lolfn

My family of 4 are traveling to London in mid-June using AA miles. We had booked the day flight from Philly to Heathrow and I was thrilled. I hate the red-eye and when I had to travel to London often for work, I loved to take the day flight.

I received an email last week from AA telling me they had rescheduled us on flights from PHL to Chicago and then the Chicago to LHR redeye. They seem to have gotten rid of the old US Air PHL to LHR day flight. I really don't want to spend a half day flying 2 hrs west and then flying east to London.

So here is my dilemna--the PHL to Manchester overnight nonstop is available. We would then connect to BA to LHR which results in a surcharge of $306 for our 4 award tickets (because BA awards and London). If we terminate the flight in MAN and take a train, and can correctly select a train for a reservation, we could possibly get the price as low as $100 for the 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids). The full fair which enables you to take any off peak train is around $370 for 4.

So my questions are:
- if our flight is delayed and we miss the train where we had a reservation at a discounted price, what happens? Do you lose the money or do you pay the difference to get on the next train/any train?
- both methods get us to London midday, I think the train would be more relaxing, more time to rest/sleep (I prefer trains to planes). Am I wrong?
- if it worth the risk of being delayed and screwing everything up to save a couple hundred $ by taking the train?
- is the train too much of a hassle vs jumping on another flight?
- keeping LHR as our destination for the award ticket would allow us to change to the PHL to LHR nonstop redeye if they ever release cheap award seats. Though right now an award is 110k on that flight (vs 30k) so it doesn't seem likely. But last year they released a slew of seats in the spring so who knows.

I appreciate any insight!

Gardyloo

The virtue of the PHL-MAN + train option is that the train station is very close to the international arrivals exit at MAN, and, although you'll probably have to change trains someplace, the train will put you in central London rather than Hounslow. You'd need to factor in the cost/hassle of getting from Heathrow into the city on top of the scrum at MAN when you do the math. That assumes, of course, that your destination is central London.

PalenQ

Train goes into Euston Station and from the Man airport you have to changes trains once - Euston to Heathrow is about an hour and is expensive unless using the Tube - quickest way Euston to Padddington and take the Heathrow Express in about 20 mins (2 for 1 offers usually on the official site) - so there is of course no train right to the airport. the Heathrow Express is rather pricey even with 2 for 1 but the guaranteeably quickest way - tube or buses go between Euston and Paddington and of course taxis - it is not very far about a mile but trains seem more iffy with the changes than direct plane.

jamikins

Why would they need to get out to Heathrow....? If you take the train in Euston you can just make your way to your hotel from there.

lolfn

Yes, destination is central London. If flying I would have to factor in cost of Heathrow Express to Paddington or tube vs being dropped in at Euston. The 30 day advance ticket for the 4 of us on the Express is looking like $33.

Anyone know how these reserved discounted train tickets work if you miss your train?

lolfn

Train from Manchester is a 30min ride to Manchester Piccadilly or Crewe and then transfer to 2 hr train to euston.

janisj

>> Euston to Heathrow is about an hour and is expensive unless using the Tube - quickest way Euston to Padddington and take the Heathrow Express in about 20 mins . . . it is not very far about a mile but trains seem more iffy with the changes than direct plane.<<

You really REALLY do need to get off the paint PQ! What are you blathering about?

>>Anyone know how these reserved discounted train tickets work if you miss your train?<<

If you miss a train and have booked discounted/no-changes tix -- you have to buy new full fare tickets -- very expensive.

>>If flying I would have to factor in cost of Heathrow Express to Paddington <<

No one really should take the HEX in from LHR - <i>unless</i> they were staying AT or very near Paddington, or were on an unlimited expense account. For staying in the Paddington area -- the HEX makes sense -- for anywhere else it doesn't.

Where are you staying in central London? That could have a bearing -- if on the Piccadilly line I might fly since they will put you on the next flight if you miss the one you booked. Or for a family -- a pre-booked car service in from LHR makes huge sense.

But in general, I'd prefer the train - but I'd book it for a few hours after you scheduled arrival 'just in case'.

PalenQ

You really REALLY do need to get off the paint PQ! What are you blathering about?>

I and someone else misread and thought they had to get to Heathrow the same day to catch their plane - can you understand that some folks do make mistakes in reading? Probably not.

PalenQ

If you miss a train and have booked discounted/no-changes tix -- you have to buy new full fare tickets -- very expensive.>

so be sure to leave a lot of fudge factor time in between expected plane arrival and the mainline train ride you've booked on - if on time then relax at the airport - have a coffee, etc. Better error on the side of caution. Check www.seat61.com for definitive answers to your questions about missing the train - there are various fares with various policies the cheapest are non-refundable non-changeable but others may have different rules but in any case you'd lose a big chunk of money and then have to buy a full-fare ticket which is extremely expensive.

But yes now that janis has explained what I missed taking the train to central London is a lot easier than flying to Heathrow - hectic Heathrow and making your way in by public transit or car transfers that janis always recommends - the Tube in can be a nightmare at certain times.

lolfn

Thank you for all the opinions. We aren't sure where we are staying yet.

In researching the train tickets, I discovered the Family and Friends Railcard which gives you 1/3 off a second adult and 60% off kids fares. It costs £30 but would save us over £100 the total cost of the train fare if we bought an off peak ticket for any train. That would bring the cost of the train to almost $100 less than the BA fees/ Heathrow to city cost and would allow us to take any off peak train to the city meaning we hop on the next one after we arrive. It says you can purchase the railcard at Manchester Airport. Am I missing anything with this?

Alec

No, and it will take no time to buy your rail card and tickets at the airport. The station has recently been upgraded and it's quite pleasant to use. As there are frequent departures to Manchester Piccadilly and then train to London every 20 minutes.

sofarsogood

take this as an opportunity to see northern England for a few days before travelling to London at your leisure

janisj

>>take this as an opportunity to see northern England for a few days before travelling to London at your leisure<<

Depending on how long your trip is that is a great suggestion. You could take the train from MAN to say York (or any number of other places) for a couple of nights and then travel down to London.

(Am a bit curious who PQ's 'someone else' is )

lolfn

I wish we had the time to do so because it would be convenient and nice start to the trip but it will be a quick trip in London to give the kids an overview before we head to France/Belgium and Ireland. My husband and I spent a fair amount of time in Britain in college/20s so it will be a quick nostalgia trip for us.

Southam

Looking to save money while stretching your itinerary is tough. I'd make the tougher decision to let the kids discover London another time (and do it with lots of time there.) Manchester by itself is surely worth a couple of days. Then take a budget flight to Paris. Some idea of the choice can be seen on www.skyscanner.com

PalenQ

(Am a bit curious who PQ's 'someone else' is) - now that the thread is dead I will answer janis' curiosity - I made multiple brain malfunctions as when I skimmed the posts I saw someone say the train does not go to Hounslow - well I'm sure you understand, the paint and all!

Cheers - have a good time in Japan. Don't forget those Trader Joe's reusable bags for a popular gift, along with platic marijuana leaves for hanging from car mirrors - two things several Japanese I tutor English for said are the rage.