Flying cats from Dulles to Heathrow

Does anyone know anything about a  250 GBP receiving fee?

Yes, at the Animal Reception Center in London, you have to pay that fee once they have cleared your pet.  If you're flying into any airport other then Heathrow, I have no idea.

I do know that Virgin does not include the UK fee in the ticket price, but BA does.  It was far more convenient for me to pay one charge for everything when I checked the dog into the cargo bay in SF.

I do know that Virgin does not include the UK fee in the ticket price, but BA does.  It was far more convenient for me to pay one charge for everything when I checked the dog into the cargo bay in SF.

Agh, I flew Virgin, which was my only option from DC.  Perhaps that's why I paid so many different people

I'm being quoted $1500 (CAN) to fly 2 cats on Air Canada.  I am using an Animal Transport company ( I think) which only makes up about $200 of that.  Am I being ripped off?? I am flying the cats out of Vancouver, which is obviously further than other places. Does anyone know anything about a  250 GBP receiving fee?

If you're using a transport company who will come and pick up your cat, take it to the airport, get it on it's way, then get the animal through customs at the end, then that's a good deal. I was quoted $2800 by a company who would take care of all the last minute vet appointments, buy the crates, pick up the cats, get them to the airport, pick them up at the airport and get them through customs, and drop them off at my place in England.  I knew it would be expensive, but sheesh!!! I've opted to do it on my own which means it will be closer to the $1500. I'm probably going to use Continental as they fly into Bristol, rather than going through Heathrow.

Is Bristol an approved place to fly into?  That would be so much easier (and closer) than Heathrow!

This transport company does not do as much as the one you described. We drop the cats off at their place near the airport. They prepare the cage, and then 2 hours before departure, they take the cats over to Air Canada. I am not sure how necessary it is that we use the service. The selling point they tried to use was the ice cube that they were going to place in my kitties' water tray in the crate!  They did mention that they track the pets on their journey, although we're supposed to be on the same plan, so we don't really need that. They say on the receiving end that Heathrow likes it when they're involved because there tends to be less trouble with the paper work. So, I'm still undecided about what to do.

Smootie, no such luck on Bristol.  I live here and would have loved to fly directly here!!

IMO, you dont need to pay a transport company.  I froze Raisins water dish the night before and brought it to the cargo area.  I stayed there until she was checked into the crate after paying for the flight.  Then drove to the International terminal to check myself in.  When I got into Heathrow, my hubs picked me up, we drove accross the airport to the AMR and waited almost 4 hours for them to check her in.   

I agree with jennredd.  Also, check with Air Canada but I'm pretty sure they will transport the cat to the Animal Reception centre for you.  At least with us they did. 

The one thing I learned from this very expensive transport company is that there is an approved route from Newark to Bristol on Continental. They had suggested doing this rather than flying from Dulles to Heathrow. I checked the Defra website and sure enough, it's been added. This must be new within the past month or so.