Flight Changes

First, you need to decide whether this flight change is acceptable to you since it will add to your costs (lodging, food, etc.). If it's not acceptable, I would work with the airline (by phone), while having your "second-best" itinerary in your back pocket (including alternate flight numbers, layover time, etc). If you can get a desirable alternative itinerary that doesn't result in any changes to your existing lodging reservatons, then you won't need to do anything else.

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict any further changes - I would just deal with any new decision point one at a time, as necessary.

Hi Agnes.

yes, it is acceptable as I would not mind an extra night in London despite the extra money for lodging and food. I had only booked five nights and was regretting it so the extra night is very good but the extra night is also a Saturday which usually is more expensive when it comes to hotels.

I am not going to notify my hotel yet because there may be more changes given what is no the new norm for travel.

If your hotel doesn't charge for changes I'd go ahead and book the extra Saturday night now. You can always modify if needed, again after checking to see if there are charges for modifications.

I don't book anything that I can't cancel or change up to a few days before travel, particularly since covid.

Consider the possibility that there may not be availability if you wait.

As you say, Saturday is often much more expensive than other nights in London hotels. The cost is very unlikely to be lower if you wait and try to add that night later.

I booked directly with free cancellation. I do not remember when my credit card gets charged but it is either very close to my arrival or when I check in.

I am not as worried about hotel availability or cost as I am concerned about further changes from Virgin Atlantic. Is my flight going to continue to change? I feel like I am bothering my hotel or have the hotels gotten used to the new normal when it comes to flight schedules and changes?

I had originally booked my hotel Sunday until Friday so as to avoid the cost of Saturday night. Well, I guess that I will be paying Saturday night after all.

Just change the hotel - you aren't bothering them, it's what they do

I know you put a great deal of thought and research into your flight choice. I know this will work out. A hotel reservation that you can cancel is probably a good idea.

I have a very good deal on a very nice bed and breakfast. I want to keep my lodging.

I will see if I can add a night and if not, I will just add one night somewhere else and then go over to my bed and breakfast on the 8th.

There are hotels right in Heathrow Airport. I am supposed to get in about 10 a.m. but then need to go through immigration. it might be relaxing to just walk to the hotel from my flight, and refresh and rest up until going to Paddington the next day.

yes, Carol now retired. You are among the many members who advised and guided me.

My trip is almost fully booked from beginning to end.

I was going to pre pay for The Heathrow Express for the 8th but something told me not to.

Somehow I feel that it will work out and "whatever will be will be"

Even though I am supposed to arrive at Heathrow at around 10 a.m., one does not know. I might not get into 2 pm and then i still need to go through immigration.

As I posted just above this one, maybe I will stay at the hotel in the airport for the 7th, rest up and arrive fresh at my Bed & Breakfast on the 8th.

Many members on this Forum cautioned me to expect flight changes which could impact my trip and posted about their changes.

I am just hoping that Norwegian does not cancel the cruise because they have been canceling some cruises that been been booked well in advance.

I have decided that if my cruise gets cancelled, I am still going to London but will spend an entire week in London before coming home.

I'd try to get a room in London for the extra night, but if that breaks the bank, take a look at the Premier Inn Heathrow T4. It usually has very low rates and it's perfectly fine. You don't have to go outdoors to get to it; there's an enclosed walkway.

"it might be relaxing to just walk to the hotel from my flight, and refresh and rest up until going to Paddington the next day."

If Paddington is the station that works for your hotel then the Heathrow Express is only a 15 minute ride in to town so really, is much easier to just go ahead in to London than to spend the night at the airport when you arrive at 10A. You'll be thru Immigration shortly and should be in town in time for a lunch.

The only hotels you can walk to at Heathrow are the ones in the terminals but I'm not sure what the price point might be. The less expensive ones need a local bus/shuttle or taxi to get to. You really cannot walk to them.

The hotel will be used to people having to change dates due to airline schedules. It won't be a bother to them.

If you are happy with the hotel and rate you have, keep it.

Make a separate reservation for the 'early' day, whether at that hotel or elsewhere.

$0.02 fee waived.

scraven

I may try the Premier Inn T4. I am flying in to T3 but I gather that T4 is easy to get to.

