Virgin Gold benefits when flying Etihad

[henrus]

The Virgin website has been updated to reflect that Velocity Gold's get access to the Etihad Business class lounge now.

This is a new and improved benefit over the Al Dhabi lounge.

International lounge access

Discover our network of partner airline-operated lounges, available for access when traveling on flights operated by our esteemed international partners.

www.virginaustralia.com

"For Velocity Gold guests departing from Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways in economy will utilise the Etihad Business Class Lounge (Terminal 3, near gate 36)."

 

[sjl124]

Useful thread! Anyone know if velocity gold members get priority check-in for Etihad flights?

 

[henrus]

Anyone know if velocity gold members get priority check-in for Etihad flights?

Yes

Officially just priority boarding/check in, lounge access and additional luggage.

In practice they’ll also tag your bags priority.

 

[papeto]

Just flew Etihad economy as a Velocity Gold and can conform you get access to The House in Melbourne ( including champagne at the bar and ala carte dining). You also get access to the Etihad Business Class Lounge at the new Terminal in Abu Dhabi. Showers were a saver and the food served really food. Also champagne is again on offer too

 

[Rebus]

Just flew Etihad economy as a Velocity Gold and can conform you get access to The House in Melbourne ( including champagne at the bar and ala carte dining). You also get access to the Etihad Business Class Lounge at the new Terminal in Abu Dhabi. Showers were a saver and the food served really food. Also champagne is again on offer too

Thanks for passing on this info. Were you able to guest anyone into The House? Would you mind letting me know what was on the menu?

Reason for asking is that I'm flying EY asVA Gold in a few weeks along with wife and two kids. Pretty certain they won't let us all in without some $$$ changing hands and therefore I need to figure out if it's worth paying.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Thanks for passing on this info. Were you able to guest anyone into The House? Would you mind letting me know what was on the menu?

Guest is +1, I would expect you'll have to pay for a third. Was there last week and found the a-la carte service quite tasty - but I don't seem to have taken a photo of the menu I'm afraid.

 

[papeto]

Thanks for passing on this info. Were you able to guest anyone into The House? Would you mind letting me know what was on the menu?

Reason for asking is that I'm flying EY asVA Gold in a few weeks along with wife and two kids. Pretty certain they won't let us all in without some $$$ changing hands and therefore I need to figure out if it's worth paying.

Yes as Must..fly noted as a Gold you can guest in one person. Menu was Starter Soup or Asparugus. Mains Salmon or chicken curry and desert a choice of choclate cake or cheese board. We had the asparagus ( very good), Salmon ( good) , chicken curry ( not so great), choclate cake ( okish) and cheese board ( good). In addition to Champagne can recommend the Sauv Blanc. Hope that helps.

 

[Rebus]

Yes as Must..fly noted as a Gold you can guest in one person. Menu was Starter Soup or Asparugus. Mains Salmon or chicken curry and desert a choice of choclate cake or cheese board. We had the asparagus ( very good), Salmon ( good) , chicken curry ( not so great), choclate cake ( okish) and cheese board ( good). In addition to Champagne can recommend the Sauv Blanc. Hope that helps.

Thanks @papeto for the food review.

One last question. Was your VA Gold status automatically picked up by the EY system and printed on your boarding pass? When I last flew with them as VA Gold everything had to be manually entered at check-in despite me having added my Velocity FF number during the booking process.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Thanks @papeto for the food review.

One last question. Was your VA Gold status automatically picked up by the EY system and printed on your boarding pass? When I last flew with them as VA Gold everything had to be manually entered at check-in despite me having added my Velocity FF number during the booking process.

It should pick it up and display on BP

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

yes unlike QR, velocity gold or plat is on BP meaning access to lounges and benefits easier....

 

[papeto]

Thanks @papeto for the food review.

One last question. Was your VA Gold status automatically picked up by the EY system and printed on your boarding pass? When I last flew with them as VA Gold everything had to be manually entered at check-in despite me having added my Velocity FF number during the booking process.

