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

[Flashback]

The reasons still don't hold up for me. Those that were matched, if they weren't flying DJ were most likely flying QF. I highly doubt they would have gone over their way to use the DJ lounge for ATA.

Was bound to happen sooner or later anyway, and I think it's really just tit for tat blaming QF. Just returning the favour as they blamed DJ flyers in the first place. Childish really.....

 

[serfty]

It depends on the airport to an extent. MEL T3 is very convenient being landside and all.

Also strait out to the taxi rank, Skybus and even, God forbid, T4!


Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[Ausbt]

As a Gold what am I missing apart from status bonus and 4 complimentary upgrades? There does not appear to be too much difference between VA Platinum and VA Gold which may well be another reason why many status matched Platinums are going to drop off and may actually settle at Gold.

Certainly that's my plan, next year aiming to maintain Q SG which will probably result in dropping from DJ WP back to SG. No real incentive to chase DJ WP again and for me Q WP just seems slightly out-of-reach.

As far as lounge busy-ness goes, all the times I've been in OOL its very quiet, whereas the QP at Mel has to be the busiest lounge in Oz, maybe the world...!?

 

[pat25d]

As a Gold what am I missing apart from status bonus and 4 complimentary upgrades?

if the rumours are anything to go by, there will be a J/Plat only lounge soon.

 

[moa999]

Noted the lights were on in the upstairs SYD lounge yesterday, so I suspect opening of upstairs is close.
Still some work being done on what looks like a meeting room near the glass.

 

[medhead]

What DJ really need to do is differentiate platinum from gold. I had my first op up 2 weeks ago. It would be good if platinum could get that more regularly and hence make it something to aspire to hold for those unpublished benefits. Such would make ATA pale into insignificance. QF could do the same.


Sent from the Throne

 

[JohnK]

if the rumours are anything to go by, there will be a J/Plat only lounge soon.

While that may sound like a great benefit I do not think it is worth the money spent on an extra 400 SCs/year.

 

[eastwest101]

Well - as a quick update I can confirm that VA are enforcing the removal of ATA. Went to the ADL lounge yesterday and there were quite a few people flying Rex whom wanted to use the VA Lounge (self funded paid Lounge member), myself included! I had flown earlier on the day with QF (not my choice) so that was one lounge visit that I used to get and now longer get. Other people were in a similar situation.

Everyone was taking the bad news pretty well and didn't see much DYKWIA-ing.

So kudos for the Lounge staff for enforcing the new access rules in a diplomatic manner, and a few brickbats for management's poor notification and confused justification...

 

[Fruitcake]

Well - as a quick update I can confirm that VA are enforcing the removal of ATA. Went to the ADL lounge yesterday and there were quite a few people flying Rex whom wanted to use the VA Lounge (self funded paid Lounge member), myself included!

My understanding is that paid lounge members should only ever have been able to access The Lounge prior to a VA flight - only golds and plats could access the lounge without a boarding pass. Were you previously able to get lounge access when flying Rex?

 

[eastwest101]

My understanding is that paid lounge members should only ever have been able to access The Lounge prior to a VA flight - only golds and plats could access the lounge without a boarding pass. Were you previously able to get lounge access when flying Rex?

I was previously able to get access when flying Rex - but I did ask nicely - and they were within their rights to refuse. Probably did it 6-8 times a year for a coffee and toast. Also used it more than that but was flying VA on the day so was not an issue.

It is a bit of a shame for me but as I often have no choice flying Rex after a couple of QF or VA flights I really have to look at the cost vs benefits of keeping both lounge memberships in my particular situation.

Losing the VA lounge access in these situations has made the case a little harder to argue to keep the VA lounge membership going.

 

[Strongarm]

I assumed when flying Domestic J I would still have access to the lounge upon arrival into Brisbane. Was just told my the customer service agent on the phone that I don't.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Gold, Platinum and Business class tickets still had access on arrival.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

I'm currently Silver, but will be flying J.

 

[toowongman]

I assumed when flying Domestic J I would still have access to the lounge upon arrival into Brisbane. Was just told my the customer service agent on the phone that I don't.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Gold, Platinum and Business class tickets still had access on arrival.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

I'm currently Silver, but will be flying J.

J passengers don't have AOA unless Gold or Platinum.
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/lounge/#entry
"Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can access the Virgin Australia lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or Partner Airline boarding pass or itinerary."

 

[Aus ATC]

While not trying for Any Time Access, I did wander into the MEL DJ Lounge this evening - staying at the MEL Airport Holiday Inn after arriving in MEL on DJ this morning. I presented my boarding pass only to be told that the post flight access is "arrival access only" and they were clamping down on "any time access" due to lounge over crowding. Seems there is a misunderstanding as regards the terms and conditions (quoted from the website below) - was I pushing the friendship!!!

I was allowed access - but it was in the form of a favour rather than an entitlement.

Please note: Effective 15th of August 2012, Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum Members will require a same-day boarding pass for Virgin Australia or one of its airline partners in order to access the Virgin Australia lounge. All other lounge access entitlements still apply.

 

[JohnK]

Seems there is a misunderstanding as regards the terms and conditions (quoted from the website below) - was I pushing the friendship!!!

They actually checked flight number and time?

I understood it to be anytime access on the day you hold a boarding pass. So if that is 1 hour or 10 hours after your flight it is irrelevant.

 

[bullerdude]

Does anyone know if they are still allowing platinum to guest someone who is flying into the lounge? - i.e platinum member not flying but taking a non-member to the airport who is flying. (Yes I know its not in the rules but am wondering if anyone has tried it)

 

[markis10]

While not trying for Any Time Access, I did wander into the MEL DJ Lounge this evening - staying at the MEL Airport Holiday Inn after arriving in MEL on DJ this morning. I presented my boarding pass only to be told that the post flight access is "arrival access only" and they were clamping down on "any time access" due to lounge over crowding. Seems there is a misunderstanding as regards the terms and conditions (quoted from the website below) - was I pushing the friendship!!!

I was allowed access - but it was in the form of a favour rather than an entitlement.

Please note: Effective 15th of August 2012, Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum Members will require a same-day boarding pass for Virgin Australia or one of its airline partners in order to access the Virgin Australia lounge. All other lounge access entitlements still apply.

Dont suppose it was the same officious looking gentleman who acted the same way on the weekend before news came out, pretending that it was being enforced immediately, should be working for another airline in the budget terminal next door with that attitude, a customer loss machine if I ever saw one.

 

[MarkD]

Dont suppose it was the same officious looking gentleman who acted the same way on the weekend before news came out, pretending that it was being enforced immediately, should be working for another airline in the budget terminal next door with that attitude, a customer loss machine if I ever saw one.

Yes i have met him before, he is not a nice person at all


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[PLANT]

Get his name!
Then politely ask to speak to his boss/manager....then educate BOTH!
Plat should not put up with stupidity!
Whim the virgin guy on this thread

 

[MarkD]

I mat be wrong, but i think he is a supervisor. The rest of the staff are great usually


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[straitman]

I have sent an email to the MEL lounge manager and pointed her to this thread.

She is normally very responsive so I will keep you informed of any outcome.