VA and VS FFP/CH (Lounge) Hope

[mcmbenjamin]

Called VAmerica last night. The gentleman I spoke with seamed to know a bunch about Flying Club and the near term possibly of earning VS FC TPs and miles on VAmerica. He said this is in the works and they are working out the legal stuff.

I also asked about CH access as a paid VAmerica First ticket. He said that they are currently working on this and hope to send an update to elAVate members via e-mail. Looks like they will VS CHs. I also asked if VS FC Golds could use the CH when flying VAmerica economy. He said that I probable could get in if I asked the manager of the CH.

So sounds good. Hopefully both items work out. Honestly would be good marketing for both companies. I do not know how a 4000 quid VS UC travel would feel using the same lounge as a $350 VA First traveler. Well one is First and one is business; right?

One other thought. Do you see VAmerica applying to fly USA-Europe (Heathrow) with the new Open Skies agreement or starting an All-Business LCC featuring UCS to STN with a VS codeshare? We all should place our bets. [}:)]

[Pete]

I spoke to the manager of the VS SFO Clubhouse about this at the recent Heroes bash. Virgin America have approached him about using the facility there. Obviously it would be good for Virgin America, but his problem is just how much per-head can they afford to pay, and how much dillution of the facilities would it mean for regular VS passengers? Those are genuine questions, although I got the impression he was looking for a way to make it work out.

Pete

[preiffer]

It's all very positive, but I STILL have a huge reservation about this. I can already imagine getting to the SFO Clubhouse for the VS20 and finding it packed full of Virgin America passengers, all on cheapo SF-LA tickets, leaving no seats, food or space...

[n]

[Pete]

Given SFO is the hub, that would be the one airport where it would make sense for VX to build their own 'Clubhouse'. At other airports the problem probably isn't as much an issue with only 8 first class seats per flight.

[mcmbenjamin]

Here is an idea that would make both the 'let VA First travelers in the VS CH' and the 'Keep VS CH for VS UCS/Gold'.

Create a Virgin Blue Room type Club. Great features with the option to pay for access for Economy folks, allow First folks in free, Founding elAVate members in at a discount and VS FC Gold member in free. Maybe call the lounge 'JetSpace'.

There also is the idea of keeping VA travelers in a different area of the CH or limiting them to just drinks. Limiting the CH use to just drinks would not be an issue give the limited use of the CH by VS. During the remainer of the day there would be no kitchen staff and no food.

Originally posted by Pete
Given SFO is the hub, that would be the one airport where it would make sense for VX to build their own 'Clubhouse'. At other airports the problem probably isn't as much an issue with only 8 first class seats per flight.

I think it would make great sense to build 'attached' club houses with slightly differing levels of service but joint management and operations. VS Clubhouses offer a vastly superior service to most if not all US airlines lounges, including the amenities, food and drink and I'm with others who could see that VS UCS pax experience diluted. I can't see how it would be pleasurable for a UC passenger to be asked for their boarding card everytime they went for a drink ... so a physical separation would IMO be best.

The natural inclination is to try and 'sweat' the investment in the facilities that you already have.

Given that the current announced JFK-SFO frequency is 3x daily, they will probably be spread across the day, and SFO-LAX 5x daily, it's unlikely there will be more than about 10-15 VX pax in the SFO CH at any one time.

Currently, the SFO CH is used for between 3-4 hours a day, and if the few VX flights that there are, aren't timed to coincide with the VS20, it's not that much of a problem, until service ramps up.

At SFO, I think that there is still some unoccupied space on the same floor as the VS Clubhouse, so the obvious thing to do once the VX business starts to expand is to either build one larger Clubhouse for use of both VS and VX pax, or add a VX 'Clubroom' alongside the Clubhouse which would then become exclusively for VS pax/Au holders.

(Not that dissimilar to LH or SQ where the lounges share the same entrance but when you go in, you're directed to the appropriate lounge area.)

One issue I could see with the VX pax in the SFO CH is the relative lack of carrel/office space, which many US business travellers seem to expect - for example UA lounges, especially the ones at SFO, have vast swathes of 'business center' (sic) space, and this is perpetuated at many other US carriers' lounges.

