Changes to DL access to LHR CH & Arrivals

Just picked this up over on Flyertalk:

• As of September 14, 2016, Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will no longer have access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse if not traveling in Delta One™ or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion Members traveling in Delta Main Cabin or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin will be directed to use No1 Lounges, Heathrow located in Terminal 3.
• Delta’s Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 3 will be closing on September 20, 2016. So, starting September 14, 2016, all Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will receive complimentary access to the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge upon arrival at London-Heathrow Airport regardless of cabin of travel. The Revivals lounge will also be complimentary for Delta One™ and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers.

URL: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US ... amond.html

Could go a small way to alleviating any possible overcrowding due to the terminal change. Not to imply that I'm in the Delta-bashing camp, I'm all for sharing on the JV, but I think this was starting to become a big concern in both camps.

Just picked this up over on Flyertalk:

• As of September 14, 2016, Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will no longer have access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse if not traveling in Delta One™ or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion Members traveling in Delta Main Cabin or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin will be directed to use No1 Lounges, Heathrow located in Terminal 3.
• Delta’s Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 3 will be closing on September 20, 2016. So, starting September 14, 2016, all Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will receive complimentary access to the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge upon arrival at London-Heathrow Airport regardless of cabin of travel. The Revivals lounge will also be complimentary for Delta One™ and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers.

URL: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US ... amond.html

Could go a small way to alleviating any possible overcrowding due to the terminal change. Not to imply that I'm in the Delta-bashing camp, I'm all for sharing on the JV, but I think this was starting to become a big concern in both camps.

That's in the General Program Updates....in the Partner Program Updates it still states "Complimentary access to the award-winning and luxurious Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses for Delta One™ or Upper Class passengers and Diamond or Platinum Medallion® members traveling on Delta- or Virgin Atlantic-operated transatlantic flights"

Hopefully General trumps Partner in this case.

But what if you're a VS Gold travelling on a DL flight?

The page doesn't mention any changes to VS Gold so it's fair to assume that you're still good to enter.

But what if you're a VS Gold travelling on a DL flight?

You should be OK as this is a VS lounge and it's the VS rules that apply.

There is a lot of confusion because many of DL Sky Miles members think that VS is in Sky Team when it's not and on the DL board on flyer talk this is a regular question - "I'm Sky Team Elite do I get ..."

DL are basically saying that for DL members the #1 lounge is their default lounge unless you are actually flying UC or D1 - i.e access is based on class of travel and not what status you have.

i.e access is based on class of travel and not what status you have.

Which I imagine is quite unusual for them given access to the SkyClubs is based on the opposite!!

Interestingly the VS site still says:

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... rship.html

We now offer use of our Upper Class Wing, Private Security Channel and Clubhouse to:
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class customers
Delta One™ customers
Flying Club Gold members
SkyMiles® Diamond and Platinum Medallion® members

i.e access is based on class of travel and not what status you have.

Which I imagine is quite unusual for them given access to the SkyClubs is based on the opposite!!

Well when travelling domestic in the US anyway.

There are some exceptions like on a domestic leg transferring to/from an International.

I was on VS107 (to Detroit) on September 16 (1030 departure) and I arrived at LHR CH at 0620, right before it opened. I was let in and stayed to about 1010. The place was busy, typically, but there was still plenty of seats. The restaurant was busy (which is fair at that time of the morning!) but the place never came off as crowded.
Only 1 or 2 people at at the bar and was commonly empty.