Aegean Airlines Miles&Bonus - Post your experiences: got *G perks without crediting

This post might be useless but I thought I'd give it a go.

It's mainly meant for *G (or even *S) who managed to get their status perks even if they did not credit on A3.

Let me start with my experience from yesterday, February 8th, 2012.

I'm A3*G and I was flying on SQ406 from SIN to DEL at 02:30AM... This kind of flights are awful and I wanted to be able to use the SilverKris Lounge (*G Lounge) in T2 at SIN to get some drinks and snacks.
I am crediting all the miles on SQ (I'm SQ*S). I show up at the lounge desk, make a super polite greeting and smile and ask politely "excuse me, I'm *G on another carrier (show him my A3*G card) but I'm crediting on SQ (show him my BP with SQ*S marked on it), would it still be possible to use the lounge? It's so late and I just want to get some refreshments".

"Mhhh usually you cannot do this Sir, but as an exception, I will allow you to use the lounge, enjoy!"

So here you go, I got in, said a big thanks and managed to take a little rest before boarding that 2:30AM flight.

I was expecting a refusal, we all know how Singapore staff are very very "by the rules" people. But hey, if you don't try, you won't know :D

The lounge was pretty empty at that time, which might explain why he did this exception ^

As for boarding the airplane, I always show them my A3*G card to board when they call the *G passengers. Especially on "specific" flights where I know that if you get in late, there is absolutely no chance to get your bag in the overhead storage...

I am crediting all the miles on SQ (I'm SQ*S). I show up at the lounge desk, make a super polite greeting and smile and ask politely "excuse me, I'm *G on another carrier (show him my A3*G card) but I'm crediting on SQ (show him my BP with SQ*S marked on it), would it still be possible to use the lounge? It's so late and I just want to get some refreshments".

"Mhhh usually you cannot do this Sir, but as an exception, I will allow you to use the lounge, enjoy!"


The real question is whether they swiped your A3 card. If no, then you got a freebee on SQ dime by being nice. If yes, then A3 will have to pay for your visit and then you might be in violation of the T&C (might, and who knows what the ramification will be).

As for showing the *G card - that is a no brainier and carry no costs associated with it, so it would be up to the GA to decide whether to let you in or not.

IMO this kind of activity is against the spirit of the Miles and Bonus Program (and perhaps the T&C too as MD/DC Flyer stated above) and abuses the program. Certainly nothing to be bragging about.

W.r.t. lounge access, the *A Lounge Access Policy is quite clear. Quoting from http://www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/lounges/lounge-access-policy/ :
Star Alliance Gold Customers Travelling in Any Class: Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers' owned lounges with the Star Alliance Gold logo at the entrance.

Customer must present proof of Star Alliance Gold level status via a valid frequent flyer program Star Alliance Gold level card or other valid indication of Star Alliance Gold level status
Customer must also present a boarding pass for travel on a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport



I am not aware of any other (airline specific?) rules that contradict this policy. If you know of any it would be helpful if you could provide a reference.

My experience (across Europe and US) is that I never had any problems to access a lounge with the A3 Gold card while crediting miles to another programme. Just showed my card + boarding pass and they let me in without any discussion.

If yes, then A3 will have to pay for your visit ...

Just not so.

W.r.t. lounge access, the *A Lounge Access Policy is quite clear. Quoting from http://www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/lounges/lounge-access-policy/ :


I am not aware of any other (airline specific?) rules that contradict this policy. If you know of any it would be helpful if you could provide a reference.

My experience (across Europe and US) is that I never had any problems to access a lounge with the A3 Gold card while crediting miles to another programme. Just showed my card + boarding pass and they let me in without any discussion.

Like I said, it's only my opinion - not necessarily a hard and fast rule (although it has been debated on this forum extensively whether or not the Miles and Bonus program frowns on this type of activity).

Personally, I think if you are going to be using the benefits of the program, you should credit your miles to that program from which you are getting the benefits.

From the A3 site on their Gold card benefits:

"Worldwide Airport Star Alliance Lounge Access. Access to more than 970 airport Star Alliance lounges worldwide for you and a companion when you travel with any member airline, regardless of the class of travel."

So, for example, if in HKG, I am traveling on UA or SQ and crediting miles to UA or SQ, am I able to get into the TG lounge at HKG by showing the A3 Gold card? Or do I have to be traveling on TG (economy, with no auto lounge benefit) and crediting to TG or A3 to be able to access the TG lounge with the A3 Gold card?

