American Express Platinum Charge Card enhancement - Virgin Lounge access

[Foreigner]

T&Cs are interesting (and probably deficient). The basic card member needs to be flying, but the supplementary does't . Will be diffcult to present a boarding pass if not flying though.

As a practical matter, there is no way that anyone at the Virgin lounge is going to be able to tell if the card is basic or supplementary - there is nothing on the cards that distinguishes.

I doubt that they would be swiping - and why would you even let them - there is no charge, so need for them to swipe.

The swipe may help Virgin 'charge' Amex for the arrangement between them. I would have used Lounge in Sydney tomorrow but I'm travelling QF.

 

[sparoz]

I was excited until I saw the fine print. I have my complimentary flight booked with DJ in July travelling with my wife and our 6 months old. So with the Cent cards both me and my wife can get into the lounge. Might have to leave the baby with them to look after at the reception desk since children was specified to be not allowed.

 

[Mal]

As a practical matter, there is no way that anyone at the Virgin lounge is going to be able to tell if the card is basic or supplementary - there is nothing on the cards that distinguishes.

I doubt that they would be swiping - and why would you even let them - there is no charge, so need for them to swipe.

Don't Supp cards have one number different on the card? Try looking at the 2nd last number. Is it a Zero? Wow, congrats you're the primary. Is it higher than Zero? Wow, congrats you're a supp card holder...

And as for "no need to swipe"? Try that comment when shopping at Coles next time... As a Velocity Plat, I can't get into the lounge without a swipe, there is no hope in hell you will get in without them swiping your card to get a chargeback to Amex.

 

[Mal]

I was excited until I saw the fine print. I have my complimentary flight booked with DJ in July travelling with my wife and our 6 months old. So with the Cent cards both me and my wife can get into the lounge. Might have to leave the baby with them to look after at the reception desk since children was specified to be not allowed.

Sounds good. As virgin doesn't classify a guest as a "child" until they are two, perhaps you have found a loophole. Better get in quick before they ban babies though...

 

[Flashback]

Don't Supp cards have one number different on the card? Try looking at the 2nd last number. Is it a Zero? Wow, congrats you're the primary. Is it higher than Zero? Wow, congrats you're a supp card holder...

Hm, not the case for my primary & supp cards...

 

[pshepvic]

Don't Supp cards have one number different on the card? Try looking at the 2nd last number. Is it a Zero? Wow, congrats you're the primary. Is it higher than Zero? Wow, congrats you're a supp card holder...

My partner and I have several Amex cards and there is no such pattern for us. I have a Primary card ending in 2 with one of the Supps ending in 0, and another in 4. I also have a Primary ending in 0 with the Supp ending in 6. Second last digit is the same - in some cases the Primary is 0, in some cases the Supp is 0.

Edit: I note on FlyerTalk there is a thread that mentions the second and third last digit are the card number. However this doesn't ring true for all our cards. That thread also indicates that the "rules" don't always align in some countries.

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[scratchabck]

My partner and I have several Amex cards and there is no such pattern for us. I have a Primary card ending in 2 with one of the Supps ending in 0, and another in 4. I also have a Primary ending in 0 with the Supp ending in 6. Second last digit is the same - in some cases the Primary is 0, in some cases the Supp is 0.

Edit: I note on FlyerTalk there is a thread that mentions the second and third last digit are the card number. However this doesn't ring true for all our cards. That thread also indicates that the "rules" don't always align in some countries.

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I compared my card to my partner's supplement card. It seems that the basic card has a 4 digit number at right bottom.

 

[k3nnis]

Has anyone tried getting into the VA lounge using your plat charge card yet? And success? Or are the lounge dragons unaware of this benefit..

 

[ALH]

Has anyone tried getting into the VA lounge using your plat charge card yet? And success? Or are the lounge dragons unaware of this benefit..

This morning. Melbourne. No Go

 

[k3nnis]

Why is that? What did they say???

This morning. Melbourne. No Go

 

[Extasea33]

I was excited until I saw the fine print. I have my complimentary flight booked with DJ in July travelling with my wife and our 6 months old. So with the Cent cards both me and my wife can get into the lounge. Might have to leave the baby with them to look after at the reception desk since children was specified to be not allowed.

Use your Centurion A/C card to swipe in your 6 month old

 

[Deleted member]

Why is that? What did they say???

Stealing thunder here. They said it had to be a virgin platinum Amex .

 

[greenfrog86]

Stealing thunder here. They said it had to be a virgin platinum Amex .

Well lets hope the 'less informed' staff have switched over and those working tonight welcome me with a 'welcome Sir'...

If I get refused for my checked baggage on free Amex flight too then there will be one big-time cranky Greenfrog86 on the phone!

 

[pshepvic]

Stealing thunder here. They said it had to be a virgin platinum Amex .

But the benefit is for Plat/Cent Charge Cards - are you just guessing at the response, or did you have that actual experience?


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[Deleted member]

But the benefit is for Plat/Cent Charge Cards - are you just guessing at the response, or did you have that actual experience?


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My son in law, on business for my company. BNE-MEL QF. On tuesday MEL - BNE DJ. Yesterday morning.

So no. I didn't have the actual experience. But that is what he was told in MEL.

 

[pshepvic]

Strange that they don't even know which card is the right type! Surely they'd have a training guide with a photo for reference at the front desk of the lounge...


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[k3nnis]

Greenfrog, please report back Also maybe we can bring our ipads along and browse to the amex website to show them???

 

[davestan]

This will be difficult when travelling with spouse who is a supp card holder(and flying Virgin). I suppose they will be counted as a "guest" and not permitted entry. So that in effect is a "No" for the couple!

 

[k3nnis]

My concern is they might not even let the primary cardholder in!

 

[k3nnis]

How did you go?

Well lets hope the 'less informed' staff have switched over and those working tonight welcome me with a 'welcome Sir'...

If I get refused for my checked baggage on free Amex flight too then there will be one big-time cranky Greenfrog86 on the phone!