Premium Entry

[dec540]

I haven't seen many posts on this so I wanted to provide feedback from my recent experience - especially in BNE where they have reverted to normal trading hours during the week (which I hope they keep!)

I usually fly with checked luggage so don't really see a point to using premium entry. However, I had a recent day trip from SYD to BNE where it was a perfect opportunity to try it out.

SYD - Was well signed and easy to find. There was about 5 other people going through security at 6AM when I entered. It took about 3 minutes to get from the curb to the lounge. Awesome! Definitely beats the usual SYD terminal experience!

BNE - Again well signed, although slightly out of the way. Would be great if you could get dropped off out the front (maybe this is possible if you're getting a taxi). I was the only person using it when I walked in. There were 2 staff at the valet desk, 1 at the lounge desk then 4 security operators, so I now understand the reduced operating hours over Christmas.

I arrived about 40 minutes before boarding and was able to get moved to an earlier flight. The lounge attendant was great and moving me to an earlier flight. She was also great when offering seat selection, "Would you like a middle seat in row 3, a window in 4 or an aisle in 5?", I thought this was a nice touch as opposed to assuming I wanted the aisle in 5, since i have aisle nominated on my profile - (I opted for the window in 4 so as to not steal a WP's shadow in 3).

I proceeded through security and since I was the only one going through, got a quick explosives test. They must've seen my boarding pass because it was the most polite request for a test I've ever heard "Mr xx_, do you mind..."

Overall a great experience and probably one that will encourage me to re-qualify.

 

[Milefest]

Thanks far sharing your experience! I'm lucky enough to be able to use both entries in Syd/Bne on a weekly basis, which is why I was so disappointed in the change of hours. But there's not much you can do about that.

It's definitely one of VA's draw cards and it usually impresses my friends when they're flying with me. They're amazed that you're given your own private part of the airport. There isn't much they can do about the location of the premium entry but they should allow drop offs or something..

I wonder if there's any plans to implement it at any other airports?

 

[dec540]

I wonder if there's any plans to implement it at any other airports?

I suppose it depends on the location of the lounge in relation to normal entry points. I suspect BNE and SYD were rather unique in that premium entries could be built relatively easily without changing the lounge location. I've only been to MEL and ADL a couple of times and it was a long time ago, but IIRC the lounges are located some distance away from the curbside.

 

[jackthomas]

I agree that premium entry is perhaps the biggest advantage VA has over QF.
I'm firmly in the Carry on Only crew now (mostly) but previously I travelled always with checked luggage.. Handy trick is to check your luggage and then just walk out to the premium entry anyway... Usually still a much quicker and nicer experience.

 

[Milefest]

I suppose it depends on the location of the lounge in relation to normal entry points. I suspect BNE and SYD were rather unique in that premium entries could be built relatively easily without changing the lounge location. I've only been to MEL and ADL a couple of times and it was a long time ago, but IIRC the lounges are located some distance away from the curbside.

Though in MEL they did manage a club lounge entry on the kerbside

 

[jackthomas]

Though in MEL they did manage a club lounge entry on the kerbside

Do tell....

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Though in MEL they did manage a club lounge entry on the kerbside

I actually find this really odd. Surely it wouldn't have been hard to build a security facility in the kerbside part for all SG/WP/J/Club pax and then take a lift down to either the main lounge or The Club. Seems a shame considering the premium entries in BNE and SYD.

I'm a huge fan of them, and like jackthomas, will check luggage normally and then walk across to clear security through the premium entries.

 

[Milefest]

Do tell....

Don't know much about the MEL club kerbside entry. I always have a quick peak to see who's going in when I get dropped off. This is the location of the club entry in MEL.

If it interests anyone, I snapped a quick pic of the layout/size of the BNE club lounge the other day (bottom left):

I actually find this really odd. Surely it wouldn't have been hard to build a security facility in the kerbside part for all SG/WP/J/Club pax and then take a lift down to either the main lounge or The Club. Seems a shame considering the premium entries in BNE and SYD.

I'm a huge fan of them, and like jackthomas, will check luggage normally and then walk across to clear security through the premium entries.

Seems like a waste really, a premium entry in MEL makes a lot of sense.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Premium entry is fabulous.
Why on earth did they build a whole new terminal in Perth and NOT include premium entry?

 

[Pleb Status]

Premium Entry was closed at BNE today as expected. As I generally fly out of BNE on a weekend, looks like I may never get to use it again....

 

[TomVexille]

Obviously The Club got in the way of a Premium entry at MEL. But the Premium exit achieves mostly the same thing when it's actually open.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Would be great if you could get dropped off out the front (maybe this is possible if you're getting a taxi).

Unfortunately it's valet only in BNE, not even taxis can get in there. Such a shame!

(I opted for the window in 4 so as to not steal a WP's shadow in 3).

Aren't you nice! Did somebody else end up sitting in 3 B/E anyway?

I proceeded through security and since I was the only one going through, got a quick explosives test.

Yeah, given how quiet it can be depending on the time of day, I find I get explosives tested almost every time going through premium entry. That's the only real downside I reckon. Nonetheless, I'd still rate it as faster and more pleasant than going through the main security line!

 

[Denali]

Premium entry on Christmas morning at Sydney was a god send. The terminal security was packed with at least a hundred people and counting so after checkin, we wandered outside and to the left and was sitting in the lounge within minutes.

 

[medhead]

I actually find this really odd. Surely it wouldn't have been hard to build a security facility in the kerbside part for all SG/WP/J/Club pax and then take a lift down to either the main lounge or The Club.

Been a while since I've been to VA lounge in MEL. But aren't the lounges outside security? Would there be a need for a kerbside security facility?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Been a while since I've been to VA lounge in MEL. But aren't the lounges outside security? Would there be a need for a kerbside security facility?

The lounge is land-side, so they could have built a premium entry (with security) instead of the premium exit.

 

[TomVexille]

Been a while since I've been to VA lounge in MEL. But aren't the lounges outside security? Would there be a need for a kerbside security facility?

Correct. Hence the private security lanes on exit.

 

[medhead]

The lounge is land-side, so they could have built a premium entry (with security) instead of the premium exit.

You're confusing me. Why would you put in security before a landside lounge? That would mean the premium entry people would have to do security twice!
Not all lounge eligible people are suppose to use the premium entry. i.e. silver with guest pass, and The lounge paid members.

Correct. Hence the private security lanes on exit.

Hence my question about why would they build a kerbside security facility.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

You're confusing me. Why would you put in security before a landside lounge? That would mean the premium entry people would have to do security twice!

To make it an airside lounge.

 

[medhead]

To make it an airside lounge.

as per my edit:
Not all lounge eligible people are suppose to use the premium entry. i.e. silver with guest pass, and The lounge paid members. so it can't be an airside lounge because of a premium entry.

There would also be the issue of transit pax, so a secure entry would be required from both piers in MEL. or Do they exit security, go out to the kerb to access the lounge?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

as per my edit:
Not all lounge eligible people are suppose to use the premium entry. i.e. silver with guest pass, and The lounge paid members. so it can't be an airside lounge because of a premium entry.

There would also be the issue of transit pax, so a secure entry would be required from both piers in MEL. or Do they exit security, go out to the kerb to access the lounge?

I see your point. They'd have to put all entrances to the lounge airside for it to work.