The OP seems to say that your mileage has to credit to A3 in order to access the other *A member lounge, but the A3 policy has no such restriction.

The OP's premise is absurd. One merely has to present a valid STARGold card to the receptionist. It doesn't matter what program it has been issued from nor which program you are crediting your flight(s). I have interchangeably used my AE, CO and UA STARGold cards when flying these various carriers and crediting my flights to a different program.

Last week I was flying some intraEurope flights on LH (in K class which only earns miles in M&M) and used my AE or CO or UA card to get into the Senator lounges, but was crediting these segments to M&M. No problems anywhere.

The OP's premise is absurd. One merely has to present a valid STARGold card to the receptionist. It doesn't matter what program it has been issued from nor which program you are crediting your flight(s). I have interchangeably used my AE, CO and UA STARGold cards when flying these various carriers and crediting my flights to a different program.

Last week I was flying some intraEurope flights on LH (in K class which only earns miles in M&M) and used my AE or CO or UA card to get into the Senator lounges, but was crediting these segments to M&M. No problems anywhere.

+1 as this is my experience too, including when having status and/or affiliation with multiple Star Alliance programs being used on a given trip. Also, mileage tickets are entitled to the benefits but don't get credited (except by accident or as good for nothing).

From the T&C of A3

5.5 Miles&Bonus Gold Members reserve the right to use the Star Alliance network’s lounges globally. Mandatory for access is the demonstration of the Gold Card which bears the Star Alliance logo along with the boarding pass with the distinctive *G, as testimony to the Member’s level in the Miles&Bonus programme, and to the fact that his/her flight is operated by a Star Alliance member-carrier.

A little convoluted to say the least but it seems to indicate that you need to have credit the miles to A3. How closely this is enforced and what A3 will do otherwise, who knows. However, this is part of their T&C.

My experience (not with A3 yet) is that most of the time there is no problem entering the lounge while having *G card and crediting to another airline. But I do remember one time I was not allowed entrance to the (then) RCC with LH SEN card while crediting to UA.

Just not so.

I would love to know the source of that information. I was always under the impression that there is a payment structure from one airline to another (but then again, I have no source for that either).

From the T&C of A3



A little convoluted to say the least but it seems to indicate that you need to have credit the miles to A3. How closely this is enforced and what A3 will do otherwise, who knows. However, this is part of their T&C.

My experience (not with A3 yet) is that most of the time there is no problem entering the lounge while having *G card and crediting to another airline. But I do remember one time I was not allowed entrance to the (then) RCC with LH SEN card while crediting to UA.

Greek translated into English...you expect better from a country that's run itself into the ground? STAR rules trump and these just require a same day outbound boarding pass on a STAR carrier and a valid STARGold card in the traveler's name.

Greek translated into English...you expect better from a country that's run itself into the ground? I would like to see Canadians translating English into Greek! :cool:

Please stop throwing around prejudices. I am really getting sick and tired of this attitude. The situation of Greece has nothing to do with this thread!

If yes, then A3 will have to pay for your visit and then you might be in violation of the T&C (might, and who knows what the ramification will be).
Just not so.
Isn't it the operating carrier that provides or pays for a lounge for all it's entitled passengers? Whether entitled by booking class or *A status, after all the operating carrier is the one making the profit out your loyalty.
A3 would only need to pay if you went to a different lounge than the one arranged/invited to by the operating carrier or you were not entitled in their eyes (different FFP associated with your ticket). It looks to me like the A3 rules as interpreted are pretty safe for them (could a Greek reader confirm that this meets their rules) - if you want to credit elsewhere, just add your A3 number at check in and then change it after you book into the lounge.

I am not bragging about it... I know this topic has been discussed multiple times already and I am not making "A3 pay" for my use of the lounge. The attendant at the lounge did NOT swipe my card at all, I just showed it to him.

Now, on the other hand, it happened to me twice where I was initially crediting into SQ but when I used the lounge, they did register my BP and FF card and the miles got credited to A3 instead of the original SQ. I'm fine with it if these are the rules. My BP still showed "SQ" on them (which is normal since they did not re-print my BP at the lounge).

The point about starting this thread is to see whether or not "it works". Maybe a mod should move this to the Star Alliance generic forum then, rather than this A3 one...?

