Help! Refused entry at LHR Clubhouse

I just got turned away from the Clubhouse a few moments ago after showing my bmi Gold card and SQ boarding pass. I'm booked on a VS codeshare, flight VS7321 tonight. Lounge receptionist said they don't have an agreement with bmi any longer. I asked her to double check and she talked to her colleague. Came back and said I could only use the bmi card if flying VS Upper Class [?][?] What can I do? Help me please! I don't want to stay here in the London Lounge.

The Strawb

[RichardMannion]

Why would you need any card if you are flying VS Upper Class!

I would ask to speak to the lounge supervisor.

Thanks,
Richard

[preiffer]

Umm - isn't the rule limited to VS OPERATED flights? That's a codeshare?

(Could be wrong, but I can see where a loophole might have been closed... [:I])

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by Strawberry Muppet
I just got turned away from the Clubhouse a few moments ago after showing my bmi Gold card and SQ boarding pass. I'm booked on a VS codeshare, flight VS7321 tonight. Lounge receptionist said they don't have an agreement with bmi any longer. I asked her to double check and she talked to her colleague.

From the bmi site:
Virgin Atlantic

gold diamond club members may use the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow Terminal 3.

Came back and said I could only use the bmi card if flying VS Upper Class [?][?] What can I do? Help me please! I don't want to stay here in the London Lounge.

What would the point of a bmi whatever card be if traveling UC (non opup'ed) in relation to CH access?

If you booked the codeshare, you are a VS client so I would say you would get access. But it is SQ metal...so..

Atleast you got in a lounge which is better than 90 percent of the traveling public.

[preiffer]

Bear in mind, Ben, that about 99.999% of the Diamond Club details posted on flybmi.com for the past 2 years is utter c**p. The T's and C's are so far out of date, it's unreal.

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by preiffer
Bear in mind, Ben, that about 99.999% of the Diamond Club details posted on flybmi.com for the past 2 years is utter c**p. The T's and C's are so far out of date, it's unreal.

Ahhh, Thanks. Seams to be a common thread for the whole airline.

I bet BD goes the way of EI and departs from the *A.

[preiffer]

By the way - seems you're not alone in failing to get lounge access with a bmi card... [:0]

I've just been on the phone with VS Flying Club (sorry, had to hold on for ages) and the geezer couldn't clarify 100% if I was I allowed in on a VS codeshare. But he did say that if I was on a Continental codeshare that I would be entitled to access the Clubhouse. What do you think of that?

The Strawb

I'm really upset. [:(!][:(!][:(!]

The Strawb

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Why would you need any card if you are flying VS Upper Class!

I would ask to speak to the lounge supervisor.

Thanks,
Richard

That's exactly what I thought. I'll go over there now and speak to one.

The Strawb

[Nottingham Nick]

Have you rung BMI? If it is their Gold card that is supposed to get you into the Clubhouse, then surely they will be able to confirm this to you and to the Clubhouse staff.

Having said that, the BMI board on FT does not hold the airline in a very high regard, and tricks like withdrawing agreements without telling their membership do not seem to be uncommon. [V][:(!]

Nick

[preiffer]

Ah, I've found the actual reference in the BMI terms and conditions ("Gold Membership Benefits 06", Page 6)

additional lounge facilities
As well as having access to our network of diamond club lounges, and bmi business lounges, you may use the Virgin Clubhouse at London Heathrow's Terminal 3 when you fly with Virgin Atlantic

Hate to say it, but you're not flying with Virgin Atlantic. (Metal rules apply, I'd imagine)

I made it into the Clubhouse...as far as the ticket desk!

No luck. Same lady showed me the big folder of rules and said if I was on a VS flight I would be be allowed in. I asked her what about CO codeshare flights and she replied no access for CO or SQ codeshare (so how come Flying Club said yes? [?])

Anyway, she was nice to me and said she would personally welcome me in next time if she was there and if I was on a VS flight.

Guess that sucks then!

The Strawb

[preiffer]

Sorry to hear that, Strawb, but...

Look at it this way:


BMI give out Gold cards like candy. If a BA customer sneezes, they'll give them one to wipe their nose. IF BD cardholders could use the CH when flying ANY airline in T3 - can you imagine how busy that place would be?

