I just got back from a week-long trip to NRT (vacation with a little work thrown in) on UA. With the double miles to asia bonus and a $670 (incl. tax) ticket, the trip pretty much paid for itself - over 40K miles earned.

Anyway, on the way back the UA ticket agent at NRT saw that I was US GP and gave me a sheet with directions to the RC Club at NRT. I walked into the club and they let me in without a hitch (the club at NRT is really nice BTW).

When I arrived at ORD, I decided to try the same thing and they let me in with no problem.

I'm guessing this is not official policy yet, but I'm 2 for 2 so far... Just wish I had known about this on the outbound when my SO was travelling with me...

This is wonderful news!! The RCC in NRT is a real treat-- for those US GPs/CPs passing through, do not miss the chance to check it out and grab a nice shower.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
This is wonderful news!! The RCC in NRT is a real treat-- for those US GPs/CPs passing through, do not miss the chance to check it out and grab a nice shower.</font>

Oh, and dont miss the beer machine! Im flying to NRT on AA next weekend and I will certainly miss the RCC beer machine. Not sure if the NRT AC has one.

Hmm, does this mean if I am a CP and a UA 1K or PremExec I wont need to pay to join either club once this goes into effect and can have access to both with the reciprical *Gold cards?

No. The Star Gold access to lounges applies when flying on an international itinerary. Flying domestic as a Star Gold will not get you in the RCC or the US Club - you'll need a membership for that.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1005:
No. The Star Gold access to lounges applies when flying on an international itinerary. Flying domestic as a Star Gold will not get you in the RCC or the US Club - you'll need a membership for that.</font>


Im not sure this is correct. I thought in the case of UA they just didnt count their members as *Gold. Same with AA and Oneworld. By international do you mean in your home country or on flights from country to country. I remember using the Royal Thai lounge in Phuket on a flight to BKK and the BMI lounge as a *A on a flight within the UK. Both of those flights are strictly speaking not international. I believe I have seen posts by LH Senators on using their card to get into RCCs within the US. Im by no means sure about this, it is another area of this union that will sort out over time I guess. Just trying to save $350 bucks to fly more http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I think it will turn out that US1 and US2 will be *Gold, but won't be able to use the RCC and/or US Clubs unless on an international itinerary.

The solution, of course, is to credit everything to Lufthansa M&M http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Or join the Qantas Club, which would get you the US Club or the Admirals Club, anyway.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1005:
No. The Star Gold access to lounges applies when flying on an international itinerary. Flying domestic as a Star Gold will not get you in the RCC or the US Club - you'll need a membership for that.</font>

2 questions:
1) Does the Caribbean count as international itinerary?
2) Does this offer count for Silvers too or just GP and CP?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kreeft:
2 questions:
1) Does the Caribbean count as international itinerary?
2) Does this offer count for Silvers too or just GP and CP?</font>

My guesses:
1) Yes.
2) No. Based on the UA parallel FF level, Silver will be *Silver. (reference: http://www.star-alliance.com/isroot/SA/htmen/1_Status.htm )

Edited for: By the way, that linked page doesn't say anything about "except when you're on UA and flying domestic"...it says "Airport Lounge Access - available worldwide for you and a friend when you travel with any Star Alliance airline regardless of your class of travel."

[This message has been edited by StSebastian (edited 06-10-2003).]

US-based UA 1P or 1K (who are *G) are allowed access to RCCs on the day of travel on any international (non-US) itinerary. Non-UA *Gs are allowed in domestic RCCs even on a wholly domestic (US) itinerary.

UA *Gs based overseas used to be comped RCC membership but I'm not sure if that's happening anymore. Per the terms and conditions, they will not be allowed in RCCs on wholly domestic itineraries.

It's likely that US GPs and CPs will be classified as *G, and accorded the same privileges, including reciprocal club access on an international itinerary.

Edited to add link to UA Premier Exec rewards list, which states clearly that you need to be on an international itinerary to receive access to *A lounges.

http://www.ual.com/page/article/0,1360,1165,00.html

I'm fairly certain that "domestic" includes Hawaii, Alaska, Caribbean and Latin America (but not South America). Don't hold me to this, though!

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 06-10-2003).]

Wow. First of all, I didn't know US1s and US2s had access to *A lounges already. Kind of surprising

Anyway, kv99 pretty much summed it up. "domestic" basically includes all of U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean, except Mexico City. I can't recall about Latin America, though. But, I've had success (as well as others on the UA board)of gaining RCC access even going to/from Canada, so YMMV.

Of course, as others stated above, the "solution" would be to get *G on a non-US based airline. AC's *G is only 35K, so that may be worth it (I contemplated it for a bit last year).

I'm looking at LH M&M. The Star board has a lot of good commentary on the various programs. LH has a multiyear status once earned, and from my readings in the Star board, you can take certain RTW fares and rack up a lot of LH miles.

http://www.milesandmore.com

(and you thought the USAir site was confusing to use)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
US-based UA 1P or 1K (who are *G) are allowed access to RCCs on the day of travel on any international (non-US) itinerary. Non-UA *Gs are allowed in domestic RCCs even on a wholly domestic (US) itinerary.

(edited 06-10-2003).]</font>

If US Golds and CPs are classified as non-UA *Golds then they would be allowed in the RCC on domestic itineraries according to this. If they are treated as 1Ks and 1Ps they wouldnt. I think that is what you said. Im certainly confused a bit.

Geez! Some of you guys could over-engineer an orgasm! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

As far as Star Alliance Lounge access is concerned, US CP's and Golds will probably end up with the same benefits and restrictions as UA's 1K's and Premier Execs. That is to say you'll have access to a bunch of lounges when travelling international, but when flying domestic-USA/N. America you'll need to be a US Club or RCC member for the reciprical access. Of course, YMMV. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited 06-10-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1005:
As far as Star Alliance Lounge access is concerned, US CP's and Golds will probably end up with the same benefits and restrictions as UA's 1K's and Premier Execs. That is to say you'll have access to a bunch of lounges when travelling international, but when flying domestic-USA/N. America you'll need to be a US Club or RCC member for the reciprical access. Of course, YMMV. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited 06-10-2003).]</font>

Hey--I thought that's what I said! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
I think it will turn out that US1 and US2 will be *Gold...</font>


No. You THOUGHT it. I just confirmed it! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1005:
Geez! Some of you guys could over-engineer an orgasm! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

As far as Star Alliance Lounge access is concerned, US CP's and Golds will probably end up with the same benefits and restrictions as UA's 1K's and Premier Execs. That is to say you'll have access to a bunch of lounges when travelling international, but when flying domestic-USA/N. America you'll need to be a US Club or RCC member for the reciprical access. Of course, YMMV. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited 06-10-2003).]</font>

Something I constantly strive for, but I digress. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

There is an interesting old thread on this topic recently resurrected on the UA board. Under the CURRENT printed *Alliance benefits, once US is in, CPs and Gold could use RCCs on domestic tickets. Under the UA benefits they could only do so on international itineraries. This is clearly in a state of confusion. Certainly as of last year if I was a *Gold on any airline except UA, I could use the RCC on a domestic ticket. What is not known at this time is what changes have or will be made. Again, as of now there seems to be a disagreement between current *rules and UA rules. Who knows how they will deal with this.

I think one interesting note would be that US GP/CP would then be able to access US clubs while flying in coach internationally. Right now, you get access only when flying envoy.

Sandeep.

Flew out of Laguardia on May 18 to Calgary.
As a US Gold they let me into RCC at LaGuardia (probably because i was really polite to the agent at the desk).

Denied access to Maple leaf Lounge at YVR on May 25 (before the official vote for *A) because the agent said AC "wouldn't be reimbursed bu United for my visit". Sounded like she just didn't want to let me in!

I have gotten access to clubs before (like the SAA lounge in Joburg) just by being well dressed and asking nicely.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GadgetFreak:
If US Golds and CPs are classified as non-UA *Golds then they would be allowed in the RCC on domestic itineraries according to this. If they are treated as 1Ks and 1Ps they wouldnt. I think that is what you said. Im certainly confused a bit.

</font>

Currently, US Golds and CPs are not classified as * anything--I think that RCCs internationally are simply letting them in as a courtesy (similar to allowing us to use USAirways on *A award tickets). When they are officially classified as *G, I suspect the rules will be the same as for a 1P/1K, and that they will NOT get access to RCCs (or USAirways Clubs, for that matter) when travelling on a wholly domestic itinerary.

