Multiple transits and different carriers

[Nizar]

Hi all,

Firstly a big thanks for everyone hear for your help and generous assistance over the last couple of years. Thanks to you guys I've been able to book my first big trip using a combination of QF points, AA miles, LifeMiles and some other tricks I've learnt on here and for that I am most grateful.

Currently in New York for the first time (and loving it !) and tomorrow I am heading to Istanbul.

My routing is AA J (operated by American eagle) LGA-YYZ then BA F YYZ-LHR followed by BA J LHR-IST. This is all on the one PNR and was booked and ticketed by AA. I actually almost had a disaster situation when before leaving home last week I was printing out all my itineraries and on both the AA website and the BA website only the first leg LGA-YYZ was showing. So I called BA and they said what had happened was that BA98 YYZ-LHR had a schedule change back in December from a 21:20 departure to a 21:40 departure putting your LHR connection at 55mins instead of 75mins. As 55mins is under the 60min MCT we contacted the issuer but as there were no changes made within 72 hours both legs auto-cancelled. I was like wtf ? Auto-cancelled ? Even though I've paid for my ticket and have a ticket number ? Anyway I contacted AA and they were able to fix it (and reduce my blood pressure lol) and put me on the later BA flight to Istanbul. But now I have an 8 ish hour transit in London. I arrive at 9:35am and depart at 5:30pm.

Here are my questions:

1. When I check-in at LGA am I likely to be able to check my luggage all the way through to IST ? Will I likely be given boarding passes all the way through to IST ?

2. Is it "risky" having to check my bags all the way over multiple sectors and with the long layover in London ? I want to do everything I reasonably can to increase my chances of receiving my luggage hassle free at IST.

3. Allowing for 90mins travel each way and breakfast in the Concorde Room I should arrive in the City at midday and would probably want to head back to the airport at 3pm ? Does this sound reasonable ? This will be our (my and my wife) first time in London. What can we reasonably accomplish in 3 hours ? Maybe 1-2 sights ? Or maybe just one ? Or maybe none lol ? It will be on this coming Wednesday and the weather looks like it will superb (sunny 20 degrees etc I heard that is beach weather in the UK lol)

4. Does anyone know if it's an easy process for someone who would normally have to apply for a visa to be allowed entry into the UK for less than 24 hours given they have a flight later that day ? My wife holds an Indonesian passport but does have Australian residency and I've brought all the documentation that says to be required. I have searched the official UK immigration website and it seems that she would be eligible but was wondering if anyone has had practical first hand experience of this that they could share. It could be that the queue to get this sort of entry permit is 2-3 hours etc making the whole exercise not even worthwhile and maybe we just familiarise ourselves with the Concorde Rooms amenities lol. Or maybe I ditch her and go solo lol (I hold an Australian passport).

5. After hopefully spending a few hours exploring London when I return to Heathrow airport am I able to check with the BA ground staff and would they be able to confirm that my luggage is on the plane to Istanbul ?

6. When I return to the airport would I be allowed entry into the Concorde Room again ? I should be ok as long as I keep my boarding pass showing same day BA F arrival ?

Thanks and sorry for the looooooonng post.

 

[anat0l]

Most of these are educated guesses partially based on some experiences (1st, 2nd and 3rd hand)...

1. When I check-in at LGA am I likely to be able to check my luggage all the way through to IST ? Will I likely be given boarding passes all the way through to IST ?

Yes, this should be possible. It is unlikely they will only check it through to LHR, since your connection is same-day. Make sure they see on the itinerary that you are going all the way to IST, and naturally check all bag tags that they are issued correctly to IST.

2. Is it "risky" having to check my bags all the way over multiple sectors and with the long layover in London ? I want to do everything I reasonably can to increase my chances of receiving my luggage hassle free at IST.

No more riskier than run of the mill, in my opinion. I had my bags checked through BNE-KUL-HKG-LHR-GVA, where BA was the MSC and I had a very long layover in HKG and in LHR, and I also got out of LHR for a brief check-up with a friend. All my bags turned up in GVA just fine.

As I said, make sure you check your bag tags are issued for each piece of checked baggage, they are all routed to IST and you retain the bags. Everyone kind of always plans for the worst, so of course be prepared to be without the bags if it comes down to it (don't pack the necessities in them) and remember what they look like if you need to file a missing bag report (and do this ASAP if it does happen).

3. Allowing for 90mins travel each way and breakfast in the Concorde Room I should arrive in the City at midday and would probably want to head back to the airport at 3pm ? Does this sound reasonable ? This will be our (my and my wife) first time in London. What can we reasonably accomplish in 3 hours ? Maybe 1-2 sights ? Or maybe just one ? Or maybe none lol ? It will be on this coming Wednesday and the weather looks like it will superb (sunny 20 degrees etc I heard that is beach weather in the UK lol)

On the London Underground (tube), you will have the cheapest transit but the slowest option at around 1 hour each way (although if you are heading to central London beyond Paddington, it is probably faster to take the tube than a combination of the exorbitant Heathrow Express or moderate Heathrow Connect plus tube). I would personally leave central London at around 2 - 2.30pm, giving you about 2 hours at the airport (enough time to get through security then relax a bit in the lounge before boarding your flight, which starts at around 45 minutes before departure).