Pam

I will be flying in from Austin TX and I know that I will be very tired when I arrive. I might not want to deal with the tube to Paddington and then finding the way to my bed & breakfast. It might be better for me just to walk to a hotel in the terminal for the first night and after a (hopefully) refreshing sleep and breakfast find my way to where I will be spending the next five nights.

I will be spending the night in the Austin airport before flying. It is often too difficult to get to the airport in Austin the same day that I am flying. I need to spend the night ....

The hotels in Heathrow are a bit pricey but I could do it if I had to.

And I might just be able to add on October 7th to where I am already staying.

The T4 Premier Inn is not pricey; it's normally significantly cheaper than most of the PIs in the city. Right now the fully flexible rate for a standard single room on the night of October 7 is 102 GBP. Most of the downtown PIs are over 200 GBP for that night (a Saturday). The rate is likely to go up. I'd recommend booking it and watching the rate. If it happens to drop, you can cancel the initial reservation and make a new one.

I realize it's atypical to find such a good rate at a hotel right on the airport property, but I've stayed there multiple times.

acraven.

P I is not pricey but I was not aware there was a P I in the airport until you told me

I had been using booking and P I was not listed. All the other hotels inside the airport are about $250 for one night, more or less, depending.

I also used the Heathrow site going to spas, lounges and hotels. Again P I was not listed

I am glad that you informed me.

I did go to P I. I believe there are two inside Heathrow. One is at Terminal 4, so I believe, and I did see that it was 102 pounds for the room that I would book

Thank you for jumping in. You have often helped and guided me as I planned my trip beginning about a year ago. Has it been that long?

And I believe that there is an easy shuttle between T3 and T4, ....... right?

yes - T3 and T4 are linked by Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line. Both free.

If you are looking at PI at T4, also look at the 3 others who share that covered passageway. There is also a Holiday Inn Express, a Crowne Plaza (my favourite) and a Hilton (not a Garden Inn, just a Hilton). All are often quite competitive on price. Both the Holiday Inn Express and the Crowne Plaza share a common area, and the floors are linked to the lifts (elevators) by underlit blue bridges. Very safe, very blue, very fun. Unless you are afraid of heights (I'm not and don't know how I'd react if I were). I love it there.

Although you seem happy to have an extra day, you could have asked Virgin for a rerouting on the same day, even if this needed an alternative carrier.

I didn't realize the Holiday Inn Express had such decent rates. I see 125 GBP for October 7, which I'd consider acceptable if the PI were not so much cheaper. I've stayed at HI Express properties a few times in the US, and they were fine. I'm not sure they're much different from PIs. And prior to the pandemic I was getting rooms at that PI for around 60 GBP--but that was on weeknights.

According to the Heathrow Airport website, going from T3 to T4 for the hotels there by either Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line will take “an average of 20 minutes”.

https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-maps/travel-between-terminals

The Heathrow Express from T3 to Paddington is only 15 minutes. So if your bed and breakfast is close to Paddington, as you seem to suggest’ it would be just as fast to right to Paddington and to your b and b. And much simpler, as from T4 you would need to return to T3 to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington.

The Elizabeth Line does serve T4, but it takes longer to reach Paddington (30 minutes).

As for cost, the Elizabeth Line is £12.80. A ticket on the HEX, if bought now for your October trip, is £16.50. Not as cheap as the £5.50 tickets that were available earlier ( those are selling out quickly), ut still not much more than the Elizabeth Line. And much less than a full-fare ticket bought the day of travel.

The Elizabeth Line runs every 15 minutes (not 30 minutes) on a Saturday between T4 and Paddington (for Abbey Wood) between 8am and 11pm- the new timetable has started today- https://content.tfl.gov.uk/elizabeth-line-timetable-may-2023.pdf
Additionally services now run half hourly from T5, so a combined frequency of 6tph from T2/3. The T5 trains are semi fast into Paddington and now extend east to Shenfield in Essex.
And if fares are going to be compared apples should be compared to apples, not apples to pears- that is compare the two walk up fares.
Walk up the HEX is all but double the Elizabeth Line fare.
The whole issue here is that the OP is being messed around by the airline on their arrival day. So it's not exactly much use now buying a fixed date fare for the HEX, when the date of that arrival is not exactly certain.

