Anytime Lounge Access Finishing? [Yes, from 15Aug12]

[Flashback]

No, it's Doogie Howser in How I Met Your Mother (That show is Legen wait for it....)

........... dary!

 

[DrAndyC]

I just want my Ched's biscuits back. VA.....this precious gift qantas took from us? Do u accept the challenge?

 

[Jama]

Re: OOL. I don't want to say "I told you so" but somewhere around here is a thread where i predicted the end of ATA before the OOL lounge was even completed. I figured if it was going to be abused anywhere it would be there.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-86.html#post621581

 

[777]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-velocity/ool-lounge-28501-86.html#post621581

That link didn't work for me but I found it: post number 376 back January.

 

[anat0l]

My Velocity statement arrived today, but nothing saying about the new access rules. Also, no other email of the fact.

You'd thought that with good (and, to a lesser extent, not so good) news on lounge access, Velocity would send out a notice fairly promptly. Ah well - AFF: you hear it here first.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My Velocity statement arrived today, but nothing saying about the new access rules. Also, no other email of the fact.

You'd thought that with good (and, to a lesser extent, not so good) news on lounge access, Velocity would send out a notice fairly promptly. Ah well - AFF: you hear it here first.

Yes, very odd. The statement has a "latest news" section, but not a peep in there about any of the latest news. In fact the only latest newsworthy (and only) item is almost 12 months old. Surely ATA removal classes as news worthy of sharing with your clients.......and int point upgrades......and an update on IFE (yeah dream on) etc etc. Maybe they need need a new PR manager.

 

[MelUser]

I had no problem on Saturday and Sunday just gone using the lounge as an arrivals lounge in Adelaide and Melbourne. I had just flown in on dj flights and showed boarding pass.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I had no problem on Saturday and Sunday just gone using the lounge as an arrivals lounge in Adelaide and Melbourne. I had just flown in on dj flights and showed boarding pass.

Arrivals access will still be available. ATA also hasn't yet finished.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I had to head to MEL to collect one of our Chinese suppliers who flew in on CA on Aug 3 - so I went to Lounge anmd flashed my Plat card when CA flt was over an hour late.

Was greeted by a very gruff senior male attendant who forcibly told me ATA finishing Aug 15 - not once did he bark it at me but twice - yeah whatever.

Did mini status run MEL-LST-MEL today to collect the bonus 200 Scs that VA dangled in front of me for just taking any flt now comfortably retain Plat for another year - purchased 2 x $88 Saver fares - seat 4C on way down - 1D in business class on way back - thanks VA.

 

[PLANT]

On the lounge website:

Virgin Australia lounge | Virgin Australia

Bit stiff to not have international access for LIFETIME MEMBERS $9K fee.

Is there a THREAD saying DEALS to get lounge access cheaper than RRP?

 

[leemin]

Is there a THREAD saying DEALS to get lounge access cheaper than RRP?

Not that I'm aware of. Ages ago I raised the possibility of an AFF corporate Lounge scheme, but this well by the wayside somewhere along the line.

A google search usually brings up a few options. The best I've found in the past is the scheme for Monash Uni employees ($200 p.a. no join fee). Also check out professional associations (CPA etc.)

 

[PLANT]

Salary Packaging Membership is (makes it)Half price right?
Might go the Jetstar PLAT card on the Virgin Lounge ha ha ha ha ha ha

 

[leemin]

Salary Packaging Membership is (makes it) Half price right?

The 'discount' depends entirely on the tax bracket applicable to you

Might go the Jetstar PLAT card on the Virgin Lounge ha ha ha ha ha ha

Sorry, I don't get it...

 

[JohnK]

I still cannot believe there has been no formal communication of the removal of anytime access. Either VA are being very amateurish or someone truly believes this decision will have no consequences for them.

And no releasing a statement on AFF is not good enough unless they were simply trying to gauge acceptance....

 

[serfty]

It has been argued with me that Velocity Status based ATA was never in the T&C's.

I cannot locate a prior copy to very this.

 

[pauly7]

It has been argued with me that Velocity Status based ATA was never in the T&C's.

I cannot locate a prior copy to very this.

Interesting but customers won't care if it was inscribed on gold leaf or not in the T&C's - and DJ know that surely.

 

[serfty]

Interesting but customers won't care if it was inscribed on gold leaf or not in the T&C's - and DJ know that surely.

It relates to the T&C's themselves and the specific notice to be given for "significant changes" - if ATA was not noted in the T&C's then such notice of change would not be required.

FWIW, the only time I used the lounge on an ATA basis was in MEL after an AirNZ flight from AKL.

 

[AaronBradford]

It's a bit disappointing. Taking away ATA is fair enough, but not caring to communicate that effectively ... They might have a few awkward situations with the status PAX they're trying to impress come August 15th, the ones who don't frequent the lounge access page and AFF every day, at least.

 

[JohnK]

It has been argued with me that Velocity Status based ATA was never in the T&C's.

My recollection was Anytime Access was a benefit of status and that they were the only airline in Australia offering it. There are a number of threads on AFF where the VA represntative(s) posted as such.

Anyway it is too late now if lounge staff are barking at people that Anytime Access is finishing. I think I may pay the lounge a special visit on Friday night....

 

[oz_mark]

AFAIK it was only ever written into the lounge access policy. (Gold and Platinum members did not need to present a boarding pass to gain entry)