Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Gold status lounge access

This is probably covered somewhere but a little help would be great. I am FB Gold -with KLM and visit the US often. I thought the card gave me access to lounges even when flying on domestic flights in the US - I fly from UK on Delta and then spend 10 days travelling in the US before heading home.

I am also gold with Star alliance and that gets me access to all lounges even when in coach on US flights

I have been told that I can only access the delta lounges if I am going on an international flight the same day - no benefit as I am always business so get access anyway.

Has a anyone else had this issue ? I think I will have to change to using United in the US as they give me access on my gold card

comments guys ?

Thanks

Paul

Star Alliance (and Oneworld) lounge access is more generous for travel within the USA as long as your frequent flier programme is not one of the American programmes.

You are correct that access to any lounge is given in conjuncture with a same day international ticket which is a pity.

Gajan

Thank you - guess I have to use my silver one world or my Gold *alliance

Not sure that silver (Ruby?) one-world will get you lounge access when flying domestic flights in the U.S.

Recently in JFK I could enter DL lounge without any question being asked. Might be special to JFK since they have so much international connections and don't even bother checking if you are connecting or not.

I also wonder if just printing a false ITIN (changing the date) to simulate that you are arriving from an international flight would work to let you in?

Recently in JFK I could enter DL lounge without any question being asked. Might be special to JFK since they have so much international connections and don't even bother checking if you are connecting or not.

I also wonder if just printing a false ITIN (changing the date) to simulate that you are arriving from an international flight would work to let you in?

Indeed, with all the home print boarding passes a bit of manipulation can be done.
But I am sure when they scan the barcode it will actually show that you did not actually take the flight which is stated on the boarding pass.

Gajan

You are correct that access to any lounge is given in conjuncture with a same day international ticket which is a pity.


And this only applies when you're connecting TO a intl' flight, not FROM one, right?
For example IAD-JFK-AMS would give you access in IAD and JFK? But AMS-JFK-IAD not at JFK?

And this only applies when you're connecting TO a intl' flight, not FROM one, right?
For example IAD-JFK-AMS would give you access in IAD and JFK? But AMS-JFK-IAD not at JFK?

No - as long as you are connecting to or from an international SkyTeam flight on the same day (or possibly within 24 hours, I'm not sure) then you are allowed access.

Just make sure you have evidence, such as your boarding pass from the previous transatlantic flight.

Note that flights to Canada or Mexico are not considered as international SkyTeam flights for these purposes (not sure about Hawaii, that might be an exception).

And this only applies when you're connecting TO a intl' flight, not FROM one, right?
For example IAD-JFK-AMS would give you access in IAD and JFK? But AMS-JFK-IAD not at JFK?

For AMS-JFK-IAD, when a JFK-IAD segment is on the same day as the AMS-JFK segment and operated by a SkyTeam carrier, then SkyTeam ElitePlus of all sorts get lounge access at JFK too for such trips.

irishguy28 and GUWonder thank you both!

Recently in JFK I could enter DL lounge without any question being asked. Might be special to JFK since they have so much international connections and don't even bother checking if you are connecting or not.

I also wonder if just printing a false ITIN (changing the date) to simulate that you are arriving from an international flight would work to let you in?

JFK is not special per se but some flights - namely the transcon JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO (and I think SEA too?) are special and allow lounge access to elite and business pax even without an international itinerary.

As for a false itinerary, I guess the chances of you being caught are low, but it is still technically a case of fraud. If the scan doesn't work, the lounge agent could check the itinerary or call the supposed operating airline to see what's wrong (i mean trying to be helpful) and this would result in at the very least embarrassment, possibly if not likely, prosecution, and very probably a report to FB and your account being terminated. In any case, it seems to me that taking even a 'low' risk of facing prosecution for the fabulous benefit of entering a DL skyclub would be nuts!

JFK is not special per se but some flights - namely the transcon JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO (and I think SEA too?) are special and allow lounge access to elite and business pax even without an international itinerary.

Is this written down somewhere? That actually sounds great, but I can imagine not all lounge attendants being aware?

Is this written down somewhere? That actually sounds great, but I can imagine not all lounge attendants being aware?

they are aware and simply scanning your BP will get you in.

https://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/delta_sky_club/sky_club_locations/index.jsp

Customers traveling on a nonstop Delta First Class, BusinessElite, or full Y-class ticket between JFK and Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, and San Francisco.

Thanks :) So it only applies when flying full-Y or up? Solely the Elite+ status doesn't seem to be enough:

SkyTeam Elite Plus (including Delta Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion) traveling in any cabin on a SkyTeam international flight or a SkyTeam domestic flight connecting to/from a same-day international flight (includes same-day travel on a Delta domestic flight connecting to an international Delta—or any other SkyTeam partner—flight). If traveling on a domestic itinerary, please show a Delta Sky Club membership card for lounge access.

ST lounge access in the US is indeed sadly restricted to days when one flies internationally; mind you, also places like the Caribbean and others are not regarded as such

Thanks :) So it only applies when flying full-Y or up? Solely the Elite+ status doesn't seem to be enough:

this is correct. If you get a complimentary upgrade, however, you have lounge access even if you are flying on a dirt cheap T-class fare.