UC / Economy Question

Flying RT (IAD to LHR) in UC. Silver Flying Co. Member and used miles to purchase an additional seat in Econ.

I asked Virgin if guest travelling with me could access lounge, board w/ me, and come up to UC for dinner. They said yes to dinner, but not to lounge / boarding. Per the Toolbox, and some other posts, it seems that as long as I'm in UC, I should be able to get free lounge access for my guest, regardless of Flying Co. Status.

Is this correct?

Thanks

[Neil]

Hi and welcome.

Any pax travelling in UC is allowed to invite a guest in to the lounge with them, so that is not a problem at all. It is unlikely they will be allowed to board with you though, and to be honest, if they are flying in Y I can't really imagine why they would want to.

Where I think you will have an issue, if them having dinner with you. It is very unlikely that will be allowed and would be a decision for the FSM only to make. Only a set amount of catering is loaded and I can't see a UC pax being very happy if they don't get their first meal choice because a Y pax is dinning with their friend.

The FSM might be willing to let them pop up to the UC cabin and have a quick drink with you in your suite or at the bar providing it isn't going to impact the comfort or experience of any UC pax, but again you will have to ask first and I would always advise you to be prepared for a no so as not to avoid any built up disappointment.

Thank you.

I thought VS' response was a bit backwards. They said my guest could only use CH if: 1) they were travelling UC; or 2) I was a gold Flying Co member. I was worried that they changed the rules.
Not surprising about dinner, but hopefully we can utilize the bar.

Best

[Neil]

It is extremely frustrating that VS employees are giving out incorrect information to their premium cabin passengers (or any passenger or potential customer), especially on a fairly basic and common subject.

I have seen Y pax invited to share a meal in UC, but as said above it probably depends on the load in UC, FSM on the day meals uploaded etc.Just ask the "blackshirt on boarding your flight politely and see what he/she says.

In the UCDS I am not sure if the Otterman has been certified as seating yet (last trip in August it wasn't) and in this cabin you might find yourself being quite intmate with your guest as the Otterman is very close.