Mike

[Scrooge]

I don't know if anyone has been in the DL lounge at Cincinnati, but for me that would be a perfect model for VX to look at.

However I can see VX using the CH at SFO/JFK, in fact depending on the cost to VX it could, if they decide to go that route we could see some upgrades to the CH at SFO due to the increased revenue from the VX pax.

[mcmbenjamin]

One other fact to consider is that on the JFK to LAX and SFO route UA allows their travelers into the International First area. Granted their First seat is fully flat but many people prefer Business. If VA were offer a better lounge than AA or UA they would offer a competative advantage.

Also if VA were to offer an arrivals lounge for red eyes some may view that as a benefits as they could go directly to work.

Am I still correct in saying that VX First passengers don't have access to any lounge facilities?

Has anyone managed to sweet talk their way into a VS CH on a VX ticket at all? [:)]

[Pete]

VX are, I'm told, now using the VS Clubhouse at SFO for first class passengers. Don't think they've worked out a deal with any of the others yet, although I understand approaches have been made. The fact they've got it working in SFO (and I'm looking forward to seeing that!), would suggest it can work at other lounges.

Thanks for the update Pete - I'm hoping to use JFK in the next few months on a VX ticket, fingers crossed they work it out soon..[:D]

[preiffer]

So - VX (Economy) with VS Gold Card. Shall we have a go in May, Mr S...? [;)]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by Pete
Don't think they've worked out a deal with any of the others yet, although I understand approaches have been made.

Rumor-mill is that the IAD CH will be for VS Gold and VX First travelers. Will see if this is live.

[Pete]

Originally posted by preiffer
So - VX (Economy) with VS Gold Card. Shall we have a go in May, Mr S...? [;)]

Not heard whether that one's a possibility - but with Claire on the door, we can give it a bash.

I have to say if this comes off it will be great news. I am just trying to find an excuse to travel somewhere on VA and the First tickets have always been appealing but if they also included lounge access, I for one, would definately buy them over economy. Might just have to plan a LAS - SFO trip now!!![}:)]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin

Originally posted by Pete
Don't think they've worked out a deal with any of the others yet, although I understand approaches have been made.

Rumor-mill is that the IAD CH will be for VS Gold and VX First travelers. Will see if this is live.

Confirmed with a '80 percent correctness' (still confused myself), including VS Gold traveling Economy. Time will truly confirm.

That said, at IAD it is a hell of a walk from the VS CH to the VX gates.

Will VS recognize VX status (if VX has status, likely)?

I have just had an email from VX telling me you can use the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in SFO when travelling first class on VA for $40 a visit. [y]

Dosent seem too bad a deal although I have not been to the CH in SFO.

Now I just await the email telling me I can collect Virgin tier points and miles on the VX flights and I will be laughing [:)]

Regards AKS120

[Bazz]

Had the same email, here is the text:

RELAX, REVIVE, REJUVENATE

Virgin America presents yet another reason to fall in love with flying: our guests in first class may now enjoy the SFO Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.


Relax in a stylish retreat and unwind at the full bar
Enjoy delicious food
Plug in with Wi-Fi
Refresh with a shower

This is first class luxury for our guests in first class, and it's all yours for only $40 per visit. To get your pass, just go to the Virgin America first class check-in counter or call 1-877-FLYVIRGIN.

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by aks120
I have just had an email from VX telling me you can use the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in SFO when travelling first class on VA for $40 a visit. [y]

Dosent seem too bad a deal although I have not been to the CH in SFO.

Depends how much you can drink! [:$]

WEll this hasn't gone down well on a.net. Clearly there are some virgin CH users who believe that the CH is akin to their usual Red Carpet lounge etc. They all believe that $40 is too much!

Obviously they have never heard of the rave reviews the SFO CH gets and the fact that it has won VF awards for its service!

[preiffer]

Well, no problem. To those who think $40 is too much - the ULTIMATE luxury awaits them.


That is, the luxury of choice. They can CHOOSE not to make use of it and free up some extra room for VS' own J passengers... [y] [:w]

[RichardMannion]

$40 is peanuts - you can get through that in food and drink easily.