Virgin Lounge Access [on J class award - no status]

[eric2011]

Hi, Just a quick question. I don't usually fly Virgin but I have accumulated enough points from car hire and accommodation and have booked a domestic J flight from BNE. My question is...Do Virgin J class pax get access to the lounge (like QF J pax) or is it just for high tier members

 

[Mogul]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

You will have lounge access as part of your J ticket.

 

[erkpod]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Out of BNE, you'll also have access to priority check-in, priority security & priority boarding because you're in J.

 

[eric2011]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Out of BNE, you'll also have access to priority check-in, priority security & priority boarding because you're in J.

You will have lounge access as part of your J ticket.

Thanks guys, I thought as much but just wanted to make sure. I remember years ago I was not able to access the Ansett club, I think it was called Gold Wing or something similar, when I travelled in a J cabin, I was told the lounge was only for Gold Wing members, so wanted to make sure before I rocked up at the door expecting to get in.

 

[serfty]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Thanks guys, I thought as much but just wanted to make sure. I remember years ago I was not able to access the Ansett club, I think it was called Gold Wing or something similar, when I travelled in a J cabin, I was told the lounge was only for Gold Wing members, so wanted to make sure before I rocked up at the door expecting to get in.

Indeed!

Back in the 90's only QP/GW members, top level status and First class travellers could access the QP/GW's of domestic Oz.

It was not until the mid to late last decade that Qantas permitted business class based access to domestic QP's, of course for the GW's that was moot.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Not sure if this is the right thread - but help appreciated.

Looking at booking a Virgin business class ticket to DPS and back (ex MEL).

On the business class page, it notes lounges are available for domestic and long haul international - but specifically does NOT mention lounges as part of the short-haul business class offering.

Is this just an omission?

The other issue is that it says lounge access is dependent on producing a Velocity card or lounge membership card to access partner lounges. As I have no card or status (not even a member) - can I assume business class are not required to show any associated cards?

here's the link where there is no mention of lounges for short haul: Virgin Australia's Business Class | Virgin Australia

 

[williamsf1]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Not sure if this is the right thread - but help appreciated.

Looking at booking a Virgin business class ticket to DPS and back (ex MEL).

On the business class page, it notes lounges are available for domestic and long haul international - but specifically does NOT mention lounges as part of the short-haul business class offering.

Is this just an omission?

The other issue is that it says lounge access is dependent on producing a Velocity card or lounge membership card to access partner lounges. As I have no card or status (not even a member) - can I assume business class are not required to show any associated cards?

here's the link where there is no mention of lounges for short haul: Virgin Australia's Business Class | Virgin Australia

What lounge were you intending to use?VA does not have any INT lounges. Normally for INT LH flight VA uses the NZ lounge , however this is only for flights to LAX.

Air New Zealand lounge access is not permitted when flying on flights other than flights between Australia and New Zealand, i.e. flights to the Pacific Islands, Bali and Papua New Guinea.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

What lounge were you intending to use?VA does not have any INT lounges. Normally for INT LH flight VA uses the NZ lounge , however this is only for flights to LAX.

Air New Zealand lounge access is not permitted when flying on flights other than flights between Australia and New Zealand, i.e. flights to the Pacific Islands, Bali and Papua New Guinea.

thats a good question. I thought there would have been some sort of lounge access for a business class passenger on a full fare? maybe not it seems? (seems odd they don't pay some third party for access however)

 

[Moopere]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

thats a good question. I thought there would have been some sort of lounge access for a business class passenger on a full fare? maybe not it seems? (seems odd they don't pay some third party for access however)

International Lounge Access | Virgin Australia

Looks like you'd probably get access to the 'temporary lounge' as described in the link above at DPS. Out of BNE you'd likely get Air New Zealand Koru Lounge as described in the same document.

Edit: Note that VA J doesn't appear to offer lounge access for any guests though - I've been stung by this before. Status holders can take 1-3 guests depending on their status.

 

[williamsf1]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

International Lounge Access | Virgin Australia

Looks like you'd probably get access to the 'temporary lounge' as described in the link above at DPS. Out of BNE you'd likely get Air New Zealand Koru Lounge as described in the same document.

Edit: Note that VA J doesn't appear to offer lounge access for any guests though - I've been stung by this before. Status holders can take 1-3 guests depending on their status.

this is the best page Virgin Australia's Business Class | Virgin Australia

compare the domestic ( included) and the LH INT ( included ) where no mention on INT SH

 

[Moopere]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

this is the best page Virgin Australia's Business Class | Virgin Australia

compare the domestic ( included) and the LH INT ( included ) where no mention on INT SH

Certainly there appears to be a discrepancy ... but the link I posted above is not stale, its current. VA home page -> Experience -> Airport Lounges -> International Lounge Access -> then choose "business" from the drop-down box.

Its pretty definitive whereas the previously posted link is more general in nature and yes ... seems to omit mention of lounge for SH. Ultimately, ring VA up ... if for no better reason then to annoy them and suggest they get their web page consistent and easy to understand with good cross linking of details.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

thanks all... I will give them a call before i book.

It would seem strange not to offer lounge access to business class.

 

[bullerdude]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Not sure if this is the right thread - but help appreciated.

Looking at booking a Virgin business class ticket to DPS and back (ex MEL).

On the business class page, it notes lounges are available for domestic and long haul international - but specifically does NOT mention lounges as part of the short-haul business class offering.

Is this just an omission?

The other issue is that it says lounge access is dependent on producing a Velocity card or lounge membership card to access partner lounges. As I have no card or status (not even a member) - can I assume business class are not required to show any associated cards?

here's the link where there is no mention of lounges for short haul: Virgin Australia's Business Class | Virgin Australia

For MEL-DPS-MEL, you will have access to the Koru Club in Melbourne and the Temporary Lounge in Denpasar.

As detailed on International Lounge Access | Virgin Australia

 

[Moopere]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

thanks all... I will give them a call before i book.

Thats the best bet, but words are worthless if things go wrong at the airport. If their verbal assurance matches one of the VA web pages then make sure you grab a screen cap of the web page and print it before you go. Add weight to a telephone argument if things go pear shaped later

It would seem strange not to offer lounge access to business class.

Yes, I agree, but I almost got bitten by this a while back before VA strengthened their partner/lounge tie-ups. I think I was trying for Bali too, I cant remember, but anyway, no VA Int lounge in PER at that time meant no lounge at all. I have not tried DPS since, but it appears like things might be better now.

 

[pblackie]

Re: Virgin Lounge Access

Yes, I agree, but I almost got bitten by this a while back before VA strengthened their partner/lounge tie-ups. I think I was trying for Bali too, I cant remember, but anyway, no VA Int lounge in PER at that time meant no lounge at all. I have not tried DPS since, but it appears like things might be better now.

PER-DPS you now have access to the Silver Kris lounge if you are in J or are Gold/Platinum with Velocity