Single Lounge Passes are back

[smatho10]

​Just received in the Velocity News email: Value for points/money?? Purchase a single entry lounge visit with Velocity Points

You can now use your Points for a single entry lounge visit. Visits can be redeemed using 10,000 Points via the Velocity Rewards Store in advance of travel, or purchased with a credit card from the lounge reception on the day of travel for $65**. A valid same day Virgin Australia boarding pass must be presented and entry must be within 2 hours of flight departure time. Please allow up to 3 days for lounge passes purchased from the Velocity Rewards Store to be credited to your Velocity account.

 

[samh004]

For 2 hours-worth it would be hard to extract value.

 

[markis10]

For 2 hours-worth it would be hard to extract value.

Airlines are not charities, that seems to the going rate close to what NZ charge. (Posted from a lounge having gained admittance with a $30 ticket, thanks 3K).

 

[DGW]

For 10k points I can't see too many taking this up, thankfully.

 

[samh004]

Airlines are not charities, that seems to the going rate close to what NZ charge. (Posted from a lounge having gained admittance with a $30 ticket, thanks 3K).

I didn't say they were or it should be cheaper, just pointing out the obvious

 

[markis10]

I didn't say they were or it should be cheaper, just pointing out the obvious

FWIW that's about the going rate for a two hour coughtail party at most hotels in terms of a beverage package with finger food, house wine and beer only.

 

[lovestotravel]

10,000 points - chuckle
$65 - OK

 

[casanovawa]

The AA one that is $99 for a month or so is better value...

And do any of these lounges provide decent finger food??? The drinks you could probably knock of the value in 2 hours, not sure how pleased the crew and other passengers would be to put up with you...

 

[MarkD]

FWIW that's about the going rate for a two hour coughtail party at most hotels in terms of a beverage package with finger food, house wine and beer only.

But its not a coughtail party at a fancy hotel, its a toasted sandwich in an airport lounge... Regardless of what we think here, if people consider it good value they will do it, and I hope they enjoy the experience, some people never ever experience an airport lounge.

 

[drewbles]

But its not a coughtail party at a fancy hotel, its a toasted sandwich in an airport lounge... Regardless of what we think here, if people consider it good value they will do it, and I hope they enjoy the experience, some people never ever experience an airport lounge.

Considering you can pay $10 for a beer at an airport, and another $10-15 for a toasted sandwich, it's not beyond the realms of value for 3-4 beers over 2 hours and a spread of food.

I don't consider it value, but as you say, some people never get to experience a lounge.

 

[JohnK]

So my 70,000 Velocity points will get me 7 lounge passes.

What a bargain!

 

[lukenet]

I am glad they have priced them like they have. Some of the lounges are already overloaded at peak times.. If they were "Cheap" then it would only add to the overcrowding issues..

 

[AdMEL]

Airlines are not charities, that seems to the going rate close to what NZ charge. (Posted from a lounge having gained admittance with a $30 ticket, thanks 3K).

Actually, it's almost 20% more than the $55 Air NZ charge for single entry to their lounges in Australia!

The AA one that is $99 for a month or so is better value...

And do any of these lounges provide decent finger food??? The drinks you could probably knock of the value in 2 hours, not sure how pleased the crew and other passengers would be to put up with you...

Can this be used to access QF lounges in Oz And the US when travelling from Oz to the US on QF?

Considering you can pay $10 for a beer at an airport, and another $10-15 for a toasted sandwich, it's not beyond the realms of value for 3-4 beers over 2 hours and a spread of food.

I don't consider it value, but as you say, some people never get to experience a lounge.

Whilst I don't consider the single entry pass value at the current price, I did consider it value when it was $30, which was the break even figure I used to justify my purchase of a One year lounge pass a week ago, given the prices at the airport, as you've noted!

So my 70,000 Velocity points will get me 7 lounge passes.

What a bargain!

Those points will almost get you one way to the US in J!

 

[fersea]

Yes you can use the AA pass in the QF lounges in Australia. You can also bring two guests.

I have aver recently sold two lounge passes (QF ones) from credit cards for $51 and $55 on eBay.

i would have thought reasonable value for the international lounge, not for the domestic one.

 

[JohnK]

Those points will almost get you one way to the US in J!

Poor attempt at humour!

That is what I will hopefully do with those miles.

 

[markis10]

Actually, it's almost 20% more than the $55 Air NZ charge for single entry to their lounges in Australia!

A NZ 4 hour pass is NZD $85, hence my comment it's close as it splits the two options.

 

[AdMEL]

A NZ 4 hour pass is NZD $85, hence my comment it's close as it splits the two options.

VA $65 pass only allows a max of 2 hours, hence my comment that it's almost 20% more than the equivalent NZ pass at $55.

 

[markis10]

VA $65 pass only allows a max of 2 hours, hence my comment that it's almost 20% more than the equivalent NZ pass at $55.

I missed that, fair call! wonder if their due for an enhancement on the price?

 

[R36snowbound]

I was recently in New Zealand, gained entry to the Air NZ lounge in Queenstown as a VA plat (which was great) and had to pay NZD $25 for an additional guest, which I thought was reasonable.

For domestic use, 10,000 points is basically a one way reward ticket SYD to MEL, valued at approx $150.

10,000 points for lounge access seems a bit steep IMO.

My take is that it looks good for VA to offer this benefit / choice but have priced it so that the uptake / usage is minimal, so not to upset too many platinum or gold members.

Lounge access is always nice BUT at $65 per visit and based on a non frequent traveller doing one return domestic flight each month (and wanting lounge access on both legs), the VA price of $65 per visit makes Qantas club membership look cheap.

 

[Fruitcake]

Lounge access is always nice BUT at $65 per visit and based on a non frequent traveller doing one return domestic flight each month (and wanting lounge access on both legs), the VA price of $65 per visit makes Qantas club membership look cheap.

I think someone travelling that often would join the Lounge as a paid member for $330 + $420/pa - and they'd probably end up holding at least Silver status after a year so it would only be $300/pa ongoing. QP is more expensive to start with ($370 + $485/pa) and QF silver is harder to get, although at 24 sectors/yr you'd still get close.

Personally the only time I'd pay $65 for lounge access would be during a 4hr+ layover after a long haul flight for a lounge which offered showers and a reasonable breakfast.