Airport check in - how long before flight and other matters

[vickster]

Was there week before last - Enjoy!

Hoping it won’t take too long to get through passports (they’re probably glad to get rid of us 🙄). I’m group 8 to board so no rush!

 

[gbb]

As an almost weekly flier (curently in Warsaw airport), I can only give you this sage advice:

'The art of good travel is never having to break into a sweat'.

That's all you need to know....

As a former fairly frequent flier, not getting stressed was key, that inevitably means doing everything in plenty of time. Get there early, get to security as soon as you can, find out which departure gate you need as soon as you can....and relax.
I never minded watching the world go by, relax in cafes or occasionally a bar, but relax.

 

[dicko]

Airport lounges, anyone have experience of these?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Airport lounges, anyone have experience of these?

They're generally mobbed and not worth the money.

The one exception I experienced was when a stranger on my flight offered to sign me in to the VIP lounge at CDG on her Air France Platinum card while we waited for our respective onward flights.

Champagne and macarons on entry, fabulous food and no riff-raff (apart from me).

 

[gbb]

As a former regular flier, I always aimed to get there as early as possible. I have no problems waiting, read a magazine, watch the world go by, have a coffee or something to eat. Get through security ASAP and most importantly make sure the departure boards actually are updating. If you're unsure, find another to compare. This is driven by sitting at Gatwick watching the board...no gate announced, over and over. I meandered across to another board...christ, it's been called with not much time left.
When I pointed out at the gate the board wasn't working, they weren't interested.
Things have changed a lot , I havnt flown for maybe 10 years now, booking in is different, I'd probably get lost not knowing what the heck I was supposed to be doing now.

Nothing worse than stress of being late at any stage of the process.

 

[dicko]

They're generally mobbed and not worth the money.

The one exception I experienced was when a stranger on my flight offered to sign me in to the VIP lounge at CDG on her Air France Platinum card while we waited for our respective onward flights.

Champagne and macarons on entry, fabulous food and no riff-raff (apart from me).

We are looking at Vancouver international £33 each for three hours. We should be able to eat, drink and shower and shave for me before 20.15 take off. We have to be out of the hotel midday so serious considering this.

 

[kynikos]

I hate waiting around so always time it to arrive at boarding with 5 minutes to spare.

I've never missed a flight but have come very close twice, on both occasions due to motorway holdups on the way to the airport. Record was arriving in the departure area in Manchester with our luggage at 8:35 for a 9:15 BA flight to Rome. Luckily there was a BA staff member who, when I drew attention to our plight, got us past all the queues, through security and onto the plane in record time.

 

[Emanresu]

I arrived in plenty of time for a Vueling flight to Rome with a bike. Got to the booking desk and they said the flight was closed. Challenged them that we were on time so they phoned someone who repeated the flight was closed and we had to call the Customer Service. When we called CS they said their system was down and could we call back - we did 17 times - and got nowhere so we booked with Easyjet as an alternative.

Background to this was the night before Vueling were offering €250 to switch to a later flight but as we had hotel bookings, we didn't take up the offer. So having us bounced off released a couple of seats. Perhaps they didn't want to handle the bikes either. We complained about having to pay for a second flight and (surprise, surprise) as they hadn't entered our details into their system (the flight was 'closed) there was no evidence on their system that we were on time. A bit of a conundrum.

So we asked Gatwick for CCTV for our images (they are obliged to give then to you) which showed a time stamped photo of where we were (at the desk) and when (on time). Still didn't budge so we used the CAA complaint system and got the price of the flights back plus compensation on top. All we wanted was the flight cost but they had to play silly b*ggers. So if it happens to you get the CCTV and complain to the CAA

 

[Shadow]

We have to be out of the hotel midday

Do you actually have to be OUT of the hotel by noon or just checked out? Many hotels* allow you to check out and put your luggage in some backroom/office/cupboard until you need to collect it.

*I would expect this of all major/large hotels in the downtown area; if you are staying in some tiny flea pit on the edge of town, maybe not!

 

[dicko]

Do you actually have to be OUT of the hotel by noon or just checked out? Many hotels* allow you to check out and put your luggage in some backroom/office/cupboard until you need to collect it.

*I would expect this of all major/large hotels in the downtown area; if you are staying in some tiny flea pit on the edge of town, maybe not!

Nah, we are staying at the Fairmont city centre hotel so maybe we can check out, have lunch then head for home.

 

[vickster]

Nah, we are staying at the Fairmont city centre hotel so maybe we can check out, have lunch then head for home.

Many hotels will also let you have the room for an extra hour or two if not booked for the following night (we got one more in San Jose on Saturday). Always worth asking 👍

 

[dicko]

Many hotels will also let you have the room for an extra hour or two if not booked for the following night (we got one more in San Jose on Saturday). Always worth asking 👍

W are going to have to spend all the Canadian cash before departing Mrs will be in charge of that

 

[Shadow]

W are going to have to spend all the Canadian cash before departing Mrs will be in charge of that

Easily done.
I would advise doing it at least the day before or in the morning, not at YVR. There you will be ripped off for maple syrup, canadian whisky, plastic mounties, totem poles etc!

 

[dicko]

Easily done.
I would advise doing it at least the day before or in the morning, not at YVR. There you will be ripped off for maple syrup, canadian whisky, plastic mounties, totem poles etc!

I am hoping for a Lumber Jack coat their OK