Virgin Australia Lifetime Lounge Membership now available

[Andyc]

I'm in my 20s and don't travel often enough to maintain lounge access. I do value lounge access and for a number of years have renewed a QP membership. But over this short time I've seen the QP offer change considerably; and with each change the gap widens between my benefits and those of SG.

The $10k price is undoubtedly high, but I've thought about it and decided that for 20-30% discount I would consider it reasonable. But in thinking about it, I also come to realise that if QP can change so much in just a few years, how much would VA's offer change in the next 5, 10, 15 years? Unfortunately, the lack of guarantees turns me off.

 

[MarkD]

BUT!

What could be good is if VA had a corporate lounge access product - that allowed all company employees to use the lounge when travelling, but again - lifetime is just pointless in the corporate world. Do a 12 month / 24 / 26 month plan and maybe it could be doable.

They do have a corporate Lounge program. Must have 10 members, I believe. Its called Accelerate???? or something along the lines of that

 

[nlagalle]

Of course we wouldn't take a $85k outlay... thats just crazy... and so is $10k for a lifetime lounge access card. Imagine the outrage if VA went bankrupt in ten years (Ansett anyone?) or if you individually went bankrupt and could no longer afford flights: whats the point of lounge access if you can't afford to travel! lol

But it comes down to perceived value. For Amex, I've had one for 15 years, so I'd be close to getting my monies worth out of it...

Personally I believe it is too high, around 6k might have been more reasonable.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I can salary sacrifice lounge memberships..........but I still don't like the price .

How much value do the Gold Wing gang currently get with their LT membership????

I'm lazy, but has anyone read the T&Cs about ATA and right to alter T&Cs when VA feel so inclined? Remember T&Cs being altered can be either a benefit or a QF style "enhancement", so on one hand, you'd want them changed if it meant more partner lounge access, but may not be too keen to see ATA or Priority Entry "enhanced away". Speaking of Priority Entry, will that include BNE when that is done? I'm assuming that's still the plan eventually.

 

[cove]

If Virgin sells 10,000 of these they would have enough back pocket change to buy all of American Airlines at the moment!

 

[Bolthead]

Why do they have no life? if someone in the twenties were to purchase it, by the time they hit their forties, it would be paid for (based on yearly rates). so they may not travel enough to make Gold, but they will get lounge access along with using the T2 priority entry.

Sure they may change their lounges in 10 years, but that is a risk with any life membership.

Not sure............... when I was in my twenties (long time ago now) I had other priorities like mortgage, young children etc..... Although mathematically it would make sense to buy it once you hit 18, but then what 18 year old or twenty something has that sort of dough $$$

I certainly didn't........ I think I am better off trying to keep my platinum status current

 

[LiamR]

If I use this for the next 60 years, it'll cost me $162.5. Now that's quite cheap.

Will lounges even exist in 60 years? Looking back 60 years and comparing it with today things have changed a lot.

Yes, it costs a lot, but that's just how lounge access is these days, the annual fee for membership for Lounge Access for QF and VA has gone up considerably in the past few years, comparing Ansett GW isn't accurate at all.

Good on VA for doing this I say, I'm not going to buy it as I don't have a lazy $10,000 lying around. But it's better than not offering it at all.

You will also receive:
- Exclusive member pack (issued in Jan 12) – Lifetime lounge membership card, GROWN & Luke Mangan products.
.

Does this mean you'll soon be issuing Yearly members with a Membership Card too? Sounds like you are dropping a hint.

FWIW. I've seen many Lounge members use the express entry in Sydney. I've overheard the Lounge Staff say, "Actually Sir, lounge members can't use this, but since you didn't know I'll let you use it just this one time"

 

[medhead]

As long as it isn't like the student bar at Uni. It sold heaps of life memberships during O week, then went bust in Dec (young liberals mismanagement! ) and then sold a heap more life memberships the following January. Kinda dodgy for one guy who came back to do a PhD pulled out his life member badge and got turned away.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[BAM1748]

Good on VA for being forward thinking and bringing something to market that isn't currently offered, but geez they could've launched with a promotional 50% off or some kind of sweetner (like free Plat for a year or something similar EDIT: maybe 4 op ups like Plat?)

Not really forward thinking, just a copy of other offers from other airlines over the years.

 

[awilcockson]

It probably would include ATA but sheeesh,

It doesn't!

 

[markis10]

They do have a corporate Lounge program. Must have 10 members, I believe. Its called Accelerate???? or something along the lines of that

Discounted lounge access is a small part of the Accelerate program:

Virgin Australia Accelerate Programe | Virgin Australia

They also have a separate corporate lounge only program
[h=3]Corporate, Government and Industry Schemes[/h] Contact [email protected] to enquire about Annual and Multi-year Membership options for multiple-Member enrolment.
Fees quoted are in AUD, inclusive of GST. All Virgin Australia lounge Members must be aged 18 years or over, and a Member of Velocity Frequent Flyer, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia.
* Joining fee applies to both new Memberships; and lapsed Membership if not renewed within 30 days of the expiry date.
^ Aged 60 years or over at the time of Lifetime Membership purchase, proof of age required.
+ Membership is not available for online purchase or renewal at this time.
Membership and access is subject to the Virgin Australia lounge is subject to Terms and Conditions and Rules, as amended from time to time.
[h=3]Join, Purchase or Renew[/h]

 

[atreides]

So, does anyone know anyone who bought one of these

 

[Globetrotter]

So, does anyone know anyone who bought one of these

Nup. It's like an ornament, it just sits there and does nothing

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Without ATA it seems less value than gold/plat membership. Lifetime membership with ATA may be a slight hedge, but not my cup of tea.

 

[Gremlin]

Lifetime membership with ATA may be a slight hedge, but not my cup of tea.

Lifetime membership with ATA = Airport Worker's Social Club

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Lifetime membership with ATA = Airport Worker's Social Club

How many airport workers are going to cough up $10k up front for a social club?

 

[atreides]

For it to be a worthwhile proposition they need to offer more or reduce the price.

 

[smit0847]

I would have thought selling it as all the benefits of platinum (priority everything, worldwide lounge access etc) would have made it a far more attractive option!

 

[atreides]

That might annoy a few of the platinums who had to work their cough off to get to Plat I guess in the age of LTG, etc... the concept of a paid life membership makes less sense. My QP life is kind of pointless now

 

[docjames]

Good on them for pricing it so high - imagine the uproar about "the lounges are too full due to all the paid members" if they'd priced it any lower.