VX Experience at LAX for VA Plat and Gold

[Homer]

If you've had first-hand experience flying VX in whY out of LAX as a VA status pax then I need your help!

I know there are a few threads about the VX lounge but the information seems to have changed (or maybe I'm just confusing myself - probably likely). Next month we're arriving on VA (in J), overnighting in LA and then flying LAX-MCO on VX in whY... I'm a VA Plat and Marge is a VA Gold.

From reading the status benefits on the Velocity web site, we would seem to get priority check-in and boarding but no luggage allowance. That's fine. But what about lounge access? This is mentioned on the Velocity site but elsewhere I've read that the VX lounge isn't available for children under 12. We have two of those travelling with us. I think I read somewhere else that there was an exception to this rule for VA pax, but is that only if you're connecting (as we won't be - our VX flights were booked separately)? Basically - what can I expect from VX? Lounge access with a friendly smile or complete indifference?

 

[Shy180]

Did nearly exactly as you decribe about a year ago. VX = No priority check in or boarding, no lounge, no smiles from the (contract) ground crew....wish i had better news for you

 

[Homer]

Did nearly exactly as you decribe about a year ago. VX = No priority check in or boarding, no lounge, no smiles from the (contract) ground crew....wish i had better news for you

Thanks. Since your trip VA seems to have made a deal with VX to extend some status privileges such as priority check-in and boarding. And VX has built a lounge. So it's the lounge access privileges that I'm trying to pin down.

 

[Sequel]

I am travelling VA to VX at LAX next week and will report back (although my VX is on a VA flight number so YMMV).

 

[williamsf1]

This page may help

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

Says 1 guest + 2 children under 12 for VX lounge in LAX

 

[Homer]

This page may help

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

Says 1 guest + 2 children under 12 for VX lounge in LAX

What worries me is this phrase: "

pre-departure lounge access in conjunction with international services". ​

It's not clear whether I need to be connecting from VA to VX but it sounds a bit like I do...

 

[Simsy85]

Ok so here is the deal - you get access to the lounge, but at LAX it's in a different terminal and only operates when an international flight is going.

I flew SFO-JFK and got First Class check in counter, waived $200 worth of excess baggage fee's and a host of other benefits.

The check in lady was ex QF (US Staff) and had a soft spot for Aussies.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Simsy

 

[Fruitcake]

Ok so here is the deal - you get access to the lounge, but at LAX it's in a different terminal and only operates when an international flight is going.

Simsy85, I think this is out of date. In late 2012 the lounge that VA was using in T3 (the former AS Boardroom) was relaunched as the Virgin America Loft and it is now open from 0600 to 2330 each day. VA status members are eligible to enter this lounge when flying VX or VA.

 

[Shy180]

Well I have been hoping things might have improved - sounds like it might be making some progress....do report back and tell us how you find it

 

[Deewhy]

Yes they allow kids even though the conditions say no kids under 12. However, my experience was as a J pax in Jan. They gave me a purple invitation card ala Aus international departures for the lounge invite. VX staff didn't bat an eyelid at the kids. But I didn't try using ht gold/plat privs.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If it was me I would probably use a phone card & call the VX Lounge at LAX and ask them & note the persons name who gave you the okay. I know QF lounges in Oz can put a note in the diary for the day if there's anything they want the lounge dragons/angels to be aware of on a particular date so it may be worth asking VX if they do this also.

The phone call probably wouldn't be more than US$1.00.

Remember it's the lounge staff who say yay or nay with regards admittance so they are the best people to speak to.

 

[benlight]

I flew VX LAX-SFO last week in Main Cabin for $59. I'm a VA Platinum, and the VX flight was the only flight in my itinerary (i.e. I wasn't connecting from a VA flight).

No problem checking in at the First Class/Elevate counter. I had one bag to check-in and I was expecting to pay $25 but a bag fee was never mentioned by the agent -- I think this might have been an oversight. I asked about lounge access and he said "I'm not sure but you should check with the lounge; I think you guys might have a once-a-year kinda thing", and I didn't receive any lounge invite.

Nothing indicating my VA status was printed on the boarding pass, and it stated I was in Group 4 for boarding. I didn't get priority screening or priority boarding as a result, despite these being listed as benefits on the Velocity website. TSA agent yelled at me "WE DON'T ACCEPT THAT HERE!" when I showed her my VA Plat card and boarding pass when I attempted to use the priority line.

No issue accessing the Loft after showing my card, though. Lounge dragon told me VA elites get access whenever they travel on VX.

 

[Homer]

I think that answers all my questions! So lounge access seems to work but priority screening/boarding may not. I can live with that.

 

[VMC73]

Lounge access no problem with children my 12 & 8 year old fine in January, only problem is it is really small and really busy.

 

[MandM]

Nothing indicating my VA status was printed on the boarding pass, and it stated I was in Group 4 for boarding. I didn't get priority screening or priority boarding as a result, despite these being listed as benefits on the Velocity website. TSA agent yelled at me "WE DON'T ACCEPT THAT HERE!" when I showed her my VA Plat card and boarding pass when I attempted to use the priority line...

