Using *Gold benefits when booked on * carrier but flights on mixed metal
Mar 24, 2014, 1:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 474
Using *Gold benefits when booked on * carrier but flights on mixed metal
I've searched but can't find the answer to what I assumed would be a simple question.
I am *Gold. I am booking with AirNZ, a *A airline. However, some of my flights are on airlines that are not *A e.g. Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic.
Will I still get *G privileges e.g. lounge access, extra baggage etc on all sectors?
Thanks
I am *Gold. I am booking with AirNZ, a *A airline. However, some of my flights are on airlines that are not *A e.g. Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic.
Will I still get *G privileges e.g. lounge access, extra baggage etc on all sectors?
Thanks
Mar 24, 2014, 1:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LCY
Posts: 1,222
No. Air NZ make arrangements for their own gold and paid lounge members in /some/ locations and circumstances (for example CX at HK, Virgin Australia) and you may get the luggage extra allowance if NZ is checking you in for the first segment -
but generally you are out of luck. It's a real downside to Air NZ's current strategy of scattergun partner choices.
but generally you are out of luck. It's a real downside to Air NZ's current strategy of scattergun partner choices.
Mar 24, 2014, 3:49 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Mar 25, 2014, 5:01 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,631
I absolutely see the OP's point as it being a downside, and I'd say a major downside. In your example, how many flights is UA, LH, LX, or DL going to put you on off-alliance metal long haul but on their code? Not many... that's an anomaly that happens much more in Asia than elsewhere with the exception of certain special alliances (which recognize each others' status, ie DL-VS, EK-QF, etc). It might make sense for the airline managers who negotiated the contracts but is a major disadvantage for people with alliance based status flying that carrier's ticket. Sure the OP could have avoided this by flying SQ or TG but perhaps there was a major price difference?
Apr 11, 2014, 4:16 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 474
Belated reply but thought I should clarify. I concur with the other comments. A major perk (for me) of an alliance is that benefits are shared across carriers. So if book an A* carrier I would expect to be able to use privileges. The fact I can't due to additional codeshare agreements is a downside to me - especially when there are at least 3 such codeshare agreements on my routing, leaving status not being very meaningful.
I appreciate that status is a privilege, and I can choose other carriers (if available on the routing I want).
I appreciate that status is a privilege, and I can choose other carriers (if available on the routing I want).
