Well think of it this way...you're going to be in the air a lot longer than you're going to be in a lounge. I just flew LAX to JFK in VX first, last week and back to LAX last night. It's in a class above everyone else! I'm at the airport 45-60 minutes before the flight and by the time you get checked in and to the gate, there won't be that much time anyway. Go for VX both ways!

Done - Booked another flight on VX in first now because of what you said. One hour in the lounge or 5 hours in a better seat. Yes the price difference was $300 for 2 people, but we will try to have 7 drinks each
Flying VX now:
LAS-JFK
IAD-SFO
SFO-SAN
Can't wait ^
Trip report and photos will follow in late March