Virgin America Elevate - VX LAX Terminal 3 Lounge

Has anyone heard anything about this?

From the new elevate documentation: "Starting in the fall of 2012, you can get free access to our airport lounge at LAX where you can refresh, unwind, get some work done, grab a snack or just sit back and relax. We’ll email you day passes to use at your leisure, so please remember to bring your lounge pass with you on your day of travel."

I haven't heard much about this and google didn't turn up anything, so thought I'd ask here :)

It used to be Alaskan Airlines lounge. Now it's a Virgin Australia (or maybe Virgin Atlantic) lounge. I wondered if we'd get access to that with the new program. Looks like the answer is a yes.

This is good... The rest of Terminal 3 has been forgotten by time.

I knew it used to be a board room Alaska lounge, but I wasn't sure if it had actually been converted. Do you know if it is currently open?

Virgin Australia have been operating a "temporary" lounge facility at LAX since Alaska left the terminal (actually since a few weeks after as i got shunted over to the ReLAX lounge at TBIT when i went through in March). It's apparently very substandard in its current form but wouldn't be surprised to see it redone as a joint VA/VX facility. There was even some published articles a while back about VS moving to the same terminal and setting up a clubhouse along with the other two Virgins. I'd like to see that but i've heard nothing since.

I knew it used to be a board room Alaska lounge, but I wasn't sure if it had actually been converted. Do you know if it is currently open?

It is, yes. They just have a couple of sandwich boards up, one on the ground floor and one up by the entrance.

Open as the Virgin America lounge, or as the temporary Virgin Australia lounge?

Out of curiosity, when this is done- what will make Virgin America a LCC?

With a new FF program, tiers of service, and lounge(s)... is there really any operational differences from the legacies?

It used to be Alaskan Airlines lounge. Now it's a Virgin Australia (or maybe Virgin Atlantic) lounge. I wondered if we'd get access to that with the new program. Looks like the answer is a yes.

This is good... The rest of Terminal 3 has been forgotten by time.

Heh, too true. If I have to have something at gladstones one more time...

I keep wondering how much it would take to install a moving walkway on that lower level after you get off the plane. They had to spend a good amount of money replacing the escalators, and they finally replaced those big awful swinging doors to get out.

Yet, you still walk what feels like a mile before bagging claim. (And don't even get me started on how long that takes with Virgin at LAX, lol)

Has anyone heard/seen any additional updates on this? Since we are into November I was curious if there had been any movement...

It is still happening. I talked to someone at VX 2 weeks ago and construction is coming along on the T3 Virgin America Loft. Wasn't able to get a date out of them on the opening, unfortunately.

The lounge is now open: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/lax-loft?int=hp_002_laxloft

The lounge is now open: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/lax-loft?int=hp_002_laxloft

Just saw that as well, but seriously crappy that silver/gold members only get 2/3 day passes a year. What's the possible reason for this? We fly the most and only get to access the lounge a couple times? Am I reading this wrong? (hope I am)

Looks like there are already some paparazzi pictures out there too.

Wanted to summarize some items from the announcements and emails that came out today:

* No complimentary entry will be permitted without available passes in the member’s account (status does not guarantee access) or full first-class purchased on long-haul.
* Elevate Gold members receive three complimentary Virgin America Loft day passes per year and Elevate Silver members receive two complimentary day passes per year to the Virgin America Loft. (Match members get one pass.)
* Each complimentary day pass is valid for 1 (one) entry for 1 (one) person into the LAX Loft. Complimentary day passes are valid until December 31, 2013 (for those granted for 2012-2013 calendar year use).
* Must show Elevate Digital Card (or real card) and boarding pass for access.
* Food menu: http://www.virginamerica.com/html/vx-loft-menu.pdf
* Drink menu: http://www.virginamerica.com/html/vx-loft-menu-ll.pdf
* 6am to 11:30pm daily hours.
* Cash price: $40 per person.
* No pets.
* Children under 12 NOT ALLOWED. Children 12-17 must be with 18+ adult. (Virgin Australia admission policy is different for those passengers.)
* No guests with a pass, each person must have their own complementary or paid pass.
* Tickets eligible for complimentary Virgin America Loft access are for full-fare First Class flights in Classes C, D, and J, on our long-haul routes between LAX and BOS, DCA, EWR, IAD, FLL, JFK, MCO, ORD and PHL.

I think the lounge is a bit pricy today, but I think packages of discount passes and other bundling with certain airfares (including a complementary pass) along with earning passes or using points for passes will be coming. If not directly, likely via VX's favorite discount partner Gilt City.

Will this be enough to take away customers from UA PS, AA Flagship, and DL BE transcontinental service, I do not know?

Rasheed

Am I reading this wrong?

