For the next three months, Virgin Australia's airport lounges are rolling out the welcome mat to flyers over 60 years of age.
The offer covers all of Virgin's domestic airport lounges except for Adelaide, and runs from June 1st to August 31st.
'Senior flyers' can kick back with a cuppa or a glass of wine, grab a snack from the buffet and generally just relax for up to two hours ahead of their flight, without needed to be booked in business class or hold a Velocity Gold or Platinum card.
There are a few caveats, so here's the drill:
- You need to have booked your Virgin Australia flight by midnight May 16 and enter the the promotion code SNR60 when making your booking.
- Your booking must be for an 'off-peak' domestic economy fare departing between Monday andThursday, and between 11am and 3pm (this is intended to avoid over-crowding of the lounges during regular peak travel periods).
- When you arrive at the lounge you’ll need to provide lounge access confirmation email and some form of photo ID, such as your driver's licence or a Senior’s card.
If you’re flying with anyone under 60, they'll also enjoy free lounge access provided their flight is booked under the same reservation as yours.
For more details, click through to the Virgin Australia website.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 219
Why is Adelaide excluded?
It seems odd
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Gold
04 Jul 2014
Total posts 130
Assuming because the ADL lounge is so small.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 219
It is tiny.
Any reason why David?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
I'd suggest space is the issue.
20 Nov 2012
Total posts 20
Adelaide has a skewed older demographic.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
Can you double up the promo code? As we all know there are always some discount promo code floating around. Can you get discount and lounge access at the same time?
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1518
Older should have access to lounges all year around in all carriers. Kudos to Virgin for initiative and hopefully it became standard.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
If it's standard then it will be a disaster. Too many people over 60 who travel and will just pack lounges like sardines.
I am not against the idea - I actually quite like it, but it just can't work out properly.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1518
LOL!!! Downvoters on War Path!
Just remember – ALL of you (well, those who lucky enough) will be old farts. And also remember that VERY FEW of you who flying business (because of companies paying) will continue to do so when you became old fart.
I am well below 60.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Dec 2014
Total posts 80
+1
I'm still several years off 60. But that's not the reason why I agree. The seniors have done their bit so let them enjoy a perk or too. Besides they are the baby boomers and have (all the) money to travel ;)
Cheers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Exactly they have the money to travel and can pay for lounge access if they want it like everyone else. Not sure what 'having done their bit" has anything to do with it, we all will have someday!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
"Done their bit" for the love of God..... Now the age of entitlement is spreading to airlines. It's not the federal Shorten team running the airlines, or every single one of them would be bankrupt and we would never fly anywhere...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
For good reason too, your justification lacks logic
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Dec 2014
Total posts 80
So giving them a taste that could turn out to be a money maker for Virgin is no good? Who says these over 60s won't fly J or F in future?
Cheers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Not who but what - common sense, when was the last time you saw a retiree flying in J or F?
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Dec 2014
Total posts 80
What? How about respect? Virgin may have seen something in their marketing that has warranted this trial. I'm not sure. If it works out well you may have to change your attitude. If not you've lost nothing. To me either way makes no difference and it won't be something that'll I'll think about. However if their behaviour is bad then that'll change. And I think that's what you (and me) should be more concerned about.
Cheers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
Let's see your reaction when the gate-keepers deny you entry because the lounge has been filled by seniors even though you paid thousands of bucks for the privlege and they only paid the Economy fare.
It'd be a nice thing to do, but will end up ruining the experience for everyone.
VA
17 Dec 2013
Total posts 47
My Mum and her Probus Club crew will be thrilled. And the timing is good because I'm doing a duty dinner with them tomorrow evening. I've taken a screenshot of this page and will pass the iPad around over the pickled cucumber and supermarket Brie on crackers and will spread the word.
I'm not sure the rest of the Lounge will be so enraptured (none of you will stand a chance getting hear the toastie machine) but the idea of them adding their colour and movement to the lounge amuses me greatly. Plus the whole "I'm off to Hervey Bay" leisure wear thing. Gold.
Enjoy.
29 Sep 2015
Total posts 4
So the Virgin lounge is now the home forall future Nursing Home outings... so much for a prestigous lounge rewarding frequent flyers.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 730
At least here in Victoria we have Nurse-On-Call 1300 60 60 24, lets hope they have that number on speed dial.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 730
Seems a very old thing to do for three months.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
Over 70 is a better proposition tbh.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1518
May be. But I like idea in general.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 321
Why would any business want to devalue its own product, this is just a stunt. Velocity members would be right to question the motive of this promotion. Why wouldn't Virgin look at reintroducing single lounge passes at a discount rate to be used in the quieter times rather than giving it away, they could include it as an option for purchase with your ticket. This business dearly lacks a defined plan.
