I'm not that familiar with US policies but I'll be flying ABQ-YEG thru PHX and was wondering about access to the US Airways Club. I'm *G and will be upgrading a coach ticket with Dividend miles. My experiences on UA suggest that flights to Canada don't qualify as "same day international travel" but I wasn't sure about the policy of US Air. Any help is appreciated ^

Nope...US follows UA Policy also...travel must not be in north america eg. Canada or Mexico :(

The USAir website states under the Star Alliance section at footnote 6:

Star Alliance Gold lounge access not available when traveling domestically in North America, or from North America to the Caribbean. Travel itinerary must include at least one international trans-border flight to qualify for Star Gold lounge access on the corresponding Star Alliance airline.

I'm not that familiar with US policies but I'll be flying ABQ-YEG thru PHX and was wondering about access to the US Airways Club. I'm *G and will be upgrading a coach ticket with Dividend miles. My experiences on UA suggest that flights to Canada don't qualify as "same day international travel" but I wasn't sure about the policy of US Air. Any help is appreciated ^

Hunh.
It was my understanding that as a *G passenger on flights to any location outside of the United States, EXCEPT PUERTO RICO, you were allowed to use the UA Lounge. This must be the seventh posting I've seen about this in the last year, and should be made a sticky, along with the rest of the stupid rules that restict members from the lounge. Harumph.
Kendall

However, when you travel back, you can access the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge if there is one and if convenient, if you are *Gold.

Hunh.
It was my understanding that as a *G passenger on flights to any location outside of the United States, EXCEPT PUERTO RICO, you were allowed to use the UA Lounge. This must be the seventh posting I've seen about this in the last year, and should be made a sticky, along with the rest of the stupid rules that restict members from the lounge. Harumph.
Kendall
Of course there are no * lounges in Puerto Rico which is why I joined Priority Pass :)

When are you coming to town? :D We have frequent mini-dos amongst our locals and you never know.

Unfortunately, there are NO LOUNGES whatsoever in YEG once you clear US Customs & Immigration and go into the waiting area for trans-border gates.

The AC MapleLeaf Lounge is on the domestic (i.e. Canada ;) ) side of that terminal and since your return to PHX leaves at 6:50 a.m. and you must be checked in due to your Homeland Security requirements by no later than 1 hour before flight departure there will be no time to use that Lounge. I'm not even sure it's open that early.

Also be warned that even though the PHX-YEG leg is 3 hours plus there is no meal either way in First.

When are you coming to town? :D We have frequent mini-dos amongst our locals and you never know.

Unfortunately, there are NO LOUNGES whatsoever in YEG once you clear US Customs & Immigration and go into the waiting area for trans-border gates.

The AC MapleLeaf Lounge is on the domestic (i.e. Canada ;) ) side of that terminal and since your return to PHX leaves at 6:50 a.m. and you must be checked in due to your Homeland Security requirements by no later than 1 hour before flight departure there will be no time to use that Lounge. I'm not even sure it's open that early.

Also be warned that even though the PHX-YEG leg is 3 hours plus there is no meal either way in First.Thanks for the info, PunishedEdmontonian ^
I get in just after midnight on 10/13 (10/12 flight from ABQ-PHX-YEG) and will be in Hinton or Edson until returning to Edmonton on 10/14 in the early evening before flying back 6:50am on 10/15. If there's any mini-do going on in the evening of 10/14, let me know and count me in!

fz

Thanks for the info, PunishedEdmontonian ^
I get in just after midnight on 10/13 (10/12 flight from ABQ-PHX-YEG) and will be in Hinton or Edson until returning to Edmonton on 10/14 in the early evening before flying back 6:50am on 10/15. If there's any mini-do going on in the evening of 10/14, let me know and count me in!

fz

Nothing scheduled here but I'm around on the 14th at work downtown YEG. I live on the southside about 15 minutes from the airport so PM me if you want to try to hook up for a drink/meal the night before you depart! :)

Nothing scheduled here but I'm around on the 14th at work downtown YEG. I live on the southside about 15 minutes from the airport so PM me if you want to try to hook up for a drink/meal the night before you depart! :)
I'll let you know - thanks!

I book AC on the UA website and put in my US DM#. They let me in the club on the way up as well as back from toronto. all that's lost is the 500 mile booking bonus. worth it for TV on the way up and club access, in my opinion

I'm not that familiar with US policies but I'll be flying ABQ-YEG thru PHX and was wondering about access to the US Airways Club. I'm *G and will be upgrading a coach ticket with Dividend miles. My experiences on UA suggest that flights to Canada don't qualify as "same day international travel" but I wasn't sure about the policy of US Air. Any help is appreciated ^

Can someone help me with my own dumb version of a similar question? I'm CP (thus *G), and next week I'm flying a lot of different places on an itinerary, including PHL-YYZ and YYZ-PIT, all on US/US express. Prior to those flights, can I use the lounges in PHL and YYZ? Sorry if this is obvious, and thanks!! :)

Can someone help me with my own dumb version of a similar question? I'm CP (thus *G), and next week I'm flying a lot of different places on an itinerary, including PHL-YYZ and YYZ-PIT, all on US/US express. Prior to those flights, can I use the lounges in PHL and YYZ? Sorry if this is obvious, and thanks!! :)


US Airways will not allow *G into their lounge on flights to/from Canada. For US, the definition of "international" is really "intercontinental."

I have been allowed into UA and AC lounges as a *G on flights between the US and Canada when ticketed on those carriers.

US Airways will not allow *G into their lounge on flights to/from Canada. For US, the definition of "international" is really "intercontinental."

I have been allowed into UA and AC lounges as a *G on flights between the US and Canada when ticketed on those carriers.

Thanks, Gary. I assume that if I'm ticketed on US, I can't use the AC or UA lounge as a *G? Kinda stinks that US seems to be violating the *A agreement. I appreciate the help and info!

Thanks, Gary. I assume that if I'm ticketed on US, I can't use the AC or UA lounge as a *G? Kinda stinks that US seems to be violating the *A agreement. I appreciate the help and info!

You can use the Maple Leaf Lounges as *Alliance Gold on a US ticket.

You can use the Maple Leaf Lounges as *Alliance Gold on a US ticket.

Thanks! That's great news!! :D ^

I'm so tired of inconsistent policies amongst the Star Alliance carriers!

From reading this thread, I understand it to be that if I was using my *G card, I couldn't get into a US lounge when flying say WAS-YYZ, but I can use my *G card to get into an AC or UA lounge when flying the same route? I know I can at IAD with UA because I've done it before - but I was planning on using my *G to get into the clubs at DCA next week.

On a side note - another thing that annoys me is that even though HP/US are all the same company now, when I fly on an HP coded flight, I don't get bonus miles when crediting to UA :mad:

The USAir website states under the Star Alliance section at footnote 6:

Star Alliance Gold lounge access not available when traveling domestically in North America, or from North America to the Caribbean. Travel itinerary must include at least one international trans-border flight to qualify for Star Gold lounge access on the corresponding Star Alliance airline.

Contrary to what people are stating (or maybe I'm interpretting it incorrectly?), this seems to state that as long as it's not a domestic NA flight (i.e. Canada to Canada & US to US) flight, access isn't allowed - however, since it's US to Canada and one international trans-border flight is occurring, then a US-CA flight should give someone lounge access???

Contrary to what people are stating (or maybe I'm interpretting it incorrectly?), this seems to state that as long as it's not a domestic NA flight (i.e. Canada to Canada & US to US) flight, access isn't allowed - however, since it's US to Canada and one international trans-border flight is occurring, then a US-CA flight should give someone lounge access???

That's what it seems to say to me. Unless we have annexed Canada and somebody forgot to tell me.

Contrary to what people are stating (or maybe I'm interpretting it incorrectly?), this seems to state that as long as it's not a domestic NA flight (i.e. Canada to Canada & US to US) flight, access isn't allowed - however, since it's US to Canada and one international trans-border flight is occurring, then a US-CA flight should give someone lounge access???

US does not consider Canada to be international. However Canada does realize that we are not the same country!

Therefore, although US Airways Clubs do not allow complementary *Alliance Gold lounge access for flights to Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico, on the contrary, Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges DO allow *Alliance Gold access to its lounges. So if you are traveling as a *Alliance Gold between the US and Canada, you can visit their lounges on your dates of travel.

I have traveled to and from YUL on both US and AC and while connecting in Philadelphia, I was not allowed access to the US Airways Club, but in Canada, I was allowed access to the the FABULOUS Maple Leaf Lounge.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/maplelounges/index.html

Star Alliance Gold

Any Star Alliance member with a Star Alliance Gold logo on their card is accepted provided they are travelling on a departing Star Alliance flight, in any class of service

Guest Policy:
1 complimentary guest

US does not consider Canada to be international. However Canada does realize that we are not the same country!

Therefore, although US Airways Clubs do not allow complementary *Alliance Gold lounge access for flights to Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico, on the contrary, Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges DO allow *Alliance Gold access to its lounges. So if you are traveling as a *Alliance Gold between the US and Canada, you can visit their lounges on your dates of travel.

I have traveled to and from YUL on both US and AC and while connecting in Philadelphia, I was not allowed access to the US Airways Club, but in Canada, I was allowed access to the the FABULOUS Maple Leaf Lounge.

All excellent info (as usual!). Now if I understand this correctly, I cannot use the US lounges (anywhere) on a US to Canada flight, but I CAN use the Air Canada lounge on the return.

But can I use the United RCC at Philadelphia as a Star Gold when flying on a US ticket from Philly to Canada? :confused:

All excellent info (as usual!). Now if I understand this correctly, I cannot use the US lounges (anywhere) on a US to Canada flight, but I CAN use the Air Canada lounge on the return.

But can I use the United RCC at Philadelphia as a Star Gold when flying on a US ticket from Philly to Canada? :confused:

I wonder if United thinks the US and Canada are the same country!? :)

I know you can use the Maple Leaf Lounges as long as you show proof of * Alliance Gold and your boarding pass--and you can bring a guest. And their lounges are very nice...free alcohol, free Internet, free snacks...

For admission to one of our designated Star Alliance member clubs or lounges listed below, present your same-day ticket on the appropriate carrier along with your boarding pass or United Red Carpet Club membership card.

Only available to Star Gold traveling on a same-day international ticket.

The website does not say that Canada is not international, so...perhaps you can go there in PHL.

This is from United's website.

United Airlines' Premier Executive and Premier Executive 1K customers and US Airways' Chairman Preferred and Gold Preferred customers have access to U.S. domestic United Red Carpet Club and US Airways Club locations only when they present a ticket or boarding pass for a same-day international flight.

The only issue is what does United consider to be "international"? As previously mentioned US does not consider Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico as international.

I've definitely flown IAD-YYZ and UA considers YYZ to be an international ticket. I've used both my UA PremEx card & my US GP card to get into the RCC club at IAD. Based on the whole lounge access thing, I've been debating whether or not to switch my *A earning to an international FF program so I can get domestic US lounge access for free...

If you are flying to Canada you can use the RCC in PHL but not the US Air club as a *G. If you are attempting to gain access to the RCC the following profile in UA's computer system may be helpful. UA unlike US recognizes Canada as another country. I bolded the International travel and the US &UA *G information.


S*RCC/ADMIT UPDATED 03MAY2004

* * * UNITED RED CARPET CLUB ACCESS GUIDELINES * * *
FOR US AIRWAYS NEWS >S*R.U

* * RED CARPET CLUB MEMBER ACCESS * *
A VALID RED CARPET CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED
GUEST POLICY:
WITHIN US: TWO GUESTS OR SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN
OUTSIDE US: ONE OR SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN
MEMBER MUST ACCOMPANY GUEST(S) AT ALL TIMES
FOR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP STATUS... CHECK MPM
MEMBERS TRAVELLING WITHOUT THEIR MEMBERSHIP CARD
MAY BE ASKED TO STEP ASIDE SHOULD THERE BE A LINE
AT THE CLUB ACCESS POINT AND SHOULD BE ASKED TO WAIT
UNTIL THE LINE CLEARS

