I'm in the VA Lounge thread

[JohnK]

Just made check-in back to BNE.

SYD lounge for a few minutes drinking some water.

 

[VPS]

In the Melbourne Virgin lounge until about 4.45 pm

 

[Must...Fly!]

SYD lounge until ~1630, can guest 2. Did my good deed for the day, gold trying to get in 2 guests and (rightly) turned away so I offered one of my spots. They were quite grateful (and the staff didn't care)

 

[Milefest]

SYD lounge until ~1630, can guest 2. Did my good deed for the day, gold trying to get in 2 guests and (rightly) turned away so I offered one of my spots. They were quite grateful (and the staff didn't care)

I've seen this happen and tried to offer my guest allowance but I've been told in these situations that you have to know the guest?

 

[Must...Fly!]

I've seen this happen and tried to offer my guest allowance but I've been told in these situations that you have to know the guest?

Well, I don't think that's a rule. Either way as I said the staff didn't care. The way I see it, I'm not selling/gaining from using the guest spot (which would understandably breach the Velocity T&Cs). Unless they want us to prove the relationship to everyone we're guesting...

Depends on the staff I guess. In contrast, my brother and two mates hopped on the airport train with me in Perth to try it out one day I was flying to Melbourne. I guested them in to the lounge so we could have some coffee/breakfast together. The death stare I got from the staff member was unreal.

 

[Must...Fly!]

MEL lounge yesterday had an excellent spread, usual salads, two soups, sandwiches, cheese, sweets.

SYD now, can guest 3 until about 1730.

Usual spread here, afternoon offering of pies and sausage rolls in addition to everything else. trying to resist the unhealthier options to enjoy the Business meal later...

Update: The sausage rolls are of very good quality.

 

[henrus]

VA lounge last night in SYD they kicked everyone out at 9:30pm, was a total mess with a couple of delayed flights and a few cancellations, a bit misleading to say it shuts at last departure when in reality it's 9:30pm.

 

[Must...Fly!]

VA lounge last night in SYD they kicked everyone out at 9:30pm, was a total mess with a couple of delayed flights and a few cancellations, a bit misleading to say it shuts at last departure when in reality it's 9:30pm.

Feedback direct to VA. Could be possible they didn't have the staff to extend opening hours but either way that needs to be fed back. Not good enough.

 

[henrus]

Feedback direct to VA. Could be possible they didn't have the staff to extend opening hours but either way that needs to be fed back. Not good enough.

It appeared to be more the two VA staff at the front desk who wanted to go home/end shift, catering staff didn't appear to be going anywhere and were still keeping things topped up right until 9:20pm when they told everyone to leave. It's not as if the place was empty either, there were lots of people around on two delayed flights with many eyes glued to the TV screen for the world cup final.

The whole ground experience in Sydney left a lot to be desired as I mentioned here - What is Virgin Australia's strategy (post-administration)?

 

[Must...Fly!]

There's a lot of reasons the lounge might close before the last flight departs but to be honest, even if it's the case management are refusing overtime and therefore it has a hard close time - they need that negative feedback so they know the decisions are wrong.

 

[Nemeca]

Well, I don't think that's a rule. Either way as I said the staff didn't care. The way I see it, I'm not selling/gaining from using the guest spot (which would understandably breach the Velocity T&Cs). Unless they want us to prove the relationship to everyone we're guesting...

Depends on the staff I guess. In contrast, my brother and two mates hopped on the airport train with me in Perth to try it out one day I was flying to M

I don’t believe it is a rule either. In any case you can just walk outside together, introduce yourselves, then walk back in and say (quite honestly) “yes, I know them”. Easy.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

VA lounge last night in SYD they kicked everyone out at 9:30pm, was a total mess with a couple of delayed flights and a few cancellations, a bit misleading to say it shuts at last departure when in reality it's 9:30pm.

Happened a few Sundays ago (6 August) when I was heading north on VA999. Flight delayed to 2145 boarding but PA announcement at 2120 advising closing shortly and then contract staff (not the VA staffers) came by at 2130. Probably about 10-15 pax still in the lounge at that point. Got to the escalators and lift, and discovered they were both shut off...got told by the VA staffers to head out the entry and then downstairs to gate. Didn't think too much of it as we were the only flight delayed, but I'm guessing it might be coming from above (I.e. no overtime).

 

[Axe_L_Thief]

Does anyone know if I as a Gold Member can use either of the two single entry lounge passes I obtained when I achieved silver to bring a second adult into the lounge with me?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Good question, 6.3 (C) indicates maybe.

Lounge terms and conditions | Virgin Australia

www.virginaustralia.com

 

[MooTime]

Does anyone know if I as a Gold Member can use either of the two single entry lounge passes I obtained when I achieved silver to bring a second adult into the lounge with me?

Possibly depends on the dragon as going back travelling in J I was given the hard line trying to bring in a guest as was told if I'm in business I can't use the SG guest allocation. Very odd, but tough pursuing your case against a dragon if you don't have a dead set rule in front of you.

I'd say you'll be fine though, just always prepare for the worst imo.

 

[Must...Fly!]

if I'm in business I can't use the SG guest allocation

Who employs/trains these people?

Just use the automated kiosk, avoid idiots that spew rubbish like that

 

[MooTime]

Who employs/trains these people?

Just use the automated kiosk, avoid idiots that spew rubbish like that

Ha true. Always an odd ball somewhere. God knows our company employ them.

Always use mel kiosks these days, but syd seem to always hit the desk, which I don't mind. Human interaction all good.

Although do use self serve checkout at supermarkets.

 

[TraumaMonster]

Does anyone know if I as a Gold Member can use either of the two single entry lounge passes I obtained when I achieved silver to bring a second adult into the lounge with me?

I got the sense from the Virgin Lounge Team the last time I asked them whether a Silver single pass could be used was yes, but the guest had to be travelling with you on the day. YMMV and I guess it depends on the interpretation of the person on the day.

"Lounge passes are non-transferable and must be used by either the member or the member and an accompanying guest.

If a member holds a Virgin Australia lounge membership, they can use both lounge passes for accompanying guests. Guests must always be accompanied by the member and must be traveling on the same day."

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

In the (rather empty) VA lounge at SYD until 12:30.

Spread looks good, but in an effort not to waste last night's leftovers I stuffed my face before I left the house today, so just a coffee for me today.

Can confirm the ABC is on the screens though perhaps a lost opportunity for them not to replay the recording of AJ's Senate Committee grilling yesterday.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

BNE lounge busy but manageable this morning.

Breakfast spread looked fine, but lunch is particularly nice today. A wide range of salads and cold eats, sandwiches, a tasty spicy chilli/corn/pepper soup, and a creamy, burnt butter/sage rigatoni. One of those days where I'm reminded how much better it is than the Qantas Club.

Coffee queues were pretty hectic but staff did their best to keep up. Quite a few people using the new self-serve machines. Staff (mostly) keeping up with empty plates.