VS Clubhouses, Exclusivity???

Hi guys

Have been away for a couple of days on a conference and came back to find this topic open ... and my holiday tickets on the doorstep, so here goes!

As a father of two 6 feet tall teenagers who will have completed A level/GCSE exams by 30 June and a wife who works her socks off all year for the men in her life, I can't afford UC seats for us all, but have managed PE. As a perk and a thank you to them all I've also booked us in to the Clubhouse at Gatwick as advertised in the VH brochure. It never occurred to me that my presence (I'm a fairly senior military officer) and that of my family would be a problem and my apologies, in advance of our arrival(as I've no intention, having already paid, of giving up the chance)to those who might have a problem with it.

Two years ago I flew to Nepal with Qatar Airways on business and used the Clubhouse at LHR as a guest. The experience was so good that I jumped at the chance this time (though we're off to Florida and haven't used the Gatwick Clubhouse yet) to share the experience with the family. I know, as others have stated and from my experience with Priotity Plus, that the vast majority of people wouldn't consider paying £30 a person entrance fee which might just go to allay soem of the fears about the 'type' of person who you're likely to find in the Clubhouse not flying UC.

Anyhow, these past twelve months have been quite a hassle and worry for my family with me being away places, so I reckon they deserve a treat and I've bought them one. Thanks VS for the opportunity and we promise to behave ... you won't even know we're not meant to be there!

Oh yes, almost forgot. My Clubhouse pass states that 'VIRGIN TOUCH FACILITIES ARE NOT INCLUDED' ... maybe that helps those worried about us 'unworthies' taking up space on the massage beds.

Thanks to everyone who makes this such a lively and informative site ... great work and keep it up ... all of you!!!

Cheers

Nick

quote:Originally posted by jetgirl
So, do you pay PE/UC fares to use the lounge? Surely you pay for the extra legroom and fantastic service in the air? I'd understand if econ VH pax were getting upgraded from econ/pe to pe/uc, then people could feel infringed but its just a lounge, if your thirty quid only gets you access to the lounge and some booze and sarnies, all the full fare paying pax can still look smug as they're whisked off for their massages/facials/manicures/haircuts.

Actually, my point was that on LGW flights, you get a service, i.e. different food, and that's it really. You can get the same seats in Zone B as the UC get. Its about the whole experiance.
What then would make VS any different to any other airline?
Sure when UCS come in, that will be a bonus, but take for example, someone who flies regulary in First/Buisness/UC.
What makes them want to fly VS? Everyone, including very pro VS people on this site admit that the food on BA first is better than VS UC, they do say, however, that the VS lounges are better. One of the reasons is that anyone who flies BA knows that the lounge will be a bear pit, busy and full of Star alliance people, the "exclusivity" of flying Club has gone and sometimes its better to stay in the main concourse than be in their lounges.
What I don't want to see is the same thing happening in VS lounges.
Hell, even BA understand this and have a seperate lounge for Firts pax!
Yes, let VH give lounge access but NOT to the VS clubhouses. There are plenty of other lounges available.

Just as a point of note on this thread before anyone gets the wrong idea.

To be fair, I don't think AlanA was opening up this thread to complain about the type of people that can get clubhouse access, or that people in the clubhouse feel uncomfortable with people paying for access through VH being in there at the same time. That's not the way I'm reading it at all.

I beieve that he's openend up a pretty good debate about whether one of the benefits of paying a higher price for a premium product is being devalued by allowing folks on a cheaper fare access by paying a small supplement.

[BTW, I think the word small is appropriate to describe the supplement - both times I've been in clubhouses, I've consumed more than £27 worth of beer & food, before you even start on anything else ).]

I can see both sides of the debate - IMHO, the UC premium product is only devalued if more people start accessing the clubhouse by paying through VH rather than paying full fare UC (and that isn't going to happen due to the limits in force).

Personally, I couldn't care less if the person sat next to me at the bar is on a full UC fare, paid £27 with VH or used miles/cash to upgrade a ticket. UC to me is more about the whole service package and seating on the plane. If the clubhouse access is more important to you than anything else, then booking through VH is probably the way forward.

In summary - if you can get clubhouse access for £27 by booking through VH, take it - defintitely take it, it's worth it. Although, like RM says, remember this only applies to the UK side

Cheers

Michael

Hi HighFlier!
I'll look out for you in the Clubhouse next Friday - unfortunately my shell-suit is at the cleaners so you'll have to look out for the flower in my hair instead!

