View Full Version : DIY check-in
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Been told that this is done 24 hrs prior to check in. Has anyone done this? curious to know wether this is a good option?
Jo
Yep Jo, it saves you time at the airport if that's what floats your boat.
Who are you flying with and from where?
steph_goodrum
13-10-2005, 19:25
Jo
We use Virgins DIY checkin both in the UK and in the US (helps having a pc in the villa), and it is brilliant. Saves a lot of messing around at the airport.
You can checkin in online between 24 hours and 1 hour (?) prior to flying.
E. Cosgrove
13-10-2005, 19:59
It's great Jo, we have used it with Virgin and BA ( BA was quicker but it could just have been that the flight was quieter....New Years Day)
Saves loads of time in the queues.[msnsmile2]
I think you have to have e tickets to do it. We tried the Lufthansa on line check in on our last trip, but couldn't do it as we had proper tickets[msnsad]
eagleydo
13-10-2005, 20:25
Makes life a lot easier we find.Have used BA and Virgin.
Yes go for it!!! Its brill[msnwink] Are you going with Virgin? If so this may help........
Q What is DIY Check In?
A DIY Check In is Virgin Atlantic’s online and kiosk check in service. It allows Virgin Atlantic customers to check in for their flights through the company’s website at virgin-atlantic.com, or via our kiosks at Heathrow (LHR).
Q When is online check in available?
A Online check in is open from 24 hours to two hours prior to scheduled flight departure times.
Q When is kiosk check in available
A Kiosks open from 0600-2100 and customers can check in for flights between 1 to 9 hours prior to departure.
Q Who can use online and kiosk check in?
A This service is available to all Virgin Atlantic customers except:
Unaccompanied minors
Young persons travelling on their own
Any customers required by Virgin Atlantic to see a member of staff before checking in
Some customers booked as part of a group or corporate group (Online restriction only)
Customers checking in firearms
Customers who are already checked in
Q What flights are available for online check in?
A Online check in is available for the majority of Virgin Atlantic operated flights. The only routes not currently allowing check in are all flights to/from Port Harcourt, Lagos, flights from the Caribbean to London, Manchester and flights from India to London. Excluded flight numbers include VS030, VS032, VS034, VS036, VS038, VS062, VS064, VS078, VS301, VS351, VS623, VS624, VS651, VS652, VS655 and VS656.
Q What flights are available for Kiosk check in?
A Kiosk check in is available for the majority of Virgin Atlantic flights departing from Heathrow. The only routes not currently allowing check in are flights to Sydney and Lagos.
Q How does online check in work?
A Select DIY Check In from the Manage Your Flights menu. You will be asked to enter your booking reference or e-ticket number, first name, surname and flight details. You will have the opportunity to identify any of your travel companions you wish to check in with. Please ensure you have the entire group’s passports or passport details to hand, as you will need these to complete check in. Your check in confirmation page will contain instructions on what to do once you arrive at the airport, links to view and amend your seats (for most users), any special instructions for each passenger and links to more useful information.
Q What do you do once you arrive at the airport?
A On arrival at the airport, please go directly to the DIY Check In Bag Drop desk to collect your boarding documents and check your bags in. This must be completed at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight. Passengers who have failed to drop their bags and collect their boarding pass by this time will not be able to travel.
Please ensure all passengers bring their passports, tickets or e-ticket receipts, and other relevant documentation.
The Bag Drop desk is located at the Virgin Atlantic check in area and our airport staff will be happy to point you in the right direction should you have difficulty locating it.
Please be advised that your allocated seats may occasionally have to be changed at the airport for operational reasons.
Please note the Kiosks do not print boarding cards for customers who have used online check in. Boarding cards for online customers can only be obtained from the Bag Drop currently.
Q How does Kiosk check in work
A Customers can access the kiosks by inserting their Machine - readable passport (MRZ) or Credit card (Visa, AMEX, Mastercard or Diners club) or frequent flyer card (VS - Virgin Atlantic; BD - British Midland; DL - Delta; GF - Gulf Air; HP - America West; NZ - Air New Zealand; SQ - Singapore; CO - Continental; NH - All Nippon). The customer can also use their unique Virgin Atlantic record locator.
The customer is then asked to select their Virgin Atlantic destination.
Once a unique match has been located, the customer’s name is displayed.
At this point customers can add any additional customers with whom they ar
Don't know about 'floatin me boat' macha, but hey it could be worth a try.
Thanks Mach2 that info was really helpful and yes we are flying with Virgin and have received our e-tickets (yesterday) . For those who have done this check-in, do you get option to view and change seating if needed?
Jo
Hi
We checked in online coming back from Orlando last week. We flew with Virgin and you do get the option to change your seats assuming there are any still available. We did not have e tickets either. It was a bit confusing when we got to Orlando International because the main queue obscured the little sign that said DIY Check In so it is worth looking around. I asked a member of staff where we needed to go and she didn't know and had to ask someone. Despite that it was much quicker to check in and no queue!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by wrxppp
Don't know about 'floatin me boat' macha, but hey it could be worth a try.
Thanks Mach2 that info was really helpful and yes we are flying with Virgin and have received our e-tickets (yesterday) . For those who have done this check-in, do you get option to view and change seating if needed?
Jo
[/quote]
Yes if there are seats available[msnwink] Go to 'Manage my flight' section on the web site here.......
https://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/manageyourflights/index.jsp
[msnsmile2][msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
Julie,
Do you think you are reducing your chances of getting an upgrade if you check in online?
Yep done this via Manchester with Virgin, and its just fab. Straight to the front of the queue drop your bags of and collect your boarding tickets. Just go on line the day before you travel type in some details along with your Passport numbers for all your party and thats it.
The return journey is just as easy with Virgin, between 8am and 1pm you can check in at Downtown Disney at the Cirque De Soleil building. Drop your bags off there (so no hassle with bags at the airport) collect your boarding cards and have an extra couple of hours to do that last bit of shopping or what ever.
Can't praise this service enough
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
Julie,
Do you think you are reducing your chances of getting an upgrade if you check in online?
[/quote]
Depends what you do at check-in Paul[msnwink]
Yes, just done Bristol/Newark/Tampa with Continental and DIY check-in and printing boarding cards within 24 hours of flight departure,it is the way to travel. At Tampa DIY is the only way to check in even for International flights, it is quick you are merely reporting to a machine that you have turned up!
Clare