Now Open: New Lounge in MEL

[scibo10]

Great work Virgin Australia!

Looking forward to both the BNE kerbside (tried out SYD's recently.. into lounge within 2 minutes... it's true people) and my hometown OOL lounge later this year. These lounges will definitely give QP a run for their money, and I'm sure the OOL JQ lounge (although I'll admit I have never been in there).

Makes me think what an International VA lounge will look like....

Also congrats to VA on their service. Arrived at SYD kerbside early recently, and was asked if I wanted to be moved forward to next available, even though I was on a Blue Saver. Was back at home at OOL before my original scheduled departure from SYD.

 

[crazydave98]

I've never been into a DJ lounge but clearly the Melbourne lounge is very impressive. Awesome.

Easily fixed - just fly us on any old fare and as a QF WP we would be delighted to show you around the MEL lounge or trial our kerbside entry at SYD. Trial period is Thursday 26 May until 22 July inclusive.
cheers
CrazyDave98

 

[drewbles]

That does look impressive.

I've used the kerb-side entry in SYD and the two look very similar (as you would expect).

Keep it up Virgin.

Is there a date for the opening of the revamped SYD Lounge?

Zeit

I'd love to know the same re SYD lounge revamp

crazydave/Velocity Rewards, any info able to be told to us?

 

[LiamR]

According to this....

Virgin Australia unveils new lounge at Melbourne Airport

The cost to use the lounge in MEL is now $50, up from $35 at the door.

But according to the twittersphere... It's still $35.

Anybody know whats going on?

 

[TonyHancock]

Does Priority Pass membership still give you access?

 

[pshepvic]

Does Priority Pass membership still give you access?

Yes. Priority Pass was never actually removed, even during the refurb. If people were turned away it was due to space constraints only. They should have been given vouchers.

 

[clifford]

Yes, I've been treated rather royally there using my Priority Pass. Was told on a couple of occasions during the refurb that they would only be turning away "casual" requests for entry, which clearly doesn't include PP members.

BTW, I was in the new MEL lounge this morning. Quite impressive, but it's not for me. I'm rather old school and much preferred the previous Ansett-style lounge (a bit like Qantas Clubs you might say). I'm not a glass and uncomfortable chair person. But it's better than nothing.

 

[nlagalle]

Easily fixed - just fly us on any old fare and as a QF WP we would be delighted to show you around the MEL lounge or trial our kerbside entry at SYD. Trial period is Thursday 26 May until 22 July inclusive.
cheers
CrazyDave98

Another round of Status matches might sweeten then pot!!

 

[samiam]

I took a walk down to The Lounge this morning and asked if there was time for a tour of the new facility.
The desk staff knew all about the current offer and Robert took me on a guided tour.
(Although nobody seems to know what the elliptical cut-outs in the benches are for?)

Well done for delivering on what you promise

 

[crazydave98]

BTW, I was in the new MEL lounge this morning. Quite impressive, but it's not for me. I'm rather old school and much preferred the previous Ansett-style lounge (a bit like Qantas Clubs you might say). I'm not a glass and uncomfortable chair person. But it's better than nothing.

Hold the presses! - I think that's the first mildly positive thing Clifford has ever said about us (or was it just damning with faint praise?).

 

[Sifor]

The cost to use the lounge in MEL is now $50, up from $35 at the door.

I'm always comparing the opportunity cost of things..

I'd fork out $30-35 if I was going to be there for a while. It's getting up there but people seem happy enough.

$50 is, however, unreasonable. I'd rather spend that at a nice restaurant. Need to remember what you're getting from the lounge - a place to sit down, have some nibbles and a drink or two - it ain't the QF F lounge. Others might value that at $50, but I don't.

 

[djfuzz]

I'm always comparing the opportunity cost of things..

I'd fork out $30-35 if I was going to be there for a while. It's getting up there but people seem happy enough.

$50 is, however, unreasonable. I'd rather spend that at a nice restaurant. Need to remember what you're getting from the lounge - a place to sit down, have some nibbles and a drink or two - it ain't the QF F lounge. Others might value that at $50, but I don't.

