FC Gold Experience?

Hello - first time, long time. I made FC Gold a few months ago through long time use of the credit card and some business class travel on Singapore Airlines. I'll be using my Gold status for the first time next month out of EWR (and a few times more shortly thereafter ) and was wondering how the Gold experience compares to my previous non-status. I've searched the forum and got the gist and I'm familiar with the benefits listed on the VS website but was curious to hear anecdotal stories from those who have had FC Gold longer.

- Upgrades - I'm not expecting miracles here and I don't expect to be given Economy to UC for free when checking in but I'm interested to hear the experience of others. When I check in at the desk will I get the same offer to upgrade from Economy as everyone else? Does fare code matter more than FC Gold here?

- FC Card - Are they still sending physical plastic cards out or luggage tags? I never got a physical card when I reached Gold.

- Greetings - I read in the past FC Gold members were given a special greeting when seated on the aircraft but there were issues with this recently. Has this been sorted?

Again, just curious on the experience of FC Gold vs Red. Not expecting Richard Branson to personally come shake my hand. Thanks!

[mitchja]

Welcome to V-Flyer

Physical cards - yes these are still issued as well a luggage tags (2 for Gold members or 1 for Silver members)

Fare codes do indeed play a roll in any any complimentary op-ups. If there are 2 gold card holders looking to get upgraded to 1 seat, VS will always upgrade the one on a higher fare code.

The welcome thing does vary from crew to crew, though I’ve had this happen twice on my last couple of VS flights including today.

I’m currently sat on the VS5 flying to Miami and the crew on this particular flight are simply outstanding . As a Gold card holder, I am being treated like Royalty today!!! In fact, it’s probably the best VS flight I’ve ever been on in the whole 18 years I’ve been flying VS. I was welcomed by name as I boarded and thanked for my continued loyalty and at the same time asked if I would like escorting to my seat. Personal introduction and welcome from both the flight service manager and the cabin service supervisor. I have also been addressed by name the entire flight so far

As per last post, it’s completey hit and miss!!

I have been in UC and not got any acknowledgement that I’m Gold, but have also been on economy flights where the service manager has come down the plane to say hello and give me a glass of champagne after take off!!

The big thing for me is the clubhouse access and extra miles when flying. I have been Gold for 2 years and taken about 8 individual economy or PE flights in that time, and never been upgraded. These days upgrades seem to be very rare. Virgin won’t give them out unless they are over booked.

Been Gold for 3 years and never noticed any special treatment, recognition or anything different from when I was Silver ....

upgrades - never been that fortunate, but the extra miles come in handy if there're miles+taxes upgrades available at check-in

cards/tags - they still send them out, the timing can be iffy, if it's more than a few weeks i'd give them a call - when one of my tags was broken i emailed and they sent me a new set

greetings - very spotty, it seemed to become less common over time, though once in EC i also had the surprise of a glass of bubbly being brought back during boarding

for your birthday you get some extra points and a balloon

it's handy to be able to use the UC check-in which can ease buying miles upgrades at some airports and avoids long queues sometimes, clubhouses of course, and priority boarding with the chance to stow baggage neatly before the aisles jam up

Hi,

Yes on Physical Card/luggage tags

As mentioned upgrades yes FCG helps for sure and it's usually the additional miles earned that helps rather than it being 'free' or an op up

As for greetings and 'special' treatment this is for sure getting much better in my experience (3 flights over the last 6weeks 1 LGW-LAS, 1 LHR-DEL and 1 LHR-EWR and their respective returns) yes it's crew dependant to be sure my BEST flight on VS ever happened with me being in Economy on return flight DEL-LHR a couple of weeks before Christmas was fantastic and I was treated like royalty - meal choice first, meal served first, 3 or 4 'hello welcome back' from different crew members - glass of champagne and a constant supply of snacks and such throughout the flight - but the treatment on that flight was awesome!

I have found the FCG acknowledgement has improved massively since the rollout of ipads on the flights - it's much easier for the crew to tell if your are FCG now as they can't tell by the number but their app makes it VERY clear....