Gatwick clubhouse

When I have spent thousands of pounds of my own money I feel I am entitled to be harsh.
They took my money whilst they knew the full service was not available.
they could have done exactly what they have done with the Heathrow Clubhouse and done it in stages.
No, they will offer us (probably, if we are lucky) a nibbles and drinks buisness lounge and we are supposed to just accept that?
Add that to the crap service on board, the crap IFE and crap planes then Virgin has become a second teir buisness product.
If I had been made aware of this removal of the service before spending MY own money then I would have booked with BA!
the difference in price was 1 but it was the Clubhouse which made the difference.
I don't care if the Clubhouse will be the pinnacle of design and service in the future, when I and my family want to use it, its not available.
Selfish? hell yes!

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
Add that to the crap service on board, the crap IFE and crap planes then Virgin has become a second teir buisness product.


If its that bad, why did you book with Virgin [?]

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
s.
No, they will offer us (probably, if we are lucky) a nibbles and drinks buisness lounge and we are supposed to just accept that?



Some big assumption that.

In other lounges where VS shares services (or has shared in the past) there has often been additional food and beverage laid on - so who is to say that won't be the case with Gatwick?

buns

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by David
If its that bad, why did you book with Virgin [?]


Some people only seem happy when they are moaning. [:D][;)]

quote:Originally posted by buns
quote:Originally posted by AlanA
s.
No, they will offer us (probably, if we are lucky) a nibbles and drinks buisness lounge and we are supposed to just accept that?



Some big assumption that.

In other lounges where VS shares services (or has shared in the past) there has often been additional food and beverage laid on - so who is to say that won't be the case with Gatwick?

buns


When I was in LGW last April, I was flying PE and wanted to pay to use the CH. However the lounge was full, but the nice lady at the desk seemed to feel genuinely sorry for us. She made a few phone calls and we were directed to the US Airways lounge, which only had cold snacks and drinks. We were then served a free Garfunkel's breakfast each, of our choice, which was brought to the lounge for us !! ( My girlfriend and I )

Real top service from Virgin that day, the staff at LGW are mega friendly.

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by AlanA

they could have done exactly what they have done with the Heathrow Clubhouse and done it in stages.

No they couldn't. Doing the Clubhouse in LHR in two stages was possible because they had acquired space next door and so were able to refurbish one while keeping the other open. That wasn't all roses either. Many of us remember being there the time that they shut off the aircon and sweltering there.

quote:Originally posted by David
quote:Originally posted by AlanA
Add that to the crap service on board, the crap IFE and crap planes then Virgin has become a second teir buisness product.


If its that bad, why did you book with Virgin [?]


Because with M + M it was 250 cheaper than BA and the Clubhouse!

[Decker]

I feel your pain Alan. Hopefully they'll sort it in a manner thst all CH entitled bods are happy with.

quote:Originally posted by buns
quote:Originally posted by AlanA
s.
No, they will offer us (probably, if we are lucky) a nibbles and drinks buisness lounge and we are supposed to just accept that?



Some big assumption that.

In other lounges where VS shares services (or has shared in the past) there has often been additional food and beverage laid on - so who is to say that won't be the case with Gatwick?

buns


Buns,
beacuse Gatwick & Manchester flights have always had a worse service than Heathrow perhaps?
That their track record for Gatwick passengers is poor compared to heathrow?
That its the gatwick/Manchester/Glasgow planes that are the ones at the back of the refurbishment scheme and subsequently cancelled?
That Gatwick is 'only' a B & S route so the UC passengers dont matter so much?
That the Delta Lounge used in orlando does not have any services especially for VS passengers such as food available?
That the lounges shared where food is available are the Heathrow routes?
That Manchester UC passengers have nothing more than the escape Lounge with no extras for VS passengers available?

[Scrooge]

Do you think it's possible that it is that way because LHR sees a heck of a lot more full fare UC pax than LGW/MAN ? A company has to follow it's money and that is not LGW/MAN for VS, so LHR will always be first.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Do you think it's possible that it is that way because LHR sees a heck of a lot more full fare UC pax than LGW/MAN ? A company has to follow it's money and that is not LGW/MAN for VS, so LHR will always be first.


Actually I would hazard a guess that the gatwick and Manchester flights are making more money for VS now than many of the heathrow flights as Buisness journeys slow down yet people still want their two weeks in the sun
the fact that both UC and PE are full on most journeys from LGW does point to these being revenue earning routes for VS
Oh I forgat another enhancement for Gatwick, to bring it in line with manchester and away from Heathrow, the removal of the arrivals lunge/Hotel room.

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Do you think it's possible that it is that way because LHR sees a heck of a lot more full fare UC pax than LGW/MAN ? A company has to follow it's money and that is not LGW/MAN for VS, so LHR will always be first.


Actually I would hazard a guess that the gatwick and Manchester flights are making more money for VS now than many of the heathrow flights as Buisness journeys slow down yet people still want their two weeks in the sun
the fact that both UC and PE are full on most journeys from LGW does point to these being revenue earning routes for VS



I disagree. As a frequent business PAX from LHR I can confirm that flights are still fairly full at the pointy end and I guess with J & D pax as CDC checkin is always active. Given the UC cabinS from LHR is much larger than from LGW (and thos on those flights are probably paying the very much cheaper Z fares in the main) makes one question the logic of your statement.

