[Philondon]

According to this article it’s the 5th best lounge

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/02/06/what-are-the-best-lounges-in-heathrow-t3/

[Philondon]

I’m sure a curry from an Indian family would be delicious but I was surprised by the lack of choice in what is meant to be one of the best lounges.

All day breakfasts are a thing and we had avocado toast with a poached egg in a restaurant in the main terminal area.

[Philondon]

My American partner got notification of this on his Virgin Red app. He said the sign up bonus of 40,000 points is low for US credit cards and 60,000 or 75,000 is easy to get with other cards and seen as low bonus.

But I wonder if they will launch this in the UK.

[Philondon]

I tried my laptop and my phone.

I tried phoning and after about 10 different menus they cut me off. Clearly they don’t want the business. If only another credit card did Virgin points other than Amex.

[Philondon]

Thank you both. Fingers crossed!

[Philondon]

Just to clarify is this within a few days of meeting the spend target?

Or within a few days after the statement following meeting the spend target?

[Philondon]

Thanks.

[Philondon]

Thanks. I’ll have a read later.

[Philondon]

I can’t believe we still spend millions on humans to count the votes when a country like India has been using voting machines for years now.

Surely it can’t be difficult to set up an online version using the government gateway sign in?

The London Mayor and GLA elections count used to be automated. They used people this time. Maybe more chance of fraud if automated?

[Philondon]

Also worked the counts in days gone by, we walked out one year because of the tantrums by the candidates. The Council booked in local bank cashiers like me to do the counts, and the candidates started complaining that the cashiers were sorting and counting the votes so quickly that they couldn’t keep up. For some reason the candidates thought we should be counting them out one at a time like the Post Office would to someone vulnerable. We were flicking the votes like cash (a counting method where you hold notes firmly tensioned in the left hand and “walk” the notes with the first three fingers of your right)

It was an absolute farce, the returning officer actually ordered the Police to stop us from leaving.

Never again.

That’s funny. At the London count we had to verify the number of papers one by one making a new pile, not flicking through them in the corner of the paper.

They should have hired council staff not bank clerks!

[Philondon]

But drawing a willie against a candidate is also likely to result in the paper being rejected for uncertainty.

Yes it will but it brightens up a boring count for the count staff.

[Philondon]

And on that subject, it doesn’t matter what mark you use (a cross or X is preferred, though), as long as it is clear for whom you are voting. You can completely colour in the box, or put a tick in it, or your initials, even a cheeky little c*ck and balls

As someone who has taken part in previous general election count, and the recent mayor and London Assembly count, I don’t advise completely colouring in a box as it will likely have to be verified by the count supervisor which slows the process down.

However drawing willies on the paper, particularly against racist or similar, parties always amuses us on a boring but handy paid job for holidays spending!

[Philondon]

We also got the cabin details when booking. We felt we were a bit too close to the lift lobby so moved up from 10th to 11th floor and along a bit. Central Sea Terrace cabin.

My partner, James and I are on the Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems departing on 16th June. Anyone else on that trip?

We requested the code on Saturday and got it Sunday. Disappointed there aren’t many good restaurant options left and the Splash for Romance has sold out. So hope more restaurant times open when we get on board. I think it’s going to be a fairly full ship.

[Philondon]

Yes, my seat of choice is also aisle so I can get up without bothering other people.

[Philondon]

Annie wrote:

I had booked 4A on a CE flight. Rows 5, 6 and 7 are empty. Someone then chooses to sit next to me! Why, just why ?

That would really annoy me!!

[Philondon]

NorthernLass wrote:

If you like M & S, etc, you can find VAT-free bargains!

Food and household stuff! Lol. Don’t usually buy their clothes but might check them out. Thanks.

[Philondon]

I assume the Virgin Atlantic Mastercard won’t incur a fee?

From your article it says…

Whilst you will struggle to find any mention of this on the card website, the Virgin Atlantic cards are the only travel rewards credit cards which offer a partial respite on FX fees when travelling.

You pay no FX fees on in-person spending in Euro, Swedish Kronor or Romanian Lei.

[Philondon]

Aston100 wrote:

Were you wearing those jeans all along?

Haha! No they were hanging up in the wardrobe.

[Philondon]

This title is a big misleading and got me hopeful before I opened the discussion! A question mark at the end would help.

We’re ready to book as soon as they announce them!

[Philondon]

Well while I was sleeping last night (8 hour timezone difference) he books a day room at the Thistle by T5 *facepalm emoji* as he was worried that showers would be out of order in the lounges and by then it would be too late.

Anyway we’re in the South Lounge now and it’s quite busy. I’m sipping awful Prosecco and he’s nibbling sandwiches!

Oh and he moaned the Thistle looked like a cheap motel! I could have told him that if he had booked during UK awake hours!

Anyway we’re looking forward to our flight. Even though it’s business class, seats are individual so I think it’s upper class type seats. Never sat in that kind of seat before so excited even though it’s short haul flight.

[Philondon]

Blair Waldorf Salad wrote:

If you have money for BA business class, your partner might think you have money for a ring. Always perilous going away to a picturesque city at New Year/Valentines as it raises expectations!

Haha! We’re currently points rich cash poor. We are using Avios and yes I’m sure it’s not a good way of using them.

[Philondon]

ChrisBCN wrote:

The secret here is seedless grapes.

Good idea!

We fly to Madrid for a couple of days then Barcelona for NYE and were thinking of going to the magic fountains and watching the fireworks. I’m sure it will be crazy packed, do you recommend it?

[Philondon]

Awesome thanks again Tony, and Yonasl.

[Philondon]

Ahh thanks for that link.

Do you think we can easily walk into a lounge without booking?

[Philondon]

Hmmm….
https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/lounges/business
Eligibility
Our lounges are available for passengers who are:

Flying on a scheduled British Airways flight in First, Club World or Club Europe.
A Silver or Gold Member of the British Airways Executive Club on a scheduled flight operated by British Airways or one of our oneworld partners.
A Sapphire or Emerald member of any of the oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes on a scheduled flight operated by British Airways or one of our oneworld partners.
Over the age of 18 or, if under the age of 18, accompanied by a responsible adult. Local laws relating to the consumption of alcohol will apply.
Sapphire or Emerald members are welcome to invite one guest to enjoy the lounge with them.

We are Blue Executive Club members. We booked on BA website but it’s an Iberia flight. Will we get in?