Upgrade to gold status while offshore

[Udie]

Hi all,

Next month I will be taking a return trip to London on Virgin Atlantic which will provide me with enough status credits to move from Silver to Gold on the outbound leg. I understand that I won't be able to enjoy the benefits on Gold status until this leg has been completed (maybe I'm wrong?), but does anyone have any advice on how best to go about receiving the gold benefits (mainly lounge access) on the return flight, given that I won't have received my gold card yet and flight is booked with a partner airline.

Thanks

 

[Saab34]

The problem which might arise, is that it can often take quite a few weeks for partner airlines to credit to Velocity. I am still waiting from flights from May (and I should have been Gold since those flights).

 

[Udie]

OK - hypothetically my velocity account is credited in the required timeframe. The return trip is 4 weeks later, so am quite hopeful that isn't going to be an issue.

 

[n17]

The problem which might arise, is that it can often take quite a few weeks for partner airlines to credit to Velocity. I am still waiting from flights from May (and I should have been Gold since those flights).

Agreed, the Virgin club at Heathrow & Hong Kong will not let you in unless, you have a gold or platinum card or your stauts is printed on your boarding card.

Status credits will take 14-21 days to be posted from VS and even though you status will be upgraded within 24 hours your new card will take 2-3 week to arrive.

However there are paid entry lounges at both airports

 

[Emile El-azar]

Hi Udie,

This happened to me last November...turned Gold after my trip to Lebanon on Etihad.

I called the Velocity Gold centre, they emailed me a letter on Virgin Australia letterhead (as per below) to use to gain my Gold benefits on the return leg - got me my baggage allowance and lounge entry in Beirut and Abu Dhabi.

Give them a call!

"Dear Lounge Partner

Re: Gold Velocity Membership

Please accept this letter as confirmation that the Velocity membership for Mr Emile El Azar
was upgraded to Gold on the 27th of November 2011.
As we have been unable to get a new card out to him prior to his imminent travel, we would
be grateful if you would allow him and a guest access to the Lounge today.
We understand that this letter cannot guarantee entry, however are grateful for your
understanding in this matter.
Yours sincerely"

 

[mella2007]

Yes Virgin are very good about sending you an email confirmation if the computer shows you are now Gold...however they will not do it if you have credits still waiting to be posted

 

[scwappy]

As the Virgin Clubhouse is a fantastic lounge, you will want to certainly try and get confirmation in some form prior to your return flight. I would also turn up at the airport early for the flight home to take advantage

 

[djchuckles]

As the Virgin Clubhouse is a fantastic lounge, you will want to certainly try and get confirmation in some form prior to your return flight. I would also turn up at the airport early for the flight home to take advantage

Agreed - best airport lounge I've ever been to

 

[Udie]

Thanks for all the advice, especially regarding the Clubhouse at Heathrow...that's the main reason I want have evidence of gold!