New international lounge arrrangements from 28 Oct 2018

[Must...Fly!]

Hi All,

I am currently a regular Virgin Lounge member flying SQ Metal / VA codeshare from BNE through SIN to NRT. Flying economy and was wondering will I have access to SilverKris lounges in both BNE and SIN. The new arrangements have confused the hell out of me.

Unfortunately you won't have access based on my interpretation.

 

[cuttsy96]

Argh spewing, looks like the pre-paid lounges it is! Cheers!

 

[serfty]

Argh spewing, looks like the pre-paid lounges it is! Cheers!

Yes, that's the case. Internationally, Lounge membership only gives access before flights operated by VA.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

 

[johnnyfive]

Anyone know any news on the WLG lounge opening date?

 

[Ausbt]

Flying HX PEK to HKG today and had some hassles at the HNA lounge Term 2. Took a while to get admitted. Nice lounge though.

 

[serfty]

I had no issue accessing a HX lounge at HKG before my flight yesterday to BKK. I asked about an invitation on check-in but was told my VA WP card would suffice - and indeed it did.

FWIW, there can be some 'interesting' fares on HX around Asia - bugger all points at 10% earn in deep discount (e.g. W) but SC's are OK (15 for HKG-BKK).

 

[Ausbt]

Yes no problems at HKG Club Altus for us. But that PEK club is Hainan Airlines so a little different I guess. They also changed our pre-booked seats (without asking) from standard economy to exit row at bulkhead - endless legroom! Very nice indeed and they normally charge for this. Thanks HX. On board the A330 now and ready for a few days in HK before Virgin J back to SYD.

 

[jasecao]

Yes no problems at HKG Club Altus for us. But that PEK club is Hainan Airlines so a little different I guess. They also changed our pre-booked seats (without asking) from standard economy to exit row at bulkhead - endless legroom! Very nice indeed and they normally charge for this. Thanks HX. On board the A330 now and ready for a few days in HK before Virgin J back to SYD.

I went into that PEK lounge in August and yeah it took ages for them to allow me in, the first lady simply refused even after showing the website, the manager took a photocopy of my WP card and allowed me in, unfortunately my flight was 11am, and they had the nice made to order food at Midday (the photos had peking duck)

 

[Ausbt]

they had the nice made to order food at Midday (the photos had peking duck)

Yes good point - the nice food really only comes out at 11:30 am I believe, we missed it too. However, I was craving salad so enjoyed that for breakfast. Also Haagan Daz ice cream - 4 different flavours available. The cloying service was a little annoying though - at times even two lounge personnel would be involved, one holding open the cloche lid and another watching on. As is usual in any Chinese shop, someone following you around at all times standing by in case you might need anything.

 

[tm.smile]

Just flew HU from TPE to HAK on Monday then HAK to SYD last night.

At every interaction with staff in both TPE and HAk, I had issues getting them to understand VA was a partner airline. I had to show check in agents, lounge staff etc the Hainan Airlines website that VA was a partner before they even entertained the idea that I would be able to access any sort of FF benefits. The best was the groundstaff who work for CI insisting that HU partnered with QF and not VA...

 

[AIRwin]

Just booked a flight out of BNE over Christmas with the current double status credits promotion, so looking forward to reading reviews of the new lounge...

 

[MH_fan]

Just booked a flight out of BNE over Christmas with the current double status credits promotion, so looking forward to reading reviews of the new lounge...

If it's even opened by then... No updates about the VA international lounge and we're already almost into the 2nd week of Feb...

 

[SheikYerbouti]

If I read it correctly, flying Syd - NZ on a VA plane, as WP I can only guest my wife into the new House lounge - not my two kids.

If I fly to Perth - a longer flight - the kids can come into the lounge. But a flight to NZ, they can't. Seems a bit of a disincentive to choose VA.

Which means we now sit in the terminal for a couple of hours before the flight. Silly me, if I can't get into the lounge I should have just bought the cheaper QF fare for the same route and flown on a full service A380 rather than a basic VA plane.

 

[henrus]

If I read it correctly, flying Syd - NZ on a VA plane, as WP I can only guest my wife into the new House lounge - not my two kids.

If your kids are under 12 then you can bring them in.

This is slightly less flexible than Qantas who allow "kids" 17 and under.

Silly me, if I can't get into the lounge I should have just bought the cheaper QF fare for the same route and flown on a full service A380 rather than a basic VA plane.

Don't think Qantas fly A380's across the tasman, at least not yet

 

[AIRwin]

Don't think Qantas fly A380's across the tasman, at least not yet

SYD-CHC operated by EK on a QF codeshare?

 

[henrus]

SYD-CHC operated by EK on a QF codeshare?

Yeh that's a good point but technically it's EK operated... Can't wait for the day an actual QF A380 does it... we've seen 747's from time to time but can't actually think of any QF operated A380's doing regular flights across the ditch.

 

[Pleb Status]

SYD-CHC operated by EK on a QF codeshare?

If codeshares are counted then I hear that the VA A380 F suites to LHR are very nice (operated by SQ of course)....

 

[RAM]

Yes, that's the case. Internationally, Lounge membership only gives access before flights operated by VA.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

The lounge access differs by 'partner airline' and what VFF status you have.

We recently used the Lufthansa lounge in Munich for the VA codeshare flight operated by Eithad with no problems (other than the entry blocker being a trainee and needing to call over the supervisor).

All that was required was a swipe of the VFF Gold card followed by either a swipe of the guest's card or boarding pass. Very painless.

The timing of the evening departure sees virtually sole use of the lounge in the 75 minutes prior to boarding, which can be handy for hiding one's addictions.

Have to hand it to Lufthansa - the lolly/sweet buffet is very good (and popular with all the Lufthansa domestic business travellers). A nice alternative/addition to the normal hot/cold food on offer at other locations inside.

The on-tap/operate yourself Baverian beers are good as well.

Long live the EY/Lufthansa/SIA arrangements!

 

[henrus]

Long live the EY/Lufthansa/SIA arrangements!

Hmmm... I wouldn't agree.

The reason why you got the use the Lufthansa lounge is because that's EY's contract lounge. EY allows partner elites to use their contract lounges which is probably where the good news ends.

If you were flying SQ from a port without an SQ branded/operated lounge then you'd have no access at all because SQ doesn't want to pay for VA (and VS) elites to use the contract/third party lounges they use.

Whilst the EY deal is great, once you fly Delta, Singapore, Hong Kong Airlines, SilkAir etc then you'll realise that the VA partner lounge deal is quite poor in comparison to Star Gold, Oneworld Emerald/Saphire or SkyTeam Elite Plus.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

SYD-CHC operated by EK on a QF codeshare?

Exactly.

Turns out the House allows 2 x under-12s plus 1 adult guest, so luckily its all sorted.