I remember when it first opened and it was $5 or $8 initially (can't remember exactly) - stopped by every time and loved it! You did still have to pay for food inside, but it was worth it simply for the peace and quiet away from the gate.

 

[Virgin Australia]

According to this....

Virgin Australia unveils new lounge at Melbourne Airport

The cost to use the lounge in MEL is now $50, up from $35 at the door.

But according to the twittersphere... It's still $35.

Anybody know whats going on?

Casual Lounge entry cost is $35, with a pre-booked entry online prior being $30.
SMH seems to have gotten their wires crossed, $50 is the cost for a meeting room hire.
Prices and costs can be found at the website here

 

[Misha]

Casual Lounge entry cost is $35, with a pre-booked entry online prior being $30.here

If that is so then I think it is an absolute bargain. Think about sitting in the MEL terminal (bleurgh). If you bought 2 or 3 (or more!) glasses of wine (after your initial latte), had some cheese and crackers. Perhaps then you purchase a paper, decide to have a sandwich with some sun-dried tomato and cold meats. Ah stuff it - it's late and you won't be home at a reasonable hour to eat - you may as well order yourself a mini pizza. What would the total cost be? All of that can be had in the lounge.

I am sure there are people who think $35 for the peace and quiet - away from the crowds, to sit in a pleasant environment and maybe just watch the runway is worth $35 on its own.

When you put it all together - you have an amazing product for a steal. Sure, if you just want to spend 10 minutes before boarding sipping a coffee, perhaps not - but for a casual entry, if one only had 10 minutes, surely the flybar coffee would be sufficient.

I think once again Virgin Australia have outdone themselves. If the price went up - I would not be surprised.

Before I had my Gold status, I often paid to enter the lounge - looking at the refurbished product - I wouldn't even think twice about it... they may need to expand and make it even bigger to fit all the potential new guests

 

[djfuzz]

Casual Lounge entry cost is $35, with a pre-booked entry online prior being $30.
SMH seems to have gotten their wires crossed, $50 is the cost for a meeting room hire.
Prices and costs can be found at the website here

Agree with Misha - and making a prebooking online marginally cheaper is also excellent.

This is all starting to shape up very nicely - I really do hope you guys follow Virgin America's lead with your hard product and IFE, as IMHO they really have nailed the things that count. Would definitely turn many more people your way I reckon.

 

[pshepvic]

Casual Lounge entry cost is $35, with a pre-booked entry online prior being $30.
SMH seems to have gotten their wires crossed, $50 is the cost for a meeting room hire.
Prices and costs can be found at the website here

That seems pretty cheap for meeting room hire!

BTW, lounge looks great!

 

[DJSYD81]

Very impressed with the MEL lounge. Looking forward to a visit in a few weeks time.

So the security aspect stays the same, a priority lane in the usual security check spots?

 

[pshepvic]

Very impressed with the MEL lounge. Looking forward to a visit in a few weeks time.

So the security aspect stays the same, a priority lane in the usual security check spots?

Seems to be ... would have been good to have a direct door to security, but it appears the meeting rooms are in between the lounge and security. There's also the issue of the other pier in the terminal.

What would be good is if they could move security for the whole terminal to the bottom of the stairs/escalators from check in, so security can be cleared before going into the lounge.

 

[DSFlyer]

Looking forward to to having a look at the lounge tomorrow afternoon. Just in Melbourne for the day so will be a nice way to end.

 

[Misha]

Well I am sitting here, at the minute, enjoying my latté and some breakfast opposite the bar in Melbourne's new lounge.

WOW!!!

Everyone here seems so pleased to be here (even at an ungodly, before 6am time on a Friday!) and mist have made passing comments a la "gee, it's certainly something"

All I want to know is can I hire this place out for my birthday? the bar with the lights and artwork on the walls and an interesting ceiling make it look the new place to be in Melbourne...

Can't wait to be back here on Saturday!

Can you say "Qan-who?" :mrgreen: