ITA Airways new "VIP Room" in T3 lounge and upgrades arrive on board
In recent weeks a couple of new things have come to ITA Airways, certainly everyone's attention is geared toward the [...]
ITA Airways
SkyTeam
A couple of new developments have come to ITA Airways in recent weeks, certainly everyone's attention is directed toward the marriage with Lufthansa, but it is true that everyday life goes on and the Italian airline's growth activities have not stopped waiting to know its future, quite the contrary.
In-flight upgrades on medium- and long-haul flights
In this article:
Since late September, terminals have popped up aboard long-haul aircraft and on A321neo aircraft that allow passengers to request upgrades on board as well.
As I have explained in several articles the times to ask for an upgrade are many, and the last chance to upgrade to a higher class is right after boarding, before takeoff, but also afterwards. Now operators on board planes have the option to charge (cash only, no option to use Volare points) the passenger and allow them to sit in a higher cabin.
In the lounge at T3, the new VIP Room has opened.
I have never hidden my doubts about the usefulness of the VIP Room. at Hangar Lounge at T1, although every time I pass I use it, and even less do I understand the point of the small VIP Room, recently opened in the other room in Rome, namely the one at T3.
In fact, perhaps it makes even less sense, since here we're really talking about a room and not of an open space as in the room present in the Schengen terminal. A small lounge with a bathroom equipped with a shower. Perfect for a business meeting or to isolate yourself from the main lounge when traveling with family. But a real VIP room should really be VIP, there should be dedicated service, a special menu, and instead there is no special treatment.
How to book the VIPRoom
I admit that all the times I have used it I have entered without a reservation, simply asking at the desk if I could use it. Now, however, I noticed in my reserved area something new.
The ability to reserve it in advance has appeared, and in fact there are the (I think) new rules for reserving it
Members Executive have at their disposal five free hours yearly to gain access to VIP Room. Available hours can be used in slots of a minimum of one hour and a maximum of three consecutive hours and can be used for reservations in the current or subsequent years.
Executive members can use the free hours to book the VIP Room during the day when they are departing Rome Fiumicino to a non-Schengen destination on a flight sold by ITA Airways.
The service is usable by customers with valid Executive tier. Hours available to the client are valid for one year and are not cumulative for subsequent years.
VIP Room reservation can be made through the following channels:
- Flying Staff Area
- Customer Center
- Lounge
The VIP Room at the Spanish Steps can be booked daily 07:00 to 21:00 hours.
Following confirmation of the reservation, the member will receive the access code to be communicated to the welcome desk at the Piazza di Spagna lounge.
The VIP Room can be booked from thirty days from the flight departure date until the day before using the Personal Area and Customer Center booking channels. If no reservation has been made, it will be possible to request VIP Room access directly in the lounge subject to availability.
You can enter the VIP Room With a maximum of three eligible guests according to the following criteria:
- Be in possession of a ticket for a flight operated by ITA Airways in business class;
- Be an Executive or Premium member holding a ticket for a flight operated by ITA Airways or a SkyTeam partner.
You can change or cancel your reservation through the Personal Area, by contacting the Customer Center or directly in the lounge.
Changes or cancellations can be made up to the day before departure through the Personal Area and up to the same day by calling the Customer Center or directly in the lounge.
Once a reservation is made, it will not be possible to change its duration but only the time slot for access.
Following cancellation or change of reservation, the customer will receive a confirmation e-mail.
The reservation may be subject to cancellation by ITA Airways for technical reasons.
In case of cancellation of the reservation, the hours are credited back to the Executive member. This occurs both in case of voluntary cancellation by the customer and in case of cancellation made by ITA Airways.
In case the customer decides not to use the reservation, he/she is invited to cancel it through the channels Personal Area, Customer Center or directly in the lounge.
In case of flight cancellation or delay, if the customer does not proceed to cancel the appointment, the hours used for the reservation are credited back within the next twenty-four hours.
