Velocity Lounge Access - Advice for a lowly Red

[flying_duck]

Hi All
Long time lurker, first time poster.

I really enjoy flying. Which is such a shame, as my work now has me doing it weekly and being just a lowly red, designated to the back of the cabin, without lounge access or priority boarding, is doing my head in. I know I will get to gold "eventually". That's not the point. I'd really like to relieve my colleague of having to let me into the lounge as his guest, and relieve myself of having to run across town to get to the airport before his flight leaves. It's been almost 3 months and I'm not even at silver yet.

So to get to my question. I have 22400 points, 175 status credits. Plus my husbands BNE-MEL flights (30sc), plus I'm accruing 20sc a week. I'd like to hit gold ASAP or at the very least, get lounge access ASAP. With little energy left to fly even more than I already do, should I cash in my existing points and pay the extra ~$130 for lounge access? Or should I attempt to get there with sc (I have money, but no time to do a great deal of flying)? If I do cash in my points for lounge access, then hit gold in 3 months time, is there a rebate of some sort? How does that work?

Any advice, greatly welcome. I'd like to say I enjoy flying again. Thank you.

 

[DeKa]

Wait till you hit silver, then buy lounge access?
Entry fee is waived, and membership is $300pa. You'll be silver in 4 weeks (you need 250SC).

 

[flying_duck]

Sorry, should have been clearer.

Once I hit silver, I can buy lounge access, costs 40K points or 22500 pts plus $130. I guess my questions is about possible refunds, I did read somewhere that they do that if you hit gold within a certain timeframe. Does anyone know the specifics around how that works? Or am I making things up? (quite possible)...

 

[jetlagger]

Welcome FIFOSuit..
I'm sure that you would enjoy the lounge access & additional benefits.
It would be a welcome relief from the unpleasant atmosphere of airports nowadays.
For many years, I paid for lounge access & it was always a welcome respite even for my leisure travels.
Happy travels, jl

 

[DeKa]

Sorry, should have been clearer.

Once I hit silver, I can buy lounge access, costs 40K points or 22500 pts plus $130. I guess my questions is about possible refunds, I did read somewhere that they do that if you hit gold within a certain timeframe. Does anyone know the specifics around how that works? Or am I making things up? (quite possible)...

At that price why wouldn't you just spend $300? 40000 points is worth way more than $300 .. I'd value it at a minimum of $400, but based on the way I use Virgin points I'd value 40k at closer to $1500.
There is no refund as far as I know. With Qantas, any membership you have goes "on hold" until you drop from Gold. I can't see anything noted in the Virgin lounge membership T&Cs reflecting this type of refund/hold.

I just realised after writing this that you're posting in the "ask Velocity" section so I'll stop posting now and let them reply.

 

[flying_duck]

Thanks jetlagger, I'm looking forward to getting back into traveling again after a visa imposed restriction (long story, by choice etc).

 

[flying_duck]

DeKa, that's exactly the kind of feedback I was after. Being new to actually having points (most of my traveling was done as a child of a QF staffer) this is a new world that I want to take maximum advantage of. Kind of why I'm here. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 

[Intra]

I hit Silver and after using my 2 passes, stumped up the cash to pay for discounted lounge membership. I managed to hit Gold 2 months later and called the GCC to see what could happen next; I had a pro-rata amount refunded back, after doing the maths, worked out to be me having in essence spend $5 for each Lounge visit with the flights I done!

Having said that, while refunds are possible, the policy might have changed since. :? I'm not the best person to ask... Apparently it HAD already changed when I got my refund, but the GCC asked no questions when I rang as a newly minted Gold member to see what would happen with my Paid Lounge membership Kept me one happy traveller

 

[markis10]

There is no refund as far as I know. With Qantas, any membership you have goes "on hold" until you drop from Gold. I can't see anything noted in the Virgin lounge membership T&Cs reflecting this type of refund/hold.

There certainly is a refund.

What happens to my existing lounge membership when I upgrade to Gold?


Answer


If you have earned Velocity Gold, you will receive complimentary access to the Virgin Australia lounge during your membership period. Therefore, if you previously purchased annual lounge membership, you are entitled to a pro-rata refund of the fee paid/Points redeemed.


This refund will occur automatically within seven to ten business days. If for any reason this refund does not occur, please contact the Virgin Australia lounge on 1300 287 202.

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...ing+lounge+membership+when+I+upgrade+to+Gold?

 

[DeKa]

There certainly is a refund.



https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...ing+lounge+membership+when+I+upgrade+to+Gold?

Thanks for finding that Markis10.
I was wrong!

 

[flying_duck]

There certainly is a refund.



https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...ing+lounge+membership+when+I+upgrade+to+Gold?

Thanks Markis10! I knew I read that somewhere, hearing from someone for whom it has worked is also reassuring.

The big question now, is points or pay? Being a noob, when I look at reward seats I see BNE-SYD at 10900. So for my 22400 points, I'd get a return trip. Do you earn SC on those trips? I'd guess not. I just don't see what else I'd use them for, considering I expect I'll keep accumulating them at the same rate (~2K a week in flights alone). Also, I'm sure I'm eligible for another credit card sometime soon, I could almost earn 20K bonus points just for doing that, surely?

 

[Edge]

At that price why wouldn't you just spend $300? 40000 points is worth way more than $300 .. I'd value it at a minimum of $400, but based on the way I use Virgin points I'd value 40k at closer to $1500.

I'm fairly new to VA so haven't worked out the most efficient way of redeeming points. Can you please elaborate on how you use them to extract that type of value? I currently have around 100,000 (but have over 450k with QFF). Most of my flying is with VA now so will likely switch my credit cards over in order to maximise earn. Thanks in advance.

 

[serfty]

A one-way transpacific redemption in business class is 94K points and $25-$95 in +++ depending on the direction.¹

Compare that with the cost of a purchased Business class fare which run from maybe $3½K and up.

¹FWIW, the same on QF is 96K points and $430-$505 in +++ depending on the direction.

 

[Edge]

Thanks Serfty. Looks like a better use of points than spending 30-35k each way to upgrade my MEL-PER-MEL flights next week from a saver fare.