Not currently.

Rasheed

Is this the same location as the former AS Boardroom?

Will this be enough to take away customers from UA PS, AA Flagship, and DL BE transcontinental service, I do not know?

I doubt it. VX has limited flights, only eight F seats and lacks the premium ground handling AA offers at JFK/LAX through Flagship Check-in and the Flagship Lounges. Personally, the lounge looks rather tacky and filled with cheap Ikea furniture. If they had done something with nicer minimalist design I'd say good but this is yuck IMO. It would have been nice if they did a concept more like VS, I quite like their LHR and new JFK lounge I visited recently. I'm sure they will get some occasional travelers to cough up the $40 entry fee to make their trip feel special and the Elevate passes will fill the lounge.

The 12 and over restriction is not sitting well, to say the least, with the VA community, who will be using the Loft as a J lounge for flights to Australia. Unfortunately, I see VS has the same restriction for all the lounges but hopefully they will reconsider this rule.
Also, I sometimes pay for F in advance so I dislike having to pay more for the lounge when their competitor AS specifically allows free lounge access with paid F, even with domestic travel. VX has so few F seats on each plane so why not just allow free access for paid F, but not for the 6 hour upgrade, since AS does not allow free access for upgraded pax?

VX has so few F seats on each plane so why not just allow free access for paid F, but not for the 6 hour upgrade, since AS does not allow free access for upgraded pax?

The simple answer for me is VX's financial position. They are not in a position to do much here. Even the investment to make Loft LAX is surprising.

Rasheed

Any more on this? I have been anxiously awaiting updates about any changes in VX policies. Hopefully, international pax traveling with child will be able to enter the lounge.

I'm just curious as to why the Club was debuted in LA and not in SF since this is VX's hub.

I'm for one all about supporting the hometown airline but for the moment chances are that I will not be in LA, despite it's distance from me, for a while. I frequent SFO for travels outside of CA that are services by VX with no connections required in LA unless I desire one. I'd had to "blow" my free passes for a club visit that's currently not on my radar with regards to travel excursions.

I'm just curious as to why the Club was debuted in LA and not in SF since this is VX's hub.

I'm for one all about supporting the hometown airline but for the moment chances are that I will not be in LA, despite it's distance from me, for a while. I frequent SFO for travels outside of CA that are services by VX with no connections required in LA unless I desire one. I'd had to "blow" my free passes for a club visit that's currently not on my radar with regards to travel excursions.

LAX had ready space, and it is probably a relative bargain. SFO T-2 is almost as nice as being in a lounge and I don't know if there is available space on the main level. (The old lounges in the Int'l terminal used to be on the lower level, and I don't know if/what of that still exists.) I do know that the long term plan for T2 was not scheduled to include AA, so maybe VX thought the AC would be their eventual lounge.

The "VX" Lounge was a surprise to me. VA needed an international lounge for business class passengers and that is what they have been using the temporary space for. Probably figured since VA only uses the space in the evening VX could use it in the daytime and sell passes for entry. Unfortunately, under the control of VX things changed quite a bit. Elite VA pax claim being denied entry because they did not have a connecting VX flight booked or they did not arrive on a VA flight. Also, this whole ban of the under 12 nonsense, keeping someones 11 1/2 year old out of the lounge (and presumably their parents as well) even when they are traveling international business class for 12+ hours to Australia.

Visited the lounge a couple of times this weekend. Was traveling paid first class but still required to pay for entry. They mentioned that this will probably be changing early next year, as it should, considering their competition allows domestic lounge access with paid F.
For those flying VA to Australia, fortunately everyone with a business class ticket was allowed in to the lounge no matter age. This was a big concern for passengers flying international business with younger family members.
I was amazed with the amount of Virgin flights flying out of LAX to places around the country.

good to see a first hand report thanks westcoastman

They mentioned that this will probably be changing early next year, as it should, considering their competition allows domestic lounge access with paid F.

I wonder if "paid" means an actual F fare (not paid upgrade). Also wonder if they have their transcon competitors in mind (AA/DL/UA), and whether VX will have the same transcon restriction. Only AS allows lounge access for paid F on any domestic route.

I wonder if "paid" means an actual F fare (not paid upgrade). Also wonder if they have their transcon competitors in mind (AA/DL/UA), and whether VX will have the same transcon restriction. Only AS allows lounge access for paid F on any domestic route.
The paid part comes from me because that is all I expect. The fact I paid for F in advance (while 6 other passengers upgraded at 6 hours) made me frustrated to pay another $40 just to enter the club.
It sounds like some things might be changing at the beginning of the year but what actually happens is unknown . When I expressed my opinion about F and lounge access the implication was that this is something they are considering.
I am very familiar with AS giving me lounge access on paid F. Here is a listing of what the other airlines do. Sounds like quite a few others offer lounge access with paid F, $ or miles, and some on full-fare Y:
http://thepointsguy.com/2012/05/travel-tuesday-top-10-ways-to-get-access-to-airline-lounges/
I was happy with the LAX Loft.

