. They are less comfortable than (for example) BA ones but still a huge improvement over economy.
Where Virgin shine is the T3 dedicated security, lounge and the in flight service. BA's Concord lounge at T5 isn't really anything special and their BC lounge is actually pretty crap (their FC lounge in Tokyo is amazing if you ever get the chance!), but the Virgin lounge at T3 is really nice. Also, both in the lounge and in the air, where BA might have 4 staff, Virgin will have 8. There is such a marked difference. I also think they're friendlier.
We spent most of our flight to LV last week at the little bar at the back of upper class, chatting with the staff and other passengers and it really was a lovely way to start the trip.
You pays your money and takes your choice, but I think a lie flat bed and a nice lounge makes for a much more pleasant journey and start and end to a trip.
When I travelled last year to Boston, an upgrade on Virgin was £7000pppw. We went to the desk in T3 on the morning of the flight and got four of us upgraded for less than that. We later upgraded four of us at check in on the return journey for a similarly reduced figure. This last few weeks' flights were presumably much quieter as the upgraded cost at point of booking wasn't too bad so we went for it.
The bidding thing seems a bit odd to me, given the numbers involved.
First Class with the likes of BA simply isn't worth the premium over business. The beds are slightly larger and there are a couple less customers per staff member. BC on the other hand can be pretty cost effective if you book with cash and upgrade with points. I use my BA branded Amex for literally everything I can and it's pretty rare an upgrade costs me more than about £500.
Upper Class with Virgin is different to BC because there is much less room per passenger. The beds are at 45° to the walkway and pretty small. They lie flat but you have to stand up to get them that way. They are less comfortable than (for example) BA ones but still a huge improvement over economy.
Where Virgin shine is the T3 dedicated security, lounge and the in flight service. BA's Concord lounge at T5 isn't really anything special and their BC lounge is actually pretty crap (their FC lounge in Tokyo is amazing if you ever get the chance!), but the Virgin lounge at T3 is really nice. Also, both in the lounge and in the air, where BA might have 4 staff, Virgin will have 8. There is such a marked difference. I also think they're friendlier.
We spent most of our flight to LV last week at the little bar at the back of upper class, chatting with the staff and other passengers and it really was a lovely way to start the trip.
You pays your money and takes your choice, but I think a lie flat bed and a nice lounge makes for a much more pleasant journey and start and end to a trip.
When I travelled last year to Boston, an upgrade on Virgin was £7000pppw. We went to the desk in T3 on the morning of the flight and got four of us upgraded for less than that. We later upgraded four of us at check in on the return journey for a similarly reduced figure. This last few weeks' flights were presumably much quieter as the upgraded cost at point of booking wasn't too bad so we went for it.
The bidding thing seems a bit odd to me, given the numbers involved.
Baldchap said:
I've been fortunate enough to fly both BC/UC and FC quite a few times on various airlines.
Upper Class with Virgin is different to BC because there is much less room per passenger. The beds are at 45° to the walkway and pretty small. They lie flat but you have to stand up to get them that way. They are less comfortable than (for example) BA ones but still a huge improvement over economy.
Where Virgin shine is the T3 dedicated security, lounge and the in flight service. BA's Concord lounge at T5 isn't really anything special and their BC lounge is actually pretty crap (their FC lounge in Tokyo is amazing if you ever get the chance!), but the Virgin lounge at T3 is really nice. Also, both in the lounge and in the air, where BA might have 4 staff, Virgin will have 8. There is such a marked difference. I also think they're friendlier.
We spent most of our flight to LV last week at the little bar at the back of upper class, chatting with the staff and other passengers and it really was a lovely way to start the trip.
This is no longer the case virgin have rolled out a new much improved upper class product in their new A350s and even newer A330 neos. Upper Class with Virgin is different to BC because there is much less room per passenger. The beds are at 45° to the walkway and pretty small. They lie flat but you have to stand up to get them that way. They are less comfortable than (for example) BA ones but still a huge improvement over economy.
Where Virgin shine is the T3 dedicated security, lounge and the in flight service. BA's Concord lounge at T5 isn't really anything special and their BC lounge is actually pretty crap (their FC lounge in Tokyo is amazing if you ever get the chance!), but the Virgin lounge at T3 is really nice. Also, both in the lounge and in the air, where BA might have 4 staff, Virgin will have 8. There is such a marked difference. I also think they're friendlier.
We spent most of our flight to LV last week at the little bar at the back of upper class, chatting with the staff and other passengers and it really was a lovely way to start the trip.
It’s still around on old A330s but they are being phased out.
To the op £3250 one way is nuts, I’d keep checking the app the price does fluctuate a lot and will go much lower than that.
It’s a great experience, as the guy above says the ground product particularly if you’re a family makes a huge difference before you even get to plane.
Ascayman said:
gtidriver said:
I'll be flying with the family in August on BA again. I think I prefer the lounge I get with my HSBC Premier Credit Card than the BA Business Lounge.
The BA business isn’t comparable to the virgin clubhouse which is one of the best lounges there is. havoc said:
Out of interest, what are the perks with Virgin Premium? Other than better seats and free access to snacks for the kids?
