YES! Revivals post-Delta flight & the joy of multi-lounging

I'm putting this to the test in a couple of days.

I'll be arriving into LHR on a VS/DL codeshare (I am Au, flying DL Business Elite), and I shall try and use Revivals.

All will be revealed. Unless someone on here has tried this already!?

An update to this - in reverse chronology...

1) Revivals: absolutely no issue here. The chap at reception asked me what flight, so I said VS5403 and he said, "Oh, the Delta flight: DL403. Welcome!"

I sought clarification: Revivals is offered to DL passengers on DL/VS codeshares into LHR T3 on an identical basis as if it were a VS flight (i.e. DL Business Elite pax have access regardless of their loyalty programme if any; if you are VS Au, you have access regardless of cabin on the DL flight).

2) DL Business Elite (I'll try and find time to write a full trip report, but essentially it's the same as this one I did before): http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=21 ... =viewtopic. But a few things to add: I think the menu is definitely better than VS UC (especially if you like things like smoked ribs, created by Manhattan restaurant Blue Smoke). A smaller but better wine selection (with a very good 2007 Margaux and very nice Moscatel if you like sweet wines). And then there's the Pol Roger brut...

Also: THEY LET YOU SLEEP (as in I was out-to-the-world, flat-bed, duvet-thing, pillow etc, full-on snoring away, missing breakfast - upon my request) until you're about five minutes from landing.

3) Multi-lounging: I enjoyed the fabulous JFK Clubhouse (and I met Sharma who is responsible for the delicious Guyanese chicken curry on the menu there). Haircut, massage, cocktails, meal etc.

Now the VS CH is on the 'A' side of JFK Terminal 4. DL planes leave from the 'B' side. I was told to allow 15 minutes. Well it took me five, so I thought I'd visit the DL Sky Club.

The sign says this is DL's 'flagship' lounge. Well, it's huge. It's bigger than Virgin's LHR CH for sure. But it has the usual generic, brightly lit, corporate feel.

One major bonus, though: the fabulous roof deck. I took my Bloody Mary (which I find is the best - free - thing on offer in DL Sky Clubs) up to the roof and enjoyed having a drink with he lovely view. I wish the LHR CH would let you take a drink onto the roof deck.

Conclusion: DL Business Elite with all the VS perks (Clubhouse & Revivals, identical miles and tier points - and the TPs post as VS TPs, not as partner TPs, thus counting for Lifetime Gold) is an extremely good product.

Travelling in a couple or a group, on holiday etc, I'll pick VS UC every time for the 'extra' & fun feel. On the business, where I need to sleep, or if travelling solo, I'd say I might be leaning more toward DL BE (but the VS perks are a huge part of this).

And if you just fancy visiting two lounges before departure, well...

Thanks very much for this NYLON. I have flown DL BE a couple of times and have been impressed. I do still prefer the VS service overall but DL is a good option for me for the routes VS don't serve.

Great to hear of your success visiting the two lounges before departure! I will definitely consider that next time I arrive at the terminal a bit early and fancy some variety!

Thanks, MedwayControl,

Overall I prefer VS UC, but that's partly because of all the temptations on board (bar, yummy treats, booze, great cabin crew).

With the NYC-LON route on DL having the VS perks at either end, I think I view DL BE as my carrier of choice when I "need to be good" on board (i.e. work/sleep), reserving my fun only for the CH (and relaxation in Revivals).

I do appreciate being left to sleep until the very last minute on DL BE into LHR though. Knowing that I can head straight to Revivals for a shower, treatment and to get my clothes pressed means I really don't mind staggering off the plane, half asleep, clothing askew, still dribbling and holding onto my teddy...

On the whole in VS UC they get you up quite a bit before landing (which is particularly annoying when the plane is then stacked in a holding pattern for 45 minutes).

Hi NYLON (and everyone else),

Can you confirm/explain about the TPs posting as Virgin points if you were actually flying on Delta metal (I understand you must have given you Virgin FF number). Surely they'd credit as partner miles/tier points and therefore NOT be counted towards Gold for Life, or have I missed something.

