Delta Lounge T5 LAX for Plat on VA

[juliusg]

Hi Velocity community,

Flying on VA premium economy as a Plat, am I allowed into the Delta lounge over at T5? Aware that we fly out of T3 at LAX.

So: my ticket is on VA, not on Delta code share. The Velocity site is not completely clear on this.

Many thanks in advance!

- Julius

 

[Fruitcake]

The Virgin website says that as a Platinum, you're entitled to use Delta Sky Clubs when flying on VA long haul international services:

"You and a guest on presentation of membership card and boarding pass for same day travel on a Virgin Australia International Long Haul flight or Delta Air Lines"
https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Status/InternationalLoungeAccess/index.htm

The difficult bit will be getting airside at T5 to access the SkyClub. My assumption is that the TSA will only let you through T5 security if departing from T5. However, if you are transiting, have interlined luggage, and arrive at LAX on a Delta flight with a boarding pass for your onward connection you might be able to stay airside in T5 and use the SkyClub? But I'm very hazy on LAX, the only times I've ever been through have been on very tight connections so I've never had time to check out terminals etc.

If anyone has experience getting airside at T5 whilst departing on a VA flight from T3 I'd love to know, because, like juliusg, I'd like to access the SkyClub when transiting LAX in July. Unfortunately we're arriving on VX into T3 and as far as I can tell (from internet sleuthing) the only airside connection into T5 is from T6-8 (which doesn't help me!)

 

[juliusg]

The Virgin website says that as a Platinum, you're entitled to use Delta Sky Clubs when flying on VA long haul international services:

"You and a guest on presentation of membership card and boarding pass for same day travel on a Virgin Australia International Long Haul flight or Delta Air Lines"
https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Status/InternationalLoungeAccess/index.htm

The difficult bit will be getting airside at T5 to access the SkyClub. )

Thanks, Fruityone. I'm actually arriving T5 on Delta from Atlanta, so it ought to be a no-brainer. Will report back here when I return, mid June!

 

[MadFairlane]

Thanks, Fruityone. I'm actually arriving T5 on Delta from Atlanta, so it ought to be a no-brainer. Will report back here when I return, mid June!

You should be fine...

The Skyclub in ATL is awesome, especially if you are departing from T6 (the newest terminal)... managed to spend a decent hour or so there last week.

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks, Fruityone.

No worries. I must admit I'm beginning to wish I hadn't used my standard "I'm never going to post on this forum" username when registering here . Unfortunately I've become hooked.

 

[Boris spatsky]

On a similar note, is there an arrivals lounge in LAX that you can use if arriving off VA in J?

 

[juliusg]

On a similar note, is there an arrivals lounge in LAX that you can use if arriving off VA in J?

Almost certianly not, LAX is a dud. Years ago United had a J arrivals package which ran from the Wyndam hotel, where from a desk in the lobby, you got a room for a shower. I used that a lot - it was great!

Nowdays I take a shuttle to one of the cheaper hotels like Travelodge, and pay $90 for a room to freshen up in. Sounds extreme, but if you have a whole day ahead of you, makes a huge difference!

 

[bigbadbyrnes]

If flying with VX, into T3, it is a long walk to T5 for lounge access, something like 15 or 20mins. I've sprinted it in 4 mins a few times after a debacle with luggage not coming off a DL flight on the plane we flew from LAS->LAX and managing trying to check into a VX flight. Not a pleasant experience and perhaps worth it's own thread for the amusement of others.

I really feel for anyone, particularly J flyers, passing through LAX while there isn't a lounge there in T3. I really hope that VA can make the switch to T5 soon so all this wickedness can be done with as you'll at least have a SkyClub to access, which is better than nothing, but if you're travelling back to Aus in J and are stuck with a 3 hour layover , it's pretty crummy having to worry about getting yourself from one terminal to another and back, and the associated security queues, just for the sake of lounge access, it's pretty poor.

 

[Fruitcake]

VA does have a 'temporary' lounge in place in T3 (as described on the VA website, and there's a thread about it here). It's just I guess I'm being greedy and I want to figure out how to get into a decent lounge (ie with showers!).

If VA is planning to move departures to T5 (which makes sense), then that's terrific news. Get access to SkyPriority benefits for Velocity Gold & Platinum pax and DJ/DL has a reasonable competitor for the QF/AA alliance! Unfortunately if it were all so easy I suspect it would have happened already.

 

[bigbadbyrnes]

VA does have a 'temporary' lounge in place in T3 (as described on the VA website, and there's a thread about it here). It's just I guess I'm being greedy and I want to figure out how to get into a decent lounge (ie with showers!).

If VA is planning to move departures to T5 (which makes sense), then that's terrific news. Get access to SkyPriority benefits for Velocity Gold & Platinum pax and DJ/DL has a reasonable competitor for the QF/AA alliance! Unfortunately if it were all so easy I suspect it would have happened already.

