Changes to Virgin Australia Lounge Terms

[knagelli]

Does it mean that in case of tight connecting flights ( with VA metal) , I am not allowed to grab a quick bite and head to the next flight ? I should rather site there finish my extraordinary sandwich or penne pasta which is mostly the offering these days while in the lounge.

Are we next expecting random bag checks to ensure pax don't take food outside the lounge.

 

[stm1sydney]

I suspect VA is not going to rigidly enforce this but it is just there for the obvious abusers who are taking out a bag full of food for their extended family. I see it at breakfast in the exec lounges at hotels, where guests of a certain ethnicity will often blatantly stuff their bags with food and drink, especially bottled drinks, nothwithstanding the sign at the door.

 

[knagelli]

where guests of a certain ethnicity will often blatantly stuff their bags with food and drink

Interestingly yesterday at Sheraton Port Douglas , I saw a family stuffing up a takeaway( not provided by the restaurant/hotel) container full of food for consumption at a later time during breakfast time.

I am not sure if they had already told the staff or if there was any other condition but irrespective of who/how it is done at hotels there is always a (valid/lame) reason to do so.

 

[tdimdad]

Actually… the ‘rules’ around food and beverage are unclear. The terms and conditions say, ‘guests must’:

(iii) unless permitted for takeaway as indicated in the Lounge, consumer (sic) all food and beverages made available in the Lounge within the Lounge;​

​

Given the clause makes no sense, I’d disregard it!

This would mean that the lounge staff then clearly label the items that are intended for takeaway. The rest is then meant to be consumed on the premises. Muesli bars and bottled water? Available for takeaway. Rest of the offerings? Better eat it there or the lounge dragon will throw flames...

 

[dajop]

At the Priority Pass lounge I went to in Manchester in August, we saw someone slip a 750ml bottle of Prosecco into their bag... taking a can of coke is one thing, but this takes it it a whole other level.

 

[PERLHR]

At the Priority Pass lounge I went to in Manchester in August, we saw someone slip a 750ml bottle of Prosecco into their bag... taking a can of coke is one thing, but this takes it it a whole other level.

Ah but it's Manchester....surprised a chair did not follow!

 

[Ross B]

I’ve seen someone stash a whole pineapple in their bag. I was feeling bad about the apple I had taken but not after that

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I’ve seen someone stash a whole pineapple in their bag. I was feeling bad about the apple I had taken but not after that

Hopefully it wasn't @PineappleSkip

 

[trisreed]

This would mean that the lounge staff then clearly label the items that are intended for takeaway. The rest is then meant to be consumed on the premises. Muesli bars and bottled water? Available for takeaway. Rest of the offerings? Better eat it there or the lounge dragon will throw flames...

Are takeaway coffee cups acceptable to be taken away by virtue of their name or will they need to be consumed within the lounge? I'm only being 50% facetious as I know of coffee shops that will serve you in these for 'drink in' visits.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Hopefully it wasn't @PineappleSkip

Some people find me hard to swallow.

 

[Stealthflyer]

There seems to be a shift away from grabbable snacks anyway. I remember when they used to have packets of chips and sweet treats. Now, it’s chips and biscuits in jars with tongs and bowls instead. These changes in serving style makes the food much less stashable.

 

[Must...Fly!]

There are signs all over the Perth lounge this afternoon to refrain from taking f&b outside of the lounge. Fair enough I guess, it's not a convenience store...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This would mean that the lounge staff then clearly label the items that are intended for takeaway. The rest is then meant to be consumed on the premises. Muesli bars and bottled water? Available for takeaway. Rest of the offerings? Better eat it there or the lounge dragon will throw flames...

It was the use of the word ‘consumer’ which renders the clause totally meaningless. So grounds to ignore it

 

[AIRwin]

It was the use of the word ‘consumer’ which renders the clause totally meaningless. So grounds to ignore it

It has been corrected

 

[PERLHR]

Maybe this actually makes Qantas more acceptable in a few ways ...at least they give you something on board when down the back and often the price differential is a few dollars.. .sometimes not mind you. I think it's a bit mean that status pax can't take an odd sannie or two but as always, as in life, probably the minority spoiling it for the majority. Premium pax, or status pax, you can't buy "class" and perhaps too many are just greedy.

 

[twinaisle]

There are signs all over the Perth lounge this afternoon to refrain from taking f&b outside of the lounge. Fair enough I guess, it's not a convenience store...

Probably due to someone getting sick or so and trying to blame "the sandwich I took from the lounge" scenario

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

In the end, its all our speculation, as to the whys of it.
Unless someone on the inside, but haven't seen him/her on here of late, maybe VA has gotten rid of our "liaison" on here, comes out and says so, but from the times I have been in the VA lounges, post covid, there are not a lot of take away foods, or "grabandgo".
Its mainly for eating onsite.
Could be due to health, that the food is in someone's bag and thats not being kept cool for a while.
Who knows, maybe its more to do with keeping costs down, ie, if food does not go walkies, more people can eat it, and they can keep the other foods frozen or no need to prepare too much.
Its hard to say for sure.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Probably due to someone getting sick or so and trying to blame "the sandwich I took from the lounge" scenario

You are probably right, it's a good thought. If it's just Perth with signage then there's a certain high vis brigade I would probably pin it on first

 

[JohnK]

I wonder if too many people were taking a roll and butter from the lounge to go with their meals in the air??

Or an apple or banana? What does it matter if you consume food in lounge or take a snack with you? The new rules are not going to stop me making a sandwich or 2 to take with me.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

What does it matter if you consume food in lounge or take a snack with you? The new rules are not going to stop me making a sandwich or 2 to take with me.

Because some food has to be kept in certain hygenic conditions or you may get sick.

Nek minit you take a chicken sandwich in your bag, leave it for 10 hours, then eat it and get gastro, and take action against Virgin. As someone said, certain ethnicities bring containers and load up hot food and take it away. That can lead to gastro and Virgin are protecting themselves against damages claims from those for whom everything is someone else's fault.