Help--can't use HEX on May 20, need a new plan

[NoWhiners]

Hi all

 

Just when I thought everything was planned and ready for our trip, a worm escapes from the can :D

 

We were planning on catching the HEX from Paddington to LHR at about 7 am on May 20 but today when I went to check if cheap fares were available yet, I saw a notice that service that day won't start until 8:10 am due to rail maintenance. Grrrrr.

 

So, I can only think of 3 options:

 

1) Take a cab from our hotel (Premier Inn Waterloo) to LHR

2) Hire a car service to take us to LHR

3) Take the loooong scenic route on Piccadilly line to LHR.

 

Am I missing other options? Our flight is scheduled to depart at 11 and we have been advised to leave our hotel by 7 to allow enough time for check in. We are flying upper class on a Virgin Atlantic flight (listed as a Delta flight but operated by VA), if that helps.

 

Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to do this? I am thinking probably hiring a car service (#2) will be best but I may not have the full picture of options. If we do this, would a 7 am pickup be early enough--I think it will be about an hour to LHR, even early on a Sunday morning.

 

If so, besides Smiths, are there any car services anyone can recommend? And, can we pay with a CC or do we have to use cash?

 

Thanks for any help

ML

 

PS: I thought I read that Uber isn't allowed in London, but I won't have an international plan for my phone so that's not an option anyway.

[Globaliser]

Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to do this? I am thinking probably hiring a car service (#2) will be best but I may not have the full picture of options. If we do this, would a 7 am pickup be early enough--I think it will be about an hour to LHR, even early on a Sunday morning.

 

If so, besides Smiths, are there any car services anyone can recommend? And, can we pay with a CC or do we have to use cash?

I think Smiths is a Southampton (or thereabouts) company so they wouldn't be likely to be interested in this.

 

There are plenty of airport specialists, but I will break my self-imposed rule this time and mention the company that we use on the occasions when we get a car to or from the airport: Simply Airports. It's easy to book online, and they have always been reliable for us and all the family and friends who've also used them. Plus (perhaps more importantly) they were always reliable for some frequent flyers that I know.

 

At 7 am on a Sunday morning, you'll probably find that the actual driving time is around 45 minutes.

 

If you decide to do this (and as you're flying VS Upper Class I would do this too), then read-up on the website about VS' check-in arrangements. I think that there's some sort of drive-through facility, so if you're in a car you should be able to use that.

[NoWhiners]

I think Smiths is a Southampton (or thereabouts) company so they wouldn't be likely to be interested in this.

 

There are plenty of airport specialists, but I will break my self-imposed rule this time and mention the company that we use on the occasions when we get a car to or from the airport: Simply Airports. It's easy to book online, and they have always been reliable for us and all the family and friends who've also used them. Plus (perhaps more importantly) they were always reliable for some frequent flyers that I know.

 

At 7 am on a Sunday morning, you'll probably find that the actual driving time is around 45 minutes.

 

If you decide to do this (and as you're flying VS Upper Class I would do this too), then read-up on the website about VS' check-in arrangements. I think that there's some sort of drive-through facility, so if you're in a car you should be able to use that.

 

Thank you Globaliser, I didn't realize Smiths was primarily Southampton-based. I will check out Simply Airports.

 

I have read about the VS drive-up service but I'm not sure we qualify under our booking rate. I need to check some more. It might be that we just couldn't use their complimentary car service to LHR.

 

ETA: It looks like we can use the special drop-off, I just have to call and let them know we're coming!

 

ETA, P2: Is there a suggested tip amount for this service? I get confused about whether or not tipping is expected in London/UK :-)

 

ML

Edited March 15, 2018 by NoWhiners
add info

[Cotswold Eagle]

 

 

 

PS: I thought I read that Uber isn't allowed in London, but I won't have an international plan for my phone so that's not an option anyway.

 

 

Just to clear this one up, Uber’s licence to operate in London was not renewed last year, but they are still allowed to operate during the appeal process, which will likely last until the summer at least.