* * * UA AND STAR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS * * *
UNITED FIRST INTERNATIONAL AT ALL CLUBS ON SAME-DAY
TRAVEL... ONE GUEST ALLOWED... TWO DRINK CHITS SHOULD
BE PROVIDED AT THE GATEWAY.
UNITED BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL AT ALL CLUBS ON SAME-DAY
TRAVEL... NO GUESTS ALLOWED... TWO DRINK CHITS SHOULD
BE PROVIDED AT GATEWAY.
* * * INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION * * *
TO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES EXCLUDING SAN JUAN
CUSTOMERS WHO TRAVEL TO CANADA MEXICO ARUBA AND
ST THOMAS WILL BE TREATED AS INTERNATIONAL AND
CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE RED CARPET CLUB
THIS APPLIES TO UA CUSTOMERS(F XF NF C XC NC)
AND STAR GOLD CUSTOMERS ONLY ..SAME DAY TRAVEL IS
REQUIRED AND THIS INCLUDES CONNECTING STATIONS
ON SAME DAY TRAVEL AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN F OR C
CLASS FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY......
FOR EXAMPLE: LAX Y ORD F YYZ...ACCESS IN ORD ONLY
FOR EXAMPLE: LAX F ORD F YYZ ...ACCESS IN LAX AND ORD

* * STAR GOLD ACCESS - OA STAR ALLIANCE CUSTOMERS * *
STAR GOLD CUSTOMERS (EXCEPT UA AND US AIR STAR GOLD)
TRAVELING ON A SAME DAY STAR OPERATED FLIGHT
HAVE ACCESS TO RED CARPET CLUB ON DAY OF TRAVEL
CUSTOMER SHOULD PRESENT STAR GOLD CARD
AND BOARDING PASS FOR STAR OPERATED FLIGHT
* * SEE NOTE BELOW FOR UA AND US * *
** NOTE UA AND US STAR GOLD CUSTOMERS HAVE ACCESS
ONLY IN CONJUCTION WITH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL* * *
GUESTS MUST ENTER THE LOUNGE WITH AN ELIGIBLE
STAR ALLIANCE GOLD MEMBER AND MUST DEPART ON A
STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER AIRLINE BUT MAY TRAVEL ON A
DIFFERENT FLIGHT.
TWO DRINK CHITS SHOULD BE PROVIDED AT GATEWAY.
ALL CARD HOLDERS AND GUESTS SHOULD BE TRACKED
-STAR ALLIANCE ACCESS SEE: >S*RCC/ALLIANCE
-US AIRWAYS RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT SEE: >S*RCC/US_AIRWAYS

Thanks for the precise UA rules. I am glad to see that UA does necognize that Mexico and Canada are international destinations.

Keep in mind that because flights to the US departing from Canada go through US preclearance IN CANADA. Therefore, with the exception of Toronto (and maybe Montreal IIRC), you will have no access to AC MLL as most of them are on the domestic terminals which are inaccessible after you enter US preclearance (you're quasi-considered in the United States after that point). Toronto and Montreal(?) are the only ones that have MLL after US preclearance because of their abundance of AC traffic to the US - none (YEG included) have MLL lounges after US PC. I'm not sure about YVR - I usually just use the AS boardroom on my Priority Pass.

Keep in mind that because flights to the US departing from Canada go through US preclearance IN CANADA. Therefore, with the exception of Toronto (and maybe Montreal IIRC), you will have no access to AC MLL as most of them are on the domestic terminals which are inaccessible after you enter US preclearance (you're quasi-considered in the United States after that point). Toronto and Montreal(?) are the only ones that have MLL after US preclearance because of their abundance of AC traffic to the US - none (YEG included) have MLL lounges after US PC. I'm not sure about YVR - I usually just use the AS boardroom on my Priority Pass.

YVR does have one in the main transborder pier. You go up in an elevator and have a nice view of the tarmac. If your flight leaves out of the "commuter" area you have a very very long hike to those gates.

I have traveled to and from YUL on both US and AC and while connecting in Philadelphia, I was not allowed access to the US Airways Club, but in Canada, I was allowed access to the the FABULOUS Maple Leaf Lounge.

What it boils down to is USair really takes the Star Alliance for granted. While the other member carriers make you feel at home in their lounges, USair will fight you at the door on some new definition of international.

