Taking guests into Clubhouse

[gilld]

We are flying UC to MCO in September and our friends are in PE. We booked through VH because we may need to cancel for DH's pre-existing back condidtion, our friends have booked and paid through VA.

According to the V-flyer site, we can each take a guest into the clubhouse, but VA say we can't. Does anyone know whether or not we can take them in, and if not, if we can pay for them to gain entry?

 

[Frances999]

We always travel the same class as our companions, but when flying PE we have been able to take in guests using our flying club gold cards. To be honest, I didn't think UC passengers could take in guests if they weren't gold members, but the folks over at V-flyer probably know better than me!

 

[Jakey Rowling]

We always travel the same class as our companions, but when flying PE we have been able to take in guests using our flying club gold cards. To be honest, I didn't think UC passengers could take in guests if they weren't gold members, but the folks over at V-flyer probably know better than me!

Must admit this was my understanding that only gold could take in a guest but wouldn't swear otherwise as things change.
You used to be able to pay for the clubhouse at Gatwick, not sure now with the V Room.

I guess if VA say no then they know best but best to challenge and see if you can pay.

 

[gismo1554]

The Club house is only for:

Those people booked in first
Those people with Gold Flying Club cards and their guests

I believe.

Also you can't pay to go in the Virgin one (I've asked before).

There is a lounge in Gatwick you can pay to go in but its no where near as nice as the Clubhouse

 

[gilld]

You definitely can pay to go into the Clubhouse at Gatwick, if you are flying in any class with VH. We have done so in the past, and it is still advertised in their brochures.

Looks like our friends will have to wait outside then!

 

[Pootle]

You definitely can pay to go into the Clubhouse at Gatwick, if you are flying in any class with VH. We have done so in the past, and it is still advertised in their brochures.

Looks like our friends will have to wait outside then!

All is not lost. If the flight is delayed, Virgin allows you to book the Gatwick Clubhouse for £30 pp even when you have booked with VA. Judging by the number of delays Virgin have had recently, that must improve their chances!

I am writing this in the Clubhouse waiting for my delayed flight .......

 

[gismo1554]

You definitely can pay to go into the Clubhouse at Gatwick, if you are flying in any class with VH. We have done so in the past, and it is still advertised in their brochures.

Looks like our friends will have to wait outside then!

Really? I was told last year that you couldn't! Well definately want to do that. Any idea if you can pay for the club house in Heathrow as well? (My sisters off to DL California next week so wondering if its worth it for her)

 

[Frances999]

Really? I was told last year that you couldn't! Well definately want to do that. Any idea if you can pay for the club house in Heathrow as well? (My sisters off to DL California next week so wondering if its worth it for her)

I believe you can, as long as you booked the holiday with Virgin Holidays. The Heathrow Clubhouse is wonderful - much nicer than at Gatwick.

 

[gismo1554]

I believe you can, as long as you booked the holiday with Virgin Holidays. The Heathrow Clubhouse is wonderful - much nicer than at Gatwick.

OK well Virgin Atlantic told us we couldnt when we called yesterday so Im guessing its just Virgin Holidays that allow it.

The official line from VA was:
The use of our Clubhouse lounges is limited to Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members. We have determined that in order to compete successfully in the international market place, we must provide quality lounges for those passengers paying a Business Class fare for their travel.

 

[UKDEB]

We always book directly with Virgin Atlantic and pay to use the Clubhouse. You need to phone Virgin Holidays and they will ask for your booking reference, but you just need to tell them that your flight is booked directly with VA. We have done this many, many times. The current cost is £35 for Gatwick and £65 for Heathrow.

ETA - Gill, it may be worth you phoning VH (rather than VA) to ask if you can each take a guest into the lounge. They seem to have the ability to arrange entry for all PAX. I'm guessing they would simply issue a voucher in the same way they do for VH customers.

 

[Frances999]

We always book directly with Virgin Atlantic and pay to use the Clubhouse. You need to phone Virgin Holidays and they will ask for your booking reference, but you just need to tell them that your flight is booked directly with VA. We have done this many, many times. The current cost is £35 for Gatwick and £65 for Heathrow.

ETA - Gill, it may be worth you phoning VH (rather than VA) to ask if you can each take a guest into the lounge. They seem to have the ability to arrange entry for all PAX. I'm guessing they would simply issue a voucher in the same way they do for VH customers.

Is this a new rule? I just checked and the VH website still makes you tick a box confirming you have booked a Virgin Holiday before they let you purchase the Clubhouse Passes. I guess you could go "against the rules" and just lie, but it would be a pain to be turned away or told your tickets are not valid. The rules are there for a reason - and the explanation they gave to Gismo seems to be fair enough to me.

 

[Tammy Stringer]

Is this a new rule? I just checked and the VH website still makes you tick a box confirming you have booked a Virgin Holiday before they let you purchase the Clubhouse Passes. I guess you could go "against the rules" and just lie, but it would be a pain to be turned away or told your tickets are not valid. The rules are there for a reason - and the explanation they gave to Gismo seems to be fair enough to me.

This is not a new rule. We have never booked through VH but have made use of the Clubhouse twice. It is not against the rules and you do not have to lie. Unless something has changed, Deb is exactly right. You have to book the Clubhouse through VH, but you ring up and tell them you are flying with VA and would like to book the Clubhouse.

Kev

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Sorry, meant to post as me, not Tam.

Kev

 

[gilld]

Ok, Thanks for that. I'll get them to try VH and see where they get. It's a quiet time of year so maybe they'll be lucky.

 

[oceanscape]

Just phoned Virgin Hols to try and book this but the guy told me I couldn't because I have booked flight only direct with VA. He said you have to have bought a flydrive or full package from Virgin Hols.

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Just phoned Virgin Hols to try and book this but the guy told me I couldn't because I have booked flight only direct with VA. He said you have to have bought a flydrive or full package from Virgin Hols.

Hi

There does seem to be a lot of confusion with VH about this. We have been told a similar thing in the past. It often pays to call back and talk to someone else. When we have insisted that we have done this in the past the VH rep usually goes off to talk to a supervisor and then allows us to book it.

Of course, there is always the possibility that they have changed the rules since the last time we did it.

Kev

 

[edinburghlass]

Some free passes for Heathrow available here...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=8357063#post8357063