Virgin Twilight Check-in question at Gatwick

[jopaly]

Hi all, quick question for anyone who has used the Twilight check in....Where do you park at Gatwick, is there a designated area, or do you just park in short stay? Thanks in anticipation of your replies.

 

[HelenSB]

If you are driving to the airport you would have to park in short-stay. If you are staying in a local hotel another option would be to use their shuttle but there would probably be a charge for this as well.

 

[Claire L]

As we live close we did twilight and used the short stay. If staying at the Hilton or Sofitel with parking included you could park there and walk across if not then as said before fees for transfers may be high, as all passengers have to present at check in, and short stay may be cheaper.

Claire

 

[Funky_dino]

i don't know whether to do twilight check-in, i've never used it before, is it really worth it?

 

[katytrott]

i don't know whether to do twilight check-in, i've never used it before, is it really worth it?

My thoughts exactly. Would love opinions. We live 30 mins away, so although we're fairly close, it still would be a bind the day before we go.

What is the advantage of this over online check in?

 

[Funky_dino]

i live about an hour away, but i love getting up early etc its part of the holiday hehe.

 

[jopaly]

My thoughts exactly. Would love opinions. We live 30 mins away, so although we're fairly close, it still would be a bind the day before we go.

What is the advantage of this over online check in?

I'd like opinions on this too, although I think the main benefit is that you can offload your bags the day before, so hopefully, the queues aren't as long.

Has anyone used the service? If so, what are the queues like to check your bags in.

 

[Claire L]

Twilight is a benefit if you cannot pre assign seats at online chek in as then you get the first pick of whats available at the airport including exit room seats. Queues when we went we minimal, only one person in front.

Claire

 

[All Star Paul]

We have used it a couple of times. We only live 25 mins away. It meant we could get rid of the bags the night before and the next day we caught the train right into Gatwick with only handluggage (backpacks). If you have to travel far or if you are tight for time the night before it would be more efficient to get to the airport earlier the next morning, but living so close, for us it was a way to actuallty feel like we were starting the holiday earlier and it took a lot of stress out the morning we left.

 

[katytrott]

We have used it a couple of times. We only live 25 mins away. It meant we could get rid of the bags the night before and the next day we caught the train right into Gatwick with only handluggage (backpacks). If you have to travel far or if you are tight for time the night before it would be more efficient to get to the airport earlier the next morning, but living so close, for us it was a way to actuallty feel like we were starting the holiday earlier and it took a lot of stress out the morning we left.

Hi neighbour, I'm in Washington just 10 min from you.

Just don't think checking suitcases in is possible for us. We have lots of baby and toddler stuff that can't be packed, as they are used right up to final leaving.

I thought you can prebook seats 24 hours before on online booking. Is this right? Or can they only be prebooked in person when there?

 

[Claire L]

Hi neighbour, I'm in Washington just 10 min from you.

Just don't think checking suitcases in is possible for us. We have lots of baby and toddler stuff that can't be packed, as they are used right up to final leaving.

I thought you can prebook seats 24 hours before on online booking. Is this right? Or can they only be prebooked in person when there?

If you have baby and need a skycot let VA know and they will presassign you seats anyway that are suitable.

Claire

 

[katytrott]

If you have baby and need a skycot let VA know and they will presassign you seats anyway that are suitable.

Claire

Thanks

Actually we did prebook a skycot when we booked the flights. Problem is, I have heard stories of people loosing their prebook seats that they made when booking tickets. Have not flown with Virgin before, with a baby, so don't know if this is the case with them.

Mind you my brother in law lost his prebooked seats with Virgin,(he is disabled and has to be carried when transfering) as they assumed they didn't need to get to Gatwick till 3 hours before.

Anyway, I was planning to do the earliest check in possible to ensure we keep the skycot. This was why I was wondering about only being able to book seats in person at twilight check in.

 

[Claire L]

Thanks

Actually we did prebook a skycot when we booked the flights. Problem is, I have heard stories of people loosing their prebook seats that they made when booking tickets. Have not flown with Virgin before, with a baby, so don't know if this is the case with them.

Mind you my brother in law lost his prebooked seats with Virgin,(he is disabled and has to be carried when transfering) as they assumed they didn't need to get to Gatwick till 3 hours before.

Anyway, I was planning to do the earliest check in possible to ensure we keep the skycot.

Have you checked the manage my booking aprt of VA? If so what does it say regarding your seat allocations?

Claire

 

[katytrott]

Sorry OP, hijacked thread!

 

[nannyj]

We have used twilight check-in for the last 3 years. It is so quick and convenient - usually takes about 10-15 minutes. We arrive at Gatwick about 3 pm and once check-in is finished go straight to the hotel. So much easier!

 

[katytrott]

Have you checked the manage my booking aprt of VA? If so what does it say regarding your seat allocations?

Claire

OOh no. Didn't know about that. Shall do that now. Thanks

 

[jopaly]

Sorry OP, hijacked thread!

No apology necessary!!

All this info. is great. We will definitely use Twilight Checkin based on what has been said. It's just good to offload the bags.

We don't live near, but I bagged ot a £9 Gatwick Travelodge room for the night before, so we will drop them off en-route.

Can anyone confirm the time that the desk opens for Twilight Check-in?

Also slightly off-topic, but does anyone know of good places to eat around Gatwick for the night before?

 

[wickesy]

Can anyone confirm the time that the desk opens for Twilight Check-in?

Also slightly off-topic, but does anyone know of good places to eat around Gatwick for the night before?

Twilight check-in opens at noon.

We normally eat in the Wetherspoons in the South terminal.

 

[katytrott]

Just pasted this from the VA website (the only info there seems to be on there):

"Check in between noon and 9pm the night before you fly from London Gatwick then turn up at the Gate at least 50 minutes prior to departure with your boarding pass. It really is that easy and a real bonus if you're on an early morning flight."

Just an up date for those who are interested. I did check out the MY BOOKING section but there was no way you could check your seating on the plane out. Spoke to VA who said there are 60% of seating available to prebooking and 40% for allocating on the day. If the 60% is gone there is no way to prebook or even check out your prebooking online. You just have to wait till the day and hope for the best!

One other thing - another advantage of twilight over online check in is you can't check in an infant on line Looks like I will def be doing twilight after all.

I was desperate for activities to do with the kids during the hols, so I actually went for the afternoon to Gatwick on Tue. Managed to buy travel things which I can't get in my home town, rode the monorail 6 times and the escalators 10+ times (I said I was desperate!) and ate in Weatherspoons in the Gatwick Village South Terminal. Like a previous poster said, it was quite enjoyable and they now have a big window to watch the planes (always good with boys). In the Gatwick Village they also have a Frankie and Benny's and a Burger King.

For the three hours we were there parking in the short stay came to £7.20 Def good idea to stay at a hotel and walk if poss.

 

[jtlover]

Twighlight is definitely worth doing - no stress as you have got rid of your cases before the flight and it is just relaxing the next morning.

Hardly ever is there a big que for twighlight check in whereas the day of the flight is mental as you are waiting with all other Virgin flights too. I dont enjoy that stress.