Virgin Lounge - Gatwick

[Red-Snapper]

LAst time we flew Virgin PE we got an invite in the check-in queue to use the lounge.

Is there anyway of using the lounge other than that (when not flying UC) ??

Thanks

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Yes, be a flying club Gold Card holder.
There is a discussion over at V-Flyer regarding whether VH are still doing the £30 entrance to the clubhouse or not.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Thx - that is what I thought.

We are Silver not Gold so will have to hope they are doing the invite again.

 

[UKDEB]

It's still possible to to pay for access to the lounge. It's a Virgin Holidays offering, and it used to be possible to book online, but I can never get the link to work. The the easiest way to book it is to give them a call. It's supposed to be available exclusively to VH customers and they'll probably ask you if you have an existing booking, but don't worry if you haven't - we always book directly with VA and it's never been a problem.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Deb,
that's what I was saying about a debate going on in the V-Flyer forum about this and whether its still availble or not.

 

[UKDEB]

Yes, I seem to remember seeing that, but they're wrong! Despite what it says on the website (and it isn't a recent restriction), we've never had a problem booking the lounge. We're invariably asked if we have an existing VH booking, but when we tell them we've booked directly with VA, they usually say something along the lines of, "That's OK, if you had, I was going to link the bookings".

I didn't bother joining in the thread - someone else had already attempted to put them right. Also, some of those who pay UC fares can get very touchy about others being able to buy access. I'd probably feel the same in their position, but I don't see the point in slapping a virtual "please flame me" notice to my forehead!

 

[gavvy]

Just to back Deb up- you def can, there is an old thread on here where she brought it up and I thought you could not, but took her advice and have booked it myself last October- despite not having a Virgin holiday booking.
Could not get in for my trip to Vegas on Wed though :-( book early as they only have so many allocated to them and once they have gone thats it!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Ah, the "should paid access be allowed" chestnut.
Well, as a AU card holder, I'm NOT going there!

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
We paid £25 each last December at the clubhouse desk for access and this included a "beauty treatment" for the Dragon..!!

Mick.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Thx for the tip Deb - I rang VH who took alot of details, went off to speak to a supervisor, came back and to my surprise booked it for me

 

[mikki.young]

Ok, maybe daft question but can you book the lounge for your return - not for the way out? (again I am not a VH customer but will be doing PE with VA)

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Ok, maybe daft question but can you book the lounge for your return - not for the way out? (again I am not a VH customer but will be doing PE with VA)

The lounge at Orlando is a Delta Airlines lounge which they use.
As such you cannot buy access via Virgin.
However you can buy access one day pass from Delta.
see here
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/crown_room_clubs/oneday_pass/index.jsp

 

[UKDEB]

We've never bothered with the Delta lounge at MCO - by all accounts it's not a patch on the Virgin Clubhouse. Instead we chill out in the lobby of the Hyatt which is a really quiet haven away from the hubbub of the airport. Depending on what time you happen to be there, there will either be servers taking drinks orders, or you can buy them from the bar inside McCoys. In fact we sometimes sit at that bar and we have been known to eat there too.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

SHHHHHH! Debs!

Don't tell everyoen abou McCoys Bar & grille, everyone will go there!

We go for a meal in McCoys then go to the Delta lounge afterwards

 

[Boo Boo Too]

The Hyatt (and McCoys) is very nice... the only downside is it is outside of security. Depending on time of day, you need to leave quite a bit of time to go through security.

The Delta Crown Room is very pleasant: no food (just a few bowls of snack mix - unless they have changed recently) and a bar tender pouring drinks. Private restrooms, lots of comfortable seating.

Orlando is one of those airports that I wouldn't bother paying to use the lounge: since it has the Hyatt and the rest of the airport is pretty pleasant anyway. I sometimes pay to use the Red Carpet Club at Denver (if we are connecting through it on internal flights) - because there isn't a lot going on there, it is quite an "uncomfortable airport" and we sometimes get delays (which makes it even more worth it).

Boo

 

[waltfan1957]

It's still possible to to pay for access to the lounge. It's a Virgin Holidays offering, and it used to be possible to book online, but I can never get the link to work. The the easiest way to book it is to give them a call. It's supposed to be available exclusively to VH customers and they'll probably ask you if you have an existing booking, but don't worry if you haven't - we always book directly with VA and it's never been a problem.

I rang VA last year and told them we were flying PE could we pay to go in the lounge we were told no.

I also told them my wife was disabled were we discriminated against because of this?.

 

[Ric]

I think VH stipulate a "no-one under 12 years old" rule when booking the lounge separately. Not sure whether that's an issue for you.

 

[UKDEB]

I rang VA last year and told them we were flying PE could we pay to go in the lounge we were told no.

That's the thing - you need to book it through Virgin Holidays, not directly with Virgin Atlantic.

 

[Jets fan]

We booked with Virgin Atlantic PE for the flights and I called Virgin Holidays to book the lounge. All went smoothly.

I suggest you call Virgin Holidays to book the lounge as they can do this but Virgin Atlantic cannot, very wierd, but it worked for us.

Also there was two people in wheelchairs in the lounge when we were there so they do allow wheelchairs.

Good luck.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Weirdly though - I was asked if we had any "pre-existing medical conditions".