Virgin Reward trip to US in early Feb.

[aussiejohn]

I have a few questions, that some of the members may be able to answer.

Background: Back in July, I managed to get a Business Class reward ticket to Los Angles and back. However, it departs Sydney, and then returns to Sydney via Brisbane. I couldn't get flights out of Melbourne, but I have no idea why. Having a couple of days in Vegas on arrival, then going to Salt Lake City for a Genealogy conference. Will be away about 10 days. Carry on luggage only for that short time. I have done my ESTA and am approved to fly.

I have booked a Virgin flight up to Sydney on Thursday night 2nd Feb, and staying at Rydges at the International terminal. Fly out to LAX on Friday morning. Less stressful for me to do it that way, rather than chance it on Friday morning. Also booked the Syd-Mel return flight on the 14th when I arrive back.

1. Would Virgin link the two bookings - international and domestic legs - if I ask, just so they know that I have a connection in Sydney when I get back. The ticket says the BNE - SYD is domestic, so no terminal change, just a gate change. I have booked wheelchair assistance, but I probably won't need it. I can talk to them about that.

2. I have booked Delta flights for my US internal flights. I am unsure of what to expect at LAX, having not been there in a long time. I will arrive at TBI and then have to go to Terminal 5/6 for the LAS Delta flight. I'll have to clear customs and Immigration before I can go to Delta. That would preclude using the walkway from TBI past Terminal 4 as I guess it is in the secure zone. I am also unsure whether to ask Virgin for wheelchair assistance at TBI. It looks to be a vast terminal, and I can't manage the long walk from the gate and standing in line. I also have to get a Delta boarding pass as I am not sure I can print that before I leave Oz. Then I probably will need wheelchair assistance from Delta as well.

3. I am confused about the return flight. According to the ticket, Virgin Oz check-in is in Terminal 3 at LAX, but the flight leaves from TBI?? How does that work? I may have to forgo wheelchair assistance there, as I will be very early for my flight, so will have time to kill. Guess trying to walk around a bit in TBI will really tire me out for the long journey home. Being J, I can use the Lounge as well? Though not sure which lounge now they have changed things, and how long you can stay. My Delta flight from SLC arrives LAX at 4.03pm, so I'm gonna have about 6 hours of wait time, though "security" will eat up a lot of that I guess

4. Is the TSA stuff really as bad as it looks? I have not flown to the US since before 9-11. I am going to struggle with taking shoes off etc. Maybe the wheelchair assistance might help me negotiate security a bit easier. The staff at Changi, Hong Kong, and Heathrow, were fantastic on previous trips, but the US is a whole different ball game!

That's about it I think. Sorry it is a bit disjointed. I should have got my thoughts together and been a bit more prepared.

Really looking forward to flying J on Virgin, and going to the conference. But I suspect the trip is going to knock me around a bit. Much as I love travelling, it is getting much harder for me. SLC will be easy as I will be sitting most of the day. The rest I guess I will just have to be careful not to overdo things.

Thanks for any assistance you can offer with my questions.

 

[Kolo]

Hi aussiejohn, I suspect the lack of responses, despite the number of views, reflects a lack of experience with wheelchair users. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can, but I have no experience with mobility issues.

1. Formally, Virgin won't link the two bookings. However, the check in agent on the day has the ability to do so, so it depends on their propensity to assist. I dare say requiring a wheelchair may sway their propensity to the affirmative.

2. Its pretty easy to walk between the terminals at LAX but may be more problematic with mobility issues. You can get your DL boarding pass online before you leave Aust. You will need to clear Immigration and Customs at TBIT. If the CI agent combines your bookings, your bags will be tagged to their final destination, but either way you need to collect tour bags on arrival at LAX and there is a formal procedure to re-deposit your bags after Customs. If the CI agent does not link your bookings, you will need to take them yourself to the DL check in at T5/6. The walkway to T4 is after Customs and really does not make much difference if you use this, or walk outside the terminals to 5/6. You won't be able to take luggage that needs checking in this walkway.

America is much more (legally) proactive about mobility issues than Australia so there will be assistance organised and available - but I haven't had the need to experience that so I can't comment for sure.

3. T3 is right next to TBIT so easy to checkin at T3 and depart from TBIT. If DL combines your bookings your luggage will be checked all the way though to Oz. In this case, there is a transfer bus airside from DL to TBIT. Not sure how is works for wheelchairs users, sorry, other than there will be arrangements in place. You will use the Etihad lounge at TBIT.

4. Yes, TSA is as bad as it looks, often long queues. There are priority queues that make it faster but I'm not sure if VA J gives this access as I'm usually transferring from a DL flight, so can avoid them.

VA J is great and DL are pretty good so I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip.

 

[aussiejohn]

Hi Kolo, thank you for the information and insights re LAX. Sorry I focussed a bit to much on the wheelchair assistance side of it. I should have left that out probably, as it is not essential to what I was trying to find out. I can manage if necessary, but walking long distances and standing in lines for lengthy periods is now beyond me. I will talk to VA in Sydney when I check-in, and to Delta when I am in the US.

Luggage is not an issue, as I am travelling only with carry on to make my life easier. No screw ups anywhere, no waiting around, can move more quickly. The days of carting around 20-30kgs of luggage are way beyond me now - and I just don't need that much stuff!

I expect Delta will have CS agents in TBI I can approach for help if necessary. Re the first boarding pass, I thought I read that I can't do online check-in until 24 hours before. Will check that again. If that is the case, I will have left home before the earliest time I can check in. So I am probably going to have to wait till I get to LAX to check-in for my LAS flight. I have plenty of time. I booked the Delta flight for about 11am I think, and VA is due in round 6.30am from memory. I now always allow myself plenty of time for connections. Don't need stress anymore! I can always find a corner to sit and read my Kindle while I wait.

I have paid a little extra and booked Delta Comfort seats for my internals. I've used Delta before, though not for many, many years now. In any case they are only short hops from LAX to LAS, LAS to SLC, and SLC back to LAX. I decided on Delta to get Velocity points and hopefully status credits.

Thanks again for your help.