Star Gold flying INTL economy lounge access question?
Apr 24, 2009, 8:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Star Gold flying INTL economy lounge access question?
I should know the answer to this... I really should. But now I am second guessing myself, so here goes:
US Gold Preferred (Star Gold) flying DCA-PHL-Europe. As a Star Gold I know I get access to the Envoy Lounge in PHL during the layover even though I'm flying coach.
Is the US Club at DCA a Star Gold designated lounge? Can I access that one too?
Thanks!
US Gold Preferred (Star Gold) flying DCA-PHL-Europe. As a Star Gold I know I get access to the Envoy Lounge in PHL during the layover even though I'm flying coach.
Is the US Club at DCA a Star Gold designated lounge? Can I access that one too?
Thanks!
Apr 24, 2009, 8:34 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Programs: AA EXP Hilton Diamond
Posts: 543
No lounge access in DCA, only on the orginating points of your international legs. So PHL yes, leaving Europe yes.
Apr 24, 2009, 9:07 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA-EXP, MR-PP
Posts: 3,440
I /think/ you should be able to access it in DCA as well presenting your international boarding pass.
Apr 24, 2009, 9:10 am
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
In Feb, I flew PHX-PHL-MUC (coach as a US Plat), and was able to access one of the US lounges in PHX with no problem.
On the return, MUC-PHL-LAS-PHX, I was able to access both the LH lounge in MUC, as well as the US B-C lounge in PHL. If I had lots of time I probably could have even gone in the LAS lounge.
Apr 24, 2009, 9:28 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
In the past, it was more restrictive for Club/lounge entrance, i.e. "gateway city" access only. Less restrictive now...you should be OK in both DCA Club and PHL Envoy lounge
From website,
From website,
Star Alliance benefits
Enjoy special privileges when you travel on any participating Star Alliance airlines. Just present your Gold Preferred membership card and same-day international ticket to access the US Airways Club and more than 600 Star Alliance lounges.
Eligible international destinations for lounge access include Asia, Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America and the following cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Jose (Costa Rica)
Enjoy special privileges when you travel on any participating Star Alliance airlines. Just present your Gold Preferred membership card and same-day international ticket to access the US Airways Club and more than 600 Star Alliance lounges.
Eligible international destinations for lounge access include Asia, Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America and the following cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Jose (Costa Rica)
Apr 24, 2009, 9:31 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 2.2MM LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,572
Here are the official rules:
http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html
It looks like you should be allowed access anytime the same day as your international flights.
http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html
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 a valid frequent flyer programme Star Alliance Gold level card
* Customer must also present a boarding card for a same day Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
* Customer is entitled to one guest
* United and US Airways Star Alliance Gold customers may only access the Red Carpet Club and US Airways Clubs within the U.S. when travelling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight.
* Customer must present a valid frequent flyer programme Star Alliance Gold level card
* Customer must also present a boarding card for a same day Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
* Customer is entitled to one guest
* United and US Airways Star Alliance Gold customers may only access the Red Carpet Club and US Airways Clubs within the U.S. when travelling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight.
Apr 24, 2009, 11:09 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Great info! Thanks. I'll let you know what happens at DCA...
Apr 25, 2009, 11:56 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 655
Here are the official rules:
http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html
It looks like you should be allowed access anytime the same day as your international flights.
http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html
It looks like you should be allowed access anytime the same day as your international flights.
The language (to me) in the *A policy is clear - access granted as part of a continuing international trip. At PHL, they chose to interpret it as if lounge access were only allowed at the international gateway...
In RCC's, a distinction is made for international travel w/ intermediate stops in the US. Drink chits are provided only at your international gateway, but lounge access is provided all along the journey, unless you have ill-informed dragon ladies, there's a nest of 'em in PHL...
Apr 25, 2009, 10:25 pm
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Agree that that's what the *A policy is, but on a FCO-phl-MSY trip about 3 months ago, we were denied entrance to the Envoy lounge, which is a *A lounge. The dragon ladies said it was only for international departures. Went to the RCC and admitted as a "one time exception".
Apr 26, 2009, 8:16 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Silver, IHG Plat, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,695
Evidently there is a conflict between wording and actual practice, so if I were the OP, I would take a copy of the website policy with me just in case.
As to whether or not someone is "departing internationally," that choice of words would apply in either direction. One would be departing the US to travel internationally to another country and one would be departing another country to travel internationally back to the US. Both directions are transborder crossings and should be considered international travel.
As to whether or not someone is "departing internationally," that choice of words would apply in either direction. One would be departing the US to travel internationally to another country and one would be departing another country to travel internationally back to the US. Both directions are transborder crossings and should be considered international travel.
Apr 28, 2009, 11:27 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
No problems at DCA at all. The DCA US Club agent confirmed that as a US Gold (Star Gold) flying in coach that I had access both in DCA and PHL and was allowed one guest. The US Club at DCA is a designated Star Gold lounge. No problem at all in PHL at the Envoy Lounge on the connection before our international departure either.
Apr 28, 2009, 11:31 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
This is correct. And it makes sense as the majority of the connections on a return are out of the B/C terminals. I assume the same would be true for the F Terminal for Express flights too (I think there is a US Club in the F terminal).
Aug 2, 2009, 3:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP (One World Emerald), Hilton Gld, Marriot Slvr
Posts: 252
No problems at DCA at all. The DCA US Club agent confirmed that as a US Gold (Star Gold) flying in coach that I had access both in DCA and PHL and was allowed one guest. The US Club at DCA is a designated Star Gold lounge. No problem at all in PHL at the Envoy Lounge on the connection before our international departure either.
Aug 3, 2009, 8:08 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: (near) Cambridge, MA
Programs: US GP (used to be *G, now,what)
Posts: 1,777
Here are the official rules:
http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html
It looks like you should be allowed access anytime the same day as your international flights.
http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html
It looks like you should be allowed access anytime the same day as your international flights.
I argue with them all the time, but never win.
Sometimes, I get we're not supposed to, but will let you in this one time.
The place is huge.... how many people are really going BOS-PHL-Tran Atl!!!
All the smart people take LH or LX if they are *A
Aug 3, 2009, 8:38 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 782
Nodbody told the Boston lounge.
I argue with them all the time, but never win.
Sometimes, I get we're not supposed to, but will let you in this one time.
The place is huge.... how many people are really going BOS-PHL-Tran Atl!!!
All the smart people take LH or LX if they are *A
I argue with them all the time, but never win.
Sometimes, I get we're not supposed to, but will let you in this one time.
The place is huge.... how many people are really going BOS-PHL-Tran Atl!!!
All the smart people take LH or LX if they are *A
BOS lounge 5PM on a THU:
Last edited by PittDoc; Aug 3, 2009 at 11:01 am