Virgin LAX Lounge

[bawbag]

Last few times I was there they had the passenger list for Oz bound flights, with status indicated. Status should also be on your boarding pass, so you shouldn't have any problems.

I've done just this without an issue, passenger list had all the details they needed.

 

[ms1]

I'm flying on a Virgin Australia business class reward ticket from SYD-BNE-LAX-IAD. The final leg will be on Virgin America.

My Velocity Gold status expired on 13th August and I didn't earn enough status credits to maintain gold. My account states:

We are currently assessing your activity over your membership year. You will still have access to your current benefits until 13 Sep 2013. Your new card will be with you shortly.

My question is will this 1 month grace period extend to Virgin American lounge access at LAX? Thanks.

 

[Fruitcake]

I'm flying on a Virgin Australia business class reward ticket from SYD-BNE-LAX-IAD. The final leg will be on Virgin America.

According to the VA website, as a traveller on a J class VA ticket, when departing LAX on a VA codeshare operated by VX, you'll get access to the Loft by virtue of your class of travel (although you'll sit in the F cabin). So your VFF Gold expiry shouldn't be an issue.

However, if LAX-IAD is a separate reservation on VX codes then you will need to rely on your status... and I have no experience to offer guidance in that scenario!

 

[ms1]

Fruitcake, the whole journey is on the one ticket. Thanks for the good news.

 

[Fruitcake]

Fruitcake, the whole journey is on the one ticket. Thanks for the good news.

I think you'll have quite a pleasant run the whole way... VA transpac J comes highly recommended, and I've only done one sector in VX F but the ORD-LAX journey disappeared disappointingly fast.

 

[ms1]

I think you'll have quite a pleasant run the whole way... VA transpac J comes highly recommended, and I've only done one sector in VX F but the ORD-LAX journey disappeared disappointingly fast.

Yes I've heard good things about VX F. I'm looking forward to it.

Do you know if my luggage will go all the way through from SYD to IAD? What about boarding passes? Will I have to check in at VX counters at LAX?

 

[LiamR]

I'm flying on a Virgin Australia business class reward ticket from SYD-BNE-LAX-IAD. The final leg will be on Virgin America.

My Velocity Gold status expired on 13th August and I didn't earn enough status credits to maintain gold. My account states:

We are currently assessing your activity over your membership year. You will still have access to your current benefits until 13 Sep 2013. Your new card will be with you shortly.

My question is will this 1 month grace period extend to Virgin American lounge access at LAX? Thanks.

Even if you were in Y, if you look at the back of your velocity card it will say "Valid for one month after review date"

 

[jneufeld]

Yes I've heard good things about VX F. I'm looking forward to it.

Do you know if my luggage will go all the way through from SYD to IAD? What about boarding passes? Will I have to check in at VX counters at LAX?

Your bags should be tagged through however you will have to collect your luggage at TBIT and pass customs, then before you leave the terminal you place your bags back on a belt for onward connecting baggage. You will then need to walk to T3, get your boarding pass and pass through TSA then it's onto the VX Loft.

 

[MandM]

Your bags should be tagged through however you will have to collect your luggage at TBIT and pass customs, then before you leave the terminal you place your bags back on a belt for onward connecting baggage. You will then need to walk to T3, get your boarding pass and pass through TSA then it's onto the VX Loft.

I was given my VX boarding pass in Melbourne, however I still went to the VX counter to double check as I had terrible sabre related issues with VA check-in.

 

[jneufeld]

Did VX reprint a new pass for you, a similar thing happened to me recently with DL where they reprinted my VA issued pass at the SkyClub

 

[Mal]

Did VX reprint a new pass for you, a similar thing happened to me recently with DL where they reprinted my VA issued pass at the SkyClub

Some agents do it "just to be sure". But yes, there are issues at times. So just because it was reprinted does not mean there is still an issue.

 

[MandM]

Did VX reprint a new pass for you, a similar thing happened to me recently with DL where they reprinted my VA issued pass at the SkyClub

They did, but I've also had VA reprint a Singapore issued boarding pass so it seemed par for the course.

 

[DGW]

I'm in the lounge now (on my way to Seattle to do the Boeing tour) and FWIW I had no issues getting in by flashing my WP card.

The food offerings are pretty meagre (if you want something substantial the only options are a mini smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, or a spinach and mushroom tart) but the view over the apron is great and the mixed drinks (I'm currently enjoying a Mojito) are pretty good too.

 

[dcvr]

Hi folks,

I'm flying into LAX from MEL later this year in VA J. I've no velocity status (well, red if that counts , but am looking to head up to SFO straight away.

I appreciate if we book VX first it doesn't include lounge access, but would we get it as we're coming in on VA J, or does that only work of it's on the same ticket (it won't be)?

Main reason for wanting lounge access would be showers of course, but the VX lounge doesn't have those, so that's making me think delta and pay for the lounge....

 

[drewbles]

You won't have VX lounge access unfortunately. Your best bet would be to use DL and pay, or just wait till you get to SFO (or hang around LAX and get a day room somewhere for around $80, and shower/freshen up and relax).

 

[dcvr]

Thanks Drewbles, that confirms what I thought.

My other option is to fly American as I've got Qantas club membership, but that's more expensive than DL and paying!

 

[justcallmeryan]

I've done the LAX - SYD on VA a number of times and became quite familiar with the VX lounge in T3. This is my first time at the star alliance lounge (sitting here now waiting for VA2) and my oh my what an improvement.

The lounge itself is spotless and divided into a business and first section. Due to my plat status I am allowed in the first section, but to be honest all it is is a sectioned off room from the main area. It does have menu service snacks, but the menu options are similar to the buffet in the business area.

I had a shower in a beautiful 'suite' that was clean and had all the expected amenities. The bar is fully stocked, the snack items are delicious and whilst there isn't a full dinner menu or spa (like EY lounge at LHR or QF in SYD) it is miles ahead of what was previously available and also much better than the Koru lounge in Sydney.

Well done VA, well done. You've definitely stepped up your game on this important route.

 

[Bolthead]

I am looking forward to visiting for the first time "The Loft" and then on the return the "Star Alliance" lounge in LAX when I visit next week. However I am a little confused (which is not strange for me) regarding access to "The Loft". Based on some of the posts here and reading the T&C on the Velocity website am I correct in the fact that my status (WP) will get me into "The Loft"? I am flying in on VA1 in Y+ (reward ticket) but flying onto SJC with VX in Y on a separate ticket.

 

[jneufeld]

I am looking forward to visiting for the first time "The Loft" and then on the return the "Star Alliance" lounge in LAX when I visit next week. However I am a little confused (which is not strange for me) regarding access to "The Loft". Based on some of the posts here and reading the T&C on the Velocity website am I correct in the fact that my status (WP) will get me into "The Loft"? I am flying in on VA1 in Y+ (reward ticket) but flying onto SJC with VX in Y on a separate ticket.

Yes your status will give you access to all VX flights departing LAX. It's the only VX lounge VA status gets you into.

 

[Bolthead]

Yes your status will give you access to all VX flights departing LAX. It's the only VX lounge VA status gets you into.

Great, thanks for that. I wondered about the other VX lounges in the states. I thought it was a bit odd they only mentioned LAX on their website.