This post might be useless but I thought I'd give it a go.
I'm A3*G and I was flying on SQ406 from SIN to DEL at 02:30AM... This kind of flights are awful and I wanted to be able to use the SilverKris Lounge (*G Lounge) in T2 at SIN to get some drinks and snacks.

"Mhhh usually you cannot do this Sir, but as an exception, I will allow you to use the lounge, enjoy!"

So here you go, I got in, said a big thanks and managed to take a little rest before boarding that 2:30AM flight.

I was expecting a refusal, we all know how Singapore staff are very very "by the rules" people. But hey, if you don't try, you won't know :D

I often credit to M&M whilst using my M&B *G benefits because many flights I take are not entitled to miles under the M&B program whilst they are under the M&M program.

However, the important thing to note is that you went to the SilverKris lounge in Singapore. This lounge is normally reserved for people having status on Krisflyer only (or when flying the appropriate class on SQ itself). *G members normally have to make use of the KrisFlyer Gold lounges, which are by far not comparable in means of quality.

So yes, I think you were lucky and the guy did make an exception.

From the T&C of A3
5.5 Miles&Bonus Gold Members reserve the right to use the Star Alliance network’s lounges globally. Mandatory for access is the demonstration of the Gold Card which bears the Star Alliance logo along with the boarding pass with the distinctive *G, as testimony to the Member’s level in the Miles&Bonus programme, and to the fact that his/her flight is operated by a Star Alliance member-carrier.

My reading of this - especially given the fact that the original intention have may be slightly lost in translation - is that adequate proof of Star Gold membership is required, and of course the best proof of this is of course a valid card, and for good measure *G on the BP.

However, the official Star Alliance conditions require you to have a card but not *G on the BP, as I understand matters, the following have all been accepted to get *G benefits when flying Y:
1. A valid Star Gold card.
2. An out of date Star Gold card if your new one has not arrived (they may look it up - it helps to have other proof such as 3, 4 or 7) - documented elsewhere on FT.
3. A 'lounge letter' (or fax) from a Star Alliance programme confirming your gold status (many airlines will issue these to members who are waiting for or have lost their card) - more official than 4, and documented elsewhere on FT.
4. A web print out or statement showing status - I used this for two months waiting for my A3 *G card to arrive.
5. A BP or mobile boarding pass showing *G (see below) - many lounges/priority lanes happy to accept this, though some are not without other proof.
6. A baggage tag showing *G (it helps to have other proof such as 3, 4 or 7 - documented elsewhere on FT.
7. The lounge staff being able to look you up if they are so inclined - either if you are a member of the lounge operator or an affiliated airline's FFP (e.g. LH group), or if they have access to other airlines, or if they will let you show them on your phone/pad or their computer, by logging into your FFP's site - documented elsewhere on FT.

In the absence of 1, having more than one of the other items is helpful. But I have never been refused with just a web printout (though sometimes some checking has appeared to take place), and having shown a *G card I have never been asked for a second proof - sometimes they have commented that the miles are being credited to another programme, but I have never been refused entry in this case.

Not all airlines display '*G' on the BP - a recent flight with SQ did not, despite my A3 number being in the booking at BP printing time, and I as told that only SQ status or numbers appeared on the BP (different to previous SQ BP, though these were from different airports) - and I believe that at least on LH's system the agent can alter the text in the place where '*G' is printed (which is why some lounges will not accept a BP with '*G' on it and ask to see the card or another proof). So there are occasions when even if you are crediting flights to the a *G scheme '*G' does not appear on your BP.

However a way to stay within the literal conditions above is to ask the airline you have booked with/are flying on to put your *G number into the FQTS (status/services/'non-accrual') field on their system and the FFP number that you wish to credit to in the FQTV (accrual). In many cases this will print both '*G' and 'FQTV' then the airline code and usually membership number of the airline you are crediting to. YMMV with FQTS/FQTV split entry - sometimes it goes in the wrong way round so it is worth checking that it is there correctly - but most times it works. The only *A airline to have not been able to do this in my experience is Singapore where their system will only accept SQ FQTS numbers as their system uses it to credit PPS sectors.

I don't think we have seen anything in the T&Cs or other official communications from A3 to say that using A3 *G for status while crediting to another programme breaches the T&C or is contrary to the spirit of the programme, and I think it is incorrect of posters to assert this here. In a lot of cases I think posters may be repeating other posts they have seen, until a kind of self-perpetuating myth is created about this.

