Virgin online check-in at Manchester - how reliable?

[andrew1968]

Hi All,

We're thinking of using online check-in at Manchester next Thursday for our holidays - but I'm a bit nervous about using it :nervous: .

How reliable is it? I've got visions of getting half way through checking in the night before on-line, and it all going horribly wrong in someway :eek:

It won't affect our pre-booked seats at all will it? Will we just collect the green cards etc. at the bag check-in desk at the airport?

Thanks everyone for putting my mind at rest!

[Keith]

It's been totally reliable for me both at manchester and at orlando for the way back!

[andrew1968]

Thanks for that - that's good to know - we'll only be using it on the journey there, we're going to use the DTD check-in on the way home.

How long does it take to do the online check-in? Just that there's 7 of us to check-in!

[Keith]

Thanks for that - that's good to know - we'll only be using it on the journey there, we're going to use the DTD check-in on the way home.

How long does it take to do the online check-in? Just that there's 7 of us to check-in!

Not as long as you'd think!

You type in your booking reference or eticket number and do your details then you add in the other 6 people one at a time with passport information.

I imagine you now have to state where you're staying on the first night as well.

Then it's all done! you get an email saying youre all checked in.

Then just take your eticket (or proper ticket whichever you have) to the airport.

Now.... you want to make your way to the DIY checkin desk and do NOT be diverted into the huge economy queue as some of the staff or security people try to do. Commonly they'll say "upper class/pe sir?" and if you say no, before you manage to get the "diy checkin" out, they'll have shoved you at the end of the queue.

That's that! you'll get to the diy checkin desk, they'll see your checked in, print off your boarding passes and you're on your way :)

[andrew1968]

One other thought - we're all under the one booking with Virgin, but there's 2 families - will that make any difference at all?

Thanks again! :thumbs:

[Keith]

One other thought - we're all under the one booking with Virgin, but there's 2 families - will that make any difference at all?

Thanks again! :thumbs:

Dunno about that one sorry! I'm sure resident experts Paula/Alec/WQ will be able to tell you though <G>

I seem to recall the online checkin boxes asking for the full names, ie. not assuming the family name, so I SUSPECT it's fine and all as if it's just one big family

[Whitequeen]

If you're all on one Virgin booking then I can't see there beinga problem checking you all in on-line. As Keith says, just keep adding all the names on.:thumbs:

Have a great time.:D

[ukwdwnut]

just want to wish you all a fantasmic holiday andrew :tigbounce :tigbounce :tigbounce

[triciacarole]

Have a great trip :)

[Vikki]

Now.... you want to make your way to the DIY checkin desk and do NOT be diverted into the huge economy queue as some of the staff or security people try to do. Commonly they'll say "upper class/pe sir?" and if you say no, before you manage to get the "diy checkin" out, they'll have shoved you at the end of the queue.:)

That happened to us :) To be fair, it had only been running for 2 days :D

It was wonderful, there was no queue at all, so walked past all the economy (huge line!!!!), PE and UC people who were patiently waiting. We got one of those 'how are they managing that' looks :D

[andrew1968]

It was wonderful, there was no queue at all, so walked past all the economy (huge line!!!!), PE and UC people who were patiently waiting. We got one of those 'how are they managing that' looks :D

Cool! I think we'll definately have to give it a go now!

And thanks Trish & ukwdwnut - I'm sure we'll have a great time - still a few more days to go yet though!

[Dizneemad]

We used it this April Andrew and there were 11 of us, 3 different families but all went like clockwork. Sure was a great feeling when we saw the normal check in queue.

[PaulaK]

I'm having nothing but problems with it today. It's not recognising anyone's flight details and i'm losing my patience with it! :hissy:

[Keith]

I'm having nothing but problems with it today. It's not recognising anyone's flight details and i'm losing my patience with it! :hissy:

ARGH :(

[Vikki]

Let us know when it works!!!!

I'm in 2 inds to use it next time.....since we're PE.....not sure if I'd just like the experience of the PE queue :D

[PaulaK]

Problem solved!

if you have a middle name and they've squashed it together, even though it clearly says 'first name' on the check-in page, you must put in any other letters they have squished in there, so if your name is Joseph Umberto Bloggs and your booking reference says Josephumb, that is what you must use to check-in! :rolleyes: You then need to edit it on your passenger details. :wacko:

BUT!!!........it was worth doing!! We all still had our seats we originally booked and for Vikki :D row 70 in PE the front bulkhead was showing as empty and available to book online! They must have done the final passenger list and know they don't need it for special assistance. :thumbs: No good to us as a group of 4 because all the seats round them had been pre-booked, but handy to know if there are only 2 of you!

that's it....i'm outta here!! Be good everyone! :wave:

[Vikki]

That first name thing happened to us as well :)

Paula, I know you've gone now, so hope you can answer this when you get back, there is only 2 of us, so those bulkheads being released is well worth us knowing. Could you tell me how many hours before your flight you have checked in, and we will try the same :D

[Wendy L]

That first name thing happened to us as well :)

Paula, I know you've gone now, so hope you can answer this when you get back, there is only 2 of us, so those bulkheads being released is well worth us knowing. Could you tell me how many hours before your flight you have checked in, and we will try the same :D

Vikki, Paula doesn't fly until tomorrow, they are staying at a hotel tonight. So if you know what time the Manchester flight is, I would work it back to about 3pm today and then that should give you a rough idea.

[steery1]

Good luck Paula, have a wonderful time. I know you will! :)

[Vikki]

Vikki, Paula doesn't fly until tomorrow, they are staying at a hotel tonight. So if you know what time the Manchester flight is, I would work it back to about 3pm today and then that should give you a rough idea.

Ah thanks, I was working off her countdown timer :) And the Manchester flight is unsually 10.30am....on some days there are two though, but the other one is later, and I can't see her wanting to get there on the later flight :)