The MEL lounge staff were efficient and friendly and I'm not sure if the style is growing on me, but I now quite like the ambience of that "sterile" look (only just figured out the headrests pull forward on those red single seater lounges).
Next morning, I had a BNE-MKY flight, preselected 3A (isle preference is obviously not yet active) and jagged a BSI......got to love that legroom
I was very impressed with the MEL Lounge when I visited a few weeks ago. The staff member at the front desk was friendly and helpful. I like the fit-out. Drinks selection was good, but food average. It was just before closing time though and there was only about 10 people (3 of which were myself and two mates). I'm not sure it would be quite as nice when it's packed! Was surprised that there only appears to be one male shower though. My experience was soured a little after I accidentally left my phone on the table where we were sitting at the very back of the lounge - despite being the last to leave before closing no-one knew anything about my phone!
I was also impressed with the new fit-out of the planes - very comfortable seats (I was sitting in exit row). Business class seats looked great - looking forward to trying out business class to PER. Row 3 looked fantastic for leg room (I'm 6'9"), but I suspect as a non status pax (with little chance of gaining status, due to leisure flying only), I won't get a chance to snag a row 3 seat!
Overall, I'm very impressed with the changes. I've provided this feedback to Virgin via their website.
Very good MEL upgrade! Reasonable MKY upgrade.
Unfortunately, my experience with Europcar the last two times I've rented from them this year has been very poor! Last time, a few weeks ago in DRW, I was overcharged according to the invoice (which was also incorrect - figures did not add up), albeit by only $10-15. Time before that was at Melbourne downtown in February, where the odometer was incorrect, fuel tank was less than 3/4 full and I had to argue with them to get deep scratches 100mm long in the bonnet marked as damage. I still have not received my velocity points for this rental, despite submitting at least three requests to each of Europcar and Velocity. Their new Privilege website is awful too - I have to enter my credit card details each time I make a booking, despite providing my Privilege details. All of these issues have been reported to Europcar via e-mail/their website on more than one occasion, but they don't seem to care. Although I have no status, I am a Privilege member and was previously a Ready to Go member, so I expect better. Even without Privilege, these were both expensive rentals - DRW was over $900 for four days (4WD) and Melbourne was over $200 for one day (Audi A5). I wish their service was better, as I don't mind occasionally driving an Audi!
