Red Carpert Lounge Access in The Lounge?

[alien]

Hi All,

I have United Red Carpet lounge access and was wondering if I could use this to gain entry into The Lounge whilst flying on VB domestic?

I think I know the answer but just confirming.

 

[clifford]

Yes, you know the answer...

 

[alien]

thanks i thought so

 

[dajop]

Unless of course you are travelling on a "Corporate Plus" fare, in which case you get in to the lounge regardless of whether you're a member or not. Otherwise it's $30 each time you want to access.

 

[Petch]

I have United Red Carpet lounge access and was wondering if I could use this to gain entry into The Lounge whilst flying on VB domestic?

I will assume that your "lounge access" comes from a United Airlines issued card...

But, if you use Priority Pass to access Red Carpet Clubs, then you're in luck, because yes, Priority Pass will also gain you access to Virgin Blue's The Lounges domestically around Australia.

 

[clifford]

It might be worth noting that Priority Pass only has access to RCC's at a small number of airports.

If you want to access RCC's in general, I suggest yo buy a Red Carpet Club membership, and If you want to access Virgin Blue clubs (heaven knows why), buy one of their memberships. Alternatively, don't fly DJ (my recommendation)...

 

[Reggie]

Alternatively, don't fly DJ (my recommendation)...

I'll drink to that, free in the lounge and on board with my included meal.

 

[dajop]

I'll drink to that, free in the lounge and on board with my included meal.

Yes on Friday when I flew up to Sydney on DJ, I missed out on my free drinks in the QP (well would have if I hadn't been a WP) and also missed out a couple of free biscuits (oops sorry gourmet cookies ) and a free drink on board the Q .... mind you, I could have had a decent time at the airport bar with the $300 I saved.

 

[Reggie]

I could have had a decent time at the airport bar with the $300 I saved.

Yes but money isn't everything. MEL-SYD is a lot different flight to SYD-PER.

 

[dajop]

Yes but money isn't everything. MEL-SYD is a lot different flight to SYD-PER.

True - it is very different, especially if in a widebody. Money isn't everything - but I'm sure most of us have our price.

 

[Petch]

It might be worth noting that Priority Pass only has access to RCC's at a small number of airports.

6 out of 23 US Airports, have no access to any terminals' RCC at that airport via PP (as far as I figure it, happy to be proven wrong, especially before I join PP in January) -

• ATL - Concourse T; Delta lounge access available (also A, B, C, D & E - Delta & Continental)
• ORD - Not in Terminal 1, but access in 2, 3 & 5 (Northwest, Continental, Delta & Swiss)
• CLE - Concourse C only (Continental)
• DEN - Not in Terminal B, but access in A & C (Continental, Delta)
• LAX - Not in Terminals 7 or 8, but access in 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 (US Airways, Northwest, Alaska, Delta & Continental)
• IAD - Midfield Terminal, Concourse B only (Northwest)

The key issues, for Australians with PP & flying United, being LAX & ORD, (+ SFO, no in F, yes in G). But, say if Virgin Blue were to join Sky Team (wish list stuff), Priority Pass & Velocity would become a powerful combination in North America, impacting Aussie flyers' choice to use United in the first place.

(I think, it would also impact Qantas Club members, who can only access ACs when flying AA in the US. Reducing the comparative value of the QF offer in North America.)

It is also worth noting that there are locations where United doesn't have RCCs, but PP gets lounge access.

 

[Yada Yada]

Yes but money isn't everything. MEL-SYD is a lot different flight to SYD-PER.

Well, let's look at that. There is a post around here somewhere from me earlier this year about my last trip to Perth --- SYD-PER on Virgin Blue compared with PER-SYD return on Qantas.

Like many others here, I would prefer to fly in a widebody jet to single-aisle aircraft for longer flights and on this occasion it was VB's usual 737-800 versus QF's 747-300. I thought the QF jet would provide the best flight by far. But it was not to be.

On VB, I purchased Blue Zone and was able to confirm in the Lounge before departure that the middle seat was empty. So I had great legroom (better that QF's J) and plenty of elbow room too. It was row 15 so the row in front cannot recline either. During the flight, I purchased a hot lunch (Malaysian style curry) for about $8.00 that was absolutely delicious restaurant quality food.

For the return flight on QF, I asked at check-in if there was an exit row seat available and was given one. Great! Boarded to find myself sitting in an "A" seat with no window, with the emergency slide on the adjacent door impeding my legroom quite a bit. The seat had fixed armrests (because of the PTV screens) making the seat feel more narrow than usual, and the row was completely occupied so there was little elbow room.

The meal they served up was literally inedible. My plastic fork was not able to puncture the mashed potato - it just kind of pushed it down and it sprang back up, and the meat was tough and rubbery. I don't think I've ever seen a worse meal on board any flight.

I could see a number of rows in front of me where the A and C seats were occupied and the B seats were not. It seem my gold status counted for nothing, or perhaps the stupid check-in agent had no clue that she probably moved me into a worse seat that the automatic allocation had given me. You'd think they'd have a clue and would give a damn, but perhaps not. And all of that was after spending time in the overcrowded QP where the aircon could not keep up on a very hot day.

What was worse was that the QF fare was full economy so it cost heaps more than VB, and I was unable to get an upgrade to J using points.