Given that (as I understand it) the operating carrier pays for lounge access and bears the cost of additional luggage and other *A perks, I don't think A3 would be that bothered whether its *G cardholders credit every flight to it or not. When they fly and credit, Aegean earns from the miles the operating carrier buys. When we redeem our A3 miles, Aegean spends from these earnings. When *G from any airline fly in A3, Aegean pays the cost of their *G benefits. If A3 does not make the benefits of crediting (in terms of earn ratio/bonus/burn ration/FFP features) attractive, people will chose another FFP. If A3 makes its programme better, more people will credit to it. Since in general more people will always credit than redeem, the airline wins. And it is creating loyalty to the brand along the way. A3 is gaining when people credit to it, but it is not losing when its gold cardholders credit to another airline. This is how I understand *A frequent flyer programmes to work.

It's worth noting that non *A benefits for *G (like the priority security at various terminals) require you to be flying on A3 metal - this is because A3 is in all probability paying for them (and has take the view that to encourage travel on A3 it will open these perks to all *G and not just A3 G). But these are not standard *A benefits. AFAIK all standard *A benefits are paid for by the operating carrier.

Myself, I am going to credit the flights I need to advance/keep my status in M&B, and to cover any redemptions I anticipate making from M&B. However I am not using it as my main *A programme (yet) as while no changes or cancellations are possible on award tickets without loss of miles, while there are no credit card open to non-Greek residents or points transfer options to allow credit card spend to translate to additional miles to boost balances, while the earning and redemption ratios are what they re (OK, but not as good as other airlines), while there is no zonal system to make multi leg or RTW redemptions competitive with other airlines, and while there is the some chance that the airline could go belly-up, I don't want to put all my *A eggs in this one basket, much as I wish the programme all the best and would like it to do well.

I hope that doesn't come across as being unsporting or disloyal, and I do wish the programme and A3 all the best, but I think we all have to be circumspect about this given the recent loss of two carriers from major alliances and the apparent loss of all miles held by all members in those airlines' FFPs, and the uncertainty regarding all the miles held by BD members. I hope A3 will improve the M&B programme to the extent where it becomes suitable to be my main *A programme.

However given the potential of miles balances to disappear with airlines, and the current economic situation, maybe the only sensible strategy is having fewer eggs in more baskets, and if this means joining and crediting to more FFPs, to protect miles balances, even if this translates to fewer redemption opportunities, it may be the best way forward.

Oh gosh...

I don't recall how many times I have seen this topic coming up... And yes, I think is valid. (but let's not catch too much A3 attention)

*What if*, one have A3*G on their BP, go to any *A lounge is not an issue. But later at the gate, have the GA change the FFP. (or even ask GA to remove the FFP# and submit the BP later to claim miles for their choice of FFP)

Yes, one may still argue this is wrong, but, at the time entering the lounge it is fully 'register' with A3 FFP. :rolleyes:

Not all airlines display '*G' on the BP - a recent flight with SQ did not, despite my A3 number being in the booking at BP printing time, and I as told that only SQ status or numbers appeared on the BP (different to previous SQ BP, though these were from different airports) - and I believe that at least on LH's system the agent can alter the text in the place where '*G' is printed (which is why some lounges will not accept a BP with '*G' on it and ask to see the card or another proof). So there are occasions when even if you are crediting flights to the a *G scheme '*G' does not appear on your BP.

However a way to stay within the literal conditions above is to ask the airline you have booked with/are flying on to put your *G number into the FQTS (status/services/'non-accrual') field on their system and the FFP number that you wish to credit to in the FQTV (accrual). In many cases this will print both '*G' and 'FQTV' then the airline code and usually membership number of the airline you are crediting to. YMMV with FQTS/FQTV split entry - sometimes it goes in the wrong way round so it is worth checking that it is there correctly - but most times it works. The only *A airline to have not been able to do this in my experience is Singapore where their system will only accept SQ FQTS numbers as their system uses it to credit PPS sectors.


BIG THANKS! Awesome post! thanks for spending the time for the write up...

Oh gosh...

I don't recall how many times I have seen this topic coming up... And yes, I think is valid. (but let's not catch too much A3 attention)

*What if*, one have A3*G on their BP, go to any *A lounge is not an issue. But later at the gate, have the GA change the FFP. (or even ask GA to remove the FFP# and submit the BP later to claim miles for their choice of FFP)

Yes, one may still argue this is wrong, but, at the time entering the lounge it is fully 'register' with A3 FFP. :rolleyes:

Or, better still, just don't enter any FFP number on the booking, have a BP with no FFP association, and simply show your *G card (+the FQTV free BP) to gain entry into lounges. Then later on just retro claim the miles from the programme you want credits for!

