Virgin Blue "The Lounge" is it worth joining?

[LiamR]

Hi all,

Was sent an E-Mail from work today offering a discount for DJ Lounge membership and I'm wondering if it's worth joining. As a passionate QFF Plat, I'll loose my anytime lounge access soon.

What are people's thoughts about The Lounge? I'll fly BNE/OOL - Sydney. Not familiar with virgin, and will start flying them with approx 5-10 trips on them over the next year.

I don't earn and points on these fares are they heavily discounted. So silver or gold status is out of the question.

Any advice, tips, or criticism would be greatly appreciated.....

As I said, I'm new to the world of Virgin!

Liam R.

 

[antycbr]

There's no lounge at OOL so you'd only get lounge benefits for flights ex-BNE or ex-SYD.

In terms of value proposition, you need to do the maths and work out if it's worthwhile. It seems that you know the number of visits you'll be making to The Lounge based on your flight pattern - divide the membership fee by the number of visits and compare with the prices for food and drink at the airport terminals.

You do receive dedicated checkin, which on DJ can be well worth it.

The food and beverage service is pretty good, I personally like it compared to QF. Bar opens earlier, and you can make a sandwich. Hot offerings include pasta and soup. They do good bar snack food as well.

The biggest benefit is at SYD T2 which can feel like a zoo. The lounge is a great place to wait compared to the terminal!

 

[LiamR]

There's no lounge at OOL so you'd only get lounge benefits for flights ex-BNE or ex-SYD.

You do receive dedicated checkin, which on DJ can be well worth it.

The biggest benefit is at SYD T2 which can feel like a zoo. The lounge is a great place to wait compared to the terminal!

What do you mean by dedicated checkin? Am I able to use the priority checkin before security? Aka the Velocity Gold/ PE line?

Could not agree more about SYD T2. Most FFers on the coast call it 'Pac Fair with boarding gates' it gets very crowded.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[markis10]

.

You do receive dedicated checkin, which on DJ can be well worth it.

Priority Checkin/Separate checkin is not a feature of either the lounge or the QP program AFAIK. In terms of it being worth it, what are you paying, assume you might use it 50% of the time, multiply that by the casual lounge access and see which one is less?

 

[LiamR]

In terms of it being worth it, what are you paying, assume you might use it 50% of the time, multiply that by the casual lounge access and see which one is less?

I should re-phrase part of my question. I've looked into it and it seems worth it, I'm more or less wondering what the lounges are like, good service. And if there are any other benefits that are included other than lounge access?

Thanks.

 

[markis10]

I should re-phrase part of my question. I've looked into it and it seems worth it, I'm more or less wondering what the lounges are like, good service. And if there are any other benefits that are included other than lounge access?

Thanks.

That question may have a different answer for you in a few months, as they are revamping the lounges in BNE and MEL at the moment, I never received anything but lounge access and occasionally a better seat when I had membership, however along with status recognition things are changing and that may no longer be the case moving forward.

 

[LiamR]

That question may have a different answer for you in a few months, as they are revamping the lounges in BNE and MEL at the moment, I never received anything but lounge access and occasionally a better seat when I had membership, however along with status recognition things are changing and that may no longer be the case moving forward.

Meaning it might be worth joining now, before the prices go up? Hopefully getting the best of both worlds......

 

[markis10]

Meaning it might be worth joining now, before the prices go up? Hopefully getting the best of both worlds......

If you are happy with the value proposition then yes, I suspect things can only go up on that front . Mind you, I have always found the lounge to be a good and comfortable option, while some may miss the lack of spirits on offer, the all day Barista is a huge bonus, and the lack of crowding/WIFI thats quick and working aircon in the case of the BNE lounge are improvements in the alternative from a BNE perspective.

 

[antycbr]

Priority Checkin/Separate checkin is not a feature of either the lounge or the QP program AFAIK. In terms of it being worth it, what are you paying, assume you might use it 50% of the time, multiply that by the casual lounge access and see which one is less?

My mistake - i was reading The Lounge > Benefits and I thought you got priority checkin - but now I realise that they mean you can check in at the lounge with hand luggage.

Priority domestic checkin is a benefit of Qantas club membership until last flight next Monday. And is one of the major reasons why I now have no forward domestic bookings on QF for the first time in 10 years.

 

[markis10]

Priority domestic checkin is a benefit of Qantas club membership until last flight next Monday. And is one of the major reasons why I now have no forward domestic bookings on QF for the first time in 10 years.

Well done on putting you money where your mouth is so to speak, the loss of Silver priority check in as well as the QP priority checkin makes my LTS and residual QP membership [that's now 14 years old] a lot less attractive should I ever need it. The QP and the Lounge are on pretty level pegging in my books, interested to see what the refurb does in terms of making a difference.

 

[antycbr]

Well done on putting you money where your mouth is so to speak, the loss of Silver priority check in as well as the QP priority checkin makes my LTS and residual QP membership [that's now 14 years old] a lot less attractive should I ever need it. The QP and the Lounge are on pretty level pegging in my books, interested to see what the refurb does in terms of making a difference.

Some additional locations would be great too - starting with OOL.

 

[Virgin Australia]

That question may have a different answer for you in a few months, as they are revamping the lounges in BNE and MEL at the moment, I never received anything but lounge access and occasionally a better seat when I had membership, however along with status recognition things are changing and that may no longer be the case moving forward.

Markis is on the money here (again!)

 

[samh004]

What are people's thoughts about The Lounge?

The food and beverage service is pretty good, I personally like it compared to QF. Bar opens earlier.

Well I’m not sure if Liam would get anything from the bar, but that set me wondering, and you do have to be 18 to join The Lounge, so I assume that must be soon?

I quite like the bar, a good choice of drinks.

 

[LiamR]

Well I’m not sure if Liam would get anything from the bar, but that set me wondering, and you do have to be 18 to join The Lounge, so I assume that must be soon?

I quite like the bar, a good choice of drinks.

Ahhh good point,

Speaking with Cabin Crew they say in their training that if you are older than 16 you are permitted to cetrain areas of the lounge... obviousley I won't be consuming alcohol, just somewhere to relax and grab a meal.

I assume they publicley advise you have to be over 18, does anyone know if what I was told is true? Maybe Crazy Dave could confirm this?

Thanks.

 

[samh004]

Maybe Crazy Dave could confirm this?

Or one of the other Virgin Blue staffers, like the one just a few posts above yours

I guess if you really wanted to join you could always try and see what happens, they can only knock you back.

 

[LiamR]

Or one of the other Virgin Blue staffers, like the one just a few posts above yours

I guess if you really wanted to join you could always try and see what happens, they can only knock you back.

Yes, Thanks to Virgin Blue staff who have already contributed ( In their own cheeky way

I can join, theres no problem with that. I'm concerned about being denied access while travelling.

 

[pauly7]

Markis is on the money here (again!)

Why wouldn't he be Virgin Blue?

I thought he worked for you guys?!? (along with Dave and velocity rewards)... Confused...

 

[samh004]

Why wouldn't he be Virgin Blue?

I thought he worked for you guys?!? (along with Dave and velocity rewards)... Confused...

Markis10 is a moderator, not an authenticated company rep.