That is the one thing that has worked without issue for me since the status 'recognition'. When I was at LAX in early Jan there was a big sign with the list of accepted cards for priority screening - Velocity Gold was listed, and all it took was a flash of the bag tag.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I flew VX LAX-SFO last week in Main Cabin for $59. I'm a VA Platinum, and the VX flight was the only flight in my itinerary (i.e. I wasn't connecting from a VA flight).

No problem checking in at the First Class/Elevate counter. I had one bag to check-in and I was expecting to pay $25 but a bag fee was never mentioned by the agent -- I think this might have been an oversight. I asked about lounge access and he said "I'm not sure but you should check with the lounge; I think you guys might have a once-a-year kinda thing", and I didn't receive any lounge invite.

Nothing indicating my VA status was printed on the boarding pass, and it stated I was in Group 4 for boarding. I didn't get priority screening or priority boarding as a result, despite these being listed as benefits on the Velocity website. TSA agent yelled at me "WE DON'T ACCEPT THAT HERE!" when I showed her my VA Plat card and boarding pass when I attempted to use the priority line.

No issue accessing the Loft after showing my card, though. Lounge dragon told me VA elites get access whenever they travel on VX.

Was your VA Plat no. on the VX boarding pass?

 

[benlight]

Was your VA Plat no. on the VX boarding pass?

Nope, no number or indication of status on the boarding pass; the points haven't posted to my Velocity account yet either so I'm starting to think something's amiss. I booked the flight at virginamerica.com and my VA number appears on my booking confirmation email, and I also handed my card over at check-in, but as it was my first time on VX as a VA elite I'm not sure if my VA details should've appeared on the boarding pass.

That is the one thing that has worked without issue for me since the status 'recognition'. When I was at LAX in early Jan there was a big sign with the list of accepted cards for priority screening - Velocity Gold was listed, and all it took was a flash of the bag tag.

I could have sworn that Velocity Plat/Gold wasn't listed on the priority screening sign (just First Class and Elevate Gold/Silver), but it's possible I just overlooked it. I did see Velocity Plat/Gold mentioned on the Loft sign, however. In any case, TSA line dragon was adamant I didn't have access after I flashed my card and boarding pass; she yelled at me loud enough that a whole bunch of people turned their heads in my direction. I would've gone back to the check-in desk for clarification if the normal screening line had been much longer.

Lounge access no problem with children my 12 & 8 year old fine in January, only problem is it is really small and really busy.

Possibly depends on the time of day. I can well imagine the place being full for VA departures, but with VX elites only receiving a couple of day passes per year and the rest having to pay $40 per visit, I'm not sure if there's huge demand at other times. When I was there at midday on a weekday there were only two other people there (one of them being a VA Gold who entered just before me).

 

[MandM]

I could have sworn that Velocity Plat/Gold wasn't listed on the priority screening sign (just First Class and Elevate Gold/Silver), but it's possible I just overlooked it. I did see Velocity Plat/Gold mentioned on the Loft sign, however. In any case, TSA line dragon was adamant I didn't have access after I flashed my card and boarding pass; she yelled at me loud enough that a whole bunch of people turned their heads in my direction. I would've gone back to the check-in desk for clarification if the normal screening line ...

I am fairly sure it was indicated because I checked to ensure that I didn't get the kind of 'welcoming' treatment you received from the TSA staff. I'm back there in about 10 days so I'll have another look.

 

[Homer]

Just updating the thread with our actual experiences.

During online check-in for our VX LAX-MCO flight I was able to upgrade our four Main Cabin (cheap Y seats) to the front row of Main Cabin Select (one checked bag, same seat size, more leg room, free food, drinks and movies) for US$250 all up. That's a great deal given that our four checked bags would have cost $100 without the upgrade. So therefore when checking in at LAX we used the VX priority line based on the upgraded seats and I wasn't able to test whether our VA status would have made any difference. However I did not see any indication that they recognised VA status on sign boards at check-in. We had no issues entering the lounge - the VX lounge gate-keepers recognised my VA Plat card and allowed in three adults and two young children.

On the return MCO-LAX flight, I was unable to snag an upgrade during online check-in. The signage for priority check-in at MCO didn't indicate anything for VA status (and, really, why should it) but check-in wasn't busy and we just used a regular line. We only had to wait for a family of Aussies in front of us who were (embarrassingly) arguing against paying for checked baggage... I couldn't find a priority security line and there is no VX lounge at MCO. We received no special treatment on board.

I think VX is quite serviceable. It reminds me of VA from the DJ LCC days, except it has a more-or-less proper first class cabin. The cabin interiors are modern though a bit try-hard I guess with the nightclub like atmosphere and faux leather clad FAs. The experience in Y, even on a 5-hour flight, is perfectly acceptable and I'd happily choose them again over other US carriers.

 

[lovestotravel]

I had no issues using the Loft lounge at LAX being a Virgin Australia Platinum.

So much so that I even didn't have my card with me, as I left it at home, but I manged to use their WiFi, log-in to my account, take a screenshot of my account, email it to the staff member and that was accepted

As for VX, I have flown them 6 times now, all up the front, the seat is great, the TV is great, the food is great, but every time the service/FA's have been very "cold". Very much a New York feeling with their staff, all trying to be a little bit too cool. Actually on one flight one of the FA's was quite friendly and we had a chat, but the other 5 flights not so much.

Don't get me wrong, they did everything and more that they needed to, but there was rarely a smile from them