DJ Gold Lounge/Partner Lounge access

[N860CR]

I know it's all written up on the Velocity website, but I thought I'd start a quick thread to see what our experiences have been with lounge access and other benefits as DJ Gold on DJ & partner airlines. Unfortunatley I've been getting conflicting information from DJ & the partners (*cough* EY *cough*), so what beats first hand experience! This is what I've pulled from the Velocity website and added comments for my experiences. I can update as we have confirmations.

Virgin Blue Domestic - Have never had any problems
- Priority checkin
- "The Lounge" Access
- + 1 Guest
- 32KG free luggage

Etihad Airways - Have been told by Etihad that I am entitled to nothing
- Business Class checkin
- Etihad & Partner lounge access when flying EY (ie: Air NZ's lounges in Australia)
- +1 Guest
- Additional 15kg luggage

V Australia - Nil experience
- Business Class checkin
- Lounge Access (varies from port to port)
- No Guest Allowance
- 1 extra piece luggage (USA) or 10kg extra (other destinations)

Delta Air Lines - Nil experience
- Skylounge Access
- No Guest Allowance

Virgin Atlantic - Nil experience
- Upper-Class checkin
- Virgin lounge access
- No Guest Allowance

Polynesian Blue - Nil experience
- 32kg luggage allowance
- No Lounge Access

Pacific Blue - Nil experience
- 32 kg luggage allowance
- Lounge in Wellington and Christchurch only
- No Guest Access

I think that makes up all of the relevant circumstances.

My area of concern is the "no guest access" on a number of carriers (Including Pac/Poly and V-Aus which seems a bit odd). Is this an oversight on the website, or is there actually no guest allowance.

I would like to think I was given incorrect information by Etihad, but does anyone have first hand experience?

 

[MelUser]

I would also like clarification on the following baggage issue:

After my next MEL-LAX-MEL trip I will become Velocity Silver - first trip with VAustralia and in J.

It is published that when travelling on a domestic fare that does not include luggage, a Velocity Silver can check luggage up to 23kg.

What happens if I buy a fare which includes luggage, say 23kg worth.

Does this mean that a Velocity silver is entitled to 23kg + 23kg if purchasing a luggage inclusive fare?

(When I asked the Velocity call centre in Sydney they said that yes to the above question - ie that (domestically) the 23kg given "free" to Silver members is in addition to any baggage that may come with the fare.

Any thoughts?

 

[pshepvic]

Does this mean that a Velocity silver is entitled to 23kg + 23kg if purchasing a luggage inclusive fare?

(When I asked the Velocity call centre in Sydney they said that yes to the above question - ie that (domestically) the 23kg given "free" to Silver members is in addition to any baggage that may come with the fare.

Any thoughts?

I would disagree with this. Whilst QF includes baggage with all fares, and allows an additional amount for Silver/Gold/Platinum members, it is worded very differently on both the Virgin and Velocity websites.

Virgin Blue website:
* Flexible fare holders and Velocity Silver members may check in up to 23kg of baggage included in your fare
* Corporate Plus fare holders and Velocity Gold Members may check in up to 32kg of baggage included in your fare

Velocity website (under the Silver benefits section):
* Up to 23kg of free checked baggage on Virgin Blue, Polynesian Blue and Pacific Blue.
* One free extra piece when flying to the US with V Australia or an additional 10kg when flying to other international destinations.
* An additional 10kg baggage allowance on Etihad Airways.

Reading this, I believe for Silver the limit is still 23kg, whether or not it is included in your fare. Otherwise it would say "23kg baggage in addition to the checked bag allowance included with your fare".

I guess you could try your luck at the airport, but I wouldn't rely on it.

 

[koonyaflyer]

The baggage allowance for those fares where the baggage is inlcuded is the total baggage allowance, so if you purchase a PE fare with 69kgs, you do not get the additional 23kgs.

Where the value sits with with this benefit is that you can always buy the lowest available no baggage fare. When you go through the booking process, and you are logged in with your Velocity number, it will skip through the question on baggage, and will provide you with the 23kgs at no additional cost. Other pax who want to take baggage are required to purchase at the point.