Gold member and 2 guests access to Virgin lounge

[oz_mark]

I recently took my wife in to the PER lounge (i'm WP) when i wasn't flying. They initially said we couldn't go in but relented. I later got an email from the Lounge Mgr clarifying that the WP had to be flying for access to be granted, she even sent the relevant T&C's.

It is certainly my understanding that the member needs to be flying

I know that was not historically the case, but it is these days. Some lounges may let you in when not travelling, but there is no entitlement, AFAIK

 

[JohnK]

Seems we were both wrong with this one JohnK.

I wasn't wrong. A Gold/Platinum does not need to be flying on the day to guest someone who is flying Virgin. I've used that benefit more times than I care to remember. Have never been turned away.

 

[pblackie]

I wasn't wrong. A Gold/Platinum does not need to be flying on the day to guest someone who is flying Virgin. I've used that benefit more times than I care to remember. Have never been turned away.

The rules and T&C's I was directed to seem to say otherwise, I suspect there is an element of discretion applied at times:

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/...-international/virgin-australia-lounge-rules/

If I am a Lounge Member, Velocity Gold Member or a Velocity Platinum Member, in order to access the
lounge, I must produce my Membership Card or quote my Membership number and provide satisfactory proof
of identity (e.g. driver's licence) along with my itinerary or boarding pass for onward travel on Virgin Australia
on that day. Velocity Members redeeming an electronic Single Entry must produce their Membership Card.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/...ul-international/lounge-terms-and-conditions/

Velocity Gold Member and Velocity Platinum Member access

d) Each Velocity Gold Member and Velocity Platinum Member receives complimentary access to the Virgin Australia lounge as a benefit of their Velocity Membership.
e) Subject to all other Terms and Conditions and lounge Rules, Velocity Platinum Members and Velocity Gold Members may access the lounge in the relevant departure port when:

(i) domestic flight: their next onward domestic flight departing on that day is with Virgin Australia or an Eligible Partner Airline; or
(ii) international flight: their next onward international flight departing Australia on that day is with Virgin Australia or on an Eligible Partner Airline.

f) In order to access the lounge, Velocity Platinum Members and Velocity Gold Members must provide at the reception desk of the lounge on the day of their departure:

(i) satisfactory proof of identity (e.g. a driver's licence);
(ii) their Membership Card or Membership number; and
(iii) their same day domestic boarding pass for domestic flights on Virgin Australia or Eligible Partner Airlines.

g) Velocity Platinum Members and each of their Invited Guests may access the lounge immediately upon arrival with a Virgin Australia itinerary or boarding pass that is eligible for the day of travel. The use of the lounge is available to these members for up to 60 minutes after their flight arrival.
h) Subject to space availability, Velocity Gold Members and each of their Invited Guests may access the lounge immediately upon arrival with a Virgin Australia itinerary or boarding pass that is eligible for the day of travel. The use of the lounge is available to these members for up to 60 minutes after their flight arrival.

 

[JohnK]

The rules and T&C's I was directed to seem to say otherwise, I suspect there is an element of discretion applied at times:

I never stated it's a written benefit. I have used it in SYD snd BNE multiple times as late as December 2017.

I have even gone to reception in both those lounges asking "Can I enter and invite friend into lounge next Tuesday even though I'm not flying?" YES every time unless something has changed recently.

 

[shamatam]

Apologies everyone, I never got to try getting access to the lounge.
On the way to the airport, the ''cousin'' told me her Echuca family were at the airport to have lunch with her.
Not happy, dropped them off and went home.

And the final word from the email I sent to Velocity...

Dear Shamatam,

Thank you for your email regarding access to Virgin Australia lounge.

Based on the details in your email, it appears that the flight has already commenced and we hope that this delay did not affect their journey.

I would like to advise that your wife and her cousin will be unable to access the lounge using your Velocity Gold guest allowance or lounge passes if you do not have a scheduled flight on the day they would like to access the lounge. The boarding pass of the eligible member is the one that will be asked at the lounge reception prior to entering the lounge.

Guests travelling with Virgin Australia domestically can purchase Single Entry to the lounge on the day of travel with a valid Virgin Australia boarding pass for $65 per person, payable at lounge reception by credit card and can be used for a maximum of 2 hours before departure time. This is available for domestic lounges only and does not include partner or international lounges and is subject to space availability.

Single Entry passes can also be purchased using Velocity points through the Velocity Rewards store by clicking here for 10,000 points per pass. Please note that when purchasing using points, the pass must be pre-purchased at least 3 days before the scheduled flight departure.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.


Kind regards,

Virgin Australia Lounge
1300 287 202

 

[ozstamps]

The use of the lounge is available to these members for up to 60 minutes after their flight arrival.

h) Subject to space availability, Velocity Gold Members and each of their Invited Guests may access the lounge immediately upon arrival with a Virgin Australia itinerary or boarding pass that is eligible for the day of travel. The use of the lounge is available to these members for up to 60 minutes after their flight arrival.

Might hae been there for ages both I have NEVER seen this 60 minutes wording. .

I agree it makes sense to have a written clause to stop all day parties, but I bet in a busy lounge the Gate Matrons would never notice.

 

[grubbidok]

Now that is interesting and something I did not know .

Does anyone do this regularly? And can confirm?

We've always done this when our parents come down to visit to spend some time in the lounge before they fly out, and have never had an issue. I'm WP and Mrs G is SG and we've both done it with our families independently. Unless something has changed very recently we were planning to do it again when they come down next month. It's a nice benefit that I hope they continue, it really is a nice point of differentiation, though I admit I always thought it was one of the "secret menu" benefits they offer.

 

[Rubix]

Hey guys.

If I, SG, am not flying but my partner is can I guest her in the lounge when I drop her off?

Also, on a side note, can I use the lounge when I arrive after a flight.

Thanks.

 

[rmckay01]

Hey guys.

If I, SG, am not flying but my partner is can I guest her in the lounge when I drop her off?

Also, on a side note, can I use the lounge when I arrive after a flight.

Thanks.

Not sure about guesting your partner when not flying, but my spouse and I are both SG and have had no issue using lounges on arrival. I believe the official policy is that you can enter on arrival "subject to space". We've never been refused entry, and have been able to bring guests & kids in too.

 

[JohnK]

In my experiences you'll be able to guest but some have mentioned they've been rejected.

It's not a written benefit but I've asked staff in both SYD and BNE and both have said it's possible. I'll ask again next week for my own curiosity.

 

[Rubix]

Thanks guys.

I will ask next week too and post back in here. Got BNE>DRW>BNE.

Just my had partner take a flight today. BNE > CNS. She can purchase and her work reimburse her. So she takes Virgin for me and pools.

Pity is, being red, she misses out on the lounge perks when I ain't there.

 

[vandy]

Gold only allows 1 guest - not 2 - unless they often apply discretion here to allow 2 guests?