langbr01

Recently on DL 282 (Econ) from HKG to SEA. I was pleasantly surprised at check-in when the agent directed my fiancé and I to the Virgin Clubhouse near gate 60.

Is this a new perk at international locations? I thought access was only granted for NYC/LHR transatlantic flights..

Are there any other locations that offer Virgin Clubhouse access? Just to avoid confusion my fiancé and I are both DM.

Thanks

lamont2718

Up until now, Clubhouse access has been granted only when flying to/from the UK. This is a great development if DL's lounge access policy at HKG has indeed been extended to include the VS Clubhouse.

In the past, DL passengers at HKG have been directed to use the QF lounge (no longer accessible to DL passengers) and most recently the AF lounge. See existing discussion at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ge-change.html.

PersonalFlotationDevice

That sounds awesome for those flying via HKG.

As a Diamond my favorite part about the DL/VA JV for LHR is Clubhouse access...it is tremendous--and great staff to boot!

tentseller

^^^
It would be nice change from the present arrangement of AF.

I will confirm July 16 with my experience.

lamont2718

The VS clubhouse in HKG doesn't open until 3:30pm according to the VS website (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en...per-class.html). The opening time may even be pushed back since VS recently discontinued its HKG-SYD flight at 7:10pm, leaving HKG-LHR at 11:25pm as its only remaining flight from HKG.

All of Delta's flights from HKG depart in the morning (DL 285 to NRT departs at 8:20am, and DL 282 to SEA departs at 10:25am). As far as I can tell, none of Delta's HKG-SEA flights have been delayed past noon yet. Were you actually able to access the VS clubhouse in the morning?

mattp1987

I don't know if this really answers your question because it's a little different from HKG-SEA, but since you specifically mentioned NYC-LHR I'll add that NYC isn't a requirement. IAD, BOS, and SFO work too.

From http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ntic-faqs.html

Still, it seems like HKG Clubhouse access is a new not-yet-published benefit or you got lucky. I hope it's the former.

tentseller

At HKIA website, Vrigin Atlantic The Clubhouse is listed as lounge for DL.
Opening hours are first flight - last flight.

Qantas Hong Kong lounge is listed for AF KL and QF, opening 09:30 - 23:59

So maybe the 49% is paying off for DL flyers in HK?

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/f...e-lounges.html

I will report back after July 16.

rwoman

I'll be sure to take advantage of this next month.

ANstar

The VS lounge is also used by EVA air I believe hence why it still opens earlier.

It makes sense that DL start using VS lounges in out stations where DL use 3rd party lounges but VS have a clubhouse - especially given they now own 49% of VS. HKG is one example. I am not sure if DL have proper lounges in JNB/NRT but they could also be candidates for DL to use.

rwoman

DL has two Sky Clubs at NRT.

tentseller

BR also uses the VS clubhouse according to the HKIA list.

The two best Skyclubs are NRT pod 1, gates 11-18 and NRT pod 2, gates 19-26.

Since DL owns 49% VS, it make more sense to "pay" VS for DL passenger lounge use.

mattp1987

I guess the question then is whether that makes it a contract lounge. If so, DL's new rules would seem to exclude Medallions flying in the back.

tentseller

OP was DM, flying HKG SEA in Y cabin; I am in similar situation.

Flying out of HKG July 16, I will post my experience at NRT SC.

lamont2718

Thanks, we'll look forward to hearing about your experience. Perhaps you could also peek around the corner and see whether things are still business as usual at the AF lounge? I find it very strange that the HKIA website no longer lists it and instead directs AF passengers to the new QF lounge.

RealHJ

VS is adamantly enforcing no admittance to VS Clubhouse for DL Elite + customers, if it's not coming from one of few (I think it is BOS, JFK and SFO) or to one of few (same ones) airports direct VS flight. E.g. US to UK flight where connecting from DL to VS in NRT, both outbound in NRT and return in LHR, VS has adamantly refused access to its clubhouse for a DL Elite +. (All in all, VS staff, even at LHR, seem to be clearly enforcing no access to VS ClubHouse unless on direct VS flight to BOS/JFK/SFO. It is not even provided on all VS flights to US, e.g. if connecting to DL somewhere along the way, as DL wrongfully is representing on its website.)

All in all, a big to the very poor reciprocal benefits for DL Elite + on VS, and the way how it's misrepresented on delta.com.