The Lounge 1stAug - changes to access and pricing (including Priority Pass Access)

[equus]

You get 2 DJ Lounge access passes with the Amex Velocity Platinum card. This is not a PP pass, especially not the Prestige version which gives you unlimited DJ Lounge access as well as to +600 other Lounges around the world.

I believe the reference was to the Platinum Charge card (not the new Amex Velocity Platinum). The Amex Platinum Charge card gives you a complimentary Prestige Priority Pass.

 

[connieguy]

Only until 14 July 2011:


Priority Pass card holders

Members of Priority Pass will have access to the Virgin Australia lounge until 14 July 2011. If you would like to continue to enjoy the lounge, please purchase a single entry pass or an annual membership.

Interesting. Can you post a link as the PP site does not say this? I was going to buy a PP pass so I could use the DJ Lounge as I did my normal (non Sc run ) DJ flights to build up my SCs seeing the SC runs are now dead. Had I done that I would have again been screwed by DJ. Once for buying non Y+ DJ SC run flights and then again for buying the PP Lounge access to use until I got DJ Gold.

So where are the caring and sharing DJ PR guys when they need to tell us bad news?

Wonder what the next DJ "Enhancement" will be after this list:

1) 2 4 1 DJ flights only earn miles and SCs on the first ticket.

2) SC earns based on the total ticket miles despite being very clearly told it was based on per take off to landing flight miles.

3) PP pass Lounge access is finished.

Can't wait for DJ Platinum...............

 

[harriaj]

Interesting. Can you post a link as the PP wen site does not say this? I was going to buy a PP pass so I could use the DJ Lounge as I did my normal (non Sc run ) DJ flights to build up my SCs seeing the SC runs are now dead. Had I done that I would have again been screwed by DJ. Once for buying non Y+ DJ SC run flights and then again for buying the PP Lounge access to use until I got DJ Gold.

So where are the caring and sharing DJ PR guys when they need to tell us bad news?

Wonder what the next DJ "Enhancement" will be after this list:

1) 2 4 1 DJ flights only earn miles and SCs on the first ticket.

2) SC earns based on the total ticket miles despite being very clearly told it was based on per take off to landing flight miles.

3) PP pass Lounge access is finished.

Can't wait for DJ Platinum...............

Can't post a link as haven't reached the requisite 10 posts yet, but you can find the information on the DJ website by clicking the following links from the home page:

Services > Virgin Australia Lounge > Entry & Access

It's the last point on the page.

 

[notzac]

Priority Pass card holders

Members of Priority Pass will have access to the Virgin Australia lounge until 14 July 2011. If you would like to continue to enjoy the lounge, please purchase a single entry pass or an annual membership.

Ouch. That wasn't there when I looked this morning .. great notice period as well

 

[connieguy]

Re: sparkling in new MEL lounge

Seems PP DJ Lounge access is finished 14 July 2011.

Entry & Access | Virgin Australia

See the last entry:

"Prioirity Pass card holders

Members of Prioirty Pass will have access to the Virgin Australia lounge until 14 July 2011. If you would like to continue to enjoy the lounge, please purchase a single entry pass or an annual membership."

 

[docjames]

$55 seems and interesting number - NZ also lists 'Daypasses' for lounge access at $55 although they aren't sold (yet to come maybe?)

In Aus at least, it's also $50+gst.

 

[Virgin Australia]

So, two things that confuse me:

• Priority Pass still appears to get you in to the Lounge (so why on earth would you pay the ridiculous one-time access fee?)
• Costs are going up, yet there is nothing about getting access to lounges outside Australia -- where's the value in that?

Pretty poor form, I must say.

Interesting. Can you post a link as the PP site does not say this? I was going to buy a PP pass so I could use the DJ Lounge as I did my normal (non Sc run ) DJ flights to build up my SCs seeing the SC runs are now dead. Had I done that I would have again been screwed by DJ. Once for buying non Y+ DJ SC run flights and then again for buying the PP Lounge access to use until I got DJ Gold.

So where are the caring and sharing DJ PR guys when they need to tell us bad news?

Wonder what the next DJ "Enhancement" will be after this list:

1) 2 4 1 DJ flights only earn miles and SCs on the first ticket.

2) SC earns based on the total ticket miles despite being very clearly told it was based on per take off to landing flight miles.

3) PP pass Lounge access is finished.

Can't wait for DJ Platinum...............

Confirming that our agreement with Priority Pass will cease on 14th July 2011.
If you are a PP member, you will of course be able to purchase a casual entry, of if a Velocity member prepay a single entry, or Lounge membership after this date.

 

[JRT]

So, two things that confuse me:

• Priority Pass still appears to get you in to the Lounge (so why on earth would you pay the ridiculous one-time access fee?)
• Costs are going up, yet there is nothing about getting access to lounges outside Australia -- where's the value in that?

