The current Priority Pass benefits at LAX include access to the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for an additional $35 fee.
Does anyone have experience with this at LAX TBIT specifically? In other airports (SFO, IAD) when the VS Lounges have taken PP in the morning, the lounge delivered a very limited food and beverage offerings.
I’m curious about the new space, but also do not want to needless wast money to sit in a windowless lounge with a low quality menu. Any reports are appreciated.
@hnl Hopefully others can chime in with a firsthand report, but my understanding is that they offer the full food & beverage menu through Priority Pass, in light of that fee.
This may be a bit of a rant, but... these new "surcharges" (or whatever corporate euphemism they'll pitch, like "more choice!") by Priority Pass are a farce. (I pity anyone who actually pays for a standalone membership outright; I thought most of us just get PP bundled with various premium cards anyway, no?)
I can't speak for the Clubhouse at LAX, but at the JFK T4 Clubhouse specifically, they treat Priority Pass like a nuisance. Access is officially restricted to a tight morning slot, and even then, they water down the experience so they don't have to honor the actual product. The menu is heavily restricted—last time I managed to get in, I literally just got a cinnamon roll and a coffee (meh, 4/10).
The last time I was even able to use PP to get in there was early 2018. Not to mention, they regularly violate SkyTeam alliance rules, too. Elite Plus members are entitled to access Virgin Clubhouses when flying on a same-day international flight on a SkyTeam partner, regardless of cabin class. But in practice? Nope. They'll hide behind "capacity limits" even while you can clearly see the place is empty. You'd have to bribe them to get in, and it wouldn't even be worth it. (Thank goodness Delta opened that half-decent SkyClub nearby in concourse A; and the Centurion/Sapphire/C1 lounges are each fine, and nearby as well).
@1990_ That is my main gripe with Priority Pass—being treated as a nuisance at some lounges. It's so awkward to go in by default sheepishly asking "are you taking Priority Pass right now?" It should really be rebranded as (lowest) Priority Pass.
@travelingposer Like some other things, gotta get used to 'rejection,' I guess. (Reminds me of applying for C1 VX... 'too many accounts') Bah!
My friend was turned away in the evening using PP, they have signs at the entrance explaining that they really only cater to Virgin customers during the hours before Virgin departures. However I was let in on a DL boarding pass (C) so guess they also let in partners during busy hours.
It is no wonder, the lounge is small but very likable still with table service menus you can order drinks and food off, and a typically London cool-ish interior design. Still no point going here if you have D1 access, that is better.
I'm at LAX at this moment. My flight from SFO arrived into T4, so I rolled into to FL, snagged a lounger, and am enjoying the ramp activity. I'm a taking a pass on the VS Clubhouse and keeping the $35.
< rant >
TBIT is a great terminal. Why are the majority of the lounges windowless caverns? AMEX feels like an underground lair. The oneworld and QF First lounges are not much better. Who was around the decision making table when it came to lounge integration. Star managed to get an outdoor terrace. sigh.
</ rant >
@hnl Glad things worked out for you in the end. Superb uses of 'rant,' by the way! *sigh* that Centurion at TBIT ain't the best; pretty sure it literally looks out onto an escalator that leads arriving international passengers down to immigration and customs processing.
Generally, at LAX, for lounges, since QF First is oddly closed for renovations (and even so), I'd say, currently, the first DeltaOne lounge is the best at the airport. The SkyClub nextdoor is decent, too. AA Flagship has great views, but they had First Dining closed for so long, and the space really needs a refresh. Haven't been to Polaris there, but the UnitedClub is actually quite spacious and also has great views (if we're just going on views! Bah!)
@hnl Only Lounge in TBIT with natural light is the star alliance lounge AFIK
They have an outside deck
Thanks all for this information. LAX is my US-based airport as my kids live in SoCal and it's pretty bad that PP doesn't have more presence there other than the VS Clubhouse. A couple of months ago when PR announced they were joining oneworld, I started looking into the Alaska Atmos Rewards program. Hopefully, other than no runway views, the lounges are nice otherwise with decent food and beverage. Maybe I need to maintain my *G as well, just in case.