I do not think a domestic Y class ticket gets a 1K into an RCC lounge. They get a discount price on the RCC card.

http://www.ual.com/page/article/0,1360,1169,00.html

RCC's are missing, but I think they do get in with an int'l ticket

Flying domestic, even F(J) does not get one into an RCC lounge.

Mexico is domestic, last I heard.

*Golds (SEN's) have access to RCC lounges with any same day ticket.

The big advantagess to M&M:

Y=100% or 125% with status, min 1000 or 1250 miles with status.

C=200% or 250% with status, min 2000 or 2500 miles.

F=300% or 375% w.s. min 3000 or 3750 miles.

Almost any paid ticket can be UG with miles.

Status is for 2 years.

SEN's have access to all *alliance lounges.

Down side:

35k=silver(FTL) 100k=gold(SEN)

No SWU or such.

For a detailed comparison of the *alliance programs, you may want to try to go through this:

http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/download.html

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slawecki:
I do not think a domestic Y class ticket gets a 1K into an RCC lounge.
</font>

You are correct. The question is whether US Air will be treated as *A (such as LH or ANA) or as UA when it comes to RCC access. They may or may not have decided but I suspect they will not treat US *Golds like those on LH or ANA, but rather like those on United meaning no club access on domestic flights. But time will tell.

This is for ClueByFour

In your 6-10 post you implied that joining the Quantas Club would open a lot of doors.

What does it cost to join the Quantas CLub? ....and am I mis-reading you...is this the way to go?

Warning: I can't get to the Qantas website right now, so some of this might have changed.

Qantas Club members can (or used to) be able to use US Airways Clubs when flying on US, and Admirals Clubs when flying on AA. Ergo, you could (sort of) kill two birds with one stone simply by purchasing a QF Club membership, which used to be about $350US/year, IIRC.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

I'll be UA 1K next year when I'll be flying US from Gatwick to PHL. Seeing that UA RCC are admitting US elites on Int'l itineraries, will US be doing the same for UA elites flying Int'l?

UA is only admitting US Club members NOT all elites. This will change when US enters Star Alliance and a UA 1K would have access as a Star Gold (even if on a coach ticket). So if you're a 1K flying coach on US from LGW to the States, you'll have access to the US Club there at LGW and at PHL or CLT when you arrive.

[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited 11-07-2003).]

Currently, US CP and GP WILL NOT give lounge access as far as Star is concerned. Tried t 4 times during the last days, and all LH/Star lounges do not accept. Unless they have a good day and you are very nice.

BUT, once US becomes an offical member, the equation with UA is correct: top two levels are Star Gold, which means Star Gold lounges can be accessed if you travel international, or if you trvel ex-USA. Thus, for a LH flight FRA-TXL, US CP and GP have access to Star Gold lounges, as well as for international travel.

The general opinion so far is that entry into Star will be formalized sometime towards the end of Q 1/04, when the schedule changes.

Well, I wasn't a club member when I posted the original message in this thread, and the RCC folks let me in anyway just because of my US GP status.

I imagine it's still not official policy, but it can't hurt to ask...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tw0i:
I imagine it's still not official policy, but it can't hurt to ask...</font>

A few weeks ago in NRT, I was flying UA on a full C ticket NRT-ICN. There were several people flying with me but in coach and with no status. When we reached the NRT RCC (with the famous beer machine) I entered and showed my boarding pass to the agent and asked if I could bring two guests. She said Business Class passengers were allowed one guest (this surprised me) so I could bring only one of the two in. I then produced my US Club card and my US CP card and she said that since I was soon to be Star Gold she'd let all three of us in. They lost $$$ on the beer machine. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

For those who don't know about the NRT RCC beer machine, it tilts your pint glass as it pours and then adds the perfect amount of head at the end. Very nice.

http://www.miketown.com/random/movies/beermachine.mpeg



[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited 11-08-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1005:


For those who don't know about the NRT RCC beer machine, it tilts your pint glass as it pours and then adds the perfect amount of head at the end. Very nice.

</font>

Paging Flavia product development!