Int. Lounge Acess Changes from Nov. 1 2016

[Meggsy]

If flying to NZ you still use NZ lounge and are entitled to three visitors as I read it. That wasn't the case in the past?

The three guest part? I've used that privilege a number of times over a few years now so it has been the case for some time.

 

[andrewpf]

Do any other airlines use the Etihad lounge aside from Etihad and Virgin?

Because it appears that the two flights to Abu Dhabi depart in the afternoon and evening, and VA1 departs in the morning; so crowding perhaps might not be such an issue?

 

[serfty]

If flying to NZ you still use NZ lounge and are entitled to three visitors as I read it. That wasn't the case in the past?

The three guest part? I've used that privilege a number of times over a few years now so it has been the case for some time.

It certainly was available from the start of the VA/NZ relationship.

FWIW, When I was an AirNZ *E, I was allowed up to 5 guests in NZ lounges.

 

[suze2000]

Hubby just found out about the Lounge access changes. He's livid, because he's WP and we live in MEL, where the arrangements are dire.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Hubby just found out about the Lounge access changes. He's livid, because he's WP and we live in MEL, where the arrangements are dire.

Yes, using the domestic lounge for international flights is far from ideal... although it's likely this arrangement to change once Virgin Australia restarts MEL-LAX flights next year.

 

[Warks]

The three guest part? I've used that privilege a number of times over a few years now so it has been the case for some time.

Hmmm. In Jan 2015 I had two family members knocked back on entry - I thought it was because the kids had reached an age where they couldn't pass for 12 or under any more. The next time I didn't even try.

 

[AviationNZ]

Hmmm. In Jan 2015 I had two family members knocked back on entry - I thought it was because the kids had reached an age where they couldn't pass for 12 or under any more. The next time I didn't even try.

Remember that the 3 guests are for Platinum VA members, not Gold, whom only get one.

 

[VA777]

Very confusing, you'd think by now VA would have enough flights ex SYD and BNE to consider their own lounge.

 

[VA777]

Pity there is still no lounge for POM (although the new departure area is not too bad

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Pity there is still no lounge for POM (although the new departure area is not too bad

The new int departure lounge in POM is great IMHO. I much prefer it to a lounge.

 

[Falcs]

Well, this is ridiculous. Do they have some muppet running their lounge scheme trying to save a few $?

*Brisbane, Australia	Air New Zealand Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Virgin Australia operated services to New Zealand
*Brisbane, Australia	Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Virgin Australia operated services to Los Angeles
*Brisbane, Australia	Plaza Premium Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Virgin Australia operated services to Denpasar and Pacific Islands

*Sydney, Australia	Etihad Airways First and Business Class Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Virgin Australia operated services to Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi only
*Sydney, Australia	Air New Zealand Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Virgin Australia operated services to New Zealand destinations.
*Sydney, Australia	Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Access available when travelling on services to Denpasar, Nadi and Nuku'alofa only
*Sydney, Australia	SkyTeam Exclusive Lounge (From 1 November 2016)	Virgin Australia operated services to Apia only.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well, this is ridiculous. Do they have some muppet running their lounge scheme]

C'mon, that's an unfair slur on Muppets! I actually wonder what the travel industry at large think of it? Amateur hour or just blatant incompetence?

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

Are they doing it to save money or was this the only way to save their lounge access?

It kinda looks like:
- NZ said 'Trans Tasman we have to stay friends but otherwise it's over between us - get out of our lounges; you're not welcome'
- VA went to SQ and they said 'fine you can come in here but don't bring too many people (just the 737 routes in SYD) and only when we're not busy (LAX in BNE)
- VA went to EY and they took a few other flights during their quiet times
- VA ran out of friends and paid Plaza Premium and SkyTeam for the leftovers except there were no unaligned options in MEL so they resorted to the domestic lounge (IMO a voucher is a much better proposition in this case)

 

[blueturkey]

*Melbourne, Australia

Virgin Australia lounge (From 1 November 2016) Note: located in T3 Virgin Australia domestic terminal

Velocity Platinum membership Access available when travelling on services to Pacific Island destinations.

1

So they've given us access to the MEL domestic lounge when traveling on international services to pacific islands. Is this a joke??!

How will this even work? Sit in the lounge then try rush through immigration and security. Will they call the pacific island flights within the lounge? Maybe i'll take my time going through and do some duty free shopping while i'm at it. They'll hold the flight right?