With about 2-3 hours in hand, you could probably veritably walk around parts of London and see sights (i.e. take the obligatory photos in front of them); getting into them - even just one - might be pushing it a bit (could you appreciate a place in an hour and a bit and be happy paying the admission for it?). The London locals would have better advice here.

If attractions are closer to Paddington than on the Piccadilly line (the tube line that Heathrow Airport is on), it might just be better to pay more and take the Heathrow Connect.

When you get out of the airport, if you are taking the tube, get to the tube station and get yourself an Oyster card each, plus a tube map and (optionally) a free Oyster card wallet. Load about GBP 15 - 20 on each card - the trip alone from London Heathrow to Zone 1 will cost GBP 5.10 one way alone (there is a daily cap of GBP 11.70 which kicks in if you ride the tube enough during your day in London, but just keep tapping on and off).

4. Does anyone know if it's an easy process for someone who would normally have to apply for a visa to be allowed entry into the UK for less than 24 hours given they have a flight later that day ? My wife holds an Indonesian passport but does have Australian residency and I've brought all the documentation that says to be required. I have searched the official UK immigration website and it seems that she would be eligible but was wondering if anyone has had practical first hand experience of this that they could share. It could be that the queue to get this sort of entry permit is 2-3 hours etc making the whole exercise not even worthwhile and maybe we just familiarise ourselves with the Concorde Rooms amenities lol. Or maybe I ditch her and go solo lol (I hold an Australian passport).

I have no experience in this one - sorry.

If it all gets too difficult, you could just go to the Concorde Room in T5 (assuming that the IST flight departs from T5), and maybe try and get a cabana there that you could use to catch up on some rest. I realise that's not ideal given there is some London to explore, but it is an option (which I'm sure you entertained before asking here anyway).

5. After hopefully spending a few hours exploring London when I return to Heathrow airport am I able to check with the BA ground staff and would they be able to confirm that my luggage is on the plane to Istanbul ?

You can try going to the service counters and providing your baggage tags. I've never asked this kind of question before so I'm not sure what kind of response you'll get, if any.

6. When I return to the airport would I be allowed entry into the Concorde Room again ? I should be ok as long as I keep my boarding pass showing same day BA F arrival ?

As alluded to above, you should be able to, as you have arrived in London on a BA F service. Just retain your F boarding pass.

As a corollary, you should also be entitled to Fast Track service (although BA Club already gives you this privilege) and direct entry to the Concorde Room - just make sure you use the T5 South security.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would ditch the Concorde room as an arrivals lounge option... I'm not even sure how that will work, trying to exit into the UK once you are already airside. The transfer time (including security) can be lengthy, and will eat into your London sightseeing time. Even if you can 're-enter' the UK, you'll be doubling up on (a) the transfer/transit time and (b) the immigration process.

Through check your bags all the way - then you don't need to worry about them. If you really want to grab a bit to eat, or a shower, head to the dedicated arrivals lounge after immigration. Then you are free to enter the city directly.

When living in the UK, taking the Picadilly line, I allowed 90 mins from touchdown to arrival at home (zone 1). But it can be slightly quicker if you get the right connections and everything flows smoothly.

For a short 'first time' visit I would suggest the following for a reasonable mix:

• from Heathrow take the Picadilly line to Picadilly Circus, walk up Regent Street to Oxford Circus
• take the tube Oxford Circus to Charing Cross, see Trafalgar Square, walk along the Mall to Buckingham Palace
• walk up to Hyde Park Corner, and make way to Knightsbridge, visit Harrods.
• use any remaining time at Harrods and reboard Picadilly line out to Heathrow.

Depending on time, from Charing Cross/Trafalgar Sq you could walk to the Thames.

Arriving at Picadilly Circus by 11am, you could have until about 2pm before heading back to Heathrow (to arrive just after 3).

Use Concorde Room prior to departure to IST.

It appears you will need to apply, in advance, for a visitor transit visa if you intend to leave airside while in the UK. An Indonesian passport holder can only transit without visa (airside-airside only) provided they hold Aussie residence.

 

[anat0l]

I would ditch the Concorde room as an arrivals lounge option... I'm not even sure how that will work, trying to exit into the UK once you are already airside. The transfer time (including security) can be lengthy, and will eat into your London sightseeing time. Even if you can 're-enter' the UK, you'll be doubling up on (a) the transfer/transit time and (b) the immigration process.

The BA Arrivals Lounge at LHR T5 has a small, separate room called "Concorde Breakfast Room" for eligible BA First arriving passengers. I believe it is just that - a small exclusive room with nicer seating, away from the hustle of the rest of the Arrivals lounge and table service, but that's it. You need to go "back" out to the arrivals lounge proper to use the rest of the facilities, with no other special priorities accorded to you above any other eligible lounge patron (e.g. no priority / advance appointments for Elemis spa, no special showers or extra facilities).

I agree that it is a bit silly to try to transit T5 back to airside to use the Concorde Room proper (departures), then try to exit back landside. Whilst it is likely possible, it'd be a messy process, wasting time and possibly raising the suspicion of the border control.