Join 'The Lounge' - $100 off and 5000 Velocity points (till 30 June 08)

[Mal]

Might suit some...


Virgin Blue > The Lounge Deduction

"Until 30 June, 2008, purchase an Annual Membership to The Lounge for $349 and pay a reduced joining fee of $99 AND receive 5,000 bonus Velocity Points!"

T&C's:

Terms and Conditions

The offer of discounted joining fee of $99 plus 5,000 Bonus Velocity Points when joining The Lounge is valid until 30th June 2008. Annual Membership to The Lounge is $349. Lounge Membership rate is correct as at 5th June 2008 and subject to change. This offer represents a saving of $100 off the standard joining fee. The 5,000 bonus Velocity Points will be issued to Members up to 6 weeks after purchase of Annual Lounge membership. Membership to The Lounge is subject to The Lounge Terms and Conditions. For more information, please visit Virgin Blue - The Lounge. This offer is open to Velocity Members who are Australian residents over 18 years of age and who include a Velocity Membership Number on The Lounge annual membership application form. Reduced joining fee and bonus Velocity Points are not available in conjunction with any other offer (except discounted Lounge membership rate offered to Silver Velocity Members, as detailed below), Lounge membership renewal or already discounted Corporate and Industry Lounge rates. Velocity Points will not be earned for any other payments made to The Lounge.

This offer can be redeemed when applying for a full priced new annual Lounge membership over the phone (07)3333 6787, online at https://www.virginblue.com.au/public/system/thelounge/index.wm?join=true or at The Lounge Reception. New annual memberships for Silver Velocity Members will be sold at the discounted Lounge Membership Rate offered to Silver Velocity Members however the Silver Velocity Member will still receive the bonus 5,000 Velocity Points if Lounge membership is purchased within the promotional period and the Member provides their Velocity Membership Number at the time of joining The Lounge. Velocity is operated by Velocity Rewards Pty Ltd as trustee of the Loyalty Trust. Membership of Velocity is subject to the Velocity Membership Terms & Conditions.

 

[bambbbam2]

Pffft.. maybe if they actually had a Lounge at PER I would join..

 

[oz_mark]

Yes, it is a bit of a struggle to justify the cost for Perth dwellers.

 

[clifford]

It's still more cost-effective to buy a Priority Pass for USD 320 for the first year, with no joining fee.

 

[ColinP]

It's still more cost-effective to buy a Priority Pass for USD 320 for the first year, with no joining fee.

It's doubly effective because with 'Priority Pass' you are able to use 'The Lounge' even if flying on another airline. With Lounge membership, to gain entry, you must be flying DJ.

 

[JohnK]

It's still more cost-effective to buy a Priority Pass for USD 320 for the first year, with no joining fee.

Absolutely and greater lounge coverage.

I still don't understand why DJ are persevering with a joining fee. They have nice lounges but hardly anyone using them.

 

[serfty]

... They have nice lounges but hardly anyone using them.

Maybe that's part of what helps 'makes them nice' - peace and quiet.

 

[ColinP]

Maybe that's part of what helps 'makes them nice' - peace and quiet.

Peace and quiet is good but the Canberra 'lounge' was positively lonely on Monday evening. When Mrs P and I arrived at 16:15 there were about a dozen guests. When we left just over an hour later there were only 3 people in there. The guests were outnumbered by staff.
We were flying QF so I guess we could have been out of whack with the DJ schedules but even so, I was surprised that the place was virtually empty.
It's no surprise that they've reduced the joining fee.

 

[bambbbam2]

I think they should make it a per-ticket addon. When you get to the purchase ticket screen, add say $30 as an option and then you can use the lounge before and after the flight by showing your boarding pass.

 

[serfty]

I think they should make it a per-ticket addon. When you get to the purchase ticket screen, add say $30 as an option and then you can use the lounge before and after the flight by showing your boarding pass.

Velocity members can already purchase "Lounge" entry 'passes' on-line; there are 'stored' against you velocity number and you simply present your card on entry.

Other than that, if you have a DJ flight you can purchase entry at the Lounge Reception for $35.

 

[Fluid-Flyer]

I think they should make it a per-ticket addon. When you get to the purchase ticket screen, add say $30 as an option and then you can use the lounge before and after the flight by showing your boarding pass.

