Platinum Punishment in LAX

[Spacetravel]

Hi Everyone,

I just had a flight out of LAX on VA 2 and got to "experience" the new lounge situation.

From being an avid FF I already knew about the 2 lounges in LAX and their various open times.
- The Etihad lounge which opens at 5:20PM for Gold's and Business Class guests
- The Emirates lounge which opens at 6:30PM for Platinum members

Prior to the trip I planned to attend the Etihad lounge first and then move to the Emirates lounge after so I could sample both lounges and stay occupied for an extra hour.

Upon arrival to the Etihad lounge at 5:20PM I showed the attendant my boarding pass who upon noticing my Platinum status, advised me if I entered the Etihad lounge I would not be allowed access to the Emirates lounge. The agent also recommended I wait as the Emirates lounge is better.

Not wanting to miss on the Emirates lounge I decided to rough it in the terminal for the extra hour.

I attended the Emirates lounge at 6:30 and it certainly was nice with decent meal options and deserts! I have never been in a lounge that served deserts before. However I still prefer the old star alliance first lounge.

Now this seems strange to me that while Platinum's do get the better lounge, they are made to wait an extra 1Hour and 10 Minutes for lounge access! Especially when under the old system I could turn up at 10am and sit there all day.

 

[donovan301]

Probably won't help....

...But they do say Good Things Take Time

 

[bwhouse]

Upon arrival to the Etihad lounge at 5:20PM I showed the attendant my boarding pass who upon noticing my Platinum status, advised me if I entered the Etihad lounge I would not be allowed access to the Emirates lounge. The agent also recommended I wait as the Emirates lounge is better.

That seems pretty weird, I was going to do exactly what you tried next month and try out both lounges. I wonder how they would have known you went to the EY lounge (unless they mark your boarding pass).

I am sure I have seen people talking about visiting both lounges in the thread about the lounge mess in LAX.

 

[serfty]

Maybe VA are trying to tighten up on double attendance costs.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

It's currently VA's one and only long haul port and they really just can't get the lounge access right - every time one issue is solved another seems to arise, and it's getting a bit repetitive!

 

[CJEMNMAC]

The whole thing is a joke..

i raised this exact issue back in May.. Post #88 is my rant

see this thread

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/virgin-australia-velocity/lax-update-ek-lounge-wp-81843-9.html

 

[grubbidok]

For me the only saving grace for VA trans-Pac is that it's a temporary blip and it's likely to be fixed (and pretty decent) when VA is apparently getting access to DL's new flagship LAX lounge (which looks like it's going to be a step up from current arrangements).

Of course, god only knows when that will happen (mid-2017 - yeah right!) and the current arrangements are woefully inadequate. EY is a terrible lounge that can't handle the VA numbers, and EK is alright but never open when you need it. Now with the different (and substandard) International lounge for Brisbane flights it's just an omnishambles all round.

I would much rather the vouchers and points they were offering previously than the current ad-hoc approach now. VA, if you're listening, just stop tormenting us with your inability to organise decent lounge access and just go back to this.

 

[bullerdude]

Hi Everyone,
From being an avid FF I already knew about the 2 lounges in LAX and their various open times.
- The Etihad lounge which opens at 5:20PM for Gold's and Business Class guests
- The Emirates lounge which opens at 6:30PM for Platinum members

According to the VA websites GOLDs are entitled the Emirates lounges as well - hopefully that holds true.

 

[BigJono]

Report from tonight's VA24. WP in Business ... proactive mention from Etihad lounge that I could also access the Emirates lounge, and swap between the two as I wished.

 

[Spacetravel]

Report from tonight's VA24. WP in Business ... proactive mention from Etihad lounge that I could also access the Emirates lounge, and swap between the two as I wished.

Sounds like I had a lounge agent who must have had it wrong.. which is good for everyone else but a shame as if I had known for sure I would have just gone in and gone to emirates later.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Report from tonight's VA24. WP in Business ... proactive mention from Etihad lounge that I could also access the Emirates lounge, and swap between the two as I wished.

Sounds like I had a lounge agent who must have had it wrong.. which is good for everyone else but a shame as if I had known for sure I would have just gone in and gone to emirates later.

I think the problem is WP ( or SG ) not travelling in J.. If you are in Y then I think there is a few examples that you will be in EK lounge only at the later time

 

[Spacetravel]

Oh I was in J. I was also specifically told I could go to either, but only one.

 

[stux]

Quite liked the Emirates lounge, did miss the Star Alliance lounge a bit, but the buffet was great in the Emirates lounge.

What was horrific was the T2 Delta lounge on my arrival/transfer. OMG. Was like eating out of a service station refrigerator.

 

[aaronm]

What was horrific was the T2 Delta lounge on my arrival/transfer. OMG. Was like eating out of a service station refrigerator.

I visited the DL lounge in T3 a few weeks ago, imagine it wasn't much better. Very temporary feel and definitely not up to the standard of their other Skyclubs.

 

[fewings85]

Quite liked the Emirates lounge, did miss the Star Alliance lounge a bit, but the buffet was great in the Emirates lounge.

What was horrific was the T2 Delta lounge on my arrival/transfer. OMG. Was like eating out of a service station refrigerator.

hmm im not too sure, I was in the Sky club, first time id ever been quite liked it, pre flight before flying LAX - YVR in March this year. Had around 4 hours there on a transfer. After arriving in Vancouver late the Friday night, not feeling the best Saturday, by Saturday night I was vomiting my head off. So wondering if I caught some bug/food poisoning from the lounge food I ate....

I have LAX SYD on August 29 I'm only in Y. I'm testing out the new Economy X however. I feel like I'm going to have to keep checking back on their site as to where I'm going to be going! Its kind of coughpy having to be worried about your lounge in a major hub like that specially one VA considers their key international route. I am only SG not a WP.

 

[OzEire]

It's currently VA's one and only long haul port and they really just can't get the lounge access right -!

I know this post pre-dates 5 July but VA have LAX, AUH and now HKG own metal and others codeshare.

 

[clipped_wings]

I have LAX SYD on August 29 I'm only in Y. I'm testing out the new Economy X however. I feel like I'm going to have to keep checking back on their site as to where I'm going to be going! Its kind of coughpy having to be worried about your lounge in a major hub like that specially one VA considers their key international route. I am only SG not a WP.

Ouch. Sorry you got crook.

I am very interested in your report of the YX homeward journey, hope to hear your thoughts in August.

 

[CPMaverick]

I would have gone into the EY lounge and then made a stink if I was actually rejected from the EK lounge when it opened. Such a strict policy in a poor lounge situation would have been ridiculous indeed.