However a way to stay within the literal conditions above is to ask the airline you have booked with/are flying on to put your *G number into the FQTS (status/services/'non-accrual') field on their system and the FFP number that you wish to credit to in the FQTV (accrual). In many cases this will print both '*G' and 'FQTV' then the airline code and usually membership number of the airline you are crediting to. YMMV with FQTS/FQTV split entry - sometimes it goes in the wrong way round so it is worth checking that it is there correctly - but most times it works. The only *A airline to have not been able to do this in my experience is Singapore where their system will only accept SQ FQTS numbers as their system uses it to credit PPS sectors.



I may be wrong, but I don't think any of the US airlines have the multiple fields to put in multiple FF #s to distinguish between status and earning program.


Given that (as I understand it) the operating carrier pays for lounge access and bears the cost of additional luggage and other *A perks, I don't think A3 would be that bothered whether its *G cardholders credit every flight to it or not. When they fly and credit, Aegean earns from the miles the operating carrier buys. When we redeem our A3 miles, Aegean spends from these earnings. When *G from any airline fly in A3, Aegean pays the cost of their *G benefits. If A3 does not make the benefits of crediting (in terms of earn ratio/bonus/burn ration/FFP features) attractive, people will chose another FFP. If A3 makes its programme better, more people will credit to it. Since in general more people will always credit than redeem, the airline wins. And it is creating loyalty to the brand along the way. A3 is gaining when people credit to it, but it is not losing when its gold cardholders credit to another airline. This is how I understand *A frequent flyer programmes to work.

It's worth noting that non *A benefits for *G (like the priority security at various terminals) require you to be flying on A3 metal - this is because A3 is in all probability paying for them (and has take the view that to encourage travel on A3 it will open these perks to all *G and not just A3 G). But these are not standard *A benefits. AFAIK all standard *A benefits are paid for by the operating carrier.

Myself, I am going to credit the flights I need to advance/keep my status in M&B, and to cover any redemptions I anticipate making from M&B. However I am not using it as my main *A programme (yet) as while no changes or cancellations are possible on award tickets without loss of miles, while there are no credit card open to non-Greek residents or points transfer options to allow credit card spend to translate to additional miles to boost balances, while the earning and redemption ratios are what they re (OK, but not as good as other airlines), while there is no zonal system to make multi leg or RTW redemptions competitive with other airlines, and while there is the some chance that the airline could go belly-up, I don't want to put all my *A eggs in this one basket, much as I wish the programme all the best and would like it to do well.



If it is truly the case that A3 is not paying for services used by flyers not crediting to A3 then it would seem they have a pretty good thing going. As you say, there will be a lot more miles going in (positive A3 revenue stream) that miles going out (e.g. award redemptions) (negative revenue stream). If this is the case, I withdraw my earlier comments - I just don't want to see the program taken advantage of to the point that it gets shut down.

I may be wrong, but I don't think any of the US airlines have the multiple fields to put in multiple FF #s to distinguish between status and earning program.


UA has it. However, in my experience, the only people who know how to use it are the Indian Call Center folks - and they don't do it on purpose ;)

The OP's premise is absurd. One merely has to present a valid STARGold card to the receptionist. It doesn't matter what program it has been issued from nor which program you are crediting your flight(s). I have interchangeably used my AE, CO and UA STARGold cards when flying these various carriers and crediting my flights to a different program.

Correct. Never understood this A3 forum urban legend related to where one credits. FWIW, I used my SEN card all the time for lounge access while working on A3 *G (OK, a couple of long hauls :D) and thus, crediting to M&B. Now I credit to M&B with very few exceptions but this is only because I value domestic awards.

You don't have to credit your miles to airline that you are using the card to enter the lounge with. That's just absurd. Who you credit your miles to and which card you use to enter the lounge with have no correlation and is not part of the rules.

I recently flew on a SQ economy class miles redemption and used my *G from OZ for priority check-in, boarding the lounge access. I don't have status on SQ. Does that mean I shouldn't get my *G perk? Absolutely not...

Please stop throwing around prejudices. I am really getting sick and tired of this attitude. The situation of Greece has nothing to do with this thread!

OK. Quite right.