Basically, this is how it happens (but as per Serfty’s comment, you do need to be a member of Velocity) http://www.virginblue.com.au/thelounge/passes/ . Two things spring to mind, that I might comment on, after reading this post –

• “use the lounge before and after”. This is how an Admirals Club membership works (one of the reasons why so many Americans get confused about OneWorld lounge access rules) and might be a great opportunity for DJ to differentiate itself, in a positive way, from QF. I reckon DJ can afford to offer this amenity, as its lounges don’t often get too packed, and I’ve never witnessed a standing room only event. Plus, QF would be loathe to follow suit, as it could lead to doubling of its present over crowding issue. Plus, the additional alcohol cost to QF, whose lounges (currently) serve complimentary spirits, would make it a high price paid to match DJ?
• All you need to get into the lounge (if not using Priority Pass, i.e. you're (pre/)paid visitor, lounge member or gold velocity) is your boarding pass, with Velocity number printed [no "status" is listed on the BP though] (realistically the card is superfluous, hmmmm). A small, but important distinction, between entering a QF (domestic) lounge and a DJ lounge is that DJ will “check” you in (thus the lounge front desk rep can see validity, without the need for a card), where as a Qantas rep generally just wants to see you flash a valid card. Why is this important to note? Because twice I have seen large queues to enter a the Lounge; the first occasion was at 5.30 one morning (i.e. opening time) and the other mid-afternoon Friday. During the Friday event, (the MEL T3 lounge queue wrapped around the reception area and out the front door). While enduring it, it was interesting to see someone arrive who just wanted to flash his card and enter (and bypass this unusual queue). He was resolutely told no, and had to join the queue. I think DJ needs to focus on this process, particularly if they want to pick up QF refugees, who are use to a more streamlined entry system.

 

[Evan]

QF plats get to use there any time access right to use the lounge both before and after the flights (rather difficult in international travel but fine on domestic)
E

 

[thegurio]

I tell you what, I must admit that this offer impressed me no end and i would consider joining if it not for the horrendous bills that i have mounting up and the fact that even if i did join it would cost me more than what i currently pay.

I visit the lounge about 6 or 7 times a year at $30 each (i buy online) If i had it i would probably choose to route through MEL if i had it but the reason why i choose to direct flights is because i need to get there ASAP and, like most of us i would imagine, want to spend as least time in the air as possible.

Having said that i actually enjoy being the only one there. As noted in another thread, a fair few times i have been the only one there or a handful of people. Sure it isnt good for their revenue but i feel better about it as i can leave my computer there or bag etc. and not worry about it when i go to get food etc.

Unfortunately for longevity it isnt a good thing but i do enjoy the "loneliness". Having said that i have never stepped foot in a QP but if the stories from you guys are anything to go by i'm not missing much. Having said that i do want to and if i get the chance i will jump at it.

 

[brett-au]

For silver members its $249 and as far as I can tell that includes the membership fee.

 

[dajop]

...rather difficult in international travel...

The only exception to this I can think of SIN. Especially if no checked luggage!

My (albeit limited) experience with the DJ lounge is that's it's generally a pretty quiet place, pleasant relief from the crowds down at the QP (the P being entirely appropriate IMHO). Liked the self serve sandwiches at lunch and some of the bar snacks they have (such as chips and nougat). It would be a real shame if they can't make it more successful.

I think they should make it a per-ticket addon. When you get to the purchase ticket screen, add say $30 as an option and then you can use the lounge before and after the flight by showing your boarding pass.

Push selling like this seems to be the way many airlines are heading, especially LCCs and "New World" carriers (even Air Canada does a lot of this). I would have thought to make it an add-on during the online purchase would make a lot of sense, and might rake in a few extra dollars. Purchasing vouchers online is one thing - but really doesn't allow for an impulse purchase like it would if it was there in front of you on the screen when buying the ticket.

 

[Fluid-Flyer]

Purchasing vouchers online is one thing - but really doesn't allow for an impulse purchase like it would if it was there in front of you on the screen when buying the ticket.

Perhaps there is a technology limitation, as lounge entry sales are linked to a Velocity Account rather than a PNR (whereas Carbon Offset & Insurance are PNR linked)?

 

[WindsorDave]

It's still more cost-effective to buy a Priority Pass for USD 320 for the first year, with no joining fee.

Clifford

How do you get the USD 320 deal? I'm looking on the PP site and can only see the regular USD 399 deal.

Thanks!

 

[ColinP]

Clifford

How do you get the USD 320 deal? I'm looking on the PP site and can only see the regular USD 399 deal.

Thanks!

Try this link

 

[thegurio]

Why is it that these offers always come up when i have the least amount of money... lol