Virgin Gatwick Clubhouse closure Sept to Nov 09 :-(

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Just a quick message for those of you who have booked Upper Class flights or are looking to do so or have a Virgin Atlanic Gold Card

(You would have thjought that Virgin customer service would have contacted passengers flying at this time. but not it seems)

Virgin Atlantic have announced that the Gatwick Clubhouse will be closed from 1st September until at least 30th November 2009 to completly refurbish the Clubhouse.

Upper Class passengers flying at that time will be accommodated in the V-Room. Gold Card holders will be able to use "The Lounge"?? (Culd this be the No1 lounge??)

As you all know the VRoom is the Virgin holidays lounge and for those of you used to the Clubhouse its slightly different

No waiter service, its cafe style serving, the hot breakfast items are a choice of either a bacon roll or a sausage roll, with cereals and fruit/pastries available, so not the clubhouse menu.

The bar is a cash bar for alcoholic drinks, but UC passengers will get free drinks (I would assume by vouchers or showing your UC ticket??)
There is no shower or beauty salon.

In busy times it will get more crowded than the Clubhouse and I would also imagine most people using the V-Room will be on the Orlando flights, so the gradual emptying of the Clubhouse that happens when other flights leave may not occur.
Pictures of the V-room here
http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/extras/airport_lounges/info/lounges_clubhouse/vroom.aspx

Personally if I had been aware of this possibility at the time of booking, and that the bA Club World flights were the same price I would have booked with BA and used their Terrace lounge as the Clubhouse is a major reason for flying UC over BA CW

 

[jen_uk]

Hello Obi, haven't seen you in a long time

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hello Obi, haven't seen you in a long time

Hi jen.

 

[Jets fan]

Thanks for the info and welcome back, I've missed your posts

Tina

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Thanks for the info and welcome back, I've missed your posts

Tina

hi Tina.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Obi!!!! Nice to see you, sir...

Personally if I had been aware of this possibility at the time of booking, and that the bA Club World flights were the same price I would have booked with BA and used their Terrace lounge as the Clubhouse is a major reason for flying UC over BA CW

ABSO-FLAMIN-LUTELY!!! We booked flights for September just before this was announced and innocently assumed there would be some automatic refund/points added or something - seems not... Mr CustardTart hasn't really taken onboard the lack of Clubhouse facilities but when the penny drops, I expect him to be making a fuss...

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hi Obi!!!! Nice to see you, sir...



ABSO-FLAMIN-LUTELY!!! We booked flights for September just before this was announced and innocently assumed there would be some automatic refund/points added or something - seems not... Mr CustardTart hasn't really taken onboard the lack of Clubhouse facilities but when the penny drops, I expect him to be making a fuss...

Hi Custard Tart,
I know what you mean. I am not sure if its worth writing to Steve Ridgeway (or his PA's) or Richard (or his PA's) about this. I am going to think over the weekend.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the VRoom, for £17 or for free with certain Virgin holidays its fantastic, much better than waiting in the terminal, but its not a buisness lounge as expected when you pay Buisness class fares.
Its also the way that the Gold Card holders have been segregated to "The Lounge" (whatever that is) from the UC Pax.

 

[MorningGlory]

Hey Obi, this is a nice surprise

Good to see you around

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hi Paul, its great to have Broadband again!

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Custard Tart,
I know what you mean. I am not sure if its worth writing to Steve Ridgeway (or his PA's) or Richard (or his PA's) about this. I am going to think over the weekend...

My DH has some sort of VA corporate contact so I think he will speaking to him in the not too distant future...

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the VRoom, for £17 or for free with certain Virgin holidays its fantastic, much better than waiting in the terminal, but its not a buisness lounge as expected when you pay Buisness class fares...

I agree, definitely nicer than hanging in the terminal BUT what p's me off is the fact that we weren't given any warning when booking flights during the refurb time-frame. If I'd known the facts, I (and probably many others) would undoubtedly have chosen to fly BA on this occasion - I can't shake the feeling that VA knew and took advantage of this. Plus there must be some Clubhouse cost that is incorporated in the fares so surely there should be a refund of sorts... Ah well, obviously my laser logic isn't shared by VA so will just have see what happens - at least we won't feel the urge to arrive at LGW so early with the Clubhouse out of action...

 

[UKDEB]

I suppose the good news is that the Clubhouse will be getting a makeover. And I know the V-Room isn't up to Clubhouse standards, but I was pleasantly surprised. They should cordon off what is normally the adults-only area for UC pax whilst the Clubhouse is closed.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I agree, definitely nicer than hanging in the terminal BUT what p's me off is the fact that we weren't given any warning when booking flights during the refurb time-frame. If I'd known the facts, I (and probably many others) would undoubtedly have chosen to fly BA on this occasion - I can't shake the feeling that VA knew and took advantage of this. Plus there must be some Clubhouse cost that is incorporated in the fares so surely there should be a refund of sorts... Ah well, obviously my laser logic isn't shared by VA so will just have see what happens - at least we won't feel the urge to arrive at LGW so early with the Clubhouse out of action...

Its interesting that I first got wind of it when a notice appeared on the Virgin Holidays web site, NOT on Virgin Atlantics, I contacted Customer Services in February after this who replied
"Thank you for your email and apologies for the delayed response.

We are constantly reviewing ways in which our Clubhouses can be improved, and Gatwick is on the list for review at present. At this time, we are not able to confirm any specific dates or time frame that any changes may take place.

Thank you for contacting Virgin Atlantic."