Hackneyguy

I understand fully what AlanA is saying, The inferior service that cost us s has just got a lot less attractive.
If i woud have been told about the refurb[:(!] i would have flown VS to JFK or MIA and connected down to MCO.
I like using VS so hence i booked with them, but now im stuck in LGW without even a CH!
Would there be a chance to change flights if asked? and yes i have restricted tickets!
Since they have moved the goalposts and inconvenienced pax, shouldnt we get a choice at our expense (within reason) to change? or are we stuck with nothing but a servisair lounge.[?]

cheers

alex

[Nottingham Nick]

Interesting point, Alex.

It would certainly be worth asking. The CH is a big marketing tool for VS, so IF it is closed when you fly, it would be good PR for them to waive change conditions on the tickets.

Unless I have missed it, there is STILL no official confirmation on the VS website about it.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Interesting point, Alex.

It would certainly be worth asking. The CH is a big marketing tool for VS, so IF it is closed when you fly, it would be good PR for them to waive change conditions on the tickets.

Unless I have missed it, there is STILL no official confirmation on the VS website about it.

Nick


Having been in the LGW CH yesterday I asked the concerge about the refurb. Still planned for Septmber but no news as to where UC/Au passengers will be going.

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Interesting point, Alex.

It would certainly be worth asking. The CH is a big marketing tool for VS, so IF it is closed when you fly, it would be good PR for them to waive change conditions on the tickets.

Unless I have missed it, there is STILL no official confirmation on the VS website about it.

Nick


Nothing on the VS website but the VH website does have information about it on this page

-Steve

quote:Originally posted by Stevieboy
Nothing on the VS website but the VH website does have information about it on this page

-Steve


Not any more Steve!

quote:Originally posted by AlanA

If I had been made aware of this removal of the service before spending MY own money then I would have booked with BA!
the difference in price was 1 but it was the Clubhouse which made the difference.


quote:Originally posted by AlanA

AlanA Posted - 08/03/2009 : 10:37:59

quote:Originally posted by David

quote:Originally posted by AlanA

Add that to the crap service on board, the crap IFE and crap planes then Virgin has become a second teir buisness product.



If its that bad, why did you book with Virgin



Because with M + M it was 250 cheaper than BA and the Clubhouse!


You got me here? First it was 1 cheaper then it was 250 cheaper, maybe I misunderstood and you have a party of 250 in UC [:p][:D]

I spoke to premier team today about the possibility of taking a LHR flight to miami because of the CH being closed at LGW, and the very helpfull gentleman had no idea of this refurb nor had any of his collueges. When i showed him online that it was published on the VH website he put me on hold for about 15 minutes whilst he went round the building trying to find if it was true!
However when he returned he said it wouldnt go ahead because of the economic downturn and so they couldnt look into changing flights for me in this instance since it wasnt official[?] to which i said it clearly was 'official' just not on the VA site.

I wish VA would just be straight with there customers whether this will go ahead or not, considering VH say it will!

cheers

alex[:)]

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
Not any more Steve!


Ooh, it must have been removed today as it was certainly there yesterday. Looking at Alex V's thread maybe that caused it to be removed [:?]

-Steve

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by Stevieboy
Ooh, it must have been removed today as it was certainly there yesterday. Looking at Alex V's thread maybe that caused it to be removed [:?]


It was there first thing this morning - maybe somebody in VH jumped the gun by making it public, or maybe - as suggested to Alex, the plans to renovate LGW CH, have gone the way of the plans to update the LGW fleet IFE. [}:)]

Seriously depending on which rumours you believe about the current short term cash flow plight of the UK airline industry, the delay is probably a sensible fiscal strategy, IF that is the reason.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by daywalker
quote:Originally posted by AlanA

If I had been made aware of this removal of the service before spending MY own money then I would have booked with BA!
the difference in price was 1 but it was the Clubhouse which made the difference.


quote:Originally posted by AlanA

AlanA Posted - 08/03/2009 : 10:37:59

quote:Originally posted by David

quote:Originally posted by AlanA

Add that to the crap service on board, the crap IFE and crap planes then Virgin has become a second teir buisness product.



If its that bad, why did you book with Virgin



Because with M + M it was 250 cheaper than BA and the Clubhouse!


You got me here? First it was 1 cheaper then it was 250 cheaper, maybe I misunderstood and you have a party of 250 in UC [:p][:D]

1 cheaper direct comparison, 250 cheaoper when using M + M.

Well, for information I have finally received a response.
Doesn't really tell you much. i guess we will have to wait until April to see (if) what exciting lounges are awaiting us.

'Thank you for your email and sincere apologies for the delayed response.

I would like to inform you that, due to ongoing works to improve the South Terminal by the BAA, we need to relocate the entrance to the Clubhouse. This has provided us with the opportunity to evaluate a refurbishment of the Clubhouse. If this goes ahead, we would need to close the Clubhouse for three months and during this time we would accommodate all our eligible passengers and Gold card members in an alternative lounge in the South Terminal. Confirmation of our plans will be made in April.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you.

Thank you for contacting Virgin Atlantic and we look forward to welcome you onboard.'

[Bazz]

Well I guess that is all they can divulge at this time pending final decisions and possibly the finalising of the agreement with the alternative lounge owner.

As long as it's not the v-room [:0]