Lounge Confusion

[bean]

So we have some Virgin business class fares booked Melbourne-Auckland-Rarotonga. Any ideas on if we have to use the Virgin lounge in Melb, or can we use the Air NZ international one? What about in Auckland? And for bonus points does Rarotonga even have a lounge?

Thanks all in advance

 

[tracman]

you use the Air NZ lounge in Auckland, it's not too bad!

 

[bean]

Thanks, any idea in Melb or Raro?

 

[greenfish]

If you are travelling on Virgin, I don't think you get the Air NZ lounge on Pacific Island flights - you get the Emperor lounge

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

In Melbourne you should get the NZ lounge. Nothing in Rarotonga.

 

[CPMaverick]

you use the Air NZ lounge in Auckland, it's not too bad!

No, you can't, at least not to RAR.

Typical confusing VA, but you can use the NZ lounge in MEL but not AKL.

On the return you can technically use the NZ AKL lounge but I believe it closed during the hours you return (at least I recall it was for me).

 

[bean]

So we can use the lounge in Auckland, but only when departing AKL for Melb, but not when departing AKL for Raro? What a mess...So do they provide any lounge facilities, or are we bound to sit in the plastic public seats for hours between flights like everyone else?

Edit-further investigation looks like we get access to the Emperor lounge as per a earlier comment. This will be ok while waiting for the flight from AKL to Raro, but the flight from Raro to AKL will be a pain as it arrives at 1:25am and the lounge doesn't open until 6am...with out flight departing for Melb at 6:30am