Although I sympathise, and I'm sorry to hear that you couldn't make use of the facilities - in a way, I'm kind of glad that there are such rules in place to prevent anyone and everyone using the lounge while not directly benefiting VS.

Back in March I managed to get into the Clubhouse with my bmi card and SQ boarding pass (and I wasn't even on a VS codeshare) so I never imagined for one moment I would have any problems this evening. I explained that to the lounge lady and she said, well, you were very, very lucky then.

The Strawb

[RichardMannion]

This has come up before and the rules as I knew were if it was ticketed as VS (therfore your flight number on your booking is VSxxx), then you could gain access.

Paul I know what you are saying but this is a VS ticketed flight, and Strawb does have a BMI Gold card (I know they give them out like candy, but then the 'benefit' is there). VS did benefit even though he may not be travelling on their metal, it was booked through the codeshare so they would have got their cut.

Remember SQ PPS and Solitaires are allowed access too, so are they goign to turn then away if they are on a codeshare but its VS ticketed?

Strawb - sorry to hear your problem though. I know it has been raised in house at HQ now, so hopefully we will get this clarified properly for the future. Knowing BMI though, they will pull access to the LHR CH anyway as further benefit dilution on their part.

Thanks,
Richard

I like what you say Richard. You know, my flight has a VS flight number so it shouldn't matter if it's operated by SQ (who in actual fact own half of VS). I'm really disappointed tonight, even got to the airport extra early. I think I shall write a letter to VS customer services and see what they say about it.

Thanks to for all the comments guys.

Not a Happy Strawb

[preiffer]

I'd hold fire on that just for now, Strawb. It's being checked into, but the person I just spoke to at BMI doesn't seem to agree with Richard.

[RichardMannion]

Paul has a point - even though its a VS facility (the Clubhouse) - it is down to BMI as the beenfit is offered via them. So you shoudl take the issue up with them, especially since their website is extremely poor about clarifying this.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by Strawberry Muppet
Back in March I managed to get into the Clubhouse with my bmi card and SQ boarding pass (and I wasn't even on a VS codeshare) so I never imagined for one moment I would have any problems this evening. I explained that to the lounge lady and she said, well, you were very, very lucky then.

The Strawb

FWIW I got in last August travelling AC Biz class and my Centurion Card when I (and it would seem the VS chap at the desk) didn't know any better.

Cheers, Howard

Originally posted by RichardMannion
This has come up before and the rules as I knew were if it was ticketed as VS (therfore your flight number on your booking is VSxxx), then you could gain access.

I tend to agree with this interpretation too. It is the same interpretation applied to VS Au - Au plus VS ticket on SQ/VS codeshare = access, Au plus SQ Ticket on SQ/VS codeshare = no access.

Hope you get it sorted SM.

Phil

[preiffer]

Ah, but the difference there, Phil - is that it's a VS FFP you're using to access a VS lounge.

This is airline X's FFP, accessing airline Y's lounge, flying with airline Z, ticketed as airline Y's codeshare. Not exactly simple.

Just an update. Here's Virgin's reply (finally!) to my query regarding access to the Clubhouse when travelling on codeshare flights.

Dear [Strawb]

Thank you for your email sharing your concerns with us.

From what you have written, I am aware that you were denied access to
the Clubhouse. I do understand how disappointing this must have been
for you and would like to offer my apologies.

Having investigate this, I would like to confirm that BMI Goldcard
holders are granted access to the Clubhouse at Heathrow airport. However, this is available only, for passengers travelling on a Virgin Atlantic flight and not on our code share services. It is a reciprocal agreement between BD and Virgin Atlantic. (bmi Business Lounge is located at International gate 14 in Terminal 1, therefore cannot be used if travelling on a BD domestic flight

In addition, I would like to inform you that for SQ customers, access is given only for First Class and Business Class travellers (not for Economy class travellers).

In closing, I thank you for taking the time to write to us. We look forward to being of service to you in the future.

Yours sincerely

XXXXXXX
Customer Relations Executive

{mcuth: edited to remove staff member's name}

[preiffer]

They've confirmed what I said then... [:w]

Makes sense. The CH is part of the VS flying experience.. primarily for UC pax, to begin their journey as they mean to continue it.. but to also let in those who have high airline status, but are flying in PE or Y on this current VS flight.