General VA Lounge Discussion (2021 onwards)

[simmomelb]

Either way, that is very odd for the coffee bar not to be open at 10am :/

 

[Jurahn]

Either way, that is very odd for the coffee bar not to be open at 10am :/

Yes, I would have thought so too.

 

[clifford]

I was in the BNE lounge yesterday afternoon (first time in several years) and was quite impressed with the food offerings (for a domestic plebs lounge). Seating availability was quite good also.

On the alcohol front, the beer selection seemed to be quite good (I enjoyed the Pacific Pale Ale), but the wine selection seemed poor, and the lack of self-pour seemed rather stingy in comparison with the Qantas Club.

So while the Virgin hierarchy persist with this approach, in general I'll continue to favour Qantas, other things being more or less equal.

 

[simmomelb]

I was in the BNE lounge yesterday afternoon (first time in several years) and was quite impressed with the food offerings (for a domestic plebs lounge). Seating availability was quite good also.

On the alcohol front, the beer selection seemed to be quite good (I enjoyed the Pacific Pale Ale), but the wine selection seemed poor, and the lack of self-pour seemed rather stingy in comparison with the Qantas Club.

So while the Virgin hierarchy persist with this approach, in general I'll continue to favour Qantas, other things being more or less equal.

Yeah it's a little odd that some VA Lounges are offering self pouring again (Melbourne, Sydney) yet some of them are not (Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane).
Not that it bothers me that much, but it's just easier to do this yourself.

 

[kyle]

Yeah it's a little odd that some VA Lounges are offering self pouring again (Melbourne, Sydney) yet some of them are not (Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane).
Not that it bothers me that much, but it's just easier to do this yourself.

Wonder if they have anything to do with RSA laws?

 

[antycbr]

Wonder if they have anything to do with RSA laws?

They used to be consistent free pour across the country. There’s no RSA restriction.

 

[simmomelb]

Wonder if they have anything to do with RSA laws?

Great point. I thought that at first but Qantas has self serve drinks in their lounges in those states (apparently).

 

[Mitch_W]

1 guest can enter with you, that is also travelling on Virgin Australia, on the same day, can access "The Lounge" with SQ Gold.

Source: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/ppsclub-krisflyer/krisflyer/krisflyer-elite-gold/benefits/

Thanks simmomelb,
No problem with access at all on SQ Gold. Quite impressed with the new lounge as well. Good breakfast offerings when we were there!
Also wanted to ask….. We are flying J to Queenstown in November and from what I have read, there is no lounge access at SYD or ZQN. Being SQ Gold, can we use the SQ Lounge? If not are there any other options?

 

[simmomelb]

Thanks simmomelb,
No problem with access at all on SQ Gold. Quite impressed with the new lounge as well. Good breakfast offerings when we were there!
Also wanted to ask….. We are flying J to Queenstown in November and from what I have read, there is no lounge access at SYD or ZQN. Being SQ Gold, can we use the SQ Lounge? If not are there any other options?

No lounge access in any international terminals when travelling on a VA aircraft. I think that'll change soon but nothing for the time being, unfortunately.
The only way around it is if you hold an Amex card which includes lounge access or to pay for lounge entry.

 

[Mitch_W]

No lounge access in any international terminals when travelling on a VA aircraft. I think that'll change soon but nothing for the time being, unfortunately.
The only way around it is if you hold an Amex card which includes lounge access or to pay for lounge entry.

Are yes, I’d forgotten about the Amex Lounge. I have access to that so will be fine. Cheers!

 

[Airbumps]

No lounge access in any international terminals when travelling on a VA aircraft. I think that'll change soon but nothing for the time being, unfortunately.
The only way around it is if you hold an Amex card which includes lounge access or to pay for lounge entry.

I find it pathetic that Virgin are yet to open any of their international lounges. They've been doing international travel for some time. At the very least they could make arrangements for their elites and business class travelers to use one of the many other lounges at MEL, SYD or BNE. Its not like it would cost them that much, they don't operate that many international flights!

I'm flying out of Melbourne to Bali next weekend with the family (four adults). All in J but with no VA status and no eligible AMEX cards (unless the Platinum Edge Credit Card has become eligible?). Asside from forking out $65 each for the Marhaba Lounge does anybody know of any other options?