Pretty poor form, I must say.

Have heard that the alliance with Air New Zealand includes reciprocal lounge access - not just for Gold but also for Virgin Australia and Koru lounge members also. Now that will be useful when visiting the cousins.

 

[Virgin Australia]

A few questions have been raised, answers below:

• Lounge members and Velocity Gold will have reciprocal access Air New Zealand Koru lounges from August when flying Trans-Tasman DJ/NZ, and NZ domestic on NZ.
• Virgin Australia lounge locations will also be updated in due course to reflect the extended network.
• Silver members have always had the benefit of a discounted rate. Joining fee applies once only proving renewal within 30 days of expiry. If Silver drops to Red, they renew at the standard annual membership rate (currently $369, going to $420).
• Velocity Gold do indeed have anytime access to Virgin Australia owned and operated lounges.
• Invite for QF Platinum, Gold and Chairman members to visit SYD and MEL lounge complimentary, prior to 22nd July is now anytime also.
• Corporate scheme rates have been available for several years now.
• Single entry and casual entry still available.

 

[notzac]

A few questions have been raised, answers below:

• Lounge members and Velocity Gold will have reciprocal access Air New Zealand Koru lounges from August when flying Trans-Tasman DJ/NZ, and NZ domestic on NZ.

From August you say? *notes date in diary and waits for the obligatory AusBT article with "breaking news"*

 

[Ewing]

• Velocity Gold do indeed have anytime access to Virgin Australia owned and operated lounges.

Forgive me if I've missed it, but is this published anywhere?

All the lounge access rules I've come across say that an itinerary for onward travel must be presented.

It'd be nice to have it backed up, even if just for arrivals (I often utilise arrivals access on a certain other airline just to freshen up after a flight and maybe grab a cold drink before fronting the taxi queue, but never tried on Virgin because the rules do say "onward travel").

 

[Noob]

Hey VA, I haven't seen the "gold velocity, any time access to lounges" on the website - IMHO it is really worth putting up as it would be appreciated by many members. Especially since Qantas don't even offer this to Platinum members...

 

[Gremlin]

• Velocity Gold do indeed have anytime access to Virgin Australia owned and operated lounges.

I've been told in BNE in the past that I required onwards travel when I tried to access the Lounge on arrival one evening. Good to know if it's truly available. Not something I'd use regularly, but on the odd occasion it's valuable.

 

[Misha]

Velocity Gold do indeed have anytime access to Virgin Australia owned and operated lounges.

Great to see this confirmed

Could we make sure that the Lounge staff are at least aware? I am still too scared to try only to be told I couldn't come in

 

[markis10]

Great to see this confirmed

Could we make sure that the Lounge staff are at least aware? I am still too scared to try only to be told I couldn't come in

I had no issues with access in MEL on Monday despite a very full lounge, ironically I only really wanted to print off a BP because DJs system wont let you recheck in or reprint an OLCI BP!

 

[docjames]

Could you please clarify:

- Is there still no lounge access for Aus-Pacific flights (for Gold/J)?
- no access ex-AKL for Pacific flights (as opposed to domestic / TT)?

 

[Noob]

From August

 

[pshepvic]

I've looked this up before and there is somewhere on the VA or Velocity website where it says that Gold members get Arrivals access. It may be in the T&Cs or something, but I'm having trouble with my phone to find it.

The lounge angel in Sydney on Monday also confirmed Gold receives arrivals access.

The "anytime access" comments are news to me though - VA can you confirm this, or if by anytime access you mean arrivals access?

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

[/LIST]
Forgive me if I've missed it, but is this published anywhere?

All the lounge access rules I've come across say that an itinerary for onward travel must be presented.

It'd be nice to have it backed up, even if just for arrivals (I often utilise arrivals access on a certain other airline just to freshen up after a flight and maybe grab a cold drink before fronting the taxi queue, but never tried on Virgin because the rules do say "onward travel").

Confirming that our Gold members have 'anytime access' to our owned and operated Lounges.

Note that a Gold member that is travelling (departing, then arriving) would have priority over Golds not travelling.

Entry on arrival and 'anytime access' is an "unwritten benefit".

We recognise that there are going to be those times when you may be at the airport dropping someone off or meeting someone, and could do with a far better quality coffee than the food court - think of our Lounges as your 'airport havens'!

 

[Misha]

Confirming that our Gold members have 'anytime access' to our owned and operated Lounges.

Entry on arrival and 'anytime access' is an "unwritten benefit".

We recognise that there are going to be those times when you may be at the airport dropping someone off or meeting someone, and could do with a far better quality coffee than the food court - think of our Lounges as your 'airport havens'!

*kiss* *kiss* *kiss*

Nice to have this confirmed... now when I am broke at end of month, I will stop at the airport for my morning coffee