Clubhouse LGW - no access!

OK, so I emailed frequent virgin and they didn't mail me back. I called them to ask about buying entrance into the clubhouse (flying PE on Virgin, not V holidays) and she said yes. I then asked about a discount and she didn't know and referred me to V Atlantic (08705 747747 - customer services). They said I can't pay to get into the clubhouse, never mind a discount! I'm sure someone here said it was possible - and in any case, they're not all telling quite the same story.

Any thoughts, anyone?

I did this a couple of years ago flying PE to BGI, but that was all booked through Virgin Holidays. I didn't think you could pay if you weren't using VH, but I might just be wrong . [?]

Originally posted by lovetoholiday
I did this a couple of years ago flying PE to BGI, but that was all booked through Virgin Holidays. I didn't think you could pay if you weren't using VH, but I might just be wrong . [?]

Seems not.....

The terms of booking the LGW clubhouse through VH is that you are flying with VS. I do not know if they differentiate between VS flights booked with VH or direct with VS. I did enquire about it a while ago and they only asked if I was flying VS, not if I had booked it through VH.

I would book the LGW clubhouse through VH and pay the standard price and stop asking questions about discounts:D:D:D

Paul

[HighFlyer]

As far as i know, you can buy entrance to the Clubhouse through VH but not VA. THe VH booking reference is required to facilitate the CH booking.

See here for more details, but it clearly states: "Please note: to book a Virgin Clubhouse lounge you must have purchased your travel with Virgin Holidays.

Thanks,
Sarah

LOL - good point, but I really struggle to do rack!

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by HighFlyer
See here for more details, but it clearly states: "Please note: to book a Virgin Clubhouse lounge you must have purchased your travel with Virgin Holidays.

How strange, we have a voucher for LHR CH access that says differently. We aren't booked with VH but booked a pass for the LHR clubhouse. Have a look here for details.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by fozzyo
How strange, we have a voucher for LHR CH access that says differently.

When did you buy it? I think the rule change hasn't been that long implemented.

We aren't booked with VH but booked a pass for the LHR clubhouse. Have a look here for details.

And clicking either of the LHR or LGW CH links there will take you to a page with the wording that Sarah quoted above

Cheers

Michael

I'd already tried the link suggested (and thanks guys), but after inputting dates and so on, it just kept coming up with an error message telling me 'accommodation not available'. All seems a bit muddied - I think I may well call VH again to try and book - with no discount for frequent virgin status. As someone here mentioned, she did only ask if I was flying VS.

So very annoying though.... [:(!]

[preiffer]

Claire - I think you may have missed some of the previous points - you cannot book Clubhouse Access with Virgin Holidays if your TRAVEL was not booked with them. Flying with VS means nothing unless your reservation was made with Virgin Holidays.

They will need to add it to a VH order/invoice - and you don't have one of those. I believe they'll offer ServisAir lounge access to non-VH holiday customers, but ISTBC...

Don't shoot me but I feel that Clubhouses should only be for Upper Class passengers, doesn't seem fair someone paying an extra £450 to upgrade to PE on Virgin Hols and then another £30 to get in to the lounge when UC pax are paying up to £6K for a ticket.

I went PE last year and didn't want to be in a clubhouse, would have made the experience less special next time I flew UCS.

Originally posted by catsilversword
I'd already tried the link suggested (and thanks guys), but after inputting dates and so on, it just kept coming up with an error message telling me 'accommodation not available'. All seems a bit muddied - I think I may well call VH again to try and book - with no discount for frequent virgin status. As someone here mentioned, she did only ask if I was flying VS.

So very annoying though.... [:(!]

As Paul mentinoed above it does not appear that you are 'allowed' to book them anyway, but to answer your query, they do not have unlimited entry and accomodation unavailable means just that, they have no tickets to sell you on the days you wanted even if you where 'allowed' to buy them.

Why not keep your eye on the itinerary forum and see if any other V-flyers will be there to sign you in.

What are your dates?

Paul

Ahh now getting a m8 to get you in, thats ok with me[y]

Just a thought, this site is so good for VA I think Vflyers should get a few passes for the clubhouse.

[HighFlyer]

I think Vflyers should get a few passes for the clubhouse.

