The answer varies a fair bit.
Sometimes I have duty tickets (i.e. company issued) that I'm able to use. Otherwise, I'll try to use staff travel, though that can be problematic at busy times. Buying 'real' tickets is often no more expensive, and means you aren't standby, but in general the notice I get is too short to allow a cheap ticket price.
I've used Virgin a couple of times, and I've had to drive once or twice too.
We can join the lounge on the same basis as anyone else. Access is otherwise very restricted. You get points on commercial tickets the same as anyone else. Staff or duty tickets certainly don't attract them.
No. These days the net is my friend.