So in the end, Virgin Blue provided more comfortable seating, food and beverage that was extremely good (wish they served hot food on MEL-SYD in the evenings), their usual cheerful service, and all at a price way lower than QF. And you can get off the plane quite quickly too. Compare that with waiting to get off from the back of a 743 after 10pm at night in SYD when you just want to get home.

QF was abysmal by comparison. Thankfully the FA in my section was good as this was the only thing they had going for that flight. Usually the FA's are grumpy/snotty and add to the feeling that QF is a tired old airline.

 

[wallacej]

So in the end, Virgin Blue provided more comfortable seating, food and beverage that was extremely good (wish they served hot food on MEL-SYD in the evenings), their usual cheerful service, and all at a price way lower than QF. And you can get off the plane quite quickly too. Compare that with waiting to get off from the back of a 743 after 10pm at night in SYD when you just want to get home.

QF was abysmal by comparison. Thankfully the FA in my section was good as this was the only thing they had going for that flight. Usually the FA's are grumpy/snotty and add to the feeling that QF is a tired old airline.

I agree with all you said, but most in particular the boarding/deplaning time. You don't spend too long sitting waiting for everyone to get on and off (unless it is raining and the back door cant be used)

 

[clifford]

Usually the FA's are grumpy/snotty and add to the feeling that QF is a tired old airline.

QF may be tired and old, but it does make lots of money. A bit like me, really...

And the hosties are at least over 17 years of age and not giggling girlies (may be OK if you're 18, but not if you're my age)..

 

[clifford]

6 out of 23 US Airports, have no access to any terminals' RCC at that airport via PP (as far as I figure it, happy to be proven wrong, especially before I join PP in January) -

• ATL - Concourse T; Delta lounge access available (also A, B, C, D & E - Delta & Continental)
• ORD - Not in Terminal 1, but access in 2, 3 & 5 (Northwest, Continental, Delta & Swiss)
• CLE - Concourse C only (Continental)
• DEN - Not in Terminal B, but access in A & C (Continental, Delta)
• LAX - Not in Terminals 7 or 8, but access in 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 (US Airways, Northwest, Alaska, Delta & Continental)
• IAD - Midfield Terminal, Concourse B only (Northwest)

The key issues, for Australians with PP & flying United, being LAX & ORD, (+ SFO, no in F, yes in G). But, say if Virgin Blue were to join Sky Team (wish list stuff), Priority Pass & Velocity would become a powerful combination in North America, impacting Aussie flyers' choice to use United in the first place.

(I think, it would also impact Qantas Club members, who can only access ACs when flying AA in the US. Reducing the comparative value of the QF offer in North America.)

It is also worth noting that there are locations where United doesn't have RCCs, but PP gets lounge access.

As you say, not too good for the average Aussie traveller who might only visit the gateway airports, but otherwise not too bad at USD 399 (beats the pants off RCC membership). But if you're UA*G like me, the gateway airports are usually covered anyway, as are international locations.

Also, in the case of SFO, the UA Dom lounge is not covered by PP and the lounges in the other airports you mention are all airside, so you couldn't get access if you're flying UA.

 

[Reggie]

QF may be tired and old, but it does make lots of money. A bit like me, really...

And the hosties are at least over 17 years of age and not giggling girlies (may be OK if you're 18, but not if you're my age)..

Thankyou clifford, my sentiments exactly, it really p!ssed me off how they turned it into a joke that we arriving late , but you get sometimes don't you. Not the least bit appologetic.

 

[Reggie]

And all of that was after spending time in the overcrowded QP where the aircon could not keep up on a very hot day.

Still better than the VB lounge in PER:shock:

What was worse was that the QF fare was full economy so it cost heaps more than VB, and I was unable to get an upgrade to J using points.

You couldn't upgrade to J on VB either.

Usually the FA's are grumpy/snotty and add to the feeling that QF is a tired old airline.

Umm can't argue with you on that one.

 

[Yada Yada]

Still better than the VB lounge in PER:shock:

I expect that VB is planning a PER Lounge. QF really need to do something about their lounge. It's too small by half.

You couldn't upgrade to J on VB either.

Well, not yet. But within a few months PE will be available on VB. All QF fans should be rejoicing about this because it will probably force them to offer more D class fares domestically. The current SYD-PER J fares are an example of extreme gouging.

 

[simongr]

QF may be tired and old, but it does make lots of money. A bit like me, really...

And the hosties are at least over 17 years of age and not giggling girlies (may be OK if you're 18, but not if you're my age)..

Thankyou clifford, my sentiments exactly, it really p!ssed me off how they turned it into a joke that we arriving late , but you get sometimes don't you. Not the least bit appologetic.

Usually the FA's are grumpy/snotty and add to the feeling that QF is a tired old airline.

Umm can't argue with you on that on

So DJ are too young and giggly and the QF crew havent aged gracefully - so what we are looking for is an airline with a modern flet and cabion crew in their mid to late 20's...

Perhaps we are looking for QF a la 1985:

?

 

[docjames]

QF really need to do something about their lounge. It's too small by half.

http://www.perthairport.com/getfile.aspx?Type=document&ID=17035&ObjectType=3&ObjectID


$50m upgrade to the QF terminal at Perth. That should help.