06 Jan 2016
Total posts 31
Marketing. Retiries who travel are a valuable demographic. They have their homes paid off, investmet icome, etc. If they get a taste of the lounge they may start flying in business or purchase lounge access in the future. It is a clever move.
27 Aug 2013
Total posts 31
I'm a Platinum Velocity member and have no issue with it. I benefit from a strong VA, and if this helps, so be it. It's a promotion to engage with a specific demographic. Businesses have to innovate and find points of differentiation all the time. Perhaps seniors who would otherwise travel with Qantas Group (VA gets nothing) will instead try out VA, the benefit being VA gets a few hundred dollars less the cost of a couple of glasses of wine and some crackers for each senior who takes up the offer. The lounges are dead during the promotion time (midday midweek) anyway so why not try it? If someone takes their business away from VA because of a perceived 'devaluation' of the product because of this, well, words escape me.
Qantas
19 Jun 2015
Total posts 18
Desperation by Virgin in my opinion. The whole point of airport lounges was for business passengers to do some work, grab some food and drink and have a shower etc. Im well over 60 and the thought of Business lounges crowed with retirees hogging the bar and buffett is awful. Same with pax who bring the whole bloody family in for a feed. Sorry to offend but Ive earned my lifetime QFF Gold and I still fly enough to keep Platinum and if airlines want to keep the high paying biz traveller happy then they need to protect the brand value of their lounges, Virgin this is a desparate move for what purpose?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Well said, almost as bad as the bogans that fill their plates sky high like it's their last meal just because it's free.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Dec 2014
Total posts 80
Are you suggesting over 60s are (almost) like bogans? I doubt they are. Besides if that bogan is allowed in a lounge it's because he/she has earned it. The only law they may have broken is that of decorum (dress code, behaviour, etc.), which Virgin or any other lounge operator has the discretion to act upon.
Cheers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
hit a nerve did I?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Your reading comprehension needs work, I never equated the old crowd as bogans suggest you re-read a bit slower, maybe a few times
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Dec 2014
Total posts 80
Your statement “almost as bad as the bogans” suggests the over 60s lack a fair bit of refinement or sophistication. Calling them the “old crowd” instead of, let’s say “seniors”, also suggests a lack of respect. It’s not that it has hit a raw nerve, it’s just that I find it a little disrespectful. I’ve associated with seniors and am currently a carer (which is taking my time away from travelling).
Doubleplatinum, you may get the one-off uncouth sort among the over 60s, but in general they are more respectful than many other groups of people. Others and yourself may have a valid point if it can be proven these people will be a nuisance. If you have a real concern, contact Virgin and give them your thoughts. Make sure you itemise the list of your grievances. Hopefully VA will get back to you with an answer. If they do, let us know. We will all be interested to knowtheir thinking.
As said before I’m not fussed whether they get to use lounges or not. What will concern me is the disrespectful attitude of some people (of all ages) towards others in lounges and/or on board. So far I have been fortunate in this regard and have only heard stories.
Cheers
27 Aug 2013
Total posts 31
What does your QFF lifetime Gold have to do with this? Your loyalty to Qantas and oneworld is admirable but has nothing to do with access to The Lounge. If you're so proud of QFF Gold, use it, at a Qantas lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
I'm fairly sure his reference to QFF Gold was to point out there is a way for seniors to have continued lounge access any day or time when flying, until they depart this mortal coil...
08 May 2016
Total posts 1
i froquently fly from Melbourne to Brisbame to visit family. my wife and I are pensioners and usually book well ahead for our next flight so we wont be able to partake of the virgin lounge offer ( We fly up to brisbane on May 10th) That aside it is great that Virgin air is supporting pensioners I hope pensioners will support Virgin Air. thanks Virgin Airways..
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 May 2016
Total posts 3
Thanks heaps Virgin, this "treat" will complete our holiday in July with class. We will have just come off a long haul Virgin flight and to being able to wait for our domestic connection in the lounge is a real bonus. At 69 and with a cancer fighting partner I can't think of anything nicer to complete our journey. Dear business traveller - we promise not to make a mess nor eat all the food on offer or make any unreasonable demands. Thank you again.
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