Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

[LiamR]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending July 14th 2011

If you go to the united lounge at Melbourne Airport (https://www.prioritypass.com/lounges/lounge-details.cfm)

It says...

"Note: Members holding a Priority Pass Select membership card will not be allowed access to this Lounge effective 01OCT2011."

Wonder if this is in the wrong place, if its true then there will be no PP lounges in Aus...

 

[oz_mark]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending July 14th 2011

Interesting, especially the reference to 'Priority Pass Select'. This is a card issued in the US, to members of various financial institutions. Interestingly, Priority Pass Select cardholders are losing access to Continental Presidents Clubs from the same date.

Normal Priority Pass cards still have access.

 

[Virgin Australia]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending July 14th 2011

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..

 

[nlagalle]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending July 14th 2011

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..

Priority Pass has become a whole lot less useful in Australia now!

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

If you go to the united lounge at Melbourne Airport (https://www.prioritypass.com/lounges/lounge-details.cfm)

It says...

"Note: Members holding a Priority Pass Select membership card will not be allowed access to this Lounge effective 01OCT2011."

Wonder if this is in the wrong place, if its true then there will be no PP lounges in Aus...

Thats only for a certain PP card type:

Priority Pass Select cardholders receive all of the benefits that Priority Pass membership brings, with the exception that Priority Pass Select cardholders will not be able to use Continental President Clubs and United Red Carpet Clubs lounges after September 30, 2011.

 

[Sifor]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

Lounge price increase

You won't be getting $65 off me that is ridiculous! $55 .. heh I can go to a nice fancy restaurant instead.

I'll part with $30, not those amounts.

Just when I thought Virgin was departing from ideas reminiscent of Qantas....

 

[NSWhere]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

Virgin lounge access through priority pass was a large factor in my decision to a) hold an amex plat, and b) burn points through virgin. Now that the relationship between Virgin and PP has ended my relationship with Virgin will end too.

 

[JRT]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

see Aus BT's article too

In brief: Virgin Australia will end its relationship with the global Priority Pass scheme next month.
From July 14, members of the airline-independent airport Priority Pass lounge program will lose access to all domestic Virgin Australia lounges.
Your choices? Stump up for a $65 walk-up casual entry fee or plan ahead and buy a 'single-entry pass' online for to $55.
(If you're really into planning ahead, you should buy a handful of those single-entry passes at the current $35 rate before .)
Losing the Virgin Australia partnership seriously undermines the value of Priority Pass in Australia, leaving the scheme with only one lounge on the local menu – United's Red Carpet Club in Melbourne International Airport.

 

[xtoss]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

Damn,

This is terrible news, at least I can use it tomorrow when I fly and the hold out till I hit gold in September but still it was a factor in choosing my AMEX card as well.

PP has no value for me now, Amex Platinum charge will need to step it up


good time to hit gold though

 

[nlagalle]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

To be honest I have used the PP card about 3 times in the 3 years I've had it. Twice in Delhi and one at the DJ lounge in PER waiting for my skywest site.

As i fly wherever I can on QF/OW it doesn't both me in Australia, but any thought of earning status on DJ has just gone out the window... Not going to sit around at the gate when i can sit in the J lounge! But that is just me!

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

As i fly wherever I can on QF/OW it doesn't both me in Australia, but any thought of earning status on DJ has just gone out the window... Not going to sit around at the gate when i can sit in the J lounge! But that is just me!

Always happy to shout you a coffee after guesting you into the lounge should we both be at the same place at the same time, that is a real coffee after 9.30 too, something you wont find in the J lounge, or shout you a beer at 11.30 .

 

[nlagalle]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

Always happy to shout you a coffee after guesting you into the lounge should we both be at the same place at the same time, that is a real coffee after 9.30 too, something you wont find in the J lounge, or shout you a beer at 11.30 .

J lounge has coffee til 11am now (but yes it should be all day everyday!) and i rarely drink beer that early. Having said that QF have really looked after me lately so i have no intention of changing soon as I have several OS trips on the cards too..

but should the need arise i shall take you up on the offer! unless i get a status match one day! lol!!

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

J lounge has coffee til 11am now

It was 9.30 in BNE J lounge two weeks ago, and I love my coffee (to many early morning shift starts in ATC years ago).

 

[xtoss]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

Wait all is okay

I just checked the site Entry & Access | Virgin Australia

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.

Obviously some other card as I don't own a Prioirty Pass

I do own a Priority Pass

 

[nlagalle]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

It was 9.30 in BNE J lounge two weeks ago, and I love my coffee (to many early morning shift starts in ATC years ago).

\

ahh. SYD and MEL are 11am (checked on Sunday/monday... I am like you but too many early mornings at the paper!

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

\

ahh. SYD and MEL are 11am (checked on Sunday/monday... I am like you but too many early mornings at the paper!

An enhancement thats good, here hoping for an extension of those hours! Looks like another benefit of competition!

 

[Keith009]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

So PP is now completely useless if flying domestic in Australia. And virtually useless flying internationally, especially if not flying ex-MEL and around the opening times of the entirely forgettable UA lounge.

Since taking up the Plat charge card back in mid 2009, I've only used PP a grand total of once... (spent 20 mins in the tiny Plaza Premium Lounge in JHB ) as I fly with the airline/s I have status with whenever I can.

I certainly won't be paying for PP anytime soon if it wasn't already free!

 

[LiamR]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

Damn! That isn't good. Makes PP in Australia pretty much worthless.

 

[kamchatsky]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

If that is the case, should Amex withdraw it from their offering as part of their Charge/Credit cards portfolio?!

 

[docjames]

re: Virgin Blue & Priority Pass Lounge Access Ending Aug 1 2011

It was 9.30 in BNE J lounge two weeks ago, and I love my coffee (to many early morning shift starts in ATC years ago).

Was n/a last saturday - machine broken......