V-Flyer

We are flying Upper from MCO to MAN in April. We have our Aunt with us who will fly Upper from MAN to MCO but could only get PE on the return. When we all check in will we be able to get a guest pass for my Aunt to join us in the Delta lounge, and will she be able to use the Upper Check in with us?

Cheers,

Danny

They usually write on the voucher that a guest can be admitted but just make sure you mention it at check-in.

I once forgot to mention it and they had to phone down to make sure I was entitled to bring a guest in.[:?]

(Strangely enough, the last time we were there, 3 or 4 weeks ago, they didn't issue invites but said the lounge would be expecting us - probably didn't have any left)

David

I've had no problems taking a guest flying PE into the Crown Room at MCO when I've been in UC - just tell the check-in agent at either DTD or MCO that you wish to take a guest and they'll add +guest or +1 onto your lounge invite.

As to all using UC check-in; if you check-in at DTD, the priority lane is shared between UC, PE & FC Gold, so you'll have no problem there. Over at MCO, there is a dedicated UC check-in line. The staff at MCO are pretty well clued up so if you approach UC check-in as a party of 3 and advise the pre check-in screener that 2 are in UC and you're taking your Aunt into the Crown Room as your guest, they should let you all proceed to the UC desks.

Enjoy Florida!

James

Just to add, if you have more than 1 guest they will give you vouchers to spend on food/drink anywhere in the airport, including the Hyatt. I had my parents with me (they were in PE) in May (I was in UC), we were given either $10 or $15 each to spend (I'm afraid the old grey cells can't remember exactly how much), spent quite a while in the OutBack Steakhouse having a few drinks.

quote:Originally posted by firsttimer
Just to add, if you have more than 1 guest they will give you vouchers to spend on food/drink anywhere in the airport, including the Hyatt. I had my parents with me (they were in PE) in May (I was in UC), we were given either $10 or $15 each to spend (I'm afraid the old grey cells can't remember exactly how much), spent quite a while in the OutBack Steakhouse having a few drinks.


Do they? [:0] We flew out of MCO in 2006 just after the 'liquid in hand luggage' security alert kicked off. Our early evening (I think) flight was delayed until 4am the next morning and we didn't get anything ... they even kicked us out of the lounge at midnight!!

Not that I bear grudges you understand [:w]

Outback Steakhouse [y]

Second attempt at this as Windows 7 shut me down 2 words short of hitting submit !

Ah, the Delta Lounge.

1) Aug 08 - MCO to LHR via JFK in P/E. VS AU line say 'Of course Mr S, as an AU, you can use the Lounge'. No. Turned away - very embarrassing.

2) Oct 08 Same route. Thinking VS gave the right info and Delta got it wrong I was armed with written confirmation from VS that I could get in. No. Turned away. Very embarrassing.

3) I am a trier so a 3rd attempt. Feb 09 MCO to LGW in P/E. Checked in at U/C desk. Got vouchers for the hallowed lounge. Didn't get any food vouchers though. I ended up going to Nathan's across the way for food. Nice touch where passengers are escorted to the gate from the lounge.

4) Oct 09 MCO to LHR via JFK, but flying to JFK in Business and then JFK to LHR in Upper. Asked when booking direct with Delta 'Can I get into the lounge at MCO as I am flying Business?' 'Of course you can Mr S' Where have I heard that before ? Er, no. Only International Business travellers can use the lounge, not domestic. Not best please. Supervisor called and they relented this time as I had been very specific in my request to the booking Agent.

One funny bit though. At the desk awaiting the supervisor they asked if I had any of the following Amex cards that would get me in. They pointed to the Black one and I said, somewhat tongue in cheek 'Oh yes, I have the Black One' (I don't think they meant the VS one !). It was like a group of Meerkats. 3 heads popped up in unison and looked around. It was almost worth the hassel to see this reaction!

So, all in all, not my favourite lounge lol.

I suppose it is all about expectation management. If people had said 'No, you cannot get in' no problem. I quite like MCO and the food court is nice.

