Access to domestic VA lounge when flying SQ

[Deskorpio]

Hi Everyone,
Just wondering if as VA Gold, I will be able to access their domestic lounge in T1 Perth Airport, when departing with SQ to SIN? Just wanting to grab a quick bite and coffee from the lounge after checking in, and then go to straight to Immigration etc.

if not, which lounge am I entitled to?

cheers!

 

[dajop]

You can access the SQ lounge after immigration, which would seem more sensible unless in desperate need of refreshment before going through immigration and security.

 

[Deskorpio]

You can access the SQ lounge after immigration, which would seem more sensible unless in desperate need of refreshment before going through immigration and security.

thanks dajop!
So impracticality aside, I will actually be allowed in the VA lounge though flying internationally ? SQ lounge in Perth is so sad

 

[henrus]

Officially the answer is no. The rules used to allow for it but when Virgin/Air NZ split they changed the wording in the rules which removed access for VA Gold/Platinum's to the VA lounges before partner flights. I suspect this is because of the Wellington lounge.

It doesn't hurt to ask and see what happens.

The wording is currently:

As a complimentary benefit of their Velocity Membership, each Velocity Platinum Member and Velocity Gold Member may access the Lounge in their relevant departure port when travelling on an Eligible Flight.

An Eligible Flight is now defined as:

(e) Eligible Flight means an individual’s next onward: (i) Domestic Flight departing on the same day; or (ii) Trans-Tasman Flight departing on the same day. (c) Domestic Flight means a flight with Virgin Australia originating and terminating within Australia. (t) Trans-Tasman Flight means a flight with Virgin Australia: (i) departing Australia where the destination of that flight is within New Zealand; or (ii) departing New Zealand where the destination of that flight is within Australia.

It used to be (prior to the Air NZ split)

c) Each Velocity Gold Member and Velocity Platinum Member receives complimentary access to the Virgin Australia lounge as a benefit of their Velocity Membership. Velocity Platinum Members and Velocity Gold Members may access the lounge by displaying their Membership Card and same day boarding pass for flights on Virgin Australia or Eligible Partner Airlines.

Back then Eligible Partner airline was defined as:

e) “Eligible Partner Airline” means an airline which has entered into a commercial agreement with Virgin Australia and whose guests may access the Virgin Australia lounge, as published on the Virgin Australia website from time to time.

 

[dajop]

Officially the answer is no. The rules used to allow for it but when Virgin/Air NZ split they changed the wording in the rules which removed access for VA Gold/Platinum's to the VA lounges before partner flights.

One exception to this would surely be CBR, prior to SQ flights, where the VA lounge is the nominated lounge for such flights.

 

[henrus]

One exception to this would surely be CBR, prior to SQ flights, where the VA lounge is the nominated lounge for such flights.

​

Yep oddly that doesn't get mentioned anywhere in Virgin's Lounge access T&C's.

 

[blueturkey]

I've had inconsistent experience with this in MEL. The first time (2017) i tried to access domestic lounge prior to check-in opened for SQ, i showed the lounge my SQ booking ref and WP card they let me in. Last time (2018) i had SQ boarding pass and wanted to sneak in for a coffee prior to going through immigration and security, i was told a firm no. unless i had a VA boarding pass (arrival or departing) i wasn't allowed in. perhaps the rules have changed as per henrus comment.

 

[Deskorpio]

thanks @blueturkey.
I guess its a no then

 

[Stealthflyer]

I recently used the Domestic Melbourne lounge before a SQ flight, but I was transiting from a VA domestic flight so maybe that’s different. I had a long stopover and so there was an annoying point where the Virgin lounge closed for the evening and the SQ lounge was yet to open (it opens 3 hours before a flight). I tried my luck at the Etihad/Virgin international lounge but you apparently have to be flying on an Etihad or Virgin International plane in order to access that lounge. It’s all very confusing. I wish there was more consistency and flexibility.

 

[Deskorpio]

I recently used the Domestic Melbourne lounge before a SQ flight, but I was transiting from a VA domestic flight so maybe that’s different. I had a long stopover and so there was an annoying point where the Virgin lounge closed for the evening and the SQ lounge was yet to open (it opens 3 hours before a flight). I tried my luck at the Etihad/Virgin international lounge but you apparently have to be flying on an Etihad or Virgin International plane in order to access that lounge. It’s all very confusing. I wish there was more consistency and flexibility.

The fact that you had a VA boarding pass that same day made the whole difference i believe. .
Velocity responded to my email just now and long story short, the answer is no