What happened to the free Clubhouse passes from the Virgin Atlantic status match?

Back in February 2021, Virgin Atlantic launched a status match for British Airways Executive Club members.

Part of the deal was that everyone given Virgin Atlantic Silver status would receive a free pair of passes for the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow Terminal 3.

This was an implicit admission that Virgin Flying Club Silver is not as valuable as British Airways Executive Club Silver status becaue it does not come with lounge access.

To be fair to everyone, Virgin Atlantic also promised that all of its existing Silver members would also receive a pair of Clubhouse passes.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Heathrow Terminal 3 reopened last month as we reviewed here.

A reader asked me when she could expect her free Clubhouse passes and I raised it with Flying Club.

What I was told, in summary, is that:

• they haven’t forgotten about you
• they are still deciding what is the most effective way to do this (paper vouchers, online booking, whatever)
• there is no date yet and it is still going to take a few weeks to make it happen

So …. you will get your Clubhouse passes, but unfortunately not in time for any holiday you had planned before the schools go back.

How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, here are the three options to get FREE airport lounge access via a credit or charge card:

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here. 

You also get access to Plaza Premium, Delta and Eurostar lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with two free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here. 

Additional lounge visits are charged at £20.  You get two more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A huge bonus, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free LoungeKey card, allowing you access to the LoungeKey network.  Guests are charged at £20 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.