 

[VA777]

I can see how this works in Adelaide (Both VA and QF do this), but MEL - this will be a bit of a disaster.

*Melbourne, Australia

Virgin Australia lounge (From 1 November 2016) Note: located in T3 Virgin Australia domestic terminal

Velocity Platinum membership Access available when travelling on services to Pacific Island destinations.

1

So they've given us access to the MEL domestic lounge when traveling on international services to pacific islands. Is this a joke??!

How will this even work? Sit in the lounge then try rush through immigration and security. Will they call the pacific island flights within the lounge? Maybe i'll take my time going through and do some duty free shopping while i'm at it. They'll hold the flight right?

 

[Tremere]

How will this even work? Sit in the lounge then try rush through immigration and security. Will they call the pacific island flights within the lounge? Maybe i'll take my time going through and do some duty free shopping while i'm at it. They'll hold the flight right?

Will they give out express passes for customs or is that too generous?

 

[suze2000]

How will this even work? Sit in the lounge then try rush through immigration and security. Will they call the pacific island flights within the lounge? Maybe i'll take my time going through and do some duty free shopping while i'm at it. They'll hold the flight right?

Yes, my post about that got lost.

Isn't the point of a lounge so you can get through the massive queue for checkin, say goodbye to loved ones (shed a tear), pass security and immigration, navigate the mouse maze through duty free, before finding the lounge and collapsing in it with a stiff drink to clear your head? How is one supposed to relax in the lounge if you know all of that is ahead of you? What even is the point of arriving to the airport early? You may as well checkin online and arrive as late as possible because there's going to be nothing to redeem the experience.

 

[anat0l]

Yes, my post about that got lost.

Isn't the point of a lounge so you can get through the massive queue for checkin, say goodbye to loved ones (shed a tear), pass security and immigration, navigate the mouse maze through duty free, before finding the lounge and collapsing in it with a stiff drink to clear your head? How is one supposed to relax in the lounge if you know all of that is ahead of you? What even is the point of arriving to the airport early? You may as well checkin online and arrive as late as possible because there's going to be nothing to redeem the experience.

Well, the first two activities can be done with both an airside and landside lounge. In fact, I wonder if you could bring non-travelling guests with you into the MEL lounge (when you are on an international ticket)?

If you are eligible for lounge access, barring being on a lounge subscription, there shouldn't be a massive queue at check-in for you.

I suppose with this setup at MEL, you will nominally leave the lounge at around T-75 to T-60, which gives you ample time to get through security and procedures in time for boarding; allow more time if you need to do TRS or any shopping.

I don't know if MEL has outbound SmartGate, but that process considerably speeds up the waiting in that part, barring those who don't know how to use the system or don't fill out the green card before they enqueue.

As it stands, this arrangement only applies to Pacific Island flights out of MEL (of which there appears to be only one destination, NAN). I guess VA didn't think too much about the demographic of people who fly this route.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Well, the first two activities can be done with both an airside and landside lounge. In fact, I wonder if you could bring non-travelling guests with you into the MEL lounge (when you are on an international ticket)?

If you are eligible for lounge access, barring being on a lounge subscription, there shouldn't be a massive queue at check-in for you.

I suppose with this setup at MEL, you will nominally leave the lounge at around T-75 to T-60, which gives you ample time to get through security and procedures in time for boarding; allow more time if you need to do TRS or any shopping.

I don't know if MEL has outbound SmartGate, but that process considerably speeds up the waiting in that part, barring those who don't know how to use the system or don't fill out the green card before they enqueue.

As it stands, this arrangement only applies to Pacific Island flights out of MEL (of which there appears to be only one destination, NAN). I guess VA didn't think too much about the demographic of people who fly this route.

MEL is a basket case for Int departures now. Fast track security but no Fast Track SmartGates.
It will be a very poor experience indeed for VA's international status and premium cabin pax.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

MEL is a basket case for Int departures now. Fast track security but no Fast Track SmartGates.
It will be a very poor experience indeed for VA's international status and premium cabin pax.

PF by 'Fast Track' security do you mean the alleged 'Express' security where they send you left as you enter Inter Dep but then end up in what is usually the busiest security line?

By 'Fast Track SmartGates' do you mean there are zero designated Smart Gates for Prem Cabin pax? I have never waited longer than like a minute to access Smart Gates at MEL in dozens of deps.