Velocity Gold denied access to sky club...

[malmacdowall]

has anyone else had issues with this?

the Virgin blue website clearly outlines the velocity gold members, flying with Delta airlines, have free accesss to the sky club.

well, I tried this last week when flying from Atlanta to Detroit with Delta in business class. I turned up at one of the many delta sky clubs in ATL (the home base for delta airlines) handed over my Velocity card and was promptly denied access...
I discussed it with the check in lady who said that velocity was not listed on thier computer system for having access. virgin blue was on thier but not velocity. They don't take access for anyone on a "points" program. You have to have a paid membership. I showed her the printout of the virgin blue website info regarding access. (had anticipated something like this could happen)...

But NO said the gate keeper.... No access unless the card was on thier delta system... Paid $50 for access and wasn't all that impressed. Good bar selection but poor food availability. Makes a $25 virgin "lounge" pass seem all the better value...

Anyway, has anyone else had similar knock backs at sky club?

BTW have contacted the friendly folk at Velocity who confirmed I should have had access and are contacting delta to followup for me.

Will try again on my VA booked flight from DTW to LAX to MEL on Thursday.

 

[Moopere]

Hope Velocity/Delta intends to refund your US$50

 

[ozmille]

So you did not even get access to the lounge when flying business class? Hopefully Velocity can arrange a refund of the 50 dollars with Delta.

 

[Mal]

Hopefully Velocity can arrange a refund of the 50 dollars with Delta.

Yep, the best solution.

 

[Timba-Jet]

So you did not even get access to the lounge when flying business class?

Agree very strange, If I pay for any J ticket I would expect lounge access, but then again the US FF market is unique (good & bad points).

Hope you get your $50 refund

 

[pshepvic]

When she said "Virgin Blue is on there but Velocity is not" did you point out that Velocity IS Virgin Blue!! How narrow minded - I'm looking at the Velocity Gold card in my wallet now and there are clearly Virgin Blue logos on both the front and back!

(on that note I wonder when we'll get our rebranded cards with Virgin Australia on them ... or if they're waiting for the program name to possibly be rebranded as well...)

 

[gumpy]

the US market is weird...

With an F ticket you can't get in unless you have a Plat AMEX or status for AA... not surprised if a similar rule applies to Delta

 

[simongr]

Agree very strange, If I pay for any J ticket I would expect lounge access, but then again the US FF market is unique (good & bad points).

Hope you get your $50 refund

Don't forget that not long ago flying J on QF didn't get you domestic lounge access.

 

[oz_mark]

Agree very strange, If I pay for any J ticket I would expect lounge access, but then again the US FF market is unique (good & bad points).

There was a time, not so long ago, that domestic J on Qantas would not get you into the lounge.

 

[awilcockson]

So you did not even get access to the lounge when flying business class?

Crazy isn't it? Delta will only let you into the lounge with a paid (US$300/year) membership or a platinum amex. I've got 4 flights on delta coming up in a couple of weeks, happy to hear that my velocity platinum is supposed to get me into the lounges, will make sure I take a printout of the entry conditions from the velocity website.

 

[pshepvic]

Crazy isn't it? Delta will only let you into the lounge with a paid (US$300/year) membership or a platinum amex. I've got 4 flights on delta coming up in a couple of weeks, happy to hear that my velocity platinum is supposed to get me into the lounges, will make sure I take a printout of the entry conditions from the velocity website.

Velocity Platinum? Do you know something that we don't?

 

[serfty]

... will make sure I take a printout of the entry conditions from the velocity website.

The OP did have said print-out - to no avail.

Velocity - Gold Lounge Access

This page may have been of better assistance:

DELTA - Have a Comment or Complaint?

It does have references in the "Airline Program:" drop box to both "V Australia/Velocity" and "Virgin Blue/Velocity".

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

has anyone else had issues with this?

the Virgin blue website clearly outlines the velocity gold members, flying with Delta airlines, have free accesss to the sky club.

well, I tried this last week when flying from Atlanta to Detroit with Delta in business class. I turned up at one of the many delta sky clubs in ATL (the home base for delta airlines) handed over my Velocity card and was promptly denied access...
I discussed it with the check in lady who said that velocity was not listed on thier computer system for having access. virgin blue was on thier but not velocity. They don't take access for anyone on a "points" program. You have to have a paid membership. I showed her the printout of the virgin blue website info regarding access. (had anticipated something like this could happen)...

But NO said the gate keeper.... No access unless the card was on thier delta system... Paid $50 for access and wasn't all that impressed. Good bar selection but poor food availability. Makes a $25 virgin "lounge" pass seem all the better value...

Anyway, has anyone else had similar knock backs at sky club?

BTW have contacted the friendly folk at Velocity who confirmed I should have had access and are contacting delta to followup for me.

Will try again on my VA booked flight from DTW to LAX to MEL on Thursday.

Hi Malcolm,
Following your email with the Velocity team, we have escalated this to Delta, as we are as unhappy about this situation as you are.
As agreed, we will be in touch with you when we have an update.
Thanks

 

[Travel Guru]

I've got to say, I love the pro-activity of Virgin on this forum.

As a TA who's been in the travel industry for almost a decade now, one of my biggest complaints is how poorly airlines interact and manage their relationships with both TA's and the general flying public, it's so refreshing to find an airline like VA who are willing to show their clients and sales agents some respect, it's why I have no hesitation recommending my clients use VA and why I chose to hand in my QP card after 9 years and switch allegiance to an airline who acts like it wants my business.

TG

 

[drron]

the US market is weird...

With an F ticket you can't get in unless you have a Plat AMEX or status for AA... not surprised if a similar rule applies to Delta

No.Plat(prev EXP) with AA does not get me into an AC domestically in the US.Being a QPNB does.

 

[pshepvic]

No.Plat(prev EXP) with AA does not get me into an AC domestically in the US.Being a QPNB does.

I thought US Amex Plat Charge cards do give lounge access, Australian ones don't. They can tell by the number on the card.

Pretty sure I saw a sign in one of the DFW lounges in January indicating access using the Plat & Centurion cards.

 

[awilcockson]

Velocity Platinum? Do you know something that we don't?

D'oh. Freudian Slip.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Don't forget that not long ago flying J on QF didn't get you domestic lounge access.

Wow, had no idea, but then agaim i have flown dom J. How long ago was that?

 

[trooper]

It is standard in the US... To access the lounges (in all three alliances AFAIK) one must have a paid membership, or a certain CC, be travelling in a Premium cabin on an "International" itinerary....OR be qualified on a "foreign" airline...

For example.. being Star Gold with NZ gets me into any UA/US/CO lounge when travelling with one of those airlines.. in any class... Whereas a UA 1K/1P or US CP etc don't get such access based on status....

I suspect it was a rational decision based on how many folks would qualify for access otherwise...:shock:

 

[drron]

I thought US Amex Plat Charge cards do give lounge access, Australian ones don't. They can tell by the number on the card.

Pretty sure I saw a sign in one of the DFW lounges in January indicating access using the Plat & Centurion cards.

Sorry I was answering the second part of the statement which i have now highlighted re AA status.