Will Virgin Australia ever design a domestic Platinum/business class lounge?

11 replies

Propofol88

QF Platinum

Member since 24 Jan 2013

Total posts 85

Does anyone think Virgin Australia will attempt to design a lounge catered towards Platinum and Business class passengers, similar to Qantas's Domestic Business Lounge?

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

I doubt it. They had their chance when they expanded Melbourne and Sydney but chose not to.

Opto80

VA

Member since 25 Aug 2014

Total posts 28

I think if they were going to do it they would have done it by now. Although the Brisbane lounge is under renovation at the moment and it looks as though it is going to be massive when completed. Maybe a seperate plat/business lounge....

David

Member since 24 Oct 2010

Total posts 1,016

I also doubt it very much. I think we'd be more likely to see a Business/Platinum-only 'annexe' in a current lounge before an all-new lounge just for those travellers – and whether such an annexe would provide those travellers with extra perks (eg better food & drinks) or simply their own space away from the main lounge would also be up in the air.

Propofol88

QF Platinum

Member since 24 Jan 2013

Total posts 85

You reckon the lack of such is to VA's detriment? As a soon to be VA platinum (and soon to be ex QF platinum member), I find the lack of access to an equivalent domestic business lounge (and first class lounge internationally) to be a key drawback of the velocity program.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

I'm not sure if it'll drive people back to QF, but I think it could make Gold look 'good enough', lessening the drive to make Platinum?

Propofol88

QF Platinum

Member since 24 Jan 2013

Total posts 85

I'm pondering if it's worth doing most of my flying in 2015 with VA so I can maintain Platinum with them (and let my QF status slip to Silver), or divide it with QF so I can be double Gold with both QF and VA.

The key benefits I can see with VA Platinum are the Hilton Honors Diamond membership (which is valid for a year only) and the increased earning point rates. There is no First class lounge to access, no Domestic Business lounge equivalent, no higher chance of securing upgrades (compared to Gold), and no such hidden reserved reward seats for Platinum members as compared to QF.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

How much is HHonors Diamond worth to you?

Propofol88

QF Platinum

Member since 24 Jan 2013

Total posts 85

There are nice perks with Hhonors Diamond (esp Executive Lounge access) but maintaining VA Platinum does not guarantee you maintain Diamond status. I'd be happier getting a credit card that offers Hhonors Gold status instead.

djcz

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Feb 2014

Total posts 130

I thought the Domestic Lounge for Virgin at business was really good, for domestic travel!

Propofol88

QF Platinum

Member since 24 Jan 2013

Total posts 85

Yes, it does a very good job as a domestic lounge - but compared to QF's domestic Business lounge it is nowhere close.

djcz

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Feb 2014

Total posts 130

Sorry, I was meant to say Brisbane

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