The Lounge 1stAug - changes to access and pricing (including Priority Pass Access)

[pshepvic]

Airport: Melbourne - International (MEL), Terminal 3 (Domestic)
Lounge: THE LOUNGE

Location: Landside - proceed down escalators then turn left before Security.
Opening Hours: Lounge opens 45 minutes prior to first Virgin Blue flight departure and closes after last Virgin Blue departure.
Conditions: Domestic (T3) flights only - Limited to one guest per member - Complimentary alcoholic drinks are limited to beer, wine and champagne - Children under 2 years are admitted free - Smart casual dress at all times (no shorts allowed) - Non-smoking.

Couple of things here:

1. Looks like Priority Pass holders would pretty much have to be flying VA or Rex to use the lounge - considering QF, JQ, TT and all international are excluded as they are not T3 departures.

2. Limited to one guest, but I assume that is still a paid guest as usually the case for PP. Question is - is it at the normal rate for PP of $27USD? That's not much difference to the pre-paid lounge visits available through VA ($30AUD), so really you could go in with as many people as you like, but they'd just have to buy the pre-paid lounge access (or pay $35 at the door instead of $27USD)

3. Not wanting to start up the debate of what is appropriate dress for the lounge, but it does specifically say no shorts! Whereas the T&Cs on the Virgin site only say smart casual, but nothing more specific than that: Lounge Rules | Virgin Australia

I am required to meet the minimum dress standard of smart casual attire at all times.

 

[clifford]

Re: Priority Pass and the New Melbourne Lounge

I think you may have misinterpreted the T's and C's. I've been in the MEL DJ lounge several times since it was refurbished and there was no problem with me flying another airline out of another terminal.

Typically I use the lounge when connecting from DJ to an international (non-Virgin) flight and on return, Int to DJ. Never a problem. I've been told by lounge staff that the only criterion is that I must be flying out of MEL, any airline will do. And that's fairly standard for PP anywhere in the world.

 

[pshepvic]

Re: Priority Pass and the New Melbourne Lounge

I think you may have misinterpreted the T's and C's. I've been in the MEL DJ lounge several times since it was refurbished and there was no problem with me flying another airline out of another terminal.

Typically I use the lounge when connecting from DJ to an international (non-Virgin) flight and on return, Int to DJ. Never a problem. I've been told by lounge staff that the only criterion is that I must be flying out of MEL, any airline will do. And that's fairly standard for PP anywhere in the world.

Precisely why I posted that point - the conditions on the PP site referenced above state "Domestic (T3) Flights only". Not sure how else to interpret that other than you can only use PP at The Lounge for flights from T3?

In any case, I was trying to work out if they were enforcing this, as I have both Velocity Gold and PP - if they're not enforcing the rule that's cool, I'll use the lounge in future if I ever (shudder) fly TT. But either the rule on PP needs to be reworded, or it hasn't been communicated to the lounge staff.

 

[samh004]

Re: Priority Pass and the New Melbourne Lounge

Does The Lounge MEL serve Champagne or sparkling?

 

[pshepvic]

Re: Priority Pass and the New Melbourne Lounge

Does The Lounge MEL serve Champagne or sparkling?

Have only been to the lounge in the morning so couldn't answer your question! And my flight from there this week is in the morning as well. If I was to guess I'd assume Sparkling, but couldn't be sure.

 

[Mal]

Changes to lounge access and pricing effective 1 August 2011

Ok, my VR statement has this "enhancement notice":

Please be advised of changes to Virgin Australia lounge membership, access and pricing effective 1 August 2011.

The referenced link ends up here: Prices & Membership | Virgin Australia

But, there is nothing to indicate the changes.

Any ideas?

(as posted by drfs below, website has been updated to:

Changes to the Virgin Australia Lounge Pricing Structure and Introduction of Family Friendly Guest Policy

Effective Monday 1 August 2011, the following fee structure (including GST) will apply to passes, new membership purchases and renewals:

Standard annual membership $420
Velocity Rewards Silver member annual membership $300 with no joining fee
Joining fee $280
Single entry pass prepaid online $55
Casual entry pass purchased at the lounge $65

From 26 July 2011, in addition to the existing complimentary allowance of one accompanying Guest per member, up to two children aged three to twelve years inclusive may accompany the member at no additional cost. There is no charge for infants two years and under. Single entry (prepaid) or Casual entry fee applies to each additional Guest (adult and child) above the complimentary allowance.

Please note:

If your annual membership fee has been negotiated as part of a Corporate, Government or Industry scheme agreement, the existing rates will be honoured for renewals and new memberships within the contracted period.
Standard and Velocity Rewards Silver member annual memberships may be renewed up to 30 days in advance. If your membership expires on or before 29 August 2011, you may renew your annual membership to 31 July 2011 at the current fee.
Single entry passes may be pre-purchased by Velocity Rewards members online prior to 1 August 2011 at the current rate of $30 per pass, valid for six months from the date of purchase.

