Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points...
Select Amex Cardholders Can Now Access Virgin Clubhouses in U.S. & Jo’Burg
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses are some of the best airport lounges you can visit. From cocktail hours and pool tables to top-notch food and Pelotons, they certainly have something for everyone.
As of early October, 2021, cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and Centurion® Card from American Express are eligible to visit Virgin Clubhouses in Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Washington, D.C. (IAD), and Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa.
Hot Tip: As of May 2023, cardholders can only access Virgin Clubhouses at JFK and IAD.
Who Has Access to Virgin Clubhouses in the U.S.?
Along with the latest addition of eligible Amex cardholders, Virgin’s Clubhouses are also accessible to passengers with specific tickets or airline status. This includes passengers with tickets for Virgin’s Upper Class and Delta One.
Additionally, so long as you’re flying with Virgin Atlantic, you have access to U.S. Clubhouses with certain elite status levels, including Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, Delta SkyMiles Gold/Platinum/Diamond, Flying Blue Gold/Platinum, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold/PPS, and Virgin Australia Gold/Platinum/The Club.
Passengers with Air New Zealand Airpoints Gold/Gold Elite flying Virgin from SFO to London also have access to the San Francisco Clubhouse.
Access to the Johannesburg Clubhouse is slightly more restrictive as the Delta and Flying Blue elites mentioned above do not have access.
The Lounges
While Clubhouses in the U.S. and Johannesburg are run by Plaza Premium, they still maintain their Virgin Atlantic soul.
Each lounge has its own unique menu that usually includes dishes by top-rated chefs and cocktail menus created by local bars.
At the Clubhouse in D.C., passengers can enjoy a modern take on the quintessentially British afternoon tea.
JFK’s Clubhouse appears to be the only one with restrictions on access for Amex Platinum cardholders. As per the American Express app, it states that the lounge is only open/accessible to eligible Amex cardholders from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
The lounge is also open daily from 3 p.m. but not to eligible Amex cardholders. Access is likely to be restricted to passengers flying on Virgin Atlantic as this is when the bulk of its transatlantic flights operate.
Clubhouses in Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX) remain temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
Hot Tip: Check out the best lounges you can access with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a cardholder of the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, or Centurion card, then your lounge access perks just got a whole lot better.
Be sure to make time to experience all that Virgin Clubhouses have to offer the next time you’re flying from New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., or even Johannesburg. Hopefully, it won’t be long until Boston reopens its doors, too.
The information regarding the Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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About Daniel Ross
Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.
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4 comments
Sean
October 25, 2021
Great article! Thank you. I checked the Virgin website for access rules and didn’t see Amex Platinum as an entry option, maybe they just haven’t updated yet? I’ll be in Johannesburg in May so this would be ideal. If I have the Platinum card does it not matter which airline I’m flying?
Jarrod West
October 29, 2021
Hi Sean,
Yes, you should have access no matter what airline you’re flying. Safe travels!
Jeff Lynn
February 10, 2023
What about the Delta Amex reserve card? Will that get me in flying Air France business out of sfo?
Jarrod West
February 10, 2023
Hi Jeff,
Unfortuantley not, the Delta Reserve card lounge access is limited to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges.
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