Despite flying upper most of the time now because I’ve become lazy and spoilt, I actually think that premium is the sweet spot with virgin, from memory you get Dedicated check in
Priority suitcase delivery
Priority boarding
Glass of bubbles on boarding
Bigger seat
More leg room
Bigger TV
Better food
Wonderwall
More tier points and air miles
Priority exit.
We are heading to Raleigh in June upper class with virgin. But using points and companion tickets from spend on virgin credit card. Works out about £400 in taxes.
Just back from the Maldives last week and upgraded to business at the airport on the way out £947 each extra. (Emirates) Which wasn’t a massive spend on a 10 night £15k holiday plus another £3k for diving above holiday cost.
I wouldn’t pay the £6k each extra for it now as it’s not really worth it tbh. (Paid full once a couple of years back and it was £4K total for both which was more reasonable)
I’m flying out to Raleigh again in September but flying with icelandair with my mates for a boys weekend so not that bothered about seats(still £700 return), my missus however, is off to Boston same weekend for a girls weekend and is going business with Air Lingus for £1800 return, which I’d say was pretty reasonable.
Just back from the Maldives last week and upgraded to business at the airport on the way out £947 each extra. (Emirates) Which wasn’t a massive spend on a 10 night £15k holiday plus another £3k for diving above holiday cost.
I wouldn’t pay the £6k each extra for it now as it’s not really worth it tbh. (Paid full once a couple of years back and it was £4K total for both which was more reasonable)
I’m flying out to Raleigh again in September but flying with icelandair with my mates for a boys weekend so not that bothered about seats(still £700 return), my missus however, is off to Boston same weekend for a girls weekend and is going business with Air Lingus for £1800 return, which I’d say was pretty reasonable.
And as said before the Virgin lounge at Heathrow is lovely. Also remember to go upstairs or get dropped off at the upper class bit and don’t just hang about downstairs for ages checking bags in with all the delta and other business and upper class.
The dedicated bit upstairs is always dead.
The dedicated bit upstairs is always dead.
shambolic said:
We are heading to Raleigh in June...I’m flying out to Raleigh again in September....
Out of interest what do you find to do there - I fly in regularly (including last night) but have to drive onwards - I could do with some pointers on things to do if I have to stay over a weekend again (as the town the client in is an absolute s
tsville )I really wouldn't bother with Upper on such a short flight (7:30ish). By the time you've eaten there's really not much chance to rest.
On the way home ( 6:30 + taxy time out of JFK, which can be very lengthy) it could be a good way to get some sleep before driving home for example, but the flight and the opportunity for rest will be even shorter.
An expensive way to get some sleep! But if funds allow at least you'll get into the Lounge at LHR and JFK if that appeals and it means you can get to bed earlier.
On the way home ( 6:30 + taxy time out of JFK, which can be very lengthy) it could be a good way to get some sleep before driving home for example, but the flight and the opportunity for rest will be even shorter.
An expensive way to get some sleep! But if funds allow at least you'll get into the Lounge at LHR and JFK if that appeals and it means you can get to bed earlier.
a340driver said:
I really wouldn't bother with Upper on such a short flight (7:30ish). By the time you've eaten there's really not much chance to rest.
On the way home ( 6:30 + taxy time out of JFK, which can be very lengthy) it could be a good way to get some sleep before driving home for example, but the flight and the opportunity for rest will be even shorter.
An expensive way to get some sleep! But if funds allow at least you'll get into the Lounge at LHR and JFK if that appeals and it means you can get to bed earlier.
Sleeping in Premium really isn't a problem. If anything you feel like you want to get more use of the bar/films/service in UC and end up not getting to sleep.On the way home ( 6:30 + taxy time out of JFK, which can be very lengthy) it could be a good way to get some sleep before driving home for example, but the flight and the opportunity for rest will be even shorter.
An expensive way to get some sleep! But if funds allow at least you'll get into the Lounge at LHR and JFK if that appeals and it means you can get to bed earlier.
It took me on staff travel about 3 trips before the novelty wore off and I slept decent amounts, which was funnily enough more on the way out on West Coast flights for a nap!
shambolic said:
And as said before the Virgin lounge at Heathrow is lovely. Also remember to go upstairs or get dropped off at the upper class bit and don’t just hang about downstairs for ages checking bags in with all the delta and other business and upper class.
The dedicated bit upstairs is always dead.
Flying UC first time from LHR next week. I presume if we get dropped off at the "wing" bit that it is all rather self explanatory? The dedicated bit upstairs is always dead.
The G Kid said:
sleepezy said:
Assuming it hasn't changed recently this is correct - you can't go wrong and they take very good care of you - all very quick
Thanks. Looking forward to this lounge, as seems to be a lot people saying it's very good. The G Kid said:
shambolic said:
And as said before the Virgin lounge at Heathrow is lovely. Also remember to go upstairs or get dropped off at the upper class bit and don’t just hang about downstairs for ages checking bags in with all the delta and other business and upper class.
The dedicated bit upstairs is always dead.
Flying UC first time from LHR next week. I presume if we get dropped off at the "wing" bit that it is all rather self explanatory? The dedicated bit upstairs is always dead.
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