I'm going to weight in formally here in my role as Moderator of this forum.

There have been several comments of deeply questionable nature thrown around in the few short weeks this forum has been going.

It is disrespectful. It is unnecessary. It is unpleasant. It speaks even more poorly of the various posters than it does of the Greek people.

And from this point forward, I will exercise my discretion as Moderator to interpret any such comments as being racist. And there is only one possible follow on action from that conclusion.

It stops now.

And a reminder that discussion of specific Moderator action - such as this one - is contrary to the FT Guidelines and Rules. Anyone wishing to take this up, may do so with me by PM - but they can expect little quarter on this issue.

GoldCircle
A3 Forum Moderator

I would love to know the source of that information. I was always under the impression that there is a payment structure from one airline to another (but then again, I have no source for that either).

I was sat beside a former president of Star Alliance for dinner one night. This issue was once upon a time a serious bone of contention among certain airlines (guess which country doesn't allow its elites in to lounges on domestic fights?) ;) This is a matter that is complex, as certain clubs have pay-for levels (think of UA Red Carpet, for example) where some revenue accounting is called for, but in the main Y pax with *G status entering a lounge of another airline, have their costs picked up by the operating airline.

I understand in oneworld, the cost is picked up by the marketing airline. Seems like a lot of accounting to me.

As a result this 'urban legend' on this board - which can be easily traced back to a single member - is easily dismissed.

Anyone who is bi-lingual will recognise English that has been poorly translated. Like many FFPs, the T&Cs for M&B are written from the internal perspective of that programme.

It is entirely possible for a member to credit their miles to one programme (Lufthansa E fare, anyone?) and use their A3*G to avail of lounge entry/luggage/other benefits.

The only fly in the ointment is that some airline systems will only permit the additional benefit to be processed (I'm thinking luggage particularly) if the status is in the booking...

I often credit to M&M whilst using my M&B *G benefits because many flights I take are not entitled to miles under the M&B program whilst they are under the M&M program.

However, the important thing to note is that you went to the SilverKris lounge in Singapore. This lounge is normally reserved for people having status on Krisflyer only (or when flying the appropriate class on SQ itself). *G members normally have to make use of the KrisFlyer Gold lounges, which are by far not comparable in means of quality.

So yes, I think you were lucky and the guy did make an exception.
It's even more extreme since the OP was in T2 at SIN. There is a dedicated *Gold lounge in T3 but in T2, *Golds are sent to a contract lounge by SQ.

Oh gosh...

I don't recall how many times I have seen this topic coming up... And yes, I think is valid. (but let's not catch too much A3 attention)

*What if*, one have A3*G on their BP, go to any *A lounge is not an issue. But later at the gate, have the GA change the FFP. (or even ask GA to remove the FFP# and submit the BP later to claim miles for their choice of FFP)

Yes, one may still argue this is wrong, but, at the time entering the lounge it is fully 'register' with A3 FFP. :rolleyes:I did that kind of messing around on a flight operated by BD or LH out of Milan, I forget which. None of the miles ever got credited!

I would like to see Canadians translating English into Greek! :cool:

Please stop throwing around prejudices. I am really getting sick and tired of this attitude. The situation of Greece has nothing to do with this thread!

Remember in Canada we have 2 official languages, so if it's any easier, we could translate French into Greek.

Remember in Canada we have 2 official languages, so if it's any easier, we could translate French into Greek.
Or Cree! ;)

The *A rules like other posted just say that you need a gold card
I have used my CO *G, UA *G and A3 *G on my flights to gain lounge access - usually whatever was first available in my travel wallet on carriers including LO, LH , LX, TP, UA to CO. It doesn't matter.
I also talked to some lounge agents and they said the operating carrier pays for the access.

Back on topic
I got *G benefits by showing my AC E card YVR YUL on Sunday but I was crediting to A3 (T fare)

So it is all a myth after all... No issues at all in mixing the usage of *A cards while crediting to a different program. ^

So it is all a myth after all... No issues at all in mixing the usage of *A cards while crediting to a different program. ^

I wonder if the originator of this rumour could come back on this regarding what his/her contact in A3 said?

I wonder if the originator of this rumour could come back on this regarding what his/her contact in A3 said?

I don't know if I'm the person y'all think is the originator - this concept has been around long before I even knew about Miles and Bonus - but I will admit that I did mention it a lot, and I did cross-check it with a contact at A3 who said that it was accurate.

