Virgin Trains First Class Lounge

[Johnny Lewis]

I've just come into the First Class Lounge at Manchester Piccadilly (and am using their complimentary wi-fi).

The Virgin member of staff is asking everyone, when they press the buzzer to gain entry, what time they are travelling. So far, he hasn't turned anyone away.

But have Virgin secretly introduced a time limit for use of their Lounges? There is no mention of it on their website as far as I can see. And, when I get to Euston, will I be "allowed" to use the Lounge there, even though I will have completed my journey?

Is this now standard policy for ALL Virgin Lounges?

As an aside, the 11.35 departure is the Pendo in Alstom branding - I assume this isn't the 11 car set?

 

[trainofhope]

hello
is there a train of hope poster on display

 

[Johnny Lewis]

Indeed there is!

 

[trainofhope]

Thats great
Live reports
Now all you need to do is log on to wwwtrainofhope.co.uk
while using the free wi-fi

 

[Seacook]

I've just come into the First Class Lounge at Manchester Piccadilly (and am using their complimentary wi-fi).

The Virgin member of staff is asking everyone, when they press the buzzer to gain entry, what time they are travelling. So far, he hasn't turned anyone away.

But have Virgin secretly introduced a time limit for use of their Lounges? There is no mention of it on their website as far as I can see. And, when I get to Euston, will I be "allowed" to use the Lounge there, even though I will have completed my journey?

Is this now standard policy for ALL Virgin Lounges?

This was certainly not the case at Birmingham International yesterday. No questions were asked at all. This was just before 13:00 and the FC lounge was empty apart from me.

 

[ainsworth74]

As an aside, the 11.35 departure is the Pendo in Alstom branding - I assume this isn't the 11 car set?

No it isn't there is another 9-car set that has revived the Alstom livery as well as the 11-car set.

 

[All Line Rover]

I've just come into the First Class Lounge at Manchester Piccadilly (and am using their complimentary wi-fi).

The Virgin member of staff is asking everyone, when they press the buzzer to gain entry, what time they are travelling. So far, he hasn't turned anyone away.

But have Virgin secretly introduced a time limit for use of their Lounges? There is no mention of it on their website as far as I can see. And, when I get to Euston, will I be "allowed" to use the Lounge there, even though I will have completed my journey?

Is this now standard policy for ALL Virgin Lounges?

As an aside, the 11.35 departure is the Pendo in Alstom branding - I assume this isn't the 11 car set?

No there is no time limit for using Virgin's First Class lounges - it's just that some of Virgin's staff at Manchester are very fussy.

I had a First Anytime ticket for Crewe a fortnight ago. I was asked over the buzzer "Where are you travelling to?", I said "Crewe", the person said "There's one that leaves in 5 minutes.", I said "I know, but I don't want to take it, I want to use the loo." He then let me in. I know there's a service leaving in five minutes, but I want to take the next one! Why else would I use the First Class lounge!?

This never happens when there is a member of staff in the First Class lounge - it only happens when you have to do it over the buzzer and speak to someone in the ticket office.

 

[Johnny Lewis]

Actually the guy WAS in the Lounge at the time. As I say, he didn't refuse anyone entry. The only thing I can think of is, if he didn't get the answer of either 15, 35 or 55 minutes past the hour, he WOULD then refuse entry as these are the times of the Virgin departures from Manchester.

 

[All Line Rover]

Actually the guy WAS in the Lounge at the time. As I say, he didn't refuse anyone entry. The only thing I can think of is, if he didn't get the answer of either 15, 35 or 55 minutes past the hour, he WOULD then refuse entry as these are the times of the Virgin departures from Manchester.

Perhaps!

 

[MCR247]

No it isn't there is another 9-car set that has revived the Alstom livery as well as the 11-car set.

Although the 11 car set is a completely different livery. It is in unbranded VT livery with Alstom logos but the Alstom Pendolino is in a more 'full' livery

 

[bengolding]

I used the Virgin loune at New Street on Friday to be met by the usually grumpy host who said "Yes?" as a welcome before I presented my ticket. Not particularly great ambassadors for Virgin!

