Can I use domestic lounge in MEL while waiting for international flight?

[Lizzi]

Hi all,
I've got a domestic-international connection in MEL coming up, and since there's a bit of time in the connection, I'm going to meet a friend for brekky. She's not flying, so I'm guessing I can't guest her into the Koru lounge since it's airside past security and customs etc. I'm wondering if I can use the Velocity lounge in the domestic terminal on arrival to freshen up before we catch up (I'll have an international boarding pass for later in the day but not a domestic one) or if the only lounge I will be able to use at that time is the Koru?

Thanks!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Are you arriving on the domestic leg on VA? Are you travelling in J or are you SG or WP?

 

[Lizzi]

Are you arriving on the domestic leg on VA? Are you travelling in J or are you SG or WP?

Yep, I'm arriving on VA J, leaving on VA J and am gold too.

 

[KCMil]

This is from the lounge entry T&C's:

"Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can access the Virgin Australia lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or Partner Airline boarding pass or itinerary."

It doesn't mention guests in particular. Though if you use your gold card for entry to the lounge you don't need to go to the desk, just swipe on the automated unit as you go in and select 1 guest. It doesn't track whether you are pre or post travel entry.

It is important to note that J class guests do not have post travel entry rights to the lounge if they are not Velocity Gold or Platinum. But you are covered.

 

[Lizzi]

Thanks! Perfect

This is from the lounge entry T&C's:

"Subject to space availability, Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can access the Virgin Australia lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or Partner Airline boarding pass or itinerary."

It doesn't mention guests in particular. Though if you use your gold card for entry to the lounge you don't need to go to the desk, just swipe on the automated unit as you go in and select 1 guest. It doesn't track whether you are pre or post travel entry.

It is important to note that J class guests do not have post travel entry rights to the lounge if they are not Velocity Gold or Platinum. But you are covered.

 

[drewbles]

The 'Arrivals' clause isn't even relevant. You're travelling onwards with VA, regardless of it being Int or Dom. I've often just popped into the VA Lounge in MEL with a friend for coffee prior to jumping over to the International terminal to fly out with VA long haul. You'll be gladly welcomed as your next flight is with VA

 

[Fruitcake]

The 'Arrivals' clause isn't even relevant. You're travelling onwards with VA, regardless of it being Int or Dom. I've often just popped into the VA Lounge in MEL with a friend for coffee prior to jumping over to the International terminal to fly out with VA long haul. You'll be gladly welcomed as your next flight is with VA

Well... as always with VA, that might be a bit fluid:
Virgin Australia's Airport Lounges | Virgin Australia

Note: Access to the Virgin Australia lounge is for onward Virgin Australia (or trans Tasman on Air New Zealand) eligible Members and guests with onward domestic travel. Access is not available when travelling internationally with Virgin Australia, and is subject to Terms and Conditions and the Virgin Australia lounge rules.

(Emphasis mine.)
Although that paragraph is a bit borked, because it implies that you can access a domestic lounge ahead of an NZ-operated trans-Tasman flight but not a VA-operated trans-Tasman flight which seems illogical.

But if you then go to the lounge rules, you learn that...

Members may access the lounge in the relevant departure port when their next onward flight on that day is with Virgin Australia or an Eligible Partner Airline.

No mention of international there. In fact, it implies that a paid Lounge member could access a domestic lounge ahead of a flight on a partner airline (ie flying Y on HA) which I do not think is VA's intention.

 

[Lizzi]

Ah well, I guess I'll just try it and see. It's not the end of the world if I can't.

 

[Fruitcake]

Ah well, I guess I'll just try it and see. It's not the end of the world if I can't.

I expect you'll be fine. Arrivals access is a published benefit for Gold so that should override everything. And MEL lounge staff are well known for reasonable interpretations of the rules.

 

[drewbles]

Well... as always with VA, that might be a bit fluid:
Virgin Australia's Airport Lounges | Virgin Australia

(Emphasis mine.)
Although that paragraph is a bit borked, because it implies that you can access a domestic lounge ahead of an NZ-operated trans-Tasman flight but not a VA-operated trans-Tasman flight which seems illogical.

But if you then go to the lounge rules, you learn that...

No mention of international there. In fact, it implies that a paid Lounge member could access a domestic lounge ahead of a flight on a partner airline (ie flying Y on HA) which I do not think is VA's intention.

Wow. ok I stand corrected thanks!

That is, as you say, borked. You think it would be in their interest to have you in their lounges rather than the NZ really (even though it's not airside, they're not paying for you to be there like they most likely are for the NZ Koru).

 

[smit0847]

Some of the MEL Lounge staff dont really know what arrivals access is (I was asked if I wanted a boarding pass), so be confident and I doubt you will have any issues. As others have said - they're amongst the most accommodating staff at VA.

 

[JohnK]

Ah well, I guess I'll just try it and see. It's not the end of the world if I can't.

You should not have any issues with arrivals access as a Gold member.

 

[Lizzi]

Thanks for all your help, everyone