VA Gold vs VA Platinum?

[CPMaverick]

I think the best thing about going plat is the 'soft landing'.

By this I mean, get platinum. Then next year, fly on points, discount economy, Qantas, whatever, but you don't need 800, let alone 400 SC. Then the following year, you are gold and can just maintain that level by earning 400 SC.

I liked this benefit a lot too. But then I realized you don't really get too much out of the other benefits when you actually are Platinum, if you don't fly even enough to maintain SG. Unless you are burning a ton of points.

 

[JohnK]

I don't feel there's a huge difference between the 2. Flexi airfares are too expensive to utilise the 4 upgrades and row 3 is not that special when FAs store their luggage above row 3.

The horse bolted a long time ago on anytime access

Some of us still use that benefit. About to start trying again.

 

[Jack_OC]

Some of us still use that benefit. About to start trying again.

Really? Any secret method here or are you just talking about chancing your arm? I cannot recall a single occasion when my BP was not carefully checked on the way in, except when I use the self entry machine, and I was under the impression that the machine automatically checks that you have a booking that day?

I even find that when I'm travelling with my wife and kids they make a point of checking all 4 BPs - even though guests don't need to be travelling with VA so I have no idea what the purpose of that is!

 

[Denali]

I posted earlier that the Hilton Diamond benefit has been a plus for us and I just tried to book LAX Airport and its booked out - being Diamond, we get a "room guarantee"

 

[JohnK]

Really? Any secret method here or are you just talking about chancing your arm? I cannot recall a single occasion when my BP was not carefully checked on the way in, except when I use the self entry machine, and I was under the impression that the machine automatically checks that you have a booking that day?

You still need to have a guest flying VA for anytime access.

Most bookings for wife and daughter are on VA starting this Friday. I am flying Qantas as I purchase my airfares in advance.

On Friday I'd more than likely use the Qantas lounge in BNE but on Sunday I'd expect to be able to use SYD premium lounge entry and guest them into VA lounge before I head back over to Qantas.

 

[Jack_OC]

You still need to have a guest flying VA for anytime access.

Most bookings for wife and daughter are on VA starting this Friday. I am flying Qantas as I purchase my airfares in advance.

On Friday I'd more than likely use the Qantas lounge in BNE but on Sunday I'd expect to be able to use SYD premium lounge entry and guest them into VA lounge before I head back over to Qantas.

Ok, I see what you're talking about, but while that might get you access on certain occasions when you're not flying VA, it's not exactly anytime access!

BTW, by my reading, what you are suggesting is still not within the rules. The rules state that guests do not need to be travelling on VA, as long as the Velocity Platinum/Gold member is. However, there does not seem to be any rule granting access in the reverse situation (i.e. Platinum/Gold member not travelling on VA, but guest is). In any case, if it works for you that's great.

 

[CPMaverick]

If there is an 'if' it isn't anytime access!

 

[QFFHntrGthr]

I posted earlier that the Hilton Diamond benefit has been a plus for us and I just tried to book LAX Airport and its booked out - being Diamond, we get a "room guarantee"

Yes, at rack rate. Pretty pricey unless work's paying and you definitely have to stay there.

 

[serfty]

...
BTW, by my reading, what you are suggesting is still not within the rules. The rules state that guests do not need to be travelling on VA, as long as the Velocity Platinum/Gold member is. However, there does not seem to be any rule granting access in the reverse situation (i.e. Platinum/Gold member not travelling on VA, but guest is). In any case, if it works for you that's great.

In practice having a guest flying VA is sufficient (unless you get an inexperienced lounge agent).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

In practice having a guest flying VA is sufficient

"in practice having any guest flying VA is sufficient"...

I may borrow a quip from Basil Fawlty here ...

"Don't mention the war! I did once, but I think I got away with it!"

 

[Jack_OC]

In practice having a guest flying VA is sufficient (unless you get an inexperienced lounge agent).

Inexperienced or experienced?!

Anyway, that's good to know, thanks for the info.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Inexperienced or experienced?!

Definitely inexperienced! The whole topic was discussed, warts and all, a little while back!

 

[Jack_OC]

Yes, at rack rate. Pretty pricey unless work's paying and you definitely have to stay there.

Especially as you can usually stay in pretty decent LAX hotels for very little. E.g. I once booked into the Westin LAX at the last minute (delayed flight - missed connection) and it only cost $125. Mind you, if the Hilton is booked solid then the other hotels around are probably busy too, so maybe it's going to be expensive no matter what.

 

[JohnK]

Ok, I see what you're talking about, but while that might get you access on certain occasions when you're not flying VA, it's not exactly anytime access!

'Anytime' access may not be in the real sense but it is still anytime access. I guess different people have varying levels of success but it has never failed me.

 

[CPMaverick]

'Anytime' access may not be not in the real sense but it is still anytime access.

?? You lost me on that one!

 

[serfty]

?? You lost me on that one!

Me to!

More like "anytime me and/or my travel party are flying VA" ...

 

[CPMaverick]

I guess you can always find a random guest in the airport. Creepy but effective

 

[Jack_OC]

'Anytime' access may not be not in the real sense but it is still anytime access. I guess different people have varying levels of success but it has never failed me.

As I said, this is good info and may well be useful occasionally, so I'm being genuine when I say thanks for sharing. It's definitely not anytime access though - not by any stretch of the imagination. 99% of the time, if I'm not flying with VA, then I'm not likely to know anyone else flying with VA around the same time either, so I would still generally not have VA lounge access. How could that possibly be described as "anytime access"?

 

[Jack_OC]

I guess you can always find a random guest in the airport. Creepy but effective

Ha ha! But to take that logic to its natural conclusion, anyone could hang around outside the lounge and ask a random Gold/Platinum to take them in as a guest. So never mind "anytime access" for Gold/Platinum members, anyone could potentially access the Lounge whenever they like, even if they never set foot on a plane and don't even bother joining Velocity!

 

[JohnK]

?? You lost me on that one!

How?

I guess you can always find a random guest in the airport. Creepy but effective

Why would a random guest be creepy? I don't feel comfortable doing it but have done it in the past. Some feel very grateful.

And that makes me feel great that I have been able to help someone. But I guess we are all see things differently including posting lounge times online in case you can assist someone with guesting.