BA123 LHR-Mauritius

[airsmiles]

One for any BA crew. (Not being a crew member I can't use the BA forum)

Next Wed (3rd) I'm taking my better half on our 25th anniversary trip to MRU but haven't told her she's going Club World instead of economy. Is there a way of leaving this surprise until we actually get onto the aircraft?

Despite the fact I'm an Exec club member, a polite request to the customer service helpline got me a rather terse and less than helpful response.

Is there any VIP 'walk through' service I could pay for? It's only a small thing to BA perhaps but it would make Mrs. Airsmiles happy.

Thanks for your patience in reading this.

Airsmiles.

[Door_One_Right]

The only way I see it is to check in online or self service and make sure she is not looking at the screen. Then go to bag drop (there is no separate club world one) and then go straight to the gate bypassing the lounge that you have paid for. Or are you entitled to it anyway, with your status?

You could try calling the airline and ask to speak to special services for the 'walk through' VIP service but it would be very expensive and they are under no obligation to provide it. If it was a public service that could be purchased by anyone then it would defeat its purpose of providing a discreet shelter for VIPs.

[apaddyinuk]

Im confused, if you dont want her to know she is in Club why go through the trouble and expense for an escort onboard the aircraft?

[Carnage Matey!]

Why not check in online from home, print your own boarding cards then keep them out of sight? There'd be no indication at the fast bag drop that you'd be travelling Club but you'd be entitled to go through the fast track security channel at T5.

[airsmiles]

Thanks for the replies. I'm just trying to find a way of some well-intentioned person at the airport spilling the beans and ruining the surprise! Online check-in, fast bag drop and fast track security is a good system. I see how it goes.

Thanks all.

airsmiles

[BAladdy]

Just noticed a pevious post mentioned the facilities at T5. MRU still operates from T4. The first LHR-MRU ex T5 is 17th September

[flyeruk69]

edited for personal reasons

[Globaliser]

Online check-in, fast bag drop and fast track security is a good system.If you really do save the surprise until you get on board the aircraft, you might get a later kicking for making her miss out on the lounge. Even though it's T4 and not T5, it's still an infinitely nicer place to be while you're waiting to board - including champagne on request. (In fact, some might say that because it's T4 and not T5, the lounge is an infinitely nicer place to be ...)

[Momo]

Well, my family know I have lounge access with my various cards, so I explain lounges that way and surprise them on the plane. I print the boarding cards at home or just keep them in my fist. It would not occur to my wife of kids that the class of travel is written on the boarding cards in any case.

[airsmiles]

I told my wife I swapped some exec club points for lounge access, so she won't query that. Will definitely check-in online, then take my chances. Got to get in quick 24 hour before to get window seats together.

BAladdy - checked the T4 bit already. A few more days later getting back and it would be a case of turn the lights out after collecting our bags!

I'm trying to get everything right for her, but after nearly a year of planning I'm fed up with subterfuge.

airsmiles

[k3lvc]

Will definitely check-in online, then take my chances. Got to get in quick 24 hour before to get window seats together.



Can you not pick your seats before the 24hr check in window. Whenever I book now the first thing I do is check/change the assigned seats. It's in the 'Manage my booking' area on the website

[flyeruk69]

airsmiles,
Not sure of your executive club status, if you have gold or silver executive club status you are able to choose/change your seats at the time of booking or any time up to checking in.

Although check only opens 24 hours before departure your chosen seats are reserved because of your executive club status