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LGW Clubhouse Access

Posted:
29 May 2006, 21:38
by firsttimer
I don't want to open up a can of worms here (or start a debate), but I've heard of 3 people recently who have booked flights through VH and tried to book clubhouse access by either their website or call centre and have been unsuccessful. I'm wondering if VA are returning the LGW clubhouse to how it used to be (i.e. keep it a 'premium' product), or if it is just VH restricting the number of places. Has anyone heard anything.

Posted:
29 May 2006, 21:43
by mcmbenjamin
Ahhh. VH only has a certian amount of vouchers to sell for each day. Once they are gone, they are gone. You could ask if they are avail when booking or maybe a fellow VFer will be traveling on the day you are and is in UC or is a gold.

Posted:
29 May 2006, 21:44
by Nottingham Nick
I think it has always been accepted that 'paid access' through VH is very much capacity controlled.
Not having travelled through LGW for a while, and not being a J flyer [:I], I don't know if there have been issues about over crowding. I certainly don't recall any such comments on here.
I don't know how many places VH are allotted, but I wouldn't think it is very many. It may be a case of - book early to avoid the Servisair alternative.

[}:)]
Nick

Posted:
29 May 2006, 21:48
by firsttimer
Sorry, I should have said I'm already flying UC so have access [y]

Posted:
29 May 2006, 21:59
by RichardMannion
I can't remember the exact number (think it was 10 or 15 passes per day) that VH have to sell for the LHR and LGW CH's - it is capacity controlled. Very much like access is for Centurion cardholders - if the lounge is very busy, the CH has the right to turn pax away (not that I have heard of this happenning yet).
A long time ago, AmEx Platinum got you access to the CH's but they were becoming swamped with cardmembers, so the access was pulled. The CH's are stunning facilities, and I prefer that they capacity control - if you allow too many people in, then they would wear quickly and the same levels of service as now would fall.
Thanks,
Richard

Posted:
29 May 2006, 22:35
by mcmbenjamin
Originally posted by RichardMannion
I can't remember the exact number (think it was 10 or 15 passes per day) that VH have to sell for the LHR and LGW CH's - it is capacity controlled. Very much like access is for Centurion cardholders - if the lounge is very busy, the CH has the right to turn pax away (not that I have heard of this happenning yet).
A long time ago, AmEx Platinum got you access to the CH's but they were becoming swamped with cardmembers, so the access was pulled. The CH's are stunning facilities, and I prefer that they capacity control - if you allow too many people in, then they would wear quickly and the same levels of service as now would fall.
Thanks,
Richard
With the DL Crown Room access, AmEx pays DL a set rate per AmEx Platinum cardholder visit. Does AmEx pay VS per member visit?

Posted:
30 May 2006, 10:36
by RichardMannion
Yes they do Ben, can't remember how much it is nowadays. Saying that though ahve you seen how much a lounge pass is for LHR nowadays?
Thanks,
Richard

Posted:
30 May 2006, 10:46
by fozzyo
£65 with VH!
They have recently changed it, you used to be able to buy a pass as long as you where flying on VS that day, now you have to have booked the flight through VH too.
Mat xxx

Posted:
30 May 2006, 13:03
by Scorpio
Do i take it then if you booked a VH flying UC you may or may not get Clubhouse access?
Or am i totally confusing everyone?!

Posted:
30 May 2006, 13:12
by Decker
Paid UC always gets lounge access.

Posted:
31 May 2006, 00:50
by mcmbenjamin
Originally posted by RichardMannion
Yes they do Ben, can't remember how much it is nowadays. Saying that though ahve you seen how much a lounge pass is for LHR nowadays?
Thanks,
Richard
OT - Are by any chance related to the Chief Executive Officer of Aer Lingus?

Posted:
31 May 2006, 00:58
by RichardMannion
Not that I know of Ben, but then I have never studied our family tree - I only really know my close nuclear family.
Thanks,
Richard

Posted:
31 May 2006, 15:39
by Jonathan
Originally posted by Decker
Paid UC always gets lounge access.
Any UC will get lounge access + guest (including rewards)
The only UC that doesnt is an op up

Posted:
01 Jun 2006, 23:11
by julesn
You can try asking at the clubhouse desk on the day, they certainly used to allow access (presumably depending on how busy they are).

Posted:
02 Jun 2006, 00:09
by g7dyd
Hi,
We flew on VS027 on 30th April on a VH Flydrive and were able to pay for Clubhouse access on the day (£25 each) Ok so it's not cheap but worth every penny to avoid the mayhem in the terminal. Also we were told we could use all the treatments on offer too which surprised me.
Mick.

Posted:
02 Jul 2006, 01:09
by nevadakaz
I assume VH= Virgin Holidays.
I have taken a quick look at their site but don't see where they sell club house passes.
Does anbody ahve a link ?
TIA

Posted:
02 Jul 2006, 08:50
by MarkJ
Originally posted by nevadakaz
I assume VH= Virgin Holidays.
I have taken a quick look at their site but don't see where they sell club house passes.
Does anbody ahve a link ?
TIA
There you go [y]
Clubhouse Bookings

Posted:
02 Jul 2006, 15:09
by armadillo
when i got my gold card and they started allowing gold members to use the lounge - i thought great ! relaxing, free food and strong lager (again), free treatments and so on.
but its all a bit of a novelty really - - I know we mainly fly out of LGW and the lounge is a poor relation of the lounge at heathrow - but we certainly dont think its worth paying for it.
but then again we do like the hustle and bustle of airports and people watching and stuff - so probably doesnt suit us.
ADDED::should have said that we do go in there each trip - but only for a quick coffee and bacon sandwich - so all in all about 20 mins and then head back into the terminal - so hence we wouldnt pay that money for 20 mins free coffee and 'greasy' bacon sarnie.