Star Gold Flying VA / NZ trans-Tasman Lounge Access
Mar 2, 2016, 3:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: VA Silver, NZ Gold
Posts: 327
Star Gold Flying VA / NZ trans-Tasman Lounge Access
Hi,
I'm a *G on OZ with an upcoming flight operated by NZ but marketed by VA. They have a special trans-Tasman alliance that codeshares these flights. I'd like to know if I can use the NZ lounge before my flight as it is my understanding that on *A metal matters. As per their lounge access policy: "Customers holding valid proof of their Star Alliance Gold level status and a boarding pass for a Star Alliance member airline operated flight in any class departing from the local airport."
Am I wrong to think the wording here implies that I should be able to get access to the lounge as I am flying on NZ metal?
Anyone got experience getting into a lounge under these circumstances?
Should I print out the policy and give it a try?
Cheers!
I'm a *G on OZ with an upcoming flight operated by NZ but marketed by VA. They have a special trans-Tasman alliance that codeshares these flights. I'd like to know if I can use the NZ lounge before my flight as it is my understanding that on *A metal matters. As per their lounge access policy: "Customers holding valid proof of their Star Alliance Gold level status and a boarding pass for a Star Alliance member airline operated flight in any class departing from the local airport."
Am I wrong to think the wording here implies that I should be able to get access to the lounge as I am flying on NZ metal?
Anyone got experience getting into a lounge under these circumstances?
Should I print out the policy and give it a try?
Cheers!
Mar 3, 2016, 8:42 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,827
You can try, but according to the previous wisdom you won't get any *G benefits.
To get more accurate answers, maybe the mods can merge these threads into the NZ forum.
To get more accurate answers, maybe the mods can merge these threads into the NZ forum.
Mar 3, 2016, 11:34 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
You can try it, but would be likely rejected at the door.
NZ uses an system when you scan you boarding pass as your enter the lounge, it will be then flash green/red depending on your ability to access the lounge.
As you're on an VA ticket you won't be able to add your *G OZ number to your booking, you might be able to get the self check-in machine to take it.
If you try to enter the lounge with you're OZ *G card, the staff will see that you're on a VA Ticket on there system.
NZ uses an system when you scan you boarding pass as your enter the lounge, it will be then flash green/red depending on your ability to access the lounge.
As you're on an VA ticket you won't be able to add your *G OZ number to your booking, you might be able to get the self check-in machine to take it.
If you try to enter the lounge with you're OZ *G card, the staff will see that you're on a VA Ticket on there system.
Mar 3, 2016, 3:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
I know that in the opposite situation (NZ flight number but operated by Virgin), when you check in your boarding pass just shows the flight details of the operating carrier. So in your case yours will presumably show the NZ flight details, so manually presenting your Star Gold card should be worth a shot, both at check-in (not that NZ's so called premium check-in at SYD is very good - it's frequently slower than using the machines) and at the lounge. But as others have said, best to assume you won't have access.
Mar 7, 2016, 1:40 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: VA Silver, NZ Gold
Posts: 327
Update: It worked!
A quick follow up. It worked without issues or raised eyebrows 3 out of 3 times. Lounge agents just put my *G number into the FQTS field and welcomed me in. As a bonus I got use some Koru vouchers to get into the lounge while flying on a VA operated flight... SOP or call me super lucky, as always YMMV.
Apr 14, 2016, 3:20 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
This is good to know, as I may find myself in that situation soon. However I have VA Gold (as your profile says you do too) so why would you need the *A Gold to get in? Surely VA Gold does the trick?