Thanks to everyone for all the valuable and helpful information. I feel very relaxed about the change and that it will all work out. (Is that famous last words)

I am going to give it some time and then probably first of all contact my bed and breakfast and see if I can add on a night.

Whatever I do, Saturday night is going to be more expensive. In fact that is why I booked Sunday through Friday so as to avoid the high cost of a Saturday night.

I do not want to buy an advance ticket for HEX because Virgin might change my flight again. I was thinking about buying HEX in advance for the eighth. I would have been out my money. If it is easy to get to the Elizabeth Line which also goes to Paddington, I'll take it even if it takes longer.

Nigel,

I have been looking at all the available hotels inside Heathrow. Except for P I, all are about $250 with breakfast and free cancellation but keep in mind that it is a Saturday. I am certain that it is much less any other day.

P I was 102 pounds but without breakfast for Saturday but thought that I read about having to pay a shuttle to get to P I from T3.

I thought that I was through with booking hotels and dealing with flights for this trip but surprise, surprise. I had been cautioned by many Forum Members that something like this. could happen when I was asking questions about flights.

For the most part, I am not afraid of heights. Sometimes it depends on ledges and looking down and the building but usually am comfortable with heights if I feel that I can not fall over the railing or lose my footing.

Isn in Lake District

I do not feel that I am being messed around by Virgin. This is the new normal in travel. There is very high pent up demand post covid. There are not enough staff or pilots. Boeing is unable to meet the demand for new planes.

I am actually booked with Delta which put me on Virgin.

It could also have something to do with my airport in Austin. My airport like many airports is having growth issues and high demand issues. It is hard to hire and train people among other things.

Marco in Oxford

You would not believe what I went through trying to book my flight. There are many members who guided me and they can tell you. Some are on this discussion. It took me months researching flights and finally making a decision.

i do not travel a lot like many on this forum.

I wanted to book solely through Delta or American because I have credit cards with them and get rewards.

In fact, I may be able to use my American rewards to book a hotel in Heathrow. I was able to do this in Copenhagen.

Hi Nigel,

As it turns out, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express are both members of the iHG community and i belong to IHG Hotels.

I put in my dates at both Heathrow hotels and got quotes of less than $200 which includes breakfast and free cancellation.

Very acceptable if I need to do it.

Bostonphil7 - having read many of your earlier posts, I feel quite invested in your trip.

I'd like to suggest that you approach this situation as an opportunity to spend an extra day in London, and not waste it by staying at an LHR hotel. Your flight is scheduled to arrive fairly early in the day, and even after getting through immigration and transit time, you could conceivably arrive at your hotel before the published check-in time. You could have the rest of the afternoon and the evening to enjoy London - you can walk the streets for free.

I understand that cost is an issue, but surely you can find lodging for a night that won't break the bank. Take the Piccadilly line and eat at Pret a Manger if it will lessen the financial impact.

I’ll join those encouraging you to stay in central London on your arrival night. Take a look at Hub by Premier Inn. Centrally located with tiny but well-designed rooms and can be inexpensive if booked far ahead, even their flexible/cancellable rate.

(Writing from the hub Covent Garden right now!)

Not to worry , I keep an eye peeled on my Delta flights ( into LHR late August , and return from LHR mid November ) I've had one change so far - the return departure time changed by a few minutes since they added an additional flight that day . I'm keeping a watch since I'm taking a daytime flight over and spending that night in London before taking the train to Liverpool the next morning .Fingers crossed that they don't throw me a curve ;-)

ok I will consider staying in Central London the extra night rather than spending it at t he airport. Consider ... Still not ready to make firm addition..

I do see this as an opportunity to see more of London plus this opportunity might mean that I can get together with my old friend who lives about 79 miles outside of London.

My flight from Lisbon back to Austin already changed by about two hours. Leaving Lisbon two hours later is not a problem but the problem might be with changing planes in Boston. But maybe not.

When I got this latest notification of a change from Virgin, I kept looking for the new time. Then I realized it was not a new time but a whole new day. Leaving on the 7th and arriving the 8th did not look right until I realized I was looking at 24 hours earlier. I believe times are the same and I have the same seat.