Some do, its called a Gold Card

(runs now to avoid a slap ....)

I am jesting of course ... i was Ag not that long ago.

Originally posted by HighFlyer

I think Vflyers should get a few passes for the clubhouse.

Some do, its called a Gold Card

Made me laugh!:D:D

Paul

im the past vs have sold clubhouse access at checkin at LGW (its not something you can ask for but are sometimes offered) I think it was 25 pounds at the time..

Ive never known that happen anywhere else though!

Originally posted by easygoingeezer
Don't shoot me but I feel that Clubhouses should only be for Upper Class passengers, doesn't seem fair someone paying an extra £450 to upgrade to PE on Virgin Hols and then another £30 to get in to the lounge when UC pax are paying up to £6K for a ticket.
I went PE last year and didn't want to be in a clubhouse, would have made the experience less special next time I flew UCS.

I am inclined to agree with you (in the main) , however - where such an argument falls down is over flying-club gold members...
You could actually spend less on repeated travel as a gold member (Economy & PE) to retain your status than on 1 flight in UCS - yet be allowed into CH everytime you fly VS...
Should they then not be allowed in?
I think charging a premium rate for it is an ok idea - if done on days when the CH is emptier anyway (as with selling it at check-in, where clearly the checkin-staff can make a judgement as too your suitability for the CH (lone traveller obviously stands a better chance of an offer than a family of 4 travelling together) & presumably do so on days the CH is forecast to be underused at certain times , all of which info VS would have well in advance of the first pax showing up at check-in)

I doubt there are many gold card holders clogging up the clubhouse that spend less than 1 flight in UCS to retain status - although it is possible

interesting idea - however without lounge access how would you suggest virgin keep their most frequent flyers?

(edited for speeeeeeeeeeling!)

[preiffer]

Also, while there are some that do as you suggest, a LOT of Gold card holders hold that card because they ONLY travel in Upper.

I don't actually get any real "Gold benefits" as such from my card each time I fly, over that of a regular J passenger. I'd be in the lounge anyway.

(Although the 50% mileage from next month is a bit of a softener)

On the contrary - Im suggesting they do let FF use it ...

Ive no doubt there are many FF that use UCS many times (its the quickest way to Gold of course, even if it doesnt have added value), which is why I think there should be some extra benefits to UCS (rtn transport to/from airport on all UCS fare types maybe?). However 1x PE flight a month also keeps you there (or 1x PE rtn flight every 2 months).. Indeed if you have to fly once a month - even on the cheapest economy fare, 2x TPs each way means youd still rack up the 40 points to get you to gold in under a year & youd need less flights the next year to stay there

Sterotypical FF does tend to be the business traveller flying in Upper - but nowadays thats becoming less-so the case, especially with the much more limited availability in upper & the much more regular travel that goes on.

[Scrooge]

cheaper way to do it is to buy two full mile earning fights in coach,that way you get the room,double miles and double TP's.

True. (quickly rushes off to book a couple flights to get FCau before june)

Originally posted by HighFlyer

I think Vflyers should get a few passes for the clubhouse.

Some do, its called a Gold Card

(runs now to avoid a slap ....)

I am jesting of course ... i was Ag not that long ago.

I was also ag not that long ago - and now I'm.....red! As I don't travel for work, my flights are of course limited to leisure, but what is most annoying is that on 2 of the last 3 flights taken, I haven't been able to fly VS (if only they'd fly to other places) and therefore have 'missed out' - I surely wouldn't have been demoted again otherwise.

I should shut up - this is sounding far too much like sour grapes and I'm actually only too aware that I'm lucky enough to be able to travel that amount I do... [:I]

Originally posted by jetwet1
cheaper way to do it is to buy two full mile earning fights in coach,that way you get the room,double miles and double TP's.

What Room, do you get a hotel stay included as well?:D:D

Paul

Originally posted by catsilversword
..what is most annoying is that on 2 of the last 3 flights taken, I haven't been able to fly VS (if only they'd fly to other places) and therefore have 'missed out' - I surely wouldn't have been demoted again otherwise.

Ah now you see Claire this is where the more fanatical V-Flyers would have taken the hit on a stop-over and gone via a VS destination.[8D]

Paul