Lounge Access - 2 Hours Before

[thegeekinasuit]

Hi guys,

VA lounge rules indicate that you can only enter max of 2 hours before flights. If I end up at the airport say 3 hours before (for example if I travelling to the airport from a few hours away and worried about traffic) will this be strictly enforced?

 

[Dr Ralph]

It has been enforced against me.

 

[ap_spd]

thegeekinasuit do u have a status with VA. For WP and SG I think VA is pretty flexible..

 

[OATEK]

I have been there outside the 2 hours travelling in J on a reward ticket, and they didn't say boo.

 

[JohnK]

I don't get there early too often but it has never been enforced for me.

 

[Blackswan]

Seriously? This is a rule?

I'm starting to get over VA lounges. No spirits, very average food, overcrowding (SYD and MEL), slow WIFI. Even the new PER lounge hasn't impressed me.

I try and avoid the lounge now, and anything in excess of two hours would be torture.

 

[kpc]

Hi guys,

VA lounge rules indicate that you can only enter max of 2 hours before flights. If I end up at the airport say 3 hours before (for example if I travelling to the airport from a few hours away and worried about traffic) will this be strictly enforced?

I didn't even know there was such a rule....rarely, if ever, would i get to a domestic VA lounge 2 hours before a flight but if I have, this rule has never been enforced on me.

 

[samh004]

It has been enforced against me.

I've only ever had it enforced on a lounge pass. I think for actual status holders it's not an issue, otherwise there'd be very little point to "fly ahead" being a benefit

 

[Buzzard]

Never been enforced on me/us either. Arrived at the lounge almost 4 hours early last Sunday and the only thing asked was if we would like to be moved to an earlier flight.
The early flight ended up being about an hour late as the aircraft was struck by lightning NTL-MEL and went tech.

 

[cory]

Never been enforced for me.

 

[MarkD]

Never enforced here either. Lately i have only been arriving with just enough time for a coffee and then boarding. As stated above, kind of over lounges anyway and VA domestic are pretty basic.

 

[Milefest]

It only applies purchase on arrival and lounge pass pax.

Platinum and Gold can access the lounge anytime on the same day of departure from the departing and arriving airport.
Lounge members and business class can access the lounge anytime on the same day of departure from the departing airport.

Source:

If you are a Virgin Australia Lounge member or Velocity Platinum or Gold member, present your membership card and your flight itinerary (or boarding pass) – for onward domestic travel with Virgin Australia on the day – for access to the Virgin Australia Lounge.

Velocity Platinum members can access the Virgin Australia Lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or partner airline itinerary (or boarding pass).

Subject to space availability, Velocity Gold members may also access the Virgin Australia Lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or partner airline itinerary (or boarding pass).

Non-Members (non-Velocity and non-Virgin Australia Lounge members) travelling with Virgin Australia can purchase Single Entry to the lounge on the day of travel with a valid Virgin Australia boarding pass for $65. Payable at lounge reception by credit card only and can only be used a maximum of 2 hours before departure time.

 

[thegeekinasuit]

Thanks guys, I am on Silver so will be using the 2 complimentary passes that come with it. Will be Gold after this return trip.

I know I shouldn't be getting to the airport so early but I have I guess an unhealthy fear of missing a flight.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Never been enforced in my case either, I am PS, and only ever use the 2 free per year.
No one has come chasing after me, guess its hard to enforce, but its just to cover their own back.
They can if they really wanted to, by asking what flight you are on, but for me, so far, they have not done it.

 

[a1ring23]

Never been enforced here.

 

[Hvr]

Never been enforced here.

Where's here? Your home city or your home?

 

[a1ring23]

Where's here? Your home city or your home?

At any of the virgin lounges I've been to.

 

[Denali]

9. 30am flight and was sitting in the Sydney lounge at 6.38... My husband likes to get here really early to get his monies worth at the lounge

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Seriously? This is a rule?

I'm starting to get over VA lounges. No spirits, very average food, overcrowding (SYD and MEL), slow WIFI. Even the new PER lounge hasn't impressed me.

I try and avoid the lounge now, and anything in excess of two hours would be torture.

I can't imagine it would ever be enforced – I've spent 6 hours in the old PER lounge after coming back from SIN and that's definitely torture.

That said, VA and QF's lounges (and let's be honest, they're basically the same) are brilliant. They're not F lounges, so you do need to manage your expectations, but they serve their purpose very well.

I wouldn't have said this a few weeks ago, but having flown a bit of short-haul around Europe, all I want is to have the VA WP experience again. It's unbelievably comfortable compared to the coughpy experience you get here – either J or status.

Just remember – we have it so ​good.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

overcrowding (SYD and MEL), slow WIFI.

Although I agree with your sentiments about the VA lounges, I think that rule is only there for the situation you mention (edited and quoted above).

I have from time to time arrived early due to the job finishing early but most times I've been flown ahead. I can only remember once that I couldn't fly ahead due to pax numbers (full) and they had absolutely no problems with me waiting in the lounge. I'm with the others though, if I can at all help it, I wouldn't be arriving too early.