Damn VA.

Cheers

 

[simmomelb]

I find it pathetic that Virgin are yet to open any of their international lounges. They've been doing international travel for some time. At the very least they could make arrangements for their elites and business class travelers to use one of the many other lounges at MEL, SYD or BNE. Its not like it would cost them that much, they don't operate that many international flights!

I'm flying out of Melbourne to Bali next weekend with the family (four adults). All in J but with no VA status and no eligible AMEX cards (unless the Platinum Edge Credit Card has become eligible?). Asside from forking out $65 each for the Marhaba Lounge does anybody know of any other options?

Damn VA.

Cheers

I couldn't agree with you more..
As a platinum flyer with well over 2000 status points currently and flights booked to Bali and Queenstown on VA operated flights, it certainly questions my loyalty.
The odd thing is that I have a Qatar flight booked and I have access to a lounge with VA/Velocity Gold or Platinum status flying on a partner airline but not directly with them - this makes no sense whatsoever.
I hope they address this very soon or I'll certainly question my options.

 

[Airbumps]

I couldn't agree with you more..
As a platinum flyer with well over 2000 status points currently and flights booked to Bali and Queenstown on VA operated flights, it certainly questions my loyalty.
The odd thing is that I have a Qatar flight booked and I have access to a lounge with VA/Velocity Gold or Platinum status flying on a partner airline but not directly with them - this makes no sense whatsoever.
I hope they address this very soon or I'll certainly question my options.

Hi Simon,

Yes, the fact that they have been spruiking the amazing lounge access VA Elites get when flying SQ, AC and UA etc etc makes even more of a mockery of the fact the VA elites on VA flights get nothing!

 

[PLANT]

Bring back the POOL table #Melbourne
Bloody maze to get to seating areas.... no tomato sauce for hot food..... seriously

 

[juliusg]

Perth lounge today (Wed 14 Sept) had abysmal breakfast and lunch choices. Anyone agree?

 

[Stealthflyer]

Hi Simon,

Yes, the fact that they have been spruiking the amazing lounge access VA Elites get when flying SQ, AC and UA etc etc makes even more of a mockery of the fact the VA elites on VA flights get nothing!

Can we not access the House before VA operated international flights? Or have things changed post Covid?

 

[simmomelb]

Not now. The House which was owned by Etihad and managed by Etihad and VA was sold off.
That's not to say they won't sign off on a partner agreement with the new owners in the future.
In my opinion it's only a matter of time.
You can't not offer some sort of Lounge for Gold, Platinum and Business Class in international - long term, as a mid market operator.
Thoughts?

 

[Stealthflyer]

Not now. The House which was owned by Etihad and managed by Etihad and VA was sold off.
That's not to say they won't sign off on a partner agreement with the new owners in the future.
In my opinion it's only a matter of time.
You can't not offer some sort of Lounge for Gold, Platinum and Business Class in international - long term, as a mid market operator.
Thoughts?

It’s definitely enough to make me look at other airlines for a Bali trip I’d like to take in the next year. Half my VA domestic flights already don’t include lounge access because my home port of HBA doesn’t have one. I can put up with that. However, because the connections between HBA and international flights can often be quite long, the international lounge is a deal breaker for me. Sometimes I’ll go into the domestic lounge on arrival for a flat white before going through to international, but that’s not quite the same.

 

[simmomelb]

It’s definitely enough to make me look at other airlines for a Bali trip I’d like to take in the next year. Half my VA domestic flights already don’t include lounge access because my home port of HBA doesn’t have one. I can put up with that. However, because the connections between HBA and international flights can often be quite long, the international lounge is a deal breaker for me. Sometimes I’ll go into the domestic lounge on arrival for a flat white before going through to international, but that’s not quite the same.

I hear you.
I am off to Bali in March, but I'm quietly confident they'll have something by then, at least for the departure out of Melbourne.
I'm keeping a close eye on this one

 

[MooTime]

Going to Bali you don't deserve a lounge, it's the pits of a destination & I haven't even been there & never will, full of aussie bogans.

I know flying international on VA partners you get SQ lounge, not sure if this is all partners or just UA.
At least your bags will arrive at your destination.