After reading GoldCircle's explanation (which was very clear ^), I wrote back to him asking for clarification. Haven't received a reply yet, but I will keep you updated. I'm guessing that he had no clue what I was talking about when I asked, and just said yes because he was too embarrassed to admit it...

Oh the joy of talking with people who have English as their second language... :-:

Talking about perks. I got into the lounge at OSL yesterday with my A3 blue card. My colleagues had M&M silver, so they got in. I, not expecting anything, thought I'd give it a try and showed her my card. The lounge dragon must have mixed up Miles&Bonus with Miles&More. Sometimes life gives you a little present I guess...

I wrote back to him asking for clarification. Haven't received a reply yet, but I will keep you updated. I'm guessing that he had no clue what I was talking about when I asked, and just said yes because he was too embarrassed to admit it...

Oh the joy of talking with people who have English as their second language... :-:

Thanks for your efforts - it would be great to have confirmation from someone on the inside.

Or, better still, just don't enter any FFP number on the booking, have a BP with no FFP association, and simply show your *G card (+the FQTV free BP) to gain entry into lounges. Then later on just retro claim the miles from the programme you want credits for!

But in this case the airline won't have any record of your status, so the FAs won't greet you by name, you won't have the seat next to you blocked and you won't be top of the list when opups are handed out! Choices, choices... :eek:

But in this case the airline won't have any record of your status, so the FAs won't greet you by name, you won't have the seat next to you blocked and you won't be top of the list when opups are handed out! Choices, choices... :eek:

Not if you fly LH intra europe.
I never got any seat blocking, or being greeted by name, or priority boarding, or..anything as a *G

But in this case the airline won't have any record of your status, so the FAs won't greet you by name, you won't have the seat next to you blocked and you won't be top of the list when opups are handed out! Choices, choices... :eek:
Also true for A3: Never got greeted by name, never upgrated and as for seat blocking, although I usually have the seat next to me empty, there are many who say that this has nothing to do with my status.

although I usually have the seat next to me empty, there are many who say that this has nothing to do with my status.

Do they try to give you any other explanation, such as a hint about a product available in the tax-free stores labelled "anti-perspirant"? :D (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Do they try to give you any other explanation, such as a hint about a product available in the tax-free stores labelled "anti-perspirant"? :D (Sorry, couldn't resist.)Didn't think of bad breath! ;)

I was sat beside a former president of Star Alliance for dinner one night. This issue was once upon a time a serious bone of contention among certain airlines (guess which country doesn't allow its elites in to lounges on domestic fights?) ;) This is a matter that is complex, as certain clubs have pay-for levels (think of UA Red Carpet, for example) where some revenue accounting is called for, but in the main Y pax with *G status entering a lounge of another airline, have their costs picked up by the operating airline.

I understand in oneworld, the cost is picked up by the marketing airline. Seems like a lot of accounting to me.

As a result this 'urban legend' on this board - which can be easily traced back to a single member - is easily dismissed.

Anyone who is bi-lingual will recognise English that has been poorly translated. Like many FFPs, the T&Cs for M&B are written from the internal perspective of that programme.

It is entirely possible for a member to credit their miles to one programme (Lufthansa E fare, anyone?) and use their A3*G to avail of lounge entry/luggage/other benefits.

The only fly in the ointment is that some airline systems will only permit the additional benefit to be processed (I'm thinking luggage particularly) if the status is in the booking...

I'm going to pick this up again. I was chatting with a friend about this who works at a *A station. He referred me to this from a codeshare manual:

All other STAR Gold passengers have access according to the Star Alliance policy and costs will be borne accordingly by the card holding carrier.

This was an official document between a major EU *A carrier and another major EU *A carrier on the lounge access agreement for codeshare flights. One was marketing, the other operating.

The marketing carriers top FFP members had their lounge access charges picked up by the operating carrier and naturally so did C pax. And for any other *A Gold customers the previous quote was clearly stated.

This agreement worked both ways but still *A Gold customers had their charges picked up by the card issuer.

Is this a fly in the ointment or just an exception.

Not sure if my original post is valid anymore actually... I've been using my +3 *G card non-stop lately in KIX, ICN, TPE and had no issues at all using the *G lounges, getting checked-in at the priority desks, getting the extra luggage allowance and the priority tags, with mileage accrued on SQ all the time.

Now, regarding the "who pays for what" when a customer uses a lounge, it's a different story.