Dont worry all you "Upper Classers" - Clubhouse tickets clearly state that a smart dresscode is required for entry. I've also been asked to sign a disclaimer from Virgin Holidays to confirm that I have never lived on a council estate, my spouse is not called Wayne or Sharon and I dont have any tattoos.

Nick,
but as a "Pongo" you are acutely aware of rank and that as an officer, you use the Officers Mess, but cannot without invitation go into the Sergeants mess, nor can they get a ticket and walk into yours.
Its the same thing. There ARE lounges available and maybe VS should offer Servisair lounges, for example to PE passengers, who, as much as I whinge about what is available to UC, PE needs to be revitalised as paying double for a few inches of leg room and still a seat which does not recline and the same food as standard econ is getting stale.

However as ex Mil myself, we should have complete access to all facilities as a right anyway :D:D:D
Being serious, I think that USA troops do to some of their airlines lounges?

Flo!!! [}:)]

I have tattoos (correctly spelt though and they aren't on my knuckles either!), piercings and wear leather and big New Rock boots (though they are lovely and shiny:D) and no-one has ever said anything!

My hubby has longer hair than me and dresses similar!

So wear your shellsuit if you feel more comfy (as long as it is clean and pressed, creases down the legs and all that) and I do hope that flower is a dandelion heeheehee!!!

quote:To be fair, I don't think AlanA was opening up this thread to complain about the type of people that can get clubhouse access, or that people in the clubhouse feel uncomfortable with people paying for access through VH being in there at the same time. That's not the way I'm reading it at all.

Mcuth - fair point and I agree that AlanA's point wasn't that people in shellsuits with snotty kids may gain access to the lounge, in fact none of the CH regulars mention that in any of their posts. As you can see you can still get people in the CH who actually pay for UC and who don't fit in with the usual crowd.

Kind Regards
Shaz (That'll be Sharon then!) :D:D
Just to clarify - hubby is not called Wayne

quote:Originally posted by shazam
Kind Regards
Shaz (That'll be Sharon then!) :D:D
Just to clarify - hubby is not called Wayne

Ah yes, but do you have the white shoes and matching handbag? :D:D

quote:Originally posted by AlanA

quote:Originally posted by shazam
Kind Regards
Shaz (That'll be Sharon then!) :D:D
Just to clarify - hubby is not called Wayne

Ah yes, but do you have the white shoes and matching handbag? :D:D

Do you mean do me and my hubby have matching?? because he tends not to carry a handbag and he would struggle to get some white court shoes to fit him:D:D:D

The only things I have that are white is the lettering on my Motorhead shirt and my Leeds United shirt!!:D

Shaz

quote:Originally posted by shazam
[

The only things I have that are white is the lettering on my Motorhead shirt and my Leeds United shirt!!:D

Shaz

I am in LOVE folks! [:p]
MARCHING ON TOGETHER![8D][8D]

quote:Originally posted by shazam
Flo!!! [}:)]

I have tattoos (correctly spelt though and they aren't on my knuckles either!), piercings and wear leather and big New Rock boots (though they are lovely and shiny:D) and no-one has ever said anything!

My hubby has longer hair than me and dresses similar!

So wear your shellsuit if you feel more comfy (as long as it is clean and pressed, creases down the legs and all that) and I do hope that flower is a dandelion heeheehee!!!

quote:To be fair, I don't think AlanA was opening up this thread to complain about the type of people that can get clubhouse access, or that people in the clubhouse feel uncomfortable with people paying for access through VH being in there at the same time. That's not the way I'm reading it at all.

Mcuth - fair point and I agree that AlanA's point wasn't that people in shellsuits with snotty kids may gain access to the lounge, in fact none of the CH regulars mention that in any of their posts. As you can see you can still get people in the CH who actually pay for UC and who don't fit in with the usual crowd.

Kind Regards
Shaz (That'll be Sharon then!) :D:D
Just to clarify - hubby is not called Wayne

Hi
you know I'm only joking!! Wonder if I could borrow your gear to wear to the Clubhouse next Friday...

[/quote]
Hi
you know I'm only joking!! Wonder if I could borrow your gear to wear to the Clubhouse next Friday...
[/quote]

Of course

You could borrow my gear but the problem is you nearly need to undress to get through security, belts, boots, jacket and they nearly always like to have a look through my coffin handbag

As long as you are prepared for it and are standing in the line with everything off it only takes a couple of minutes to get through!

