American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Virgin Atlantic Gold question

When this was added, I phoned up immediately and enrolled. Today, I received the letter that was apparently sent to all members offering it. I'm confused about something...everything I've read seems to indicate that in order to use the Virgin Clubhouse, you need to be flying on Virgin Atlantic that day. The Centurion letter that came today makes no specific mention of that, and seems to go out of its way to avoid mentioning it. Does anyone know what the rules are?

Access to Virgin Clubhouses around the world when flying in any class for you and one guest (although they must be travelling with Virgin Atlantic on the same day).

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/frequentflyer/whatsinforyou/goldbenefits/index.jsp

I have only used the LHR Clubhouse. The attendant checks your name against a passenger list by flight, tells you when to expect to board, and if it is your first visit escorts you into the club and gives a brief orientation.

Access to Virgin Clubhouses around the world when flying in any class for you and one guest (although they must be travelling with Virgin Atlantic on the same day).

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/frequentflyer/whatsinforyou/goldbenefits/index.jsp

I have only used the LHR Clubhouse. The attendant checks your name against a passenger list by flight, tells you when to expect to board, and if it is your first visit escorts you into the club and gives a brief orientation.

Yes, I mentioned that other places say this (meaning the website). My question has to do with the fact that the letter for Amex seems to go out of its way to not say this.

Sorry, were you expecting to be admitted the Clubhouse at any airport Virgin use whenever you flew out of one of them - no matter which carrier you were using? :confused:

Nick

Sorry, were you expecting to be admitted the Clubhouse at any airport Virgin use whenever you flew out of one of them - no matter which carrier you were using? :confused:

Nick

That's what the letter from Amex says.

That's what the letter from Amex says.

I bet it doesn't, even if it may imply it! ;)

It's a lovely thought though, every time you fly out of LHR being able to stop by the CH for a massage, meal and chill out for a couple of hours. Even better whenever you go to SFO, the CH is landside. :D :cool:

Nick

I bet it doesn't, even if it may imply it! ;)

It's a lovely thought though, every time you fly out of LHR being able to stop by the CH for a massage, meal and chill out for a couple of hours. Even better whenever you go to SFO, the CH is landside. :D :cool:

Nick

It would certainly have been easy for them to mention that restriction. They have tons of small print in the letter. I'm sure you're right, because I can't think of any way to differentiate between Centurion and non-Centurion, so I can't imagine a difference in restrictions. Note that it wouldn't be the first time that Centurion members get more benefits than people who earned status the proper way. Centurion members get more amenities than Hertz 5*...

Think you also get reciporical priveledges with SQ, so if SQ boarding pass, you would also have access.

Hi,

Nick has said it right. You are getting VS Gold FC status. That allows you access to the CH's (aside from Revivals) for yourself and one guest regardless of class of travel. You must be flying with Virgin Atlantic on that date (some SQ crossover too). For Revivals, it is just you as the cardholder that gets access, no guest.

Centurion does not bring any other benefits in regards to Virgin Atlantic other than the standard Gold Card offering. If you wanted to argue the toss with AmEx, then knock yourself out as you could rightly make it their problem. Virgin do have their rules, and these are defined in their T&C's that would accompany the Gold FC card, so they have the fall back. At best I would imagine AmEx would say, 'oh yes, that is the case. We were wrong, you do need to be flying on a VS flight. Sorry. We're sh*t and we know we are'

Let's be honest here, when have AmEx ever been great at clearly definign the benefits. They are very good at hiding caveats and restrictions away, they are hardly going to mention them upfront in their glossy marekting. God, this forum would be dead if AmEx were so honest and clear.

Thanks,
Richard

Am I right in assuming that this is a US benefit only? I certainly haven't heard about it here in the UK.

Phillip

Am I right in assuming that this is a US benefit only?

Yes - US only

Nick

Typical.

Typical.

You are welcome.

Nick

Sorry, were you expecting to be admitted the Clubhouse at any airport Virgin use whenever you flew out of one of them - no matter which carrier you were using? :confused:

It's not too great a mistake to make, especially given the evidently confusing letter from Amex. Some may also note that one of Virgin's competitors (known as 'British Airways') offers this benefit to its Gold card holders :D

Some may also note that one of Virgin's competitors (known as 'British Airways') offers this benefit to its Gold card holders :D

Good point, but do BA give Gold status away with a charge card? ;)

Nick

This is really frustrating. I called the UK centurion line when I first heard about the Virgin gold card benefit and the rep said 'yes, isn't that a good benefit' and then I gave him my Virgin account details for it to be arranged. Months later my Virgin account shows no status change and when I call back they say that they have no cooperation with Virgin (other than the point transfer) and no record of my previous conversation.

They also told me that although there have been talks about a 'revitalised' centurion scheme in the UK, the managers won't let them know until it actually happens (if it happens) and nothing appears to be on the cards in the near future. They also argue that they've introduced new benefits to replace the ones they discontinued, The new ones are mortgage advice and assistance with respect to purchasing property overseas so not quite business travel related.

Why do the seppos get all the perks? ;-(

I called the UK centurion line when I first heard about the Virgin gold card benefit and the rep said 'yes, isn't that a good benefit' and then I gave him my Virgin account details for it to be arranged. Months later my Virgin account shows no status change and when I call back they say that they have no cooperation with Virgin (other than the point transfer) and no record of my previous conversation.

:confused: This benefit is not offered to UK Centurion cardholders. Were you expecting an exception, or is your complaint that Centurion staff did not tell you?

:confused: This benefit is not offered to UK Centurion cardholders. Were you expecting an exception, or is your complaint that Centurion staff did not tell you?


The reason why I called was that it wasn't clear from this forum whether it would be offered to UK members. The rep then confirmed that it was indeed a new benefit, he took my details and promised to arrange it.

Question deleted, 'cos it is answered earlier in the thread.