Another VA low point - denied meet lounge access

[Deleted member 29185]

Well VA and Velocity has reached another new low as far as I'm concerned. Rocked up to the MEL inbound into OOL right on time to meet the 4.15 arrival of my +1, only to find she was actually arriving on the next one at 5.15. OK a bit of a PITA but I'll wait in the lounge.

Sorry, you aren't flying so no way! I replied that as a plat, I can get arrivals access, but I don't require nor want it, but I would appreciate being able to read the paper whilst I wait. No way! Before the fanbois chirp in about not being entitled, I know that, but it is in stark contrast to the only other time this has occurred, where I was warmly welcomed. I've driven down to pick her up, so it's not like I'll be drinking and I really dislike their tired food offering. All I wanted to do is read the paper. Let's face it, if I were the vindictive type I'd go and find three blokes that look like they could down an 18 gal keg and gain access off their BP and let them loose on the drinks fridge.

I tell you, they go from letting anyone in for a free ride, to cutting off their proverbial nose. +1 is even in J.

 

[Happy Dude]

Probably more of an example of VA's inconsistency. Some days you win, some days you lose.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Probably more of an example of VA's inconsistency. Some days you win, some days you lose.

I don't really see it at a win or a lose for me. I didn't get to read the paper, but it did help to cement my growing loathing of VA. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was almost going to buy a heap of VA J with their sale. I sat on the decision and on t he last day of the sale, I decided VA plat (and J) just wasn't worth it and I declined to buy. I did however, buy a heap of QF J.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Inconsistency is the worse crime

 

[serfty]

Actually the "Velocity Frequent Flyer" rep. on this site has stated that such access is permitted.

It was a couple of years ago though.

 

[Muppet501st]

No free newspapers at the departure gate ?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

No free newspapers at the departure gate ?

Nope. Afternoon in OOL ... c'mon!

 

[kpc]

Lounge access on arrival is a benefit for Golds and Plats the last time Iooked.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Lounge access on arrival is a benefit for Golds and Plats the last time Iooked.

kpc I think swanning_it was not flying at all....arriving or departing

 

[Deleted member 29185]

kpc I think swanning_it was not flying at all....arriving or departing

Correct. I drove 1/2 an hour to read a newspaper ... er, attempt to read a newspaper.

 

[JohnK]

Just when you thought there were no more thorns....

You should have found 3 big blokes that could down an 18 gallon keg. Seriously....

 

[under the radar]

firstly, I'm not a VA fan, so I am 'allowed' to say this . So you don't get something you are not entitled to, and you whinge. Your justification is that you were granted access in the past, which was a favour at that time, which is nice when it does happen, but any logical person realizes it is not an expectation for any future times when you are 'trying it on', regardless of your 'status'. I'm sure the lounge folks hear all the 'reasons' in the world every day from people who want to enter 'outside of their entitlements'. So you got let in previously...as a FAVOUR, and you weren't let in on this occasion...too bad...move on. And then you say you are not a vindictive person....but you post it on social media!!!
My 2c worth

 

[ozjuice]

Surely VA are consistent in applying the simple rule, you're not flying, so no access. I don't see a problem here to be honest. Otherwise where do they draw the line?

 

[Hvr]

Have you considered buying her a mobile phone so she could ring/SMS you and let you know she's not on her original flight?

It would've saved you the embarrassment of asking for something you're not entitled to utilise.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

To the previous three posts, you may wish to browse back to the response by serfty and re-read.

 

[ozjuice]

To the previous three posts, you may wish to browse back to the response by serfty and re-read.

But where is this rule written?
How can it be implemented if it's just a rep on a forum? I did read it, just didn't consider that to be enough to set it in concrete.

 

[Rigs]

I think some clarification would be great on this. If it is allowed I would like to know. That being said, there is always an issue around unpublished benefits. Certainly not a VA specific problem.

 

[vetrade]

Surely the reason airlines have Platinums is to extend some privileges to those people who regularly spend plenty of money with them. So why not do the simple things that endear your best customers to your airline - especially when to do so would be at nil or negligible cost to the airline? Obviously the VA staff have some discretion as to allowing entry so given the circumstances I think they should have exercised it. Some people just have no concept of the "big picture"!

Swanning-it explained he was there to pick up his (delayed) +1 - did the door person think he drove there just to score a free coffee and a few $$ worth of food (or just somewhere comfortable to read the paper in this case)? As if a WP would go that far out of out of his/her way just for a freebie!

Of course, the real "story" here is that some AFFers just love to stick the boot in............

 

[sven89]

I've always understood 'access on arrival' to be very different to 'anytime access'. 'Anytime access' being that you can access the lounge when you're not flying, which is the case in question if I've read the original post correctly. AusBT did a post on it a few years back.

Unfortunately I haven't posted much here so it won't allow me to post a link. But if you google "virgin aus axes anytime access" the AusBT post will come up.

The official lounge access terms and confitions also reference that proof of same day travel is required for golds and plats to access the lounge. Again, I can't post the link yet but they're pretty easy to find online and it's section 7 that refers to their access rules.

I'm a VA gold and increasingly being disappointed by their product (specifically the increasing cost but seemingly decreasing onboard service), but in this instance I'd say VA/the lounge agents did the right thing, so it's unfair to bash them. I'd actually congratulate them, so long as they were polite about how they handled it, as I prefer they play by the rules than make these sorts of exceptions.

 

[Punky]

Actually the "Velocity Frequent Flyer" rep. on this site has stated that such access is permitted.

Any link to this, so I can see the context in which it was written. It seems to me that this would be something of a loophole. From what I have seen of the frequent flyer crowd is that they are not really always the most honest in trying to get something, and many would tell straight out lies claiming they were meeting someone, when they really just wanted a free beer.....