I am glad that Virgin is notifying me because others have said that they were not even notified of changes.

Ahead of my trip to Europe in 2018, Virgin Atlantic changed my flight times so many times I lost count. I was constantly receiving email updates about flight changes. It was absolutely ridiculous and I've never experienced anything like that before or after with any other airline.

Not sure what the deal is with them.

Let me jump in.....

The trip between T3 andd T4 is five minutes at most. However, it could take 20 minutes considering how long you have to wait for a train. (The same train that will take you into Paddington.)

There is an Aerotel in T3.

However, arriving at 10 AM, you would lose an entire day staying at the airport as there is little to do. More importantly, your room may not be ready that early. (Probably won't. )

If you don't want to buy a ticket on the Heathrow Express ahead of time, then traveling with the Elizabeth Line is simple. (It's only 15 minutes longer than Heathrow Express yet some are making it sound like the difference is a lifetime.) I took the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow to Paddington a couple of weeks ago and it was comfortable.

Contact your B & B and ask about an extra night. If they have it, they will be happy to rent it to you. But tell them you want the same rate as the rest of your stay. They also understand flights get changed,

If they can't accomodate you, there are plenty of hotels near Paddington including Premier Inns.

I'm also with the group that says don't stay at the airport. Head into London and really start your trip.

Jill M

So what happened with your trip in 2018? Did you stay with Virgin? Did it all work out when all is said and done?

Steven White Plains

I have heard many horror stories on this site about flight changes. For some members, they were forced to change flights, planes, hotels, etc all because of the airline flight changes. The change by the airline caused major upheavals for them.

I am also hearing about Norwegian Cruise Lines cancelling an entire cruise for whatever reason. They do give guests some compensation for the inconvenience but it does not always match the expenses and then you have to cancel and cancel and cancel.

I have a Plan B. If my cruise gets cancelled, I am going to add more days in London and just go to London for an entire week. Since I now have one day added by Virgin, I would be adding just one more day.

Frank II

I forget about Premier Ins because I usually use booking.com and Premier is not on Booking. Have to check it out but before I do, I will probably contact my B&B where I have 5 nights booked. Might as well stay 6 nights at the same place.

Everyone who travels these days should be prepared for flight changes etc. You have a Plan B so you are in good shape. Also, I would be mentally prepared for Virgin to change your flights again. My wife and I completed a trip to Ecuador for both the Amazon and the Galapagos, our main air carrier changed our flights 5 separate times.

Hopefully I'm not jinxing our flight, but this is our third time with Virgin Atlantic and the only change they have made is a 15 minute earlier leave time this trip. I'm checking our flights more frequently though, due to your experience--especially the date, which hadn't occurred to me before.

As someone said on another thread, bad experiences happen on many airlines. Delta is my particular nemesis--once totally cancelling a flight without telling us, and another time changing a flight 6 times in 6 months. Both situations were resolved (the first with a bit of effort on our part), and our vacations were wonderful. Hope yours is also.

Wow, I had no idea they could change your flight by a whole day! If that happens to us I'm not sure what we could do, with 3 adults who have jobs and have specific vacation dates with said jobs. Not all who travel are retired!

maryellen

That has happened to other members. They were going on vacation and HAD to be back by a certain date. Their flights got changed by the airline screwing it all up and adjustments had to be made. There are a lot of horror stories about flights and changes on this site.

I was advised that this could happen when I was looking to book air. I did not think its would but it has.

be certain to buy insurance just in case and have a Plan B ready just in case.

Virgin has been notifying me of changes but other members on this forum have said that they never even got notified so keep checking your booking

Well, I am in a chat room for Norwegian cruises. And all cruises on The Epic (my first ship) has been cancelled between December 2023 and April 11, 2023 for dry dock or refurbishing.

Passengers were given a future cruise credit of 20% off for any cruise to Europe and 10% off any cruise anywhere else. There is an expiration date but NCL is generous with the allowable dates. However no cash payment were given to cover cancellation fees. Sometimes that is also included.

As said, I have a Plan B if that happens to me. I will be flying to London, spend one week in London and then home. Your guidance has not been in vain.