JFK upper class lounge

[mitchja]

As an aside I stayed in Virgin Chicago hotel and as Gold I got an upgrade to a suite plus $25 for breakfast each day. Given the original booking was a black friday sale at around £110 per night this represented amazing value for money.

Unless something has recently changed, AU's are supposed to get free breakfast at all Virgin Hotels. I did when I stayed at the Chicago one....though must admit I didn't initially until l got a manager involved as they were not aware of this benefit.

It's mentioned on this page though as usual with the VS website it's not particular clear as the footnote has 2 asterisks for AU but the table doesn't!

Extras with our partners
*Silver members will receive a complimentary upgrade (subject to availability). 
**Gold members will receive a complimentary breakfast daily and upgrade (subject to availability).

Yes I knew what should be offered and had linked my booking to my account. On checkin it hadn't worked automatically but they immediately offered the upgrade and gave the breakfast vouchers. That seemed to be the way they handled all breakfasts which allowed you to order anything from the menu at Miss Ricky's. It was possible to choose breakfast within the voucher value or go large and pay the difference!

[mitchja]

I was in the JFK Clubhouse last week again and it didn't look quite as shabby this time round. Maybe it's being slowly refurbished? The washrooms were in a better condition as well this time.

Annoyingly though there were the usual 'reserved' signs on several un-used tables and seating areas Why do they do this? Who exactly are they reserved for??

There's still a lot of wasted space in that lounge though. There's the area where the spa used to be just sat there unused in the far corner. The area which I think needs adjusting is the overly large dining area. That area is under-utilised and really needs to be made smaller making space for more comfy seating.

I also used the Delta One lounge as well which was a busy as ever. The new Delta One Wing security was pretty slick. You now have to walk past the Delta One lounge entrance if using the wing so you may as well use it if you have time and are flying Upper Class.

I was recently there as well for a long stopover from opening time until the evening, and they were enforcing the 'reserved' signs - they were telling people they were reserved for larger groups, so basically asking groups of 2 to sit at a table for 2 rather than a larger table with a 'reserved' sign.

Many of those reserved tables remained unused for a long period before the lounge got busier.

I also used the Delta One lounge as well which was a busy as ever. The new Delta One Wing security was pretty slick. You now have to walk past the Delta One lounge entrance if using the wing so you may as well use it if you have time and are flying Upper Class.

There's also a kind of 'mini-lounge' in the Delta One check-in area which I didn't think I would ever have cause to use, but I was so early for my recent JFK flight that the Virgin desk wasn't yet ready to take checked luggage and asked me to sit in the waiting area by the Delta One desks. There was quite a good choice of canapés and refreshments for what is really just the check-in area! I do wonder how much it actually gets used though as hardly anyone else was stopping there.

[mitchja]

Indeed, I always stop there for a drink of water once I’m checked in and before I leave. It’s a nice little area. Another pax was there using it last week.

I think it’s still there, but there did always used to be a refreshments mini-fridge next to the sitting area in the Upper Class wing at LHR as well.