Goes to show though, that it is not only VS that can give duff information !

Thats strange as over the years I have often flown in PE and been allowed into the delta crown lounge sometimes with a guest too by showing my gold card.... so no idea why they didn't let you in[:?]

Sunshine[8D]

quote:Originally posted by PokerSteve
quote:Originally posted by firsttimer
Just to add, if you have more than 1 guest they will give you vouchers to spend on food/drink anywhere in the airport, including the Hyatt. I had my parents with me (they were in PE) in May (I was in UC), we were given either $10 or $15 each to spend (I'm afraid the old grey cells can't remember exactly how much), spent quite a while in the OutBack Steakhouse having a few drinks.


Do they? [:0] We flew out of MCO in 2006 just after the 'liquid in hand luggage' security alert kicked off. Our early evening (I think) flight was delayed until 4am the next morning and we didn't get anything ... they even kicked us out of the lounge at midnight!!

Not that I bear grudges you understand [:w]

Outback Steakhouse [y]


LOL, glad you don't bear grudges [:D]

This was in May this year, whether it's a new thing I've no idea as I hadn't taken guests into the lounge before, but needless to say I was very happy.

quote:Originally posted by firsttimer
quote:Originally posted by PokerSteve
quote:Originally posted by firsttimer
Just to add, if you have more than 1 guest they will give you vouchers to spend on food/drink anywhere in the airport, including the Hyatt. I had my parents with me (they were in PE) in May (I was in UC), we were given either $10 or $15 each to spend (I'm afraid the old grey cells can't remember exactly how much), spent quite a while in the OutBack Steakhouse having a few drinks.


Do they? [:0] We flew out of MCO in 2006 just after the 'liquid in hand luggage' security alert kicked off. Our early evening (I think) flight was delayed until 4am the next morning and we didn't get anything ... they even kicked us out of the lounge at midnight!!

Not that I bear grudges you understand [:w]

Outback Steakhouse [y]


LOL, glad you don't bear grudges [:D]

This was in May this year, whether it's a new thing I've no idea as I hadn't taken guests into the lounge before, but needless to say I was very happy.

We flew MCO-MAN in upper in June and didn't get any food vouchers when checking in, are you sure there wasn't a delay or anything for your flight?
Lounge access obviously wasn't an issue for us.

When I flew back from MCO in September I was in UC and I had two family members with me who were in economy.

I was asked at the airport if I wanted a lounge pass, I declined as didn't want to leave one member of the party alone. I was then given the option of food vouchers instead for all us, $15 each. So I presume that the vouchers were an alternative option to lounge access, although why we were given 3 lots I'm not so sure - I would have expected two.

Jilly

quote:Originally posted by jilly
When I flew back from MCO in September I was in UC and I had two family members with me who were in economy.

I was asked at the airport if I wanted a lounge pass, I declined as didn't want to leave one member of the party alone. I was then given the option of food vouchers instead for all us, $15 each. So I presume that the vouchers were an alternative option to lounge access, although why we were given 3 lots I'm not so sure - I would have expected two.

Jilly

Pity that Delta have come out of the Priority Pass scheme: could have both lounge and voucher.
I supposed we could try the United Red Carpet lounge.

Thanks for your advice guys, i'ts appreciated. What do you think the chances are for an OP upgrade from PE for a lone female checking in with us in UC.

Cheers,

Danny

quote:Originally posted by Danny358
Thanks for your advice guys, i'ts appreciated. What do you think the chances are for an OP upgrade from PE for a lone female checking in with us in UC.

Cheers,

Danny


Unless there is a spare seat (very rare in UC on this route) and she is willing to stump up the cash for an upgrade (as they will advertise that option first) I would say the chances of an 'op up' are zero to nil.

HG

You could be gallant and offer her your seat Danny !

quote:Originally posted by spiceke

1) Aug 08 - MCO to LHR via JFK in P/E. VS AU line say 'Of course Mr S, as an AU, you can use the Lounge'. No. Turned away - very embarrassing.


Which airline / class were you travelling the MCO-JFK leg?

