bmi diamond club - Blast from the past

Hi everyone. As bmi cardholders, we've all gotten used to the quizzical look on a lounge dragon's face (or a First Class check-in agent) when we presented our cards. "Yes, I am entitled to this lane, yes this is a bmi elite card (even if there is nothing on the face of the card to show it, yes bmi is part of Star Alliance even if it's not clearly displayed on the card, and yes you can check but the airline code is BD, which is again not an easy guess given the name of the company... Which company is that? Don't worry, it's a regional company flying in the british midlands and to a few high-demand destination like Antigua and Bishkek." had become usual...

Now that I had decided to switch a large part of my business with BA, one of the largest companies worldwide, I thought these days would be over. But it seems that the absorption of bmi by BA has contaminated the later. :D

Straight dialogue at HNL Admiral's Club/Sakura Lounge [international airport and pretty touristy destination] :

me: hi! (shows BP and card)
agent: Aloha! hooooow... shiny card!
me: ???
agent (turning to other agent): look! have you seen this?
other agent: no, nice ribbon, too.
agent (turning to me): this is BA's, isn't it?
me (thinking that printing the name of the company on the card doesn't bring any benefit after all): yes, it is... oneworld emerald
agent: we had never seen one! Is this a new design?
me: I don't know it's the first year i have it...
(proceeds to welcome me in the lounge and give my the usual tour of the lounge amenities).

Did BA actually change the design of their gold card recently (and was it really different before if that's the case) or is HNL really that out of the way??? The only thing that missed from a true bmi-card-holding experience was "where is this airline from?" like I was flying from Mars.

Another gripe is that DC gold cards will not get you into BA/OW lounges other than the BA ones in London. I was turned away from the ATH BA lounge when I tried to use my DC Gold card. I suppose this will continue until DC vanishes completely.

The designs of the BA cards changed last year

Richelieu's experience is far more positive than previously at some *A lounges with a DC gold card. South Africa, anyone?Did BA actually change the design of their gold card recently ...Yes.... is HNL really that out of the way???Probably. After all, it's out of the way for most Americans.Another gripe is that DC gold cards will not get you into BA/OW lounges other than the BA ones in London. I was turned away from the ATH BA lounge when I tried to use my DC Gold card.As you point out, ATH and most other lounges were not part of the deal.

The new cards don't actually say 'British Airways' on the front, just Executive Club and the BA logo.

They used to clearly say British Airways on the front, but at least the logo was recognisable enough for them to work it out.

Richelieu's experience is far more positive than previously at some *A lounges with a DC gold card. South Africa, anyone?Yes.Probably. After all, it's out of the way for most Americans.As you point out, ATH and most other lounges were not part of the deal.

It's one of my favorite ways to stay in the US for upgrades though :D