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Recently Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic “sunsetted” their frequent flyer relationship. It is no longer possible to earn or redeem frequent flyer miles in each other’s program. This change took place despite the fact Alaska Airlines hasn’t purchased Virgin America yet. The most likely reason for the premature ending of the two Virgin branded airlines relationship is that Virgin America’s new owner and Virgin Atlantic’s other owner don’t like each other any longer – Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines. They’ve been feuding ever since Delta chose to build a new hub in Seattle to service the Asia market. Virgin Atlantic recently overhauled there Flying Club frequent flyer program, and both Virgin airlines decided November 12th, 2016 would be the last day of the partnership.
The date has passed and all references and mentions of each other on their respective websites are gone. Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America are dead to one another, except for one interesting aspect – lounge access. The two airlines still have a relationship with regards to three of Virgin Atlantic clubhouses, San Francisco, New York JFK, and Washington Dulles. Per the Virgin America website:
Yep – access to all three Virgin Atlantic clubhouses are still available
Access is available to any Virgin America elevate member, regardless of status, as long as you pay the day pass rate. San Francisco is $40.00, Washington is $45 and New York JFK is the most expensive at $75. While these amounts seem high, keep in mind the only other way to access these Virgin Clubhouses is by flying in “Upper Class” on a Virgin Atlantic flight (Virgin Atlantic does let Delta Medallion Platinum and Diamond members on London Delta One flights access the JFK Clubhouse).
This arrangement is most likely separate from previous frequent flyer agreement, and for the time being tolerated by Delta Virgin Atlantic. My guess is it won’t last too long after the Alaska purchase takes place. I recently tested the validity of this arrangement when I visited the JFK Clubhouse on a New York to Los Angles Virgin America flight. At online check in I was giving the option to purchase the Virgin America pass for the JFK Clubhouse access, and did so. When I used the pass to check into the clubhouse located in terminal 4 at JFK the lounge representative was a little surprised to see it, but quickly welcomed me into the lounge.
My printed pass into the Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse
I plan to visit both the San Francisco and Washington IAD clubs before long for a couple farewell visits. If you fly Virgin America and are interested in doing the same my advice is better sooner than later as who knows how long this access arrangement stays in place.