I assume Delta just have an agreement to allow only qualifying pax from the MCO-LGW/MAN/GLA direct flights. I would be amazed if your gold card got you entry just because you were flying transatlantic with VS from another airport, later the same day.

If it did, that would open up all sorts of possibilities. [;)]

Nick

Sounds like he was flying Business Class with Delta and as has been pointed out most US Airlines don't let Business Pax use lounges, only Elites or Club Members. I actually have this in a couple of weeks flying JFK-SJU in Business with AA. I can't use the lounge as an AA Pax but as a BA Ag I can... go figure...

quote:Originally posted by Decker
Sounds like he was flying Business Class with Delta and as has been pointed out most US Airlines don't let Business Pax use lounges, only Elites or Club Members. I actually have this in a couple of weeks flying JFK-SJU in Business with AA. I can't use the lounge as an AA Pax but as a BA Ag I can... go figure...


Although, if say you were flying AA in First LAX-ORD then AA transcon ORD-LHR you could use the LAX lounge. If you are on one itinerary.

I thought he was saying that he flew MCO-JFK on Delta then to LHR in Upper, if on one itinerary, lounge access could be given on the basis of the transcon.

We flew MCO-MAN in upper in June and didn't get any food vouchers when checking in, are you sure there wasn't a delay or anything for your flight?
Lounge access obviously wasn't an issue for us.
[/quote]

Yep, no delays - left bang on time, in fact even a few minutes early, and nothing wrong with the flight either.

I was travelling 'alone' in UC with my parents travelling in PE, all 3 of us checked in together at the UC check in desk, I casually asked if there was any way I could take my parents into the lounge, the check-in agent (very pleasant) advised that due to the small size of the lounge and it not being a lounge owned by Virgin I was only able to take 1 guest in, however, as an alternative she gave us the vouchers for drink/food to be spent anywhere at MCO, I remember her saying to me that Virgin offer this to their UC passengers who have more than 1 guest.

I was surprised as obviously am aware of the only 1 guest rule in any event.

Nick, you are right in your assumption.

I do have a tendency to ramble so to clarify:-

My 1st 2 trips were in Economy with Delta to JFK and then P/E from JFK to LHR (As an aside, my then 13 year old daughter was a Silver Medallion member and one seat - which I took, much to her chagrin - was upgraded to Business, but that is another story !). These were ticketed through VS. It was only when I asked when booking that VS said I would be able to use the lounge. Thought it was strange, but saw it as a nice bonus.

The last trip was in Business with Delta, then onward to LHR in U/C. However, I booked this as a seperate flight direct with Delta (obviously praying that there were no delays as it was not a 'through ticket').

The one that was a success, no questions asked, was the P/E direct from MCO.

I quite understand why access was denied - we just need to educate the VS Au line.

quote:Originally posted by spiceke
..... These were ticketed through VS. It was only when I asked when booking that VS said I would be able to use the lounge. Thought it was strange, but saw it as a nice bonus.....

That is awful Customer service by the Au line.
I could understand a mistake if you asked as a general enquiry, but being told that when you booked; and then for it not to be true, is inexcusable.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
quote:Originally posted by spiceke
..... These were ticketed through VS. It was only when I asked when booking that VS said I would be able to use the lounge. Thought it was strange, but saw it as a nice bonus.....

That is awful Customer service by the Au line.
I could understand a mistake if you asked as a general enquiry, but being told that when you booked; and then for it not to be true, is inexcusable.

Nick


Nick,

What made it slightly worse was that the second time I actually got it in writing from them -I had sent an email describing what happened on the first attempt and I was going back on the same route in a couple of months time and they came back by email saying that should not have happened and I would not have the same problem again. Doh!

Oh well. I will just make sure I get the direct flights in future.

Spiceke

Hi Guys,

Just an update. I was checking the VS website and the price for the UC return had dropped quite a lot, so I managed to get my Aunt in Upper for the return leg for only 215.00 extra. thats what I call a result!!!!

Thanks again for all your help,

Danny