Yea it was, but not your membership number. They still needed my number for the The House but not the business loinge in Abu Dhabi.

 

[ozstamps]

Was in First Lounge at AUH today. 'Virgin Platinum' on BP was all they needed for access.

Was near empty the few times we have been in it recently - Biz lounge ,tho huge in area was a zoo.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Was in First Lounge at AUH today. 'Virgin Platinum' on BP was all they needed for access.

Was near empty the few times we have been in it recently - Biz lounge ,tho huge in area was a zoo.

I was very pleased with my experience. Equal to the best IMO food wise. Maybe the wine list a little disappointing but the Champagne was good and other spirit selection quite varied.

 

[ozstamps]

Good food and drink is an obvious expectation.

I was hoping to catch some sleep there in a slumber room. All other top tier long haul carriers offer that in F Lounges.

Nope. Not Etihad.

Needed to pay $250 for the new in airport AUH hotel a few hours back.

And they nickel and dimed us $US160 to use internet in flight, on our paid biz class seats. Cheapskates. That really rankles. Using it now at 40,000 feet, to get some of my money's worth.

QATAR and SQ only from now on. Some airlines miss the obvious.

 

[Must...Fly!]

And they nickel and dimed us $US160 to use internet in flight, on our paid biz class seats. Cheapskates. That really rankles. Using it now at 40,000 feet, to get some of my money's worth.

What was the fare paid vs QR & SQ?

QR is an odd one to pick out in terms of not nickel & diming considering how they structure their business fares...

Any reason you didn't use one of the free relaxation pods at the far end of the lounge?

 

[ozstamps]

You cannot sleep on those. Those are 2 seater chaise lounges. No pillow, no blankets.

All commentary globally I've seen on this new Etihad F lounge re sleeping, is also negative.

Review: Etihad First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

Detailed review of the new Etihad First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport. Here's what to expect from the layout, amenities, food, and more.

onemileatatime.com

QR had Biz fares in last weeks at same sort of price level.

Charging paid Biz pax heavily for internet is a new low IMHO. Insulting, and folks remember that kind of illogical cheapskate stuff. Be charging for Bubbly next.

 

[jase05]

And they nickel and dimed us $US160 to use internet in flight, on our paid biz class seats. Cheapskates.

Wow, that’s really poor. I reckon we paid about $25 for wifi AUH-KUL on our last trip. That seems rather excessive and I agree that’s pretty ordinary.
I do love how we are treated by EY as Plats though and do like their product so I won’t boycott them just yet

 

[Must...Fly!]

Wow, that’s really poor. I reckon we paid about $25 for wifi AUH-KUL on our last trip. That seems rather excessive and I agree that’s pretty ordinary.
I do love how we are treated by EY as Plats though and do like their product so I won’t boycott them just yet

EY Plats get it free.

Also it's really not that badly priced IMO and compare well with the rest of the market. Despite the above member's accurate description if you actually look at the charges they are quite reasonable. Whether Wi-Fi should come standard with a J seat is up for debate. Not many airlines offer that benefit on international flights - not even QR, as far as I am aware.

QR had Biz fares in last weeks at same sort of price level.

The ones that did or did not include lounge access? And what about when you booked?

Don't get me wrong I am not a huge fan of EY's treatment of partner elites and lack of seat selection privileges...

 

[jase05]

Despite the above member's accurate description if you actually look at the charges they are quite reasonable

Poster mentions US$160, that’s not reasonable unless that was for 4 legs or something

 

[ozstamps]

Of course, it was for 4 legs.

$10 + $10 + $25 + $25 x 2 = $US140 plus 3% bank credit card gouge here, and the usual fake exchange rate on top of that. Had recalled it was $29.99 not $24.99. Either $U25 or $US30 too much. I do not deal in pennies.

On SQ, one simply inputs your seat number and name, and WiFi is totally free if you are in Biz seats. Savvy.

SIN-USA for 14 hours or whatever I used late 2023 - zippo cost.