V-Flyer

I had a flight to Detroit last month in PE (I was VS Silver at the time but after that flight plus one DL in 1st the next day turned Gold) and wanted to at least try to visit the clubhouse prior to my flight and purchase access.

I arrived at 0625, several people went in front and all was allowed in... I asked to purchase access (figuring that as this was "subject to demand" there wouldn't be any at 0630!) and was rejected because "the flights are really busy today".

I didn't consider begging or hanging around for someone to guest me in.
So, dejected, i put my stuff away and spent three hours wandering around T3. No redheads for me!

Boarded the plane and the PE cabin was half empty

I was disappointed about not getting in, but at the same time its a gamble and i lost.

Oh well! The worst they can do is say no

(The next time is in upper AND i'm gold so they can't stop me this time!)

Nothing to complain about though

Absolutely! (it's not a complaint... just what happened)

Annoying but with all those DL flights now leaving from T3 and DL elites allowed in, the Clubhouse is much busier than it used to be.

I guess they base their decision on allowing paid access not on how busy it is when you arrive but how busy they expect it to get while you're there.

gumshoe wrote:Annoying but with all those DL flights now leaving from T3 and DL elites allowed in, the Clubhouse is much busier than it used to be.

I guess they base their decision on allowing paid access not on how busy it is when you arrive but how busy they expect it to get while you're there.

From recent trip reports, the CH gets really hectic first thing, till the first bank of of flights leave.

It's worth clarifying that the girl said there would be no payments all day. Not just then in the morning.

Either way it was a good experiment.

fusionblue wrote:It's worth clarifying that the girl said there would be no payments all day. Not just then in the morning.

Either way it was a good experiment.

I have yet to come across anyone not travelling in UC who has actually had the experience of the clubhouse. I would love to hear from anyone who has. If anything I would guess it would happen in the afternoon when the busy morning flights have left and it is more quieter.

I'm going to MoBay next week on VS65 premium economy. I'm staying overnight in the BLOC. I was going to chance trying to get into the clubhouse as NO.1 lounge where I usually hangout is not as good as it used to be and terribly overcrowded.

My plan is to check in in the morning, breakfast in Giraffe, then buy a mini bottle of sparkling wine, go back to my room and hangout there, giving myself enough time to get through security for my midday flight.

If passengers who wish to use the CH are not travelling in UC they can purchase entry using the Guset List http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/the-virgin-experience/extras/guest-list.html

Maximus wrote:If passengers who wish to use the CH are not travelling in UC they can purchase entry using the Guset List http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/the-virgin-experience/extras/guest-list.html

Oh that's interesting that it for flights booked until 1st October 2016 when last year they said it was going to stop in May and indeed the T&Cs still state

2. Packages can only be purchased by passengers who will complete their travel before 1st May 2016.

onelifeliveit wrote: Ihave yet to come across anyone not travelling in UC who has actually had the experience of the clubhouse.

Our first experience of the CH was back in 2009 when flying PE to Chicago. It wasn't an on the day request though. Through V-Flyer I had been alerted to a VS offer at the time of a limited number of pre booked paid entries for those flying PE.

My first and only first so far was August last year can't wait for the return this August .A pe passenger asked and was told he could if he paid £65 he walked away without comment.

pjh wrote:

onelifeliveit wrote: Ihave yet to come across anyone not travelling in UC who has actually had the experience of the clubhouse.

Our first experience of the CH was back in 2009 when flying PE to Chicago. It wasn't an on the day request though. Through V-Flyer I had been alerted to a VS offer at the time of a limited number of pre booked paid entries for those flying PE.

Thanks for the update. I bet those days are well and truly over, now. Oh well.

We have paid to gain entry twice. First time no problems. Second time we had to wait a while for the first flights to leave but I think they also charged us less than the £65 because we had to wait.

Just to say --this was LGW and not LHR.

Not sure I understand the allure of the Clubhouse (beyond savvy Virgin marketing). For those of us that travel relatively frequently - I spend more time thinking of how I can reduce my time at the airport, regardless of the perks when I get there.

Case in point - flew out of LHR on Wednesday. Arrived 2 hours before my flight, checked-in, got a quick meal/pint at Bridge Bar, and walked to the gate. Boarded immediately, and was on my way.

Obviously, to each their own - and the clubhouse has its perks. But I definitely wouldn't pay upwards of $100 for the benefits.

zenithar wrote:Not sure I understand the allure of the Clubhouse (beyond savvy Virgin marketing). For those of us that travel relatively frequently - I spend more time thinking of how I can reduce my time at the airport, regardless of the perks when I get there.

Case in point - flew out of LHR on Wednesday. Arrived 2 hours before my flight, checked-in, got a quick meal/pint at Bridge Bar, and walked to the gate. Boarded immediately, and was on my way.

Obviously, to each their own - and the clubhouse has its perks. But I definitely wouldn't pay upwards of $100 for the benefits.

There is a big difference in travelling for work/necessity or for a holiday. I could take a full holiday in the LHR CH.

marshy11 wrote:

zenithar wrote:Not sure I understand the allure of the Clubhouse (beyond savvy Virgin marketing). For those of us that travel relatively frequently - I spend more time thinking of how I can reduce my time at the airport, regardless of the perks when I get there.

Case in point - flew out of LHR on Wednesday. Arrived 2 hours before my flight, checked-in, got a quick meal/pint at Bridge Bar, and walked to the gate. Boarded immediately, and was on my way.

Obviously, to each their own - and the clubhouse has its perks. But I definitely wouldn't pay upwards of $100 for the benefits.

There is a big difference in travelling for work/necessity or for a holiday. I could take a full holiday in the LHR CH.

Good point marshy ,for many of us on here entering the CH at LHR or LGW is the start of the holiday and as it only happens once or twice a year maybe it is something the vast majority of v-flyers look forward to

Mine is a sort of split vote.

I love the concept of turning up 2 hours before the flight BUT
A few years ago we were flying out of Gatwick in February.
A friend gave us a lift to the railway statiion, however during the night 5 inches of snow dropped.
We almost didn't make it out of our estate, then the train was delayed due to snow then held 30 mins at Reigate.
We got to Gatwick an hour and a half later than planned only to find the shuttle train not working due to the weather.
Good news was it got sorted and we caught our flight.

So now, our taxi to Gatwick is booked for the day before the flight. We spend the night in the Hilton and walk over to the terminal.
Then spend three or four hours in the CH before boarding.
The whole thing is calm and stress free.
Our holiday starts when we open the Lanson in the Hilton.
Dick D

dickydotcom wrote:Mine is a sort of split vote.

I love the concept of turning up 2 hours before the flight BUT
A few years ago we were flying out of Gatwick in February.
A friend gave us a lift to the railway statiion, however during the night 5 inches of snow dropped.
We almost didn't make it out of our estate, then the train was delayed due to snow then held 30 mins at Reigate.
We got to Gatwick an hour and a half later than planned only to find the shuttle train not working due to the weather.
Good news was it got sorted and we caught our flight.

So now, our taxi to Gatwick is booked for the day before the flight. We spend the night in the Hilton and walk over to the terminal.
Then spend three or four hours in the CH before boarding.
The whole thing is calm and stress free.
Our holiday starts when we open the Lanson in the Hilton.
Dick D

I'm with you. I prefer the calm of staying in a hotel overnight. I'm in the Bloc right now, my flight is later this morning. I love travelling and look forward to both a relaxing night sleep without the stress of travelling in the morning. I also love the perks of a lounge. I normally use No.1 but since BA is closed it is overrun with many people trying to get into the clubhouse and subsequently turned away.