Star Alliance - SA Gold switching frequent flyer program

Hi,

I am currently a KrisFlyer Gold and I fly mostly on SQ. I am thinking of depositing my future mileage to Mileage Plus. However I don't have any status with UA. Will I still be afforded the SA Gold priviledges (extra luggage and lounge access) based on my KF Gold even as I deposit the mileage to MP?

Hi,

I am currently a KrisFlyer Gold and I fly mostly on SQ. I am thinking of depositing my future mileage to Mileage Plus. However I don't have any status with UA. Will I still be afforded the SA Gold priviledges (extra luggage and lounge access) based on my KF Gold even as I deposit the mileage to MP?

Yes, UA will respect *G status regardless of how you got it. You won't get upgrades to F or E+ until you hit status on MP, but you will get the *G benefits referenced on this page:

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/premier/staralliance.aspx

You could status match to another airline's (non Star Alliance) program and then use that to UA challenge to a higher tier so you get the bonuses and elite benefits.

How does it work in practice? I book my sq flight and put in my ua number, and then at the check in counter i show the agent my krisflyer gold card to get the extra luggage allowance? Will that work? What about lounge access?

How does it work in practice? I book my sq flight and put in my ua number, and then at the check in counter i show the agent my krisflyer gold card to get the extra luggage allowance? Will that work? What about lounge access?

Since your KF gold card has a *A Gold logo, I would assume that would work. But as I'm not *G myself, I couldn't say for certain.

Pretty much the same question, albeit with OZ and UA, led me to this forum first a few weeks ago. Here's a link to the thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/1212947-asiana-status-match.html

Although this is about a different operating airline, I suspect the answer should apply to your question as well. Judging by the replies I got, it's technically possible but the staff won't always get it right. But while extra luggage, early boarding etc. are tentative, lounge access shouldn't be an issue, so there's that at least.