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Reader Email: Virgin Refuses Club House Access At JFK From ITA Elite Member?
A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us an email about Virgin Atlantic refusing Club House access to an ITA Premium Club member. Have a travel mishap or loyalty story to share? Send it to us at john@loyaltylobby.com for a possible feature. You can access ITA here and […]
A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us an email about Virgin Atlantic refusing Club House access to an ITA Premium Club member.
Have a travel mishap or loyalty story to share? Send it to us at john@loyaltylobby.com for a possible feature.
You can access ITA here and Virgin Atlantic here.
Reader’s Email:
I earned ITA Airways Volare Premium status through the status match program.
I was aware that Volare Premium was equivalent to Skyteam Elite Plus; however, it did NOT come with Skyteam benefits anymore.
However, I saw a few blogs (including yours) VS still allowed ITA Volare Premium to accept lounge access as well as some skyteam priority benefits.
The incident happened on 5/23/2025 at JFK. I was able to go through the VS Sky Priority lane (agents didn’t really care?) and checked one bag, and the agent put the VS’s priority tag because the system populated that I was entitled to.
However, once I got to the VS lounge the lounge agents scanned my boarding pass (along with my ITA flyer number), and they denied my access. Even though I showed them the policy on the ITA official website that I was entitled to as well as the VS website that says VS can still access the ITA lounge. Agents contacted the station manager, and the manager still said ‘NO’.
They were pretty nice and were going to allow me to let me in, but I didn’t get in.
ITA Airways exited the SkyTeam alliance at the beginning of February, when the Lufthansa Group acquired a 41% stake in the airline. However, all SkyTeam benefits continued until April 30, 2025.
The airline is currently being integrated into the Lufthansa Group and is expected to join the Star Alliance sometime next year.
ITA Airways will, however, in the meantime, continue reciprocal benefits, outside of the SkyTeam alliance, with select partners that include Virgin Atlantic:
Air France – KLM Flying Blue Select Elite Benefits Continue On ITA Airways Flights
Delta Medallion Benefits On ITA Airways Effective May 1, 2025
ITA Airways page for FAQs states:
What benefits are available for a flight operated by Virgin Atlantic?
On board a flight operated by Virgin Atlantic, Volare members will be able to enjoy a wide range of benefits linked to their Club membership:
Plus Club: Extra baggage allowance (one extra item of luggage weighing 23kg in Economy, Premium Economy and Business), priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off, priority boarding
Premium Club: Extra baggage allowance (one extra item of luggage weighing 23kg in Economy, Premium Economy and Business), priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off, priority boarding, “Priority” services, fast track (where available), access to Virgin Atlantic lounges (no travel companion allowed)
Executive Club: Extra baggage allowance (one extra item of luggage weighing 23kg in Economy, Premium Economy and Business), priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off, priority boarding, “Priority” services, fast track (where available), access to Virgin Atlantic lounges (no travel companion allowed)
Virgin Atlantic page for ITA Airways states:
Lounge access
Flying Club members can enjoy complimentary ITA Airways lounge access under the following eligibility:
All Flying Club members holding a boarding pass for travel in Business or First Class on a same-day international flight operated by ITA Airway
Flying Club Gold members holding a boarding pass for travel in any cabin on a same-day international flight operated by ITA Airways (member only no guest permitted) ITA Lounges available in Rome and Milan
Access to any departure lounge is only permitted within 3 hours of flight departure time
Virgin Atlantic’s page for the JFK Club House has the following entry conditions:
| Loyalty Program | Permitted Guest | Connecting or Transiting |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Class – Virgin Atlantic | Yes, Guest traveling internationally with VS/DL | Same itinerary, same day ticket. Traveling internationally |
| Flying Club Gold Member – Virgin Atlantic or Delta International | Yes, Guest traveling internationally with VS/DL | Same itinerary, same day ticket. Traveling internationally |
| Delta One – Delta International | No guest | Same itinerary, same day ticket. Traveling internationally |
| Flying Blue Platinum – Virgin Atlantic or Delta International | Yes, Guest traveling internationally with VS/DL | Same itinerary, same day ticket. Traveling internationally |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Diamond – Virgin Atlantic or Delta International | Yes, Guest traveling internationally with VS/DL | Same itinerary, same day ticket. Traveling internationally |
| SkyTeam Elite Plus Member – Virgin Atlantic or Delta International | Yes, Guest must be on the same flight | Same itinerary, same day ticket. Traveling internationally |
| Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum and Beyond – Virgin Atlantic | Yes, Guest must be on the same flight | N/A |
Here is what I believe must have happened here.
Yes. ITA Airways is no longer part of SkyTeam, but reciprocal benefits remain in place with several former alliance partners, including Virgin Atlantic.
The Virgin’s page for the JFK Club House doesn’t list ITA Airways elite members; however, that must be an oversight, and the staff at the lounge and the station manager were incorrect in denying entry.
Conclusion
The reader should complain to Virgin Atlantic that they were incorrectly denied entry to the Club House at JFK Airport.
ITA’s partnership with these former SkyTeam alliance partners is winding down, as the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance integration is underway, so they may not have much energy left to oversee these other partners.
Really unfortunate situation for the reader, however.
Have others had difficulties accessing Virgin Atlantic Club Houses as an eligible ITA Airways elite member?
