International lounge access in Sydney for Gold Velocity?

[iqis60]

I flew out of Sydney for Bali this morning and attempted to find a lounge that would let me in with my newly minted Velocity Gold status. I don't have a card yet, which makes it a bit harder, but I don't know having a card would have helped.

Does anyone know if and how you can get lounge access at Sydney International? Malaysian is listed as a partner, but they indicated I needed an invitation.

I'll be flying back from Bali in a few weeks time, I'm assuming there is nothing on offer in the other direction.

Any help people can give would be great.

 

[samh004]

No. For V Australia flights there might be a lounge, but that’s for those flights solely, not for your membership status. Likewise when I flew Pacific Blue to New Zealand I was a Velocity Gold, but there was no reciprocal lounge access for that flight, despite their partners having lounges in the airport.

It’s a current shortfall of their program. I expect in the future as they get more routes they’ll work out a deal with someone for international lounges nationwide, or create their own.

 

[dk4]

...when I flew Pacific Blue to New Zealand I was a Velocity Gold, but there was no reciprocal lounge access for that flight, despite their partners having lounges in the airport.

Unfortunately, the partner that would have given you access to this...

...didn't happen... :evil: yet!


Pacific Blue may be considered the most LCC of the DJ Rebel Alliance, but the mentality that only V Australia & Virgin Blue guests should get lounge access, does seem a bit of an anachronism.

On the dark side of the force at Empire Qantas Group: There is very limited access for those flying Jetstar to Qantas "partner" lounges. BUT Qantas does have its own International lounges, where JQ customers are welcome.

 

[777]

Yes, it is a stupid anomaly and will need to be fixed up sooner or later. On the upside there have been several reports recently that a Virgin Clubhouse is coming soon to SYD (and also to LAX for V Australia folks). It has been hinted at in this forum before and was recently hinted at in the Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...y-airport-lounge/story-e6frg8zx-1225946344366

and also here:

The Rise of the Airport Super-Lounge: Virgin Planning a Doozy in Sydney || Jaunted

Will be interested to see what happens. Would be great to see this eventuate and to see DJ/VA sort out something consistent for MEL and something at all for BNE.

I suspect the lounge plans will vary a little depending on which if any of the tie ups between DJ/VA and Delta, ANZ and Etihad are approved. I did note recently that Etihad have switched their lounge partner in Australian ports to ANZ from QF so i wouldn't be shocked if a deal with ANZ happens for DJ/VA in BNE and MEL.

777.

 

[serfty]

Can the DJ Lounge in MEL T3 be used prior to flying DJ to NZ?

 

[markis10]

Pacific Blue may be considered the most LCC of the DJ Rebel Alliance, but the mentality that only V Australia & Virgin Blue guests should get lounge access, does seem a bit of an anachronism.

I am not sure of what mentality you are talking about, a DJ guest does not get lounge access in Oz for an international flight just like Pac Blue or a VA guest not heading to LA, however Pac Blue guests do get lounge access in NZ:

Pacific Blue, out of Wellington, New Zealand
Complimentary access to the 'Corporate Box' Lounge Wellington Airport

• Gold Membership Card
• Boarding pass for same day travel

Pacific Blue, out of Christchurch, New Zealand
Complimentary access to the 'Manaia' Lounge at Christchurch International Airport

• Gold Membership Card
• Boarding pass for same day travel

As mentioned, the upcoming new lounge will solve that issue for SYD, and over time in other ports as well.

 

[777]

Can the DJ Lounge in MEL T3 be used prior to flying DJ to NZ?

I have always assumed so but never tried it. It is land-side so it is possible to access it and not too far from the international terminal. Personally i like to get on the other side of customs sooner rather than later for an international flight though.

 

[markis10]

The old SQ lounge used to be before customs etc and it was a PITA!

 

[dk4]

I am not sure of what mentality you are talking about..

The thread title is "International lounge access in Sydney for Gold Velocity". The mentality is that at SYD T1 - V Australia does, but Pacific Blue doesn't.

 

[markis10]

The thread title is "International lounge access in Sydney for Gold Velocity". The mentality is that at SYD T1 - V Australia does, but Pacific Blue doesn't.

You actually said "the mentality that only V Australia & Virgin Blue guests should get lounge access, does seem a bit of an anachronism", I was questioning what mentality when in fact for Sydney, the only guests with lounge access on a Virgin group airline is when they travel to LAX with VA, guests with VA to NAN etc have not got access either, as is the case with PB and DJ flights, so I dont think its related to PB as a low cost airline and more related to assets available re lounge space.

 

[serfty]

Can the DJ Lounge in MEL T3 be used prior to flying DJ to NZ?

The answer appears to be no: (Virgin Blue > Entry & Access)

Entry & Access

The Lounge is located at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra domestic airports. Lounges can be accessed when travelling on an onward domestic flight with Virgin Blue.

Access to The Lounge is not available when travelling internationally with V Australia or Pacific Blue. Certain V Australia Guests and Velocity Gold Members may be eligible to access the Lounge's of V Australia and Velocity Airline Partners when travelling internationally. Please see the V Australia and Velocity websites for further information. ...

