Your guide to Virgin Australia domestic lounge access

Virgin Australia’s lounges welcome a wide list of travellers, including status holders of partner airlines.

By Staff Writers, September 29 2023
Your guide to Virgin Australia domestic lounge access

With lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and the Gold Coast to its name, Virgin Australia rolls out the welcome mat for a wide mix of travellers – and it’s not just Velocity status holders on the guest list.

Frequent flyers of partner airlines including Air Canada, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines are also invited in for a pre-flight snack and relax, as are business class travellers, single-visit passholders, and many more.

Here’s a complete list of who qualifies for Virgin Australia lounge access, along with how anybody flying Virgin can get into the lounge.

Virgin Australia lounge access by Velocity Frequent Flyer status

The most common path to lounge access is Velocity Frequent Flyer status – Gold and Platinum members, as well as those holding invite-only Beyond status, are all on that list. Guests are welcome also, as follows: 

Here’s who makes the cut, along with how many adult and child guests each member can bring along.

Status

Access (18+)

Children aged 2-17

Children aged 0-2

Beyond

Self, plus three adult guests

Three, in addition to any adult guests

No limit with accompanying adults

Velocity Platinum

Self, plus three adult guests

Three, in addition to any adult guests

No limit with accompanying adults

Velocity Gold

Self, plus one adult guest

Three, in addition to any adult guests

No limit with accompanying adults

Velocity Silver

Lounge pass required for each visit

N/A, unless using a lounge pass

N/A, unless using a lounge pass

Unlike higher-tiered travellers, Velocity Silver members receive two complimentary lounge visits per year rather than unlimited access.

These are credited to the Silver member as electronic lounge passes, which can be redeemed on entry to the lounge – either by the member on two separate visits, or on a single visit when travelling with a guest (one pass per person).

The light and bright Virgin Australia lounge in Melbourne.
The light and bright Virgin Australia lounge in Melbourne.

Velocity Silver members using these passes can’t bring a complimentary guest, however, and aren’t entitled to bring children into the lounge when only one adult pass is used.

(The discretion of lounge staff may allow this to occur, but it’s something the traveller can merely ‘request’, not ‘expect’.)

Virgin Australia lounge access by travel class

Business class tickets are another easy way of getting into the lounge before your flight. It’s included in the fare, after all. Simply scan your boarding pass or present it to staff on entry and you’re all set to enter.

Access includes those who booked business class outright, as well as travellers who upgraded using Velocity Points, an upgrade bid, or a Platinum or VIP UpgradeMe credit.

Airline

Access (18+)

Children aged 4-17

Children aged 0-3

Virgin Australia business class

Self only

Only if also flying business class

Only if also flying business class

While Virgin doesn’t normally permit guests for business class passengers, an exception is made where that traveller is an Unaccompanied Minor – in which case, an adult (who isn’t flying) can enter the lounge and wait with the child until departure. 

Virgin Australia lounge access by partner airline status

Eligible members of selected Virgin Australia partner airline programs enjoy access to its domestic lounges when travelling on a same-day Virgin Australia flight, as below.

Loyalty program

Eligible tiers

Guests

Air Canada Aeroplan

VIP Super Elite, 100K Super Elite, 75K, 50K

One additional guest

Etihad Guest

Gold, Platinum

One additional guest

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Elite Gold, PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Life

One additional guest

South African Airways Voyager

Gold, Platinum, Lifetime Platinum

One additional guest

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Platinum, Gold

One additional guest

United MileagePlus

Gold, Platinum, 1K

One additional guest

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Gold, UNIQ

One additional guest

Virgin Australia notes visitors must present a valid membership card for their respective loyalty program when seeking access to the lounge.

The Gold Coast Virgin Australia lounge is a great spot to kick back and enjoy the runway view.
The Gold Coast Virgin Australia lounge is a great spot to kick back and enjoy the runway view.

Top-tier frequent flyers of Virgin Australia’s other partner airlines, including All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Hawaiian Airlines, do not have access to Virgin Australia’s domestic lounges at present.

On-arrival lounge access is only permitted for Virgin Australia Beyond, Platinum and Gold members, guests in Business Class and Virgin Atlantic Gold members.

Those looking for Velocity international lounge access to partners such as Air Canada, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines can read our handy guide here

Virgin Australia lounge access by credit card

Does your Australian credit card offer Velocity Points? If so, you may also qualify for Virgin Australia Lounge access.

Cardholders with the following products can unlock two single-visit Virgin Australia Lounge passes every year:

  • American Express Velocity Business Card
  • American Express Velocity Platinum Card
  • Virgin Money’s Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card
  • Westpac Altitude Velocity Black Mastercard

Contact your financial institution to confirm how and when your lounge passes can be activated – which may first require you to book a Virgin Australia flight using that same card.

These can be used by the traveller on two separate visits, or on one visit with a guest in-tow, in the same way as Velocity Silver lounge passes are redeemed.