 

 

 

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[Globaliser]

ETA: It looks like we can use the special drop-off, I just have to call and let them know we're coming!

 

ETA, P2: Is there a suggested tip amount for this service? I get confused about whether or not tipping is expected in London/UK :-)

I'm not sure that you even need to call Virgin in advance if you're simply being dropped off by a car you've arranged yourself. You might find some more information on this detail if you go to http://www.v-flyer.com/viewforum.php?f=4 or https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgin-atlantic-airways-flying-club-506/

 

As for tipping (if you're referring to the Virgin check-in service): I am confident that you absolutely 100% do not have to tip anyone for the drop-off and check-in service. I've never ever tipped anyone for anything to do with air travel in the UK, and it's completely unnecessary. Not being a Virgin flyer, I've never used this channel nor do I know what instructions Virgin gives to its staff about tipping, but I believe that BA staff (and crew) have some training about refusing tips when offered.

 

Doing the trip to the airport by car for this trip will give you more time to enjoy the Clubhouse. Hope it's good!

[dsrdsrdsr]

Possible alternative - if you can cancel the hotel booking for the 19th, book a hotel at Heathrow instead and go there the night before.

[NoWhiners]

Just to clear this one up, Uber’s licence to operate in London was not renewed last year, but they are still allowed to operate during the appeal process, which will likely last until the summer at least.

 

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That is good to know. Maybe the hotel can call an Uber for us?

 

Does anyone know if that's allowed? Seems like it wouldn't since you need to pay via CC and rate the driver after.

[NoWhiners]

I'm not sure that you even need to call Virgin in advance if you're simply being dropped off by a car you've arranged yourself. You might find some more information on this detail if you go to http://www.v-flyer.com/viewforum.php?f=4 or https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgin-atlantic-airways-flying-club-506/

 

As for tipping (if you're referring to the Virgin check-in service): I am confident that you absolutely 100% do not have to tip anyone for the drop-off and check-in service. I've never ever tipped anyone for anything to do with air travel in the UK, and it's completely unnecessary. Not being a Virgin flyer, I've never used this channel nor do I know what instructions Virgin gives to its staff about tipping, but I believe that BA staff (and crew) have some training about refusing tips when offered.

 

Doing the trip to the airport by car for this trip will give you more time to enjoy the Clubhouse. Hope it's good!

 

That was my first thought too. So if they don't know we're on the way it might take an extra few minutes but that's OK. Thanks for those links, some good info there.

 

I was actually asking about tipping our driver and tried to sneak in a more general question about tipping. Not sure what the norm is there. I have read that for taxi's you round up to the next £. Is that also what you do for meals? Estimate for our trip from hotel to LHR is £41, so we should give him £45?

 

We are looking forward to the clubhouse, especially since we are depending on them for breakfast :D

 

Thanks again

ML

[NoWhiners]

Possible alternative - if you can cancel the hotel booking for the 19th, book a hotel at Heathrow instead and go there the night before.

 

Yes, thanks. I considered that but we think we would rather stay that night in central London. We are hoping to find a great pub to watch the FA Cup final :D

 

Could probably do that at LHR too but the atmosphere wouldn't be the same!

[Cotswold Eagle]

That is good to know. Maybe the hotel can call an Uber for us?

 

 

 

Does anyone know if that's allowed? Seems like it wouldn't since you need to pay via CC and rate the driver after.

 

 

 

Well, no, because that would make them a cab company, rather than a technology intermediary, which is one of their many legal issues.

 

I don’t use Uber on principle, but couldn’t you use the app on hotel WiFi to arrange a ride?

 

 

 

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[NoWhiners]

Well, no, because that would make them a cab company, rather than a technology intermediary, which is one of their many legal issues.

 

I don’t use Uber on principle, but couldn’t you use the app on hotel WiFi to arrange a ride?