Following the links for Velocity Gold: (Velocity - Gold Lounge Access)

Pacific Blue, out of Wellington, New Zealand

Complimentary access to the 'Corporate Box' Lounge Wellington Airport​

Pacific Blue, out of Christchurch, New Zealand

Complimentary access to the 'Manaia' Lounge at Christchurch International Airport​

No mention of Pacific Blue ex MEL ...

 

[dk4]

...the only guests with lounge access on a Virgin group airline is when they travel to LAX with VA ... so I dont think its related to PB as a low cost airline and more related to assets available re lounge space.

As VA no longer services NAN, the point is mute. In general though, shouldn't Velocity Gold expect "partner" lounge access when flying on any VA service?

V Australia > Lounge Access

V Australia is pleased to offer Lounge access to our International Business Class Guests and Velocity Gold Members*.
We will provide you with an exclusive Lounge invitation that entitles you and one other Guest, on the day of travel on a departing** V Australia flight, entry to the Lounge facilities of our Partner airlines:
*Velocity Gold Members are not currently able to access the Emirates Lounge
**Please note, the lounges listed below are only available prior to your departing flight. If you require a lounge after arriving on a V Australia flight while waiting for a connecting flight on another carrier, we suggest you contact the onward travel airline for your available lounge options.

Australia
Brisbane International
No Lounge available at this stage

Melbourne International
Malaysian Airlines Golden Lounge

Sydney International
Malaysian Airlines Golden Lounge
Lounge access is NOT available for Guests on flights to Fiji


Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi International Airport
Etihad Airways LoungePlease note Etihad lounge access is only available for Business Class Guests and Gold Velocity Members

South Africa
Johannesburg International Airport
Virgin Atlantic

Thailand
coughet International Airport
Thai Airlines
Royal Silk Lounge

U.S.A
LA International (LAX) T3
Alaska Airlines Board Room
Please note that showers are NOT available in the Alaska Airlines Board Room. Internet usage is also charged in the Alaska Boardroom unless you are using your own laptop

 

[markis10]

As VA no longer services NAN, the point is mute. In general though, shouldn't Velocity Gold expect "partner" lounge access when flying VA?

In the context of the thread question, the only international lounge access for Velocity Gold is with VA to LA, any other Virgin group flight including VS the answer is no. Should they expect lounge access, not if they checked the gold lounge access page:

Velocity - Gold Lounge Access

DO they deserve lounge access and is it a big carrot to flying a Virgin Airline, that answer is a yes IMHO

 

[dk4]

In the context of the thread question, the only international lounge access for Velocity Gold is with VA to LA, any other Virgin group flight including VS the answer is no. Should they expect lounge access, not if they checked the gold lounge access page:

Velocity - Gold Lounge Access

DO they deserve lounge access and is it a big carrot to flying a Virgin Airline, that answer is a yes IMHO

Um, perhaps that is because the only port that VA flies to currently from SYD is LAX? (Maybe more a function of routes flown, now that NAN has completely transitioned to Pacific Blue.)

Lets not bring VS into the equation (on this specific question), as it is a partner airline & not part of the Virgin Blue Airlines Group, but surely Velocity Gold members booking VA29 next year (the other VA destination from SYD), can expect lounge access, just as those do today who are flying from MEL to LAX, JNB and HKT?

I don't doubt that Virgin Blue Group had hoped to have a more permanent lounge solution online in SYD T1 by now, but as they haven't - I too think that it completely reasonable for a Gold Level guest to expect some form of lounge access when departing Australia on Pacific Blue. (Considering they get it on ALL VA flights [excluding partnerless-BNE], all DJ flights [where DJ have their own domestic lounges], and ex-AKL/WLG/CHC when departing on Pacific Blue )

 

[markis10]

Lets not bring VS into the equation (on this specific question), as it is a partner airline & not part of the Virgin Blue Airlines Group, but surely Velocity Gold members booking VA29 next year (the other VA destination from SYD), can expect lounge access, just as those do today who are flying from MEL to LAX, JNB and HKT?

You need to bring VS into it because they are very much part of the Virgin family, and those that are across what is happening would be aware of the recent meetings where the Virgin airlines agreed to work much closer together, after all the frequent flyer benefits and tie up is brand new, thats a sign of the changes coming.

Until the new clubhouse arrives (another indication of the tie up with Virgin Group Airlines around the world), or the AirNZ deal gets green flagged or a definitive red flag, I dont expect anything to change in terms of access.

 

[samh004]

Pacific Blue, out of Christchurch, New Zealand
Complimentary access to the 'Manaia' Lounge at Christchurch International Airport

• Gold Membership Card
• Boarding pass for same day travel

They must have added that after I passed through CHC in September as I wasn’t offered the chance to use a lounge and noted nothing outside the lounges indicating I had access

 

[777]

They must have added that after I passed through CHC in September as I wasn’t offered the chance to use a lounge and noted nothing outside the lounges indicating I had access

That one is pretty recent. I only noticed it on the site in the last month or so.

 

[iqis60]

Thanks for all the replies people, my question is answered. I've got Velocity Gold on a status match and I've got to say discovering that I don't have international lounge access in Sydney is a big turn off for me since it's my main port of exit. I'm much less likely to channel more flights through Virgin knowing that it's only worth while for domestic.

I think a nice little perk for Gold Velocity members on International flights would be to be able to swipe your card for free movies instead of paying. Perhaps complimentary food also, given there is no lounges on the ground.

Thoughts?