How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!?

Personally, I'd write up a card saying "On virgin VS1? Free entry to Virgin lounge for 2 people." and stand after Duty free for five minutes.

Then that would be far too long wasted outside the Clubhouse, and I'd go.

We did try to offer CH access on our way out to BGI recently, but we felt very odd hanging around check-in and again looking for obvious candidates elsewhere. In the end we drank and eat enough for 4, despite only being 2 of us!

Sounds like I am alone in my thoughts, but I wouldn't be trawling check-in and the departure lounge actively looking to guest someone into the CH.

I am perfectly willing to guest someone into the CH from V-Flyer if I have an invite going spare, but I would draw the line there for guesting in people that I didn't personally know.

If everyone eligible did as you propose then that haven of calm that we all love before the flight would soon find itself filling up and being not so calm any more. How long would it then be before VS step in and restrict the guest policy even further or even remove it completely?

I've _never_ guested anyone into the Clubhouse. Just counting up, Gatwick and Heathrow, maybe 5 or 6 times had them available.

Would perhaps offer to a random person once for a change. But every time? Nah.

Sounds like I am alone in my thoughts, but I wouldn't be trawling check-in and the departure lounge actively looking to guest someone into the CH.

I am perfectly willing to guest someone into the CH from V-Flyer if I have an invite going spare, but I would draw the line there for guesting in people that I didn't personally know.

If everyone eligible did as you propose then that haven of calm that we all love before the flight would soon find itself filling up and being not so calm any more. How long would it then be before VS step in and restrict the guest policy even further or even remove it completely?

Joey, I agree, somewhat. We were hoping to see a honeymoon couple or similar (not really sure how we would have identified them) but if we had managed to invite someone in, I would hope it may give them a taste for going there in the future. We've never actually invited anyone in with us - and I wouldn't say I was actively looking this time, but I thought it would have been nice if we'd seen someone at check-in……

I'm quite sure VS would restrict the policy (as they did previously) if it got out of hand.

Joey I agree with you somewhat too. I was one of those who made my opinions known when a certain person claiming to be the next best thing since Nana Mouskouri petitioned for guest access. I was just thinking it's Christmas etc, it might be nice to guest someone in, you know.
Hey ho, we'll see on the day. I'm certainly not going to hang around looking like a stalker to find an eligible candidate or 2 lol.

We did try to offer CH access on our way out to BGI recently, but we felt very odd hanging around check-in and again looking for obvious candidates elsewhere. In the end we drank and eat enough for 4, despite only being 2 of us!

Marshy, Could you fly to BGI on 08May next year and hang around waiting for us at checkin please? We're flying out PE so won't get the clubhouse and I am sure the lounge at BGI isn't going to be up to the same standard for our return flight!

[honey lamb]

Anytime I have guested someone into the CH it has been through V-Flyer.

The first time was in the days when one didn't have to travel on the same flight. A V-Flyer was due to fly on the same day as I was and we were due to meet in the CH. At the last minute he had to change his plans and fly out a day earlier and asked if I would guest in his co-worker. I agreed and guested him in for his flight to IAD even though I was going to SFO. He tried to track me down to thank me but I was having a treatment at the time and so never met him.

The second time was when I discovered that a V-flyer was on my flight to SFO and he was only too delighted to be guested in - and a nicer young man you couldn't wish to meet.

The nearest I ever came to inviting a "Stray" so to speak was in NRT. She was an elderly lady flying in PE and I in UC. There had been severe snow storms in the UK . BA had cancelled a flight and the ensuing chaos (plus the fact that I blagged a through connection to Cork) meant that we had become separated but it is to my eternal regret that I did not bring her with me to the UC check -in and hence to the CH

Whilst I would happily guest a friendd or fellow V-Flyer regular in to an airline lounge, I would not go looking for someone in the line. partly because I would feel VERY odd doing so, secondly because if I did guest someone in I would feel responsible for their behaviour once they were in the lounge. And we all know what happens to some peoples behaviour once they have had one Redhead too many

On a purely more selfish basis, if everyone did this the lounges would be packed and one thing I do appreciate is a quiet lounge pre-flight. I detest crowds of strangers.