Shaz

[HighFlyer]

I didnt know that i wouldnt be able to use the Virgin Touch facilities with the lounge access that i have bought. In all honesty, how would they know at LGW for example when you can pre-book treatments? I was looking forward to getting my treatment, i guess i will have to think again. Although i was never told that there were limitations and many people may not have paid for access if they knew that there were.

Flo, when will you be in the lounge? I'll PM you the day before and hopefully we can say hi - and comment to each other on the lack of shell-suited, council estate dwellers with tattoos there are in the var!!

I'll be in the Clubhouse at around the same time as you. Flight departs 12 noon but we're planning an early arrival at LHR. Should make it to the Clubhouse by 9-ish
Flo

[RichardMannion]

I see this thread is spiralling!

The way I see it, I don't really care if there are people in there that are not flying in J, have paid for access with VH - who cares. I've seen some real 'ars*s' flying in Upper that have looked down upon me when in the LON clubhouses as to 'what am I doing in there'.

Like I said, the nubmers are limited but at the same tiem the money brought in helps keep the facility running. One of the reasons why the Clubhouses are so good are the number of staff that are on hand to help compared to other facilites, and these people obviously cost money. Thats why Centurion card customers can use the lounge, AmEx will pay Virgin for the benefit. The new Clubhouse at LHR is costing c. £15m, thats a lot of money - New UCS cost £50m. So as Tesco says, Every little helps.

Contrary to what some may think, I do fly in Economy at times. I normally do this when I'm going with my sibling or friends, as they all don't want to pay PE prices. I take them into the Clubhouse, and I would feel very disgruntled if I thought they were being labelled or served any different. All my guests love the Clubhouses, and I'm happy that VS offer it as a benefit on my Au card.

If anyone on here was ever flying the same day as me, I would more than happily take them in as my guest if I did not already have a guest with me.

Thanks,
Richard

The other point is that it is good marketing for them. As poeple get the opportunity to see what service they can have in the Clubhouse, they slowly get hooked as this is the way to travel. Then slowly make it more difficult to use the service and then they have more UC fare paying passenages!

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
I am trying to put together a definative guide to Clubhouse entry, so could you let me know what happens, please?

The same goes for anyone else who has any experience with being allowed (or refused) entry when not a Gold or UC passenger - either post the experiences on the board - or PM me

Nick,

I was refused entry at LHR in January (Silver Flying Club, flying PE to JFK). I asked at check-in and was told that paid entry was no longer an option. I decided to go up to the lounge and check, but I got the same answer there[:(].

I'm flying PE LGW to MCO on 5 July and I intend to ask there. I'll let you know how I get on.

So as a P/E customer, can I expect a P/E lounge so we council house johnnies can be separated from the Economy passengers please.

Also just found out BA is to launch a PE clone shortly...

quote:Originally posted by Neddy

Also just found out BA is to launch a PE clone shortly...

They already do. It's called World Traveller Plus, available on 4 class longhaul aircraft which have the New Club World fitted. Same idea as PE: more legroom, better seat, but economy service. No pre-flight champagne though, and stingier on the miles credited (125% versus Virgin's 150%).

quote:If anyone on here was ever flying the same day as me, I would more than happily take them in as my guest if I did not already have a guest with me

I'm with you Richard we have 2 cards and if we have no guests anyone here is more than welcome.

Is it just gold card holders that can take a guest? Please tell me it is because we flew UC last January with friends in Economy and we signed them into the Servisair lounge with our priority passes because we didn't think they could come into the CH. I just never thought to ask at check in.

Shaz

[HighFlyer]

Gold card holders, be sure to post your travel dates in the itenary section, then us lesser Silver members can accost you into the Clubhouse!!

[mitchja]

Shazam

no anyone with either a J, D, Z or G fare Upper Class ticket can invite 1 guest per ticket into the Clubhouse. Guests are no longer allowed into Revivals though.

See ther fare class code section here

I too could not care less who is sat next to me in a Clubhouse.

I'll be in the LHR Clubhouse (flying on a Z fare UC ticket to JFK) September 24th and then in the JFK Clubhouse on the 26th, so if anyone want's to join me you are more than welcome

Regards

Mitchja

Thanks for that but I do feel guilty now.

I won't be telling them that they missed out

I did take them some chocolates from UC though mid-flight (she says desperately trying to make herself feel better)

Shaz

Does that mean if you have an UC ticket and a VSAU card you can invite 2 guests:D

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
Does that mean if you have an UC ticket and a VSAU card you can invite 2 guests:D

No - doesn't work like that unfortunately.

I have been on UC ticket before with FC Au, BD Gold and a Centurion Card, still one guest.

Thanks,
Richard