 

[markis10]

Anytime access for Gold and Platinum members

 

[Saab34]

Has Silver always been a $249 yearly membership?

 

[koonyaflyer]

I notice that there is now mention of the Corporate Scheme, I could e wrong but that appears to be new. The other prices look similar to the previous prices

 

[yohy?!]

Removal of Single Visit Passes and Priority Pass Access.

Rest assured I will have burned my remaining PP visits by then

 

[Noob]

The "status benefits" part of the site is down at the moment - something's a'happnen'!

 

[munitalP]

OH MY GOD!!! (OMG for the younger ones on AFF)

John B has done the same to the lounge and velocity as he instigated to the QP! (admittedly in the infancy ATM)


Oh, did we all forget that changes in the corporate world take a number of years to filter through?


Wake up and smell the roses folks, DJ is now QF 2003 without the business refinement (yet) - and the 2003 is not a flight number.


:|

 

[Misha]

Oooh one to follow... Unless they are just updating the Amex thing?...

 

[Noob]

Maybe the finer details of premium are to be UNLEASHED...

 

[Justinf]

Has Silver always been a $249 yearly membership?

It has for my 2 years of membership.

 

[thegurio]

It has for my 2 years of membership.

Likewise, for reaching silver you get the joining fee comped... What I want to know is if you go down to red do you still pay $249 or do you need to pay the joining fee?

 

[medhead]

Likewise, for reaching silver you get the joining fee comped... What I want to know is if you go down to red do you still pay $249 or do you need to pay the joining fee?

I dare say you would pay the $369 standard fee and no joining fee as it is a one off and you'd already be a member, who is renewing.

 

[samh004]

So if I choose not to fly to Gold, I'll have to pay $51 more for The Lounge. Not too bad I suppose, could be a lot worse.

 

[drfs]

[h=3]Stumbled across this on the website. Big Changes! Prices up across the board from August.

Prices & Membership[/h][h=4]Changes to the Virgin Australia Lounge Pricing Structure and Introduction of Family Friendly Guest Policy[/h]Effective Monday 1 August 2011, the following fee structure (including GST) will apply to passes, new membership purchases and renewals:

• Standard annual membership $420
• Velocity Rewards Silver member annual membership $300 with no joining fee
• Joining fee $280
• Single entry pass prepaid online $55
• Casual entry pass purchased at the lounge $65

From 26 July 2011, in addition to the existing complimentary allowance of one accompanying Guest per member, up to two children aged three to twelve years inclusive may accompany the member at no additional cost. There is no charge for infants two years and under. Single entry (prepaid) or Casual entry fee applies to each additional Guest (adult and child) above the complimentary allowance.
Please note:

• If your annual membership fee has been negotiated as part of a Corporate, Government or Industry scheme agreement, the existing rates will be honoured for renewals and new memberships within the contracted period.
• Standard and Velocity Rewards Silver member annual memberships may be renewed up to 30 days in advance. If your membership expires on or before 29 August 2011, you may renew your annual membership to 31 July 2011 at the current fee.
• Single entry passes may be pre-purchased by Velocity Rewards members online prior to 1 August 2011 at the current rate of $30 per pass, valid for six months from the date of purchase.

[h=4]Annual Membership (effective until 31 July 2011)[/h]The standard Virgin Australia lounge annual membership fee is $369 (including GST) plus a one-off joining fee of $199* (including GST). This includes unlimited entry and access to all the benefits of the Virgin Australia lounge for the member and one complimentary Guest (accompanying the member).
Velocity Silver members can purchase their annual membership at a discounted rate of $249 (including GST), with the joining fee waived.
Log into your Velocity account now and purchase an Annual Membership online
* Unless you allow your membership to lapse.Please read the Virgin Australia lounge Terms and Conditions for further information on membership details.
[h=4]Single Entry Pass (effective until 31 July 2011)[/h]A single entry pass allows Guests with onward domestic travel with Virgin Australia access to Virgin Australia lounges where they can enjoy all the benefits. Upon presentation of your boarding pass you can purchase lounge entry for $35 (including GST) and access the Virgin Australia lounge a maximum of two hours prior to your flight departure. Single entry can also be pre-purchased online at a rate of $30 dollars (including GST).

To purchase a single entry pass online, you need to be a Velocity member, aged 18 years or older. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are not a Velocity member, you can join Velocity free online. Single entry passes purchased online are valid for six months from date of purchase. A maximum of six passes can be purchased in one transaction.
Please note that Virgin Australia single entry passes are not valid for International lounge entry. Single entry passes cannot be used when flying internationally with V Australia, or at partner airline lounges.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So silver membership up fifty bucks but I get to bring my 10 YO in as well as my wife, but have to pay more for my other two older kids for single entry passes .

Trouble is, I have lounge access for my business travel . I've never yet used my right to bring in a guest even, let alone my kids. Perhaps one day I will but I would have preferred to bring my wife in as a guest and pay the single entry passes for the kids (or leave them outside ).

So now we'll have a lounge full of up to 12 YO rug rats running amuck. Noice .