Virgin Australia domestic passengers with the following cards are instead entitled to unlimited lounge access, on presentation of a departing Virgin Australia boarding pass and their AMEX card:

  • American Express Platinum Charge Card
  • American Express Platinum Business Card
  • American Express Centurion Card

Each cardholder is entitled to bring one guest into the lounge – who must be travelling with the AMEX Platinum or Centurion member on the same flight – and remember, you’ll require your physical AMEX card for access: cards in apps and mobile wallets don’t make the cut.

Travellers who can’t access the lounge based on their frequent flyer status or travel class can instead pay to gain entry – either through a yearly or lifetime lounge membership, or by purchasing a single-entry pass at the door.

Paid path

Access (18+)

Children aged 3-17

Children aged 0-2

Lounge members

Self, plus one adult guest

Three, in addition to any adult guests

No limit with accompanying adults

Lifetime Lounge members

Self, plus one adult guest

Three, in addition to any adult guests

No limit with accompanying adults

Single-entry pass ($65 p.p.)

Self only

N/A

N/A

For those travellers paying for access at the door, a $65 fee per person applies, and doesn’t include any complimentary guests.

While lounge staff may use discretion where children are involved, expect to pay $65 per person, and consider it a happy bonus if charges are waived for a little one.

Who can use Virgin Australia Premium Entry?

Virgin Australia Premium Entry facilities in Sydney and Brisbane provide a direct path from kerb to lounge – and the door list for Premium Entry is tighter than for the lounge itself.

Here’s who can use Premium Entry, when it’s available:

  • Virgin Australia business class passengers
  • Velocity Gold, Platinum and VIP frequent flyers
  • Virgin Australia Lifetime Lounge members
  • Frequent flyers of Air Canada, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic who qualify for lounge access, as above
  • Travellers entering as a guest of the above flyers, where permitted

This means Premium Entry is not available to those either with annual lounge membership, paying $65 at the door, holding Velocity Silver and credit card holders using a single-entry pass, or to AMEX Platinum, Platinum Business and Centurion cardholders.

The kerbside Premium Entry at Brisbane Domestic Airport.
The kerbside Premium Entry at Brisbane Domestic Airport.

Passengers who qualify for Virgin Australia lounge access but not use of the Premium Entry are required to enter via the main entry i.e. passing through passenger screening points and walking up to the door from departures concourse.

It’s worth noting Premium Entry can only be used if travelling with carry-on baggage. If you’re lugging a checked suitcase behind you, you’ll need to proceed through the bag drop and security screening, and use the main entrance.

Can I access the Virgin Australia lounges after my flight?

Yes – Virgin Australia has confirmed that on-arrival access to lounges is available, but only for Virgin Australia Beyond, Platinum and Gold members, plus guests in Business Class and Virgin Atlantic Gold members.

Status holders of other partner airlines do not have on-arrival access. 

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 962

Be good to know;

If the lounge is full, who has priority for entry, a business ticket or a Beyond or Platinum member, I've been told by staff a business ticket beats a Platinum.

And if I am a Platinum and also have a American Express Platinum Business Card, doe this mean I can bring in 4 guests?

06 Sep 2019

Total posts 29

As a decade long Platinum frequent flyer with VA, I find it sad that they still haven't arranged lounge access for VA interntational flights. I heard they were looking at introducing something, perhaps a paid meal and drink, but I guess that won't be in place for my flights next week.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

24 Jan 2018

Total posts 696

Excellent point David.  I thought I read* that rather than kit out Virgin lounges in the major international terminals, Platinum flyers (in any seat) and business class fares were going to receive complimentary access into the The House lounges.  It hasn't happened, that's for sure. 

* I know I read it, but can't recall where or the basis/source.  

29 Sep 2023

Total posts 1

I have been in the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne lounges a couple of times in the past few weeks, and was appalled at how crowded they were and the truly awful wines on offer. I would be happy to pay for a decent glass of wine, especially if I had guests with me. The Virgin lounge is losing its allure bit by bit, that being said, I haven't been in a Qantas lounge in the last year, so it could be the same.

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 962

With the above comments, I can't see anything happening until Qatar buys in.

23 Mar 2012

Total posts 100

The lounges are atrocious. ? Amongst numerous other issues most notably on the ground .As a Platinum VFF it is becoming more and more obvious my support has been a mistake . Hurry up Qatar take a stake .

Qatar Privilage Club

31 Mar 2023

Total posts 7

Terrible lounges especially Sydney on a Friday night to the point where my co-workers and myself have named the the Virgin Canteen.

What's more disappointing is Virgin don't listen, I am a Platinum member commuting to SYD-OOL most weeks, I often receive a survey after my flight which I take the time to complete but nothing changes.

The things I hate most is no available seating, dirty tables not cleared, zero dress code seeing people in the lounge in thongs, singlets and sports attire, watching people take food from the buffet then eat it whilst standing there (yuck), Sydney lounge poor food choices after 6pm Friday night.

I will mention the staff In the Gold Coast lounge are lovely.

Last whinge I can't remember the last time a Virgin flight left on time, an hour or more delay out of Sydney on a Friday night is the new norm.


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