 

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Yes, probably. But I am new to Uber and haven't used it yet. (I have downloaded the app on my US phone but that won't work outside the US). Not sure why it makes me uneasy but it does. Maybe because it is new, but I think I am a little worried about the bad stories I read.

 

Maybe London is the place to try it out, using their wifi and my (new) account. I'll have to mull this over, not sure how I feel about it now.

 

Good idea though.

[Globaliser]

I was actually asking about tipping our driver and tried to sneak in a more general question about tipping. Not sure what the norm is there. I have read that for taxi's you round up to the next £. Is that also what you do for meals? Estimate for our trip from hotel to LHR is £41, so we should give him £45?

If the driver's done a good job, that's probably what I'd pay him - so you have that about right.

 

For meals, if there's a service charge already added, I don't tip anything more. In most places that do add a service charge, it's actually quite hard to tip more if you pay by card because you're usually presented with a machine that takes the total from you without giving you an option to pay anything more - and in the UK people are increasingly cashless. If there's no service charge, then my rule of thumb is 10%, rounded up or down to a convenient figure (the nearest pound, usually) depending on whether I was pleased or displeased.

 

Yes, probably. But I am new to Uber and haven't used it yet.

May I please try to discourage you from doing this. Uber will get you cheap, but using an airport transfer specialist will get you someone who knows what they're doing - which may well include things like where the entrance to the Virgin check-in facility is. That's the sort of thing which an airport specialist may have done a number of times already, but an ignorant Uber driver who can barely operate the controls of his car probably won't get any useful instructions from his satnav god.

[Twickenham]

If your flight leaves at 11, the 8:10 train will get you there in plenty of time. I'd be sticking with your original plan.

[Globaliser]

If your flight leaves at 11, the 8:10 train will get you there in plenty of time.

I agree that this should be the case, but I would put forward two reasons for the OP using a car service:-

1. Serious reason: The late start to services that day is because of Network Rail engineering work overnight. There is a risk that these will overrun; that frequently happens, as I am reminded every day when listening to travel information on the radio. So I would say that there is an increased risk that the 0810 will not operate as scheduled, and that the HEX may not actually start until later. If the OP discovers this when they get to Paddington, then the most realistic backup plan is to jump in a cab at Paddington, which would be expensive.
   
2. More frivolous reason: As the OP is flying VS Upper Class, the Clubhouse does provide a decent reason for going earlier. If booked today, the HEX would be £17.60 for two in standard class. Leaving aside the cost of getting from Waterloo to Paddington, the cost of a car is only a little more than double the HEX fare, and the overall journey time on a Sunday morning will be significantly faster if done directly by car.
   

Between them, these two reasons would seem to point towards a car being the option that I would take on this occasion.

[NoWhiners]

If the driver's done a good job, that's probably what I'd pay him - so you have that about right.

 

For meals, if there's a service charge already added, I don't tip anything more. If there's no service charge, then my rule of thumb is 10%, rounded up or down to a convenient figure (the nearest pound, usually) depending on whether I was pleased or displeased.

 

Thanks for the clarification, much appreciated.

 

May I please try to discourage you from doing this. Uber will get you cheap, but using an airport transfer specialist will get you someone who knows what they're doing...

 

I have convinced myself this isn't a good idea, but those are all excellent points to consider.

 

I agree that this should be the case, but I would put forward two reasons for the OP using a car service:-

1. Serious reason: The late start to services that day is because of Network Rail engineering work overnight. There is a risk that these will overrun; that frequently happens, ...
   
2. More frivolous reason: As the OP is flying VS Upper Class, the Clubhouse does provide a decent reason for going earlier. ...
   

Between them, these two reasons would seem to point towards a car being the option that I would take on this occasion.

 

I never even considered #1, so thanks for that. As to #2, I think it will be nice to end our vacation with a quiet trip to LHR, no running around required.

 

 

And, if all goes as it should, we will have a lot of time to relax in the clubhouse, likely our only chance to ever use this benefit!

 

 

Thanks again for your help, always useful.

 

 

ML