But like HL, a sweet little old lady may persuade me otherwise

can see why the questions would make someone suspicious.
Maybe you should open & say you have spare guest pass that's going to waste.

I think I'll see how I feel on the day. Certainly not going to trawl around looking for someone and in true v-flyer form I'll be arriving well early to have a nice time in't Clubhouse so there may not be folks from our flight around that early anyway...

I think it would be difficult to find someone to guest in at LHR, but I think much easier at JFK as the clubhouse is right by the departure gate, so you could just look around the gate to see if there is anyone that looks like they are on their own. I had a quick scan on Thursday night but couldn't see any single travelers.

Sounds like I am alone in my thoughts, but I wouldn't be trawling check-in and the departure lounge actively looking to guest someone into the CH.

I am perfectly willing to guest someone into the CH from V-Flyer if I have an invite going spare, but I would draw the line there for guesting in people that I didn't personally know.

If everyone eligible did as you propose then that haven of calm that we all love before the flight would soon find itself filling up and being not so calm any more. How long would it then be before VS step in and restrict the guest policy even further or even remove it completely?

Not sure if you have been to LHR this year? But you are too late, the Delta influx means it is not the calm place it once was. I know they are looking at ways to extend the clubhouse further. Not sure how they do that, but the analysis is taking place now.

Most arrive early to enjoy the clubhouse. Probably long before the majority of other E or PE passengers.

Its one of them perks that look good to have, but 90% of the time is worthless & unused. Good marketing ploy. Its up there with the Credit Card 2 for 1 cash priced tickets.

I stand by what I said previously...if there's a hot blond 20 something with a lost gaze, I'll pounce. He's coming in with me, we'll be in the hot tub before you can say red head!
Doing DTCI at LHR makes this difficult...I can't search for someone in departures eligible enough to have the pleasure of my company.

I will gladly guest any v-flyer regardless of looks however...as long as they're not ginger!

Darren

Darren stop being gingerist or gingerphobic or summat.

Darren stop being gingerist or gingerphobic or summat.

I told you the other day I'd guest you in...so leave me alone!

That said I've got a lovely ginger lad working for me over Xmas... I'm jealous of his hair cut...

Just reading through old posts re clubhouse entry.. If anyone is flying Upper Class from LHR - JFK on the 11:30am flight and has a guest access going spare give me a shout

[honey lamb]

Just reading through old posts re clubhouse entry.. If anyone is flying Upper Class from LHR - JFK on the 11:30am flight and has a guest access going spare give me a shout

There's such a word as "Please", you know.

Just reading through old posts re clubhouse entry.. If anyone is flying Upper Class from LHR - JFK on the 11:30am flight and has a guest access going spare give me a shout

There's such a word as "Please", you know.

Your right Honey Lamb, I should have said please. Apologies, I didn't mean to sound rude.

Just reading through old posts re clubhouse entry.. If anyone is flying Upper Class from LHR - JFK on the 11:30am flight and has a guest access going spare give me a shout

There's such a word as "Please", you know.

Your right Honey Lamb, I should have said please. Apologies, I didn't mean to sound rude.

It's ok Gritty, for the most part this forum is an informal and friendly place.

You haven't posted up the date of your flight and if you consult the itinerary calendar at the bottom of the page you may even see that someone is offering CH access on your day of travel. If not, post your flights up on the Itinerary page and someone might come along to offer access.

Just a reminder, they will have to be travelling on exactly the same flight as you in order to guest you into the CH.

Safe travels

Thank you JoeyC. Ah yes I forgot to add the date of travel. Silly me, it's Thursday 19th May. I've added my itinerary now so I'll keep my eyes open

Excited to be flying with Virgin again.

I used to have an (albeit) easier way that I used to guest people in. I used to fly the LHR-NRT route all the time for work and would just listen out for people speaking on the phone in Japanese (there wasn't usually another flight going to Japan at that time of the day from T3).

Made a good few friends over the years. Didn't do it EVERY time, but around 4 or 5. Still worth it for the look of surprise and joy and disbelief until we got in!

I think rather than questioning someone if they are on the flight, maybe open by telling them first what you are offering - something like I am on flight XYZ & have a guest pass for clubhouse, but you need to be on the same flight. etc.