Rasheed (or anyone else)--

Regarding this bullet from Post 13 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19844181-post13.html)


* Elevate Gold members receive three complimentary Virgin America Loft day passes per year and Elevate Silver members receive two complimentary day passes per year to the Virgin America Loft. (Match members get one pass.)


Can you verify that even those who got only Silver status as a result of a match get one complimentary pass?

If yes, should the existence of the pass show up somewhere when logged into one's account?

Status match members do not get lounge passes

I do know that the long term plan for T2 was not scheduled to include AA, so maybe VX thought the AC would be their eventual lounge.

Yeah! AA needs to vacate T2 at SFO fast. It would rally nice if there was a VX lounge at SFO. But I do agree though that the T2 terminal is a very nice one indeed!

Maybe I need to get down to LAX to have a look around the Club. I'm trying still! But my travels have me in DC and PHL as well as FLL for the moment.

Status match members do not get lounge passes
Sorry, but you appear to be incorrect. Here's a quote from an email response that I just got from VX:

"Please be advised per the Terms and Conditions of our Status Match program: Matched members will receive one complimentary day pass to the Virgin America airport lounge at LAX. As a valued Silver member, your name will be on a guest list upon arrival at our Virgin America LAX Loft. Please have your digital Silver card and boarding pass on hand."

And if you look in the first block of text under the words "Terms and conditions" on the Status Match page (http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/statusmatch), Item b) confirms that a matchee gets one pass.

Sorry, but you appear to be incorrect. Here's a quote from an email response that I just got from VX:

"Please be advised per the Terms and Conditions of our Status Match program: Matched members will receive one complimentary day pass to the Virgin America airport lounge at LAX. As a valued Silver member, your name will be on a guest list upon arrival at our Virgin America LAX Loft. Please have your digital Silver card and boarding pass on hand."

And if you look in the first block of text under the words "Terms and conditions" on the Status Match page (http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/statusmatch), Item b) confirms that a matchee gets one pass.

My bad. I know they don't receive any of the discount promotional codes.

Rasheed (or anyone else)--

Regarding this bullet from Post 13 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19844181-post13.html)

Can you verify that even those who got only Silver status as a result of a match get one complimentary pass?

If yes, should the existence of the pass show up somewhere when logged into one's account?

Yes, one pass.

From: http://virginamerica.com/vx/statusmatch?int=tiles_003_statusmatch
Terms and conditions:

*The following restrictions will apply to Elevate Status Benefits available during the Status Match period through April 30, 2012: a) Matched members will not receive 25% off personal discount codes. b) Matched members will receive one complimentary day pass to the Virgin America airport lounge at LAX. c) Matched members may not have access to all reciprocal benefits on Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia that require the member to present their membership card.


They meant 4/30/2013.

If you go to the loft with your Elevate Silver number, they will confirm the one pass for use. There is no online account pass counter.

Looks like jmd001 responded appropriately.

Also, as indicated by others, full-fare First Class ticket buyers have been added to the use of the loft for free. I have added it to me earlier post including fare codes. Upgrading to FC is not enough.

Rasheed

From http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/lax-loft :

"Guests must present their Virgin America Loft day pass and boarding pass upon entry. If they do not have a boarding pass, guests will need to present a pass from an LAX airport gate."

So if I match over to VX, have a flight departing LAX (but not on VX or their partners), can I use a day pass?

I don't see much value in using the Loft unless you are flying another T3 airline if not VX.

Rasheed

Also, as indicated by others, full-fare First Class ticket buyers have been added to the use of the loft for free. I have added it to me earlier post including fare codes. Upgrading to FC is not enough.

So, being a little dense on VX, does this mean any advance purchase first class fare, including the non-refundable fare? Or is it only for refundable first class fares? I'm flying LAX-ORD in a few weeks on a non-refundable first class ticket. I tried out the lounge in December, and while it was nice, I wouldn't pay $40 for it again. But I'll definitely use it if its free. :D

So, being a little dense on VX, does this mean any advance purchase first class fare, including the non-refundable fare? Or is it only for refundable first class fares? I'm flying LAX-ORD in a few weeks on a non-refundable first class ticket. I tried out the lounge in December, and while it was nice, I wouldn't pay $40 for it again. But I'll definitely use it if its free. :D

I answered my own question. According to an email from VX, non-refundable first class fares qualify for complimentary Loft access.