This issue is my biggest peave with inconsistency regarding US air.

While they think Canada's soverignty is up for debate, they sure remember that Hawaii counts. See my previous post.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=561455 (http://)

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/maplelounges/index.html

Star Alliance Gold

Any Star Alliance member with a Star Alliance Gold logo on their card is accepted provided they are travelling on a departing Star Alliance flight, in any class of service

Guest Policy:
1 complimentary guest

Forgive my stupidity, but wouldn't that imply that if I was traveling BOS-PHL (for example) and I was *G on US I could visit the Maple Leaf Lounge?

Keep in mind that because flights to the US departing from Canada go through US preclearance IN CANADA. Therefore, with the exception of Toronto (and maybe Montreal IIRC), you will have no access to AC MLL as most of them are on the domestic terminals which are inaccessible after you enter US preclearance (you're quasi-considered in the United States after that point). Toronto and Montreal(?) are the only ones that have MLL after US preclearance because of their abundance of AC traffic to the US - none (YEG included) have MLL lounges after US PC. I'm not sure about YVR - I usually just use the AS boardroom on my Priority Pass.

When I took US-West, the area in YVR had a Maple Leaf lounge.. I didn't use it, because I didn't know better at the time. Given how good it sounds from other posts.. I know I'm plannng to head back that way ^

...not to mention.. YVR rocks!

So, digging up an old thread that sort of applies to me.

I am *G with Air Canada, flying US Airways YYZ-PIT-MCO and then back again MCO-PIT-YYZ.

If I understand what has been posted here, I won't be able to access the US Airways lounges in PIT because it's not international. Is that correct?

The only other time I've flown US Airways was from PIT-DUB, and had lounge access then, so I had just assumed I would for this routing until reading this thread.

Thanks,
Greg

So, digging up an old thread that sort of applies to me.

I am *G with Air Canada, flying US Airways YYZ-PIT-MCO and then back again MCO-PIT-YYZ.

If I understand what has been posted here, I won't be able to access the US Airways lounges in PIT because it's not international. Is that correct?

The only other time I've flown US Airways was from PIT-DUB, and had lounge access then, so I had just assumed I would for this routing until reading this thread.

Thanks,
Greg

No. As an AC *G you have access to lounges everywhere. It's just UA and US *Gs that don't get access to their own clubs while flying domestically. It's not just a * issue either. As most US airlines sell memberships to their clubs, they don't allow free access to their elites. It's the same with OneWorld. AA members must buy an Admirals Club membership to use the club domestically, but BA golds can use them whenever they want. I assume it's the same with Skyteam and their US airlines.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/maplelounges/index.html

Star Alliance Gold

Any Star Alliance member with a Star Alliance Gold logo on their card is accepted provided they are travelling on a departing Star Alliance flight, in any class of service
Guest Policy:
1 complimentary guest

Forgive my stupidity, but wouldn't that imply that if I was traveling BOS-PHL (for example) and I was *G on US I could visit the Maple Leaf Lounge?

Is there a MLL in terminal B now?

Is there a MLL in terminal B now?

AC *Gs use the US Airways Club. The only problem is the AC gates are off on their own with their own security checkpoint.

I'm flying on US from YYZ-PHL in September. In doing my research, I see that US departs out of Terminal 3 at YYZ, but there do not seem to be any Maple Leaf Lounges in T-3. According to the terminal map, there appear to be 3 Maple Leaf Lounges in T-1. For those of you who have flown US out of YYZ, are terminals 1 & 3 connected airside so people flying US can access the MLL?

I'm flying on US from YYZ-PHL in September. In doing my research, I see that US departs out of Terminal 3 at YYZ, but there do not seem to be any Maple Leaf Lounges in T-3. According to the terminal map, there appear to be 3 Maple Leaf Lounges in T-1. For those of you who have flown US out of YYZ, are terminals 1 & 3 connected airside so people flying US can access the MLL?

Here is a link to the Teminal info, maps, and videos at YYZ: http://www.gtaa.com/en/travellers/airport_information/terminal_info/

One of the videos says there is a link train between the two terminals.

It looks like the inter-terminal train is landside. :(