Revivals query

Just a quick question for those experienced travellers among you, as I value the advice on here.

We were booked to fly back from holiday on the VS 40 from ORD on 27 Sept (economy). Virgin sent me an email recently saying the flight will be cancelled and we have been moved to the VS 40 on 28 Sept.

Obviously, understand these things happen and nice to have an extra day on holiday. But it is inconvenient for various reasons so I phoned them to see what could be done. Anyway, it turns out we really don't have any other options. So on reflection I sent an email to customer services saying we were disappointed and inviting them to make it up to us.

They replied and have given me 5000 miles. So far so good.

But I'd also tried my luck and asked if my wife could get exceptional access to Revivals given that she will now be going straight to work due to the day's delay (I have a gold card so can go anyway). Bit cheeky, I thought, but you never know.

So the email from Virgin says: "I am pleased to advise you that your wife will have complimentary access to our Revivals lounge on arrival at London Heathrow. However, I should explain that this is because you are a Gold card holder, and you are allowed one guest in the Clubhouse and the Revivals Lounge."

But I thought I only have individual access to Revivals? Am I right or are they?

And if I'm right do you think I should reply and ask for clarification (and risk having the invite rescinded)? Or should I print it out and try to blag it on arrival (and risk creating a scene)? Or should I stick to the rules as I understand them and leave the missus to head home alone while I enjoy a shower and breakfast in revivals (and risk a divorce)?

Any advice welcome. Cheers

[Darren Wheeler]

I'd confirm if they have fully understood what you have asked as normally there are no guest allowed in Revivals

As you say, only you as AU get access to revivals but they obviously do make the exceptional exception.

Also as they have given you 14 days notice they don't have to give you any compensation at all even though it will cost you an extra nights hotel etc.

Does the email specifically mention your changed flight and therefore your wife can have access? Without something more specific it could be dicey.

Maybe you should respond to the email aling the lines of 'thanks and I confirm that on this occassion you are allowing my wife access to revivals due to the change in schedule. I assume you will inform the Revivals manager of this and I will also take a copy of our email(s)'

Then see what they say.

Enjoy Chicago !

I agree with what Darren said -- you should confirm it with them. Otherwise you risk turning up at Revivals with a piece of paper saying you get access as a gold card-holder, to which the reply may well be... "oh no you don't".

I don't think you'll get very far blagging it. They've seen it all before, remember. You (or rather your wife) won't want to have to undertake the walk of shame...

good luck....

And ORD flights get in quite a bit earlier than the SFO flights used to, so the place is usually quite busy at that time. I managed to get my wife in with me once, but we were coming in at 11:30am and were pretty much the only people who stayed there for any length of time (waiting for a 2:30pm onward connection). At 9 in the morning it would be a different proposition, and I can't imagine them being too inclined to consider letting her in unless it is formally communicated that she will be allowed.

<<... as they have given you 14 days notice they don't have to give you any compensation at all even though it will cost you an extra nights hotel etc.>>

I think they will pay for one nights extra accomodation and also if you really insisted re-book you on another carrier or re-route you via JFK.
Of course this is not the issue - you have a great excuse for one more day. You will definately need something in writing to get you into the revivals. A print out of the email would be enough I think. If you go back to them there is the risk they will realise they made a mistake and rescind the offer

Maybe you should respond to the email aling the lines of 'thanks and I confirm that on this occassion you are allowing my wife access to revivals due to the change in schedule. I assume you will inform the Revivals manager of this and I will also take a copy of our email(s)'

This sounds like a good approach to take. I think I would just take a copy of the email. Vicarious liability and all that.