Indeed, Fruitcake, I was aware of VA's "lounge" facilities in LAX T3, how they are occupying the space left by the Alaska Airlines boardroom now they've moved on, but like you, and others, find it pretty underwhelming. The shower situation would be the biggest bugbear, limited booze (both in the old Alaska Airlines days as well as the current shambles - I mean really, who in heck's name oversaw the appointment of a contracting company that didn't have a licence? It's probably not that simple however, these things never are) and limited food being the others.

My kingdom for a decent lounge when departing. SkyClub would be just about decent, although they aint nothin special (I recon VA's domestic lounges have them trumped, but I've only seen the SkyClub@ LAX, and VA Lounges @ SYD, BNE and MEL), but the current arrangement doesn't quite meet the definition of decent lounge.

Sidenote - the Platinum access to the EY Pearl Lounge in AUH worked (only just, had to convince them after they tried to tell me to go to Al Rheem), and it was outstanding, in my very humble opinion. Other people have other opinions, but I found it to be simply awesome, far better than VA's domestic lounges and the Koru Lounge

 

[DaleS]

Sidenote - the Platinum access to the EY Pearl Lounge in AUH worked (only just, had to convince them after they tried to tell me to go to Al Rheem), and it was outstanding, in my very humble opinion. Other people have other opinions, but I found it to be simply awesome, far better than VA's domestic lounges and the Koru Lounge[/QUOTE]

Can only concur re LAX - what a dive. On our last visit we flew VA J to LA had a few days there then flew V America to JFK in first. Apart from the J express access to security you just had to find a seat somewhere in the terminal and if hungry or thirsty choose from the lame outlets and find your way past the construction.
Re EY lounges in AUH. I do think the Pearl lounge is great but it does get very crowded at certain times. The First lounge though! Big, comfortable with great showers and massage, restaurant and more staff members than guests. If you ever get in there you'll certainly enjoy.
Greetings from a fellow northern rivers member.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Ok, so whst is mu best move? I flu in and land at 1030am into LAX on VA, and my connecting VX flight to Chicago leaves at 4.30pm. What can i do for 6 hours if there are no lounges? I am VA and QF platinum. Also have Diners Club if that can get me into an LAX lounge at all?

 

[DaleS]

Do your bags go straight through to the connecting VX? If that's the case & if you're in business on VA you'll be first off & clear immigration reasonably quickly. I'd hire a car and drive to Santa Monica for lunch and a wander round. Back to LAX by 3.30 to check in and as you're platinum you will check into the premium line. That gives you 4 hours in the fresh air and sunshine before getting stuffed back into a plane again.

 

[Boris spatsky]

No, separate PNRs unfortunately. I will try and link them but not sure bags will be checked through.

 

[Fruitcake]

VA told me explicitly on the phone when I enquired a couple of weeks ago that they will not check through baggage onto a separate PNR.

Which is rather annoying - VX will happily interline baggage onto a separate PNR booking (or at least, that's what their website says (I am flying on another airline after my Virgin America flight. Can I check my baggage through?), I've never tried it in practice myself, although I'm hoping to soon).

 

[VA777]

VA told me explicitly on the phone when I enquired a couple of weeks ago that they will not check through baggage onto a separate PNR.

I have a J points booking later this year on VA with DL connections at LAX. I was forced to have two separate PNR's due to the VA processes, and I have been assured that I will be able to check baggages through to final destinations. My other worry is that on another forum there has been an issue with DJ/VA system being handle beyond three segments on a bag tag, but someone found a way around that, but it was quite manual.

 

[MandM]

VA told me explicitly on the phone when I enquired a couple of weeks ago that they will not check through baggage onto a separate PNR.

Which is rather annoying - VX will happily interline baggage onto a separate PNR booking (or at least, that's what their website says (I am flying on another airline after my Virgin America flight. Can I check my baggage through?), I've never tried it in practice myself, although I'm hoping to soon).

Fruitcake, have you tried interlining the baggage (VA-VX or VX-VA)? Or am I asking TOO soon?

 

[Fruitcake]

Fruitcake, have you tried interlining the baggage (VA-VX or VX-VA)? Or am I asking TOO soon?

A little too soon, sorry! I'm writing this from the T5 Sky Club on the outbound leg of my trip from Australia, awaiting a connection to ATL.

Late next week I fly ORD-LAX-BNE, I'll let you know how helpful VX is then.

 

[pythonisman]

VX offered to interline luggage for me SFO-LAX-SYD. I didn't take them up on it at the time (I was dumb for that and other reasons) but it seemed easily done / proactively offered.

 

[Fruitcake]

Checking in at ORD, I asked if I could interline my bags onto VA but the agent said it could only be done for single bookings.

Indeed, a different FAQ does state this:
Does Virgin America have any interline airline partners?

It wasn't too much of a drama anyway. With VX arriving at T3 all we had to do was take our bags up the escalators, and there was no queue at security.