Whilst in the lounge, they began arguing with a customer, refusing to let them entry with a First Anytime ticket to Stockport as "it was a Cross Country ticket", despite the customer insisting they were getting the Super Voyager to Crewe.

 

[premier01]

No there is no time limit for using Virgin's First Class lounges - it's just that some of Virgin's staff at Manchester are very fussy.

I had a First Anytime ticket for Crewe a fortnight ago. I was asked over the buzzer "Where are you travelling to?", I said "Crewe", the person said "There's one that leaves in 5 minutes.", I said "I know, but I don't want to take it, I want to use the loo." He then let me in. I know there's a service leaving in five minutes, but I want to take the next one! Why else would I use the First Class lounge!?

This never happens when there is a member of staff in the First Class lounge - it only happens when you have to do it over the buzzer and speak to someone in the ticket office.

I am usually asked 'where are you travelling to' when using the Manchester VT lounge-there have always been staff in the lounge-usually at least 2 staff.

They're not that friendly there although think Birmingham are worse and aren't very friendly for some reason-must try it out using a New Street to Birmingham International FDS some time-can't see it going down very well but it is a valid ticket for using the lounge there!!

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

Must have struck unlucky. The staff in the New Street and Piccadilly lounges have been very friendly the times I've used them. The New Street one is particularly good as it is calm compared with the hubbub of the rebuild job.

 

[All Line Rover]

Must have struck unlucky. The staff in the New Street and Piccadilly lounges have been very friendly the times I've used them. The New Street one is particularly good as it is calm compared with the hubbub of the rebuild job.

New Street is nice and relaxing as it's tucked away, is very quiet, and very cool. It can be a bit dark though. My favourite is Manchester because you get good views of the concourse, although it can heat up in the summer because it's like a fish tank!

 

[lm321412]

I am usually asked 'where are you travelling to' when using the Manchester VT lounge-there have always been staff in the lounge-usually at least 2 staff.

They're not that friendly there although think Birmingham are worse and aren't very friendly for some reason-must try it out using a New Street to Birmingham International FDS some time-can't see it going down very well but it is a valid ticket for using the lounge there!!

I have used a BHM - BHI First ticket on several occasions before and never had any trouble.

 

[premier01]

I have used a BHM - BHI First ticket on several occasions before and never had any trouble.

Right-well have to try that then next time I am there as BHM has to be the worse VT station for waiting around on-very dark and dingy, always crowed, no pleasant waiting areas or good venues to eat or drink! I am looking forward to the much neede re-development although probably not as much as those that have to use it every day!

 

[island]

[nitpick]BHM is a Network Rail station.[/nitpick]

 

[All Line Rover]

[nitpick]BHM is a Network Rail station.[/nitpick]

He never said that VT run the station! He said it's a "VT station" which could simply mean that it's the worse station which VT operate services at.

 

[furryfeet]

so what is their attitude if say, one had a 1st class All line rover
and one replied "I am travelling to somewhere between Lands end and John of Groats" ?

 

[SS4]

I have used a BHM - BHI First ticket on several occasions before and never had any trouble.

I've done that too, usually to grab a free cuppa and a flapjack. Considering a First Return is £1.40 more than a Standard Return (Y-P, VT only) it pays for itself especially if one does the same on the return journey

Right-well have to try that then next time I am there as BHM has to be the worse VT station for waiting around on-very dark and dingy, always crowed, no pleasant waiting areas or good venues to eat or drink! I am looking forward to the much neede re-development although probably not as much as those that have to use it every day!

I've never really had a problem using BHM, even back when I would use it every day, having three main ways out the station meant traffic dissipated quickly, if anything I would say that BHM suffers from not really having a dedicated space - people looking at the departure boards and those moving around have to use the same space. Do look forward to the Gateway project although IMO they've spoiled it completely by the plans to stick a John Lewis on top - I want natural light from above...

Back on topic the staff at New St seem be more apathetic then their counterparts at Euston (the only other 1st lounge I've had much experience being in)