Using Virgin lounge after arrival

[peterdwise]

Hi there,

I'm a Velocity Gold member. I'm flying Canberra-Melbourne and plan to use the Virgin lounge on arrival.

Once I collect my luggage, I presumably go up to the Departures level and go through security screening. Will they let my suitcase through?

 

[henrus]

Will they let my suitcase through?

Assuming it'll fit through the X-ray machine (which is a little bigger than a large carry on size) and there are no items in it that would be prevented through a domestic security then yes technically you can take your checked luggage through security.

I'm a Velocity Gold member. I'm flying Canberra-Melbourne and plan to use the Virgin lounge on arrival.

Once I collect my luggage, I presumably go up to the Departures level and go through security screening.

Correct, technically up to 60 minutes after arrival you have access.

 

[peterdwise]

Thank you for your reply. It seems that, in reality, I can only use the Virgin lounge after arrival if I don't have checked luggage. I don't think my suitcase will fit through the X-ray machine...

 

[Bagpuss]

Thank you for your reply. It seems that, in reality, I can only use the Virgin lounge after arrival if I don't have checked luggage. I don't think my suitcase will fit through the X-ray machine...

You can always leave the luggage on the security belt and then it would go to luggage services for collection or collect it and speak with luggage services, then return to the lounge. This depends on your anxiety levels.

On arrival access is more geared for people with hand luggage mainly because business travelers do short domestic trips without checked baggage.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you are desperate to use the MEL T3/(T4 now too) VA lounge, maybe bag hold with Smartcarte might be the answer.
Edit: its located at T2, so a bit of a walk from arrivals at T3.
Not cheap for such a short amount of time you plan to use the lounge, but its the only solution.
(**Think Smartcarte is still doing it, not 100% sure, but have a look see anyway**).

 

[peterdwise]

Thanks for the info, but I think I'll pass on using the lounge...

 

[bladeau1981]

I have used it a couple of times with checked baggage, just cruise in, grab a bite and a drink and then straight back out to collect my bags and they are still going around and around. Usually if you are towards the front of the plane you have a 15minute headstart other the end of the plane so you have a fair bit of time before all the bags are collected and they take them off to baggage services.

 

[ht20]

Hi all. Can I still use the Virgin lounge on arrival if I'm a Krisflyer Gold travelling on Virgin flight in economy?

 

[Rich]

For my last arrival in MEL (QF) I was at the carousel less than 10 minutes after the plane doors opened and it was another 25 minutes before the belt started moving. 30 minutes in a lounge would have been nice.

 

[hossein_au]

As a reference point, I have, on more than one occasion, collected my rather large suitcases (plural) and got them through the X-ray machine to go to the lounge. Have done done both at T1 and T3 at MEL.

 

[henrus]

Hi all. Can I still use the Virgin lounge on arrival if I'm a Krisflyer Gold travelling on Virgin flight in economy?

Nope, access is only for VA’s own status holders or those in business.

 

[Must...Fly!]

As a reference point, I have, on more than one occasion, collected my rather large suitcases (plural) and got them through the X-ray machine to go to the lounge. Have done done both at T1 and T3 at MEL.

Except that won't be possible any more as T4 is all the new scanners where if I recall correctly, everything that goes through must fit in the buckets.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Except that won't be possible any more as T4 is all the new scanners where if I recall correctly, everything that goes through must fit in the buckets.

Have you seen the size of the buckets though?? Genuinely happy - one year rather than my usual 3-4 at BNE or SYD

 

[PhilsBadMan]

On a few occasions, I've asked the team member at the check-in desk not to put a priority tag on my checked baggage (Thinking that it reduces the odds of my baggage coming out first on the carrousel). I believe that the barcode may still flag as priority but assume the guys loading the plane may just look for the token orange tag for ease.
Quick pop into the lounge on arrival, grab some food, use the toilet. 20 mins later, I head out and grab my bag off the carrousel. More time as well the closer you are to the front of the plane.