Does the fact that you flew as "Business Elite" have anything to do with it?

I only ask as I'm about to hit Gold for the first time, and will then be interested in keeping status (working towards GfL) but it's a lot more likely that I'll be flying internally in the US than long haul. I understand its much easier to get/keep Au status flying short haul internally with DL, but I always thought these points specifically didn't count long term.

Maybe you can shed some light?

Mr G.

Sure, Mr G.,

Most DL flights are indeed usually posted as partner TPs and DO NOT count toward Au for Life.

So when they post, these flights will fall under "Total Tier Points", but not under "Total VS Tier Points". The line item for each posting will say something like "Delta Airlines, ABC-XYZ".

A standard example is a domestic US flight, say BOS-LGA.

The VS/DL codeshare flights (i.e the specific flights which DL operate out of LHR T3 for example, with both a VS and DL flight number) post differently. An example of this might be the VS5403/DL403, JFK-LHR.

These flights DO fall under "Total VS Tier Points" and classify as VS TPs, even though the flight is not on VS metal.

The line item for these flights posts differently. It'll say, "VAA/Delta Airlines Codeshare, ABC-XYZ"

These flights qualify for VS CH access and VS Revivals access if in Business Elite. And if FC Au, these flights qualify for CH and Revivals access regardless of cabin.

I hope this helps!

NYLON

You can't drink on the roof garden at VS CH at LHR??? I always do, is this a new rule or one I "missed" along the way.....

You certainly used to be able to, David, but the last two times I've been through (in the last 5 weeks) there are large signs all over the place saying no drinking. I'm not sure if this has come into effect because of the closing of the Grey Goose Lounge.

Thanks NYLON,

On one hand it clears things up, and on the other leaves me even more confused as to what counts as VS metal and what as DL metal. One extra question, have you had it confirmed that these points will count towards GfL, or are you basing it on how the way/language used when posting in your account?

I'm sure you're right though, and as such means I don't have to discount (as I have previously when searching for transatlantic flights) DL flights which are operated out of LHR with a VS codeshare/flight number attached. It's one thing to earn miles/tier points/bonuses, but if they can be made to count for something more important in the long run, then so much the better.

Anyway, apologies for hijacking the thread. Most importantly its great for people to know they can use revivals after a DL metal flight!

Mr G

Mr G,

I've had it confirmed over the phone, but not in writing.

That said, when I asked - via email - for my Gold for Life tally, their figure matched mine, which included TPs earned on VS/DL codeshare flights (but obviously not TPs earned on DL 'partner' flights).

But there is a major nomenclature issue across the entire VS website (no surprise there).

Take Revivals access, which is now 100% confirmed as being available post-DL metal arrival into LHR on a VS/DL codeshare. The wording on the site says, "Individual access to our Revivals lounge when flying into Heathrow on a 'VS' operated flight"

Now, I would think a DL metal flight does not count as a "'VS' operated flight"!

More open to interpretation is this: "Gold for life If you have earned 300 tier points on Virgin Atlantic flights within 10 consecutive years as a Gold member. (Tier points earned on partner airlines and other products will not be included.)"

Here I would say they are making a distinction between partner airline flights (i.e. DL domestic US) and flights with a VS prefix (including VS codeshares, such as the VS/DL LHR T3 flights).

But, above and beyond all of this, Mr G, remember that VS can change their terms and conditions at any time. Miles can be devalued, as can TPs, and promotions come and go.

This whole GfL incentive might just disappear next week, or it might be made 400 TP, or maintaining Au might rise to 50 TP per year etc etc...

NYLON

Great to hear you were able to access the LHR Revivals following a DL flight

With a bit of luck Mrs Hull and I will be able to use it if our DL37 SEA-LHR arrives early enough, I have watched it this last week coming over Wimbledon Common around 1200 this last week

Fingers crossed, Hull, you'll have time for a nice shower. I was there right until 12.50 p.m. the other day and everything was functioning 100% until closing at 1. Also, the place was pretty empty after midday or so, so the facilities were all available without a wait.