'The House' 3 hour limit [Now rescinded for VA PAX]

[alviau]

I doubt there was miscommunication with the on the spot information imparted to the OP (who is VA WP) by the Melbourne lounge manager ...

To clarify I was meaning between lounge operator and VA. Which as a result has led to the OP’s experience. Good it’s all officially been clarified and the lounges will hopefully comply.

 

[serfty]

To clarify I was meaning between lounge operator and VA. Which as a result has led to the OP’s experience. Good it’s all officially been clarified and the lounges will hopefully comply.

I suspect that the original agreement (with limit) has today been varied (to no limit). With that some internal VA review with the staff who were party to agreeing to such a situation is likely in progress.

 

[Pleb Status]

I would guess that most in VA management did not even know there was a time limit in the new lounge agreement.

Once it was brought to the attention of others in management, the 'issue' was fixed very quickly without any complaint and I assume one VA executive is now in the dog house as the rate per visit has most likely increased....

 

[N860CR]

My partner was in the Sydney lounge on the first day of the new branding (flying EY to AUH as VA Plat).

They arrived at about -2 hours so not sure about the time issue, but they did report a lot of Virgin staff floating around as “managers”.

One of the comments noted was that when ordering a G&T with Hendricks, the Virgin “manager” quite loudly said to the bartender “only half serves of the Hendricks”.

All class.

 

[scwappy]

My partner was in the Sydney lounge on the first day of the new branding (flying EY to AUH as VA Plat).

They arrived at about -2 hours so not sure about the time issue, but they did report a lot of Virgin staff floating around as “managers”.

One of the comments noted was that when ordering a G&T with Hendricks, the Virgin “manager” quite loudly said to the bartender “only half serves of the Hendricks”.

All class.

When visiting last week, although champagne was on the menu, and in the fridge, they were only serving Australian Sparkling. It was a nice drop though.

 

[Mattg]

My partner was in the Sydney lounge on the first day of the new branding (flying EY to AUH as VA Plat).

They arrived at about -2 hours so not sure about the time issue, but they did report a lot of Virgin staff floating around as “managers”.

One of the comments noted was that when ordering a G&T with Hendricks, the Virgin “manager” quite loudly said to the bartender “only half serves of the Hendricks”.

All class.

Ha - one of the Qantas staff at the QF LHR lounge last week was also instructing the bartender there to go easy on the gin!

 

[CPMaverick]

My partner was in the Sydney lounge on the first day of the new branding (flying EY to AUH as VA Plat).

They arrived at about -2 hours so not sure about the time issue, but they did report a lot of Virgin staff floating around as “managers”.

One of the comments noted was that when ordering a G&T with Hendricks, the Virgin “manager” quite loudly said to the bartender “only half serves of the Hendricks”.

All class.

I doubt they were Virgin employees. The lounge is operated by a 3rd party. When I was there on Nov 1, several managers from the UK were there training staff. Virgin and Etihad have a say in how the lounge is operated, but they aren't directly in charge of things like how big your pour of gin is.

 

[williamsf1]

My partner was in the Sydney lounge on the first day of the new branding (flying EY to AUH as VA Plat).

They arrived at about -2 hours so not sure about the time issue, but they did report a lot of Virgin staff floating around as “managers”.

One of the comments noted was that when ordering a G&T with Hendricks, the Virgin “manager” quite loudly said to the bartender “only half serves of the Hendricks”.

All class.

I highly doubt that person was related to Virgin in any way..... If they were Virgin it would have been " fill it up" .... They are paying per person entry fee, so would be in their interest to see people getting value

 

[Genji88]

I wonder if it's possible to ask for a 15 ml gin chaser if you notice them being stingy on your pour?

Was the French stuff only available to WP's & Full Fare J Pax, or just not available?

 

[Harthagan]

I was at the "house" lounge in sydney about 3 weeks ago and my flight to LA was delayed around 2 hours. Now reading this, Im just glad I wasnt asked to pay extra!

I did notice when i was ordering breakfast at the bar that a manager was scolding an employee in a very loud and demeaning fashion. Although when it took over an hour for my breakfast burrito to be served to me I realised that the place is just in a bit of a shambles.