Then suddenly the message about the clubhouse closure was removed from the VH web site.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I suppose the good news is that the Clubhouse will be getting a makeover. And I know the V-Room isn't up to Clubhouse standards, but I was pleasantly surprised. They should cordon off what is normally the adults-only area for UC pax whilst the Clubhouse is closed.

Oh yes, in the longer term, its going to be a fab Clubhouse.
They apart from making alcoholic drinks free for UC pax, are making no other arrangements for UC pax in the Vroom.
The standard line I have recieved is "This is not our lounge, it belongs to Virgin holidays, we have booked space inthis other companies lounge"
They are playing the "we are two seperate companies" line.
The reason for the original post is that as Virgin Atlantic are being reluctant to tell what they class as their Premium passengers, anything about this change in a fundamental selling point, (if you didn't know to go to the VA web site Gatwick lounge page, you would not know this was happening)
is to get the word out ASAP.
I would hate to be, for instance a couple who turn up at the airport for their flight and are then told, no Clubhouse. That is just wrong.
It unfortunatly sums up all thats wrong with Virgin Customer services these days :-(

 

[Grumpy John]

What a bunch of snobs you lot are. Oh dear that Virgin dare refurbish something that may affect your free breakfast or alcohol or being waited on. Sorry but that is absolutely pathetic.

Maybe Steve or Richard will give you a refund or ensure that there is a waiter on site for you so you dont have to get off the chair to get your breakfast.

Good on Virgin for updating their services to ensure that passengers can relax prior to their flight. Look forward to using it when we fly at the end of November - will let you know how the refurbished room is when we get back!

 

[CustardTart]

What a bunch of snobs you lot are. Oh dear that Virgin dare refurbish something that may affect your free breakfast or alcohol or being waited on. Sorry but that is absolutely pathetic.

Actually, I was mainly being a pathetic snob about not receiving my 'free' pedicure...

Enjoy the Clubhouse in November...

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

What a bunch of snobs you lot are. Oh dear that Virgin dare refurbish something that may affect your free breakfast or alcohol or being waited on. Sorry but that is absolutely pathetic.

Maybe Steve or Richard will give you a refund or ensure that there is a waiter on site for you so you dont have to get off the chair to get your breakfast.

Good on Virgin for updating their services to ensure that passengers can relax prior to their flight. Look forward to using it when we fly at the end of November - will let you know how the refurbished room is when we get back!

Well, I can see why you call yourself "Grumpy john"
It has nothing whatsoever to do with snobbery for heavens sake!
the breakfast, drinks and clubhouse are not "free" they are part of the price of an Upper Class ticket, and is the normal expectation of anyone flying in a Buisness Class cabin.
Why have you picked upon that particular aspect of the services unavailable at that time? It sounds more like inverse snobbery on your behalf as you are actually the only one who has mentioned "snob" at any time.

Please note two things
1) I said in the long term this is a welcome refurbishment
2) if you are flying UC end of November then you most certainly will NOT be using teh refurbished Clubhouse as the projected opening date is 1st december and these projections always are on the positive side!

 

[scarletlancer]

Well, I can see why you call yourself "Grumpy john"
It has nothing whatsoever to do with snobbery for heavens sake!
the breakfast, drinks and clubhouse are not "free" they are part of the price of an Upper Class ticket, and is the normal expectation of anyone flying in a Buisness Class cabin.
Why have you picked upon that particular aspect of the services unavailable at that time? It sounds more like inverse snobbery on your behalf as you are actually the only one who has mentioned "snob" at any time.

Please note two things
1) I said in the long term this is a welcome refurbishment
2) if you are flying UC end of November then you most certainly will NOT be using teh refurbished Clubhouse as the projected opening date is 1st december and these projections always are on the positive side!

To be honest I think that you are all in la la land because the vast majority of people (myself included) couldn't come close to affording the outrageous cost of UC but having said that if you can afford it (bloody good luck to you) and have paid for something I think you are absolutely right in expecting to get it. I have to say that I think that airlines are like licensed robbery these days. The level of service that they offer compared to the cost often leaves me feeling that they see passengers as something of an inconvenience.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

To be honest I think that you are all in la la land because the vast majority of people (myself included) couldn't come close to affording the outrageous cost of UC but having said that if you can afford it (bloody good luck to you) and have paid for something I think you are absolutely right in expecting to get it. I have to say that I think that airlines are like licensed robbery these days. The level of service that they offer compared to the cost often leaves me feeling that they see passengers as something of an inconvenience.

I have to say I totally agree with you.
I think for the price they charge for economy seats is appualing, they treat the passengers like cattle and a total inconveinience.
It used to be that airline travel was an adventure, most people dressed up for it and I remember (just) that when flying Viscounts to holidays with BEA to Guernsey and Jersey, the seat pitch was great and the seats were all leather, with proper served food and cutlery. Even our first trips to Spain and Italy were like that. Court Line were a fantastic airline so was Freddie Lakers Skytrain. BOAC were outside our price range and it was like being the waif looking in at the toys in the shop window, there but out of reach (First class is still like that) When Virgin first came along they were innovative and gave fantastic customer service.

Now they are all regardless of class of travel, busses. They did start to reduce the quality of the service in economy, and when they (all airlines) got away with it, its spread throughout all the cabins to some extent or another.

Sure long haul and short haul are both more "affordable" but the service they all give in all classes is not woth what they charge for it.

 

[epcot1stfave]

We have booked the clubhouse through VH at a cost of £35 each, flying PE and have had no word from anyone about the closure although I have known about it for some time.
Spoke to the dreaded call centre yesterday to ask about a refund and was told they had no details, will have to try and get the UK call centre on Monday. Failing that will try going through FVC, certainly not paying twice as much for the Vroom especially as I think it was being offered free to PE when I booked.