The Lounge vs The Club
October 19th 2008 07:17
Category: No Category
I do call myself a semi frequent flyer.
Ok, I am almost a frequent flyer. I've just flown from Coffs to Sydney return three times in the past two weeks, and so I am hating it.
Although luckily, I am a member of the Qantas Club (complimentary from my old job which is unfortunately just about to expire) and everytime I fly I get to spend a little of my time in The Club reading magazines, getting free drinks and maybe check my emails.
For a long time I've been curious about the Virgin Blue Lounge - they are a budget airline right? So what would their lounge be like if they don't really target the high end market travellers?
So, today, on the way back from Sydney (again) and happen to be flying Virgin Blue, I paid my way into The Lounge to find out.
The Club:
Cost: Yearly membership is between $500-$800 depending on how you have signed up and who you work for. Joining fee of $250 applies once as long as you keep renewing your membership when it expires. - No single casual passes available.
In the domestic terminals: Qantas flies out of Terminals 2 & 3 for their domestic flights. The one in Terminal 3 is the major one with a larger space, bigger selections of magazines and papers as well as more business rooms. The one in Terminal 2 (which is where QantasLink departs for Coffs Harbour) is small but still have all the facilities available , just less.
Comfort: Comfortable if not crowded. Qantas has had the Club for too many years now and the place is almost always crowded. On the last flight back from Sydney after 5pm there is not enough seats for everyone that wants to get into the Club.
Value: Not great. Unless you fly every week to somewhere you might as well buy yourself a couple of beers at the bar while waiting for you flight. Being too crowded also have taken away that exclusive atmosphere so you no longer feel special to be there.
The Lounge:
Cost: Pre-paid passes are $30 on the web or $35 at the door. Yearly membership fee is $269 witha joining fee of $99.
What it has: Pretty much everything Qantas has, it has. Better selection of beers (Beez Neez! My favourte!), a good food bar and better selection of hot drinks. Qantas club serves just filtered coffee while Virgin Blue serves Robert Timms coffee bags in all their varieties. Although, if its worth mentioning: The Qantas toilet paper and hand towels are a lot silkier and softer than the ones in Virgin. - Located near the food court in Terminal 2.
Comfort: Very comfortable. There is hardly anyone there and you do feel exclusive. They have recently refurbished the Lounge so everything has a new modern design and there are different areas of seating. The business centre is also better and there is more space - at least for now, and you are able to shower if you have a long connection to wait as well.
Value: For a long connection where you'll probably end up paying $15 for a coffee and a cake and have to fight for room at the food court with everyone else, it's probably worth the single entry fee and just find a space of your own. Definitely a lot better value than The Club but who know what it'll be like in another couple of months? They might be just as crowded!
Ok, I am almost a frequent flyer. I've just flown from Coffs to Sydney return three times in the past two weeks, and so I am hating it.
Although luckily, I am a member of the Qantas Club (complimentary from my old job which is unfortunately just about to expire) and everytime I fly I get to spend a little of my time in The Club reading magazines, getting free drinks and maybe check my emails.
For a long time I've been curious about the Virgin Blue Lounge - they are a budget airline right? So what would their lounge be like if they don't really target the high end market travellers?
So, today, on the way back from Sydney (again) and happen to be flying Virgin Blue, I paid my way into The Lounge to find out.
The Club:
Cost: Yearly membership is between $500-$800 depending on how you have signed up and who you work for. Joining fee of $250 applies once as long as you keep renewing your membership when it expires. - No single casual passes available.
In the domestic terminals: Qantas flies out of Terminals 2 & 3 for their domestic flights. The one in Terminal 3 is the major one with a larger space, bigger selections of magazines and papers as well as more business rooms. The one in Terminal 2 (which is where QantasLink departs for Coffs Harbour) is small but still have all the facilities available , just less.
Comfort: Comfortable if not crowded. Qantas has had the Club for too many years now and the place is almost always crowded. On the last flight back from Sydney after 5pm there is not enough seats for everyone that wants to get into the Club.
Value: Not great. Unless you fly every week to somewhere you might as well buy yourself a couple of beers at the bar while waiting for you flight. Being too crowded also have taken away that exclusive atmosphere so you no longer feel special to be there.
The Lounge:
Cost: Pre-paid passes are $30 on the web or $35 at the door. Yearly membership fee is $269 witha joining fee of $99.
What it has: Pretty much everything Qantas has, it has. Better selection of beers (Beez Neez! My favourte!), a good food bar and better selection of hot drinks. Qantas club serves just filtered coffee while Virgin Blue serves Robert Timms coffee bags in all their varieties. Although, if its worth mentioning: The Qantas toilet paper and hand towels are a lot silkier and softer than the ones in Virgin. - Located near the food court in Terminal 2.
Comfort: Very comfortable. There is hardly anyone there and you do feel exclusive. They have recently refurbished the Lounge so everything has a new modern design and there are different areas of seating. The business centre is also better and there is more space - at least for now, and you are able to shower if you have a long connection to wait as well.
Value: For a long connection where you'll probably end up paying $15 for a coffee and a cake and have to fight for room at the food court with everyone else, it's probably worth the single entry fee and just find a space of your own. Definitely a lot better value than The Club but who know what it'll be like in another couple of months? They might be just as crowded!
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