Happy ending is always nice.
Regarding admission to the RCC in non-gateway cities-- LoungeNET tells the lounge staff that someone is admissible by way of a
green check mark. There is no evidence on FT that LoungeNET discriminates between gateway cities and non-gateway cities, even with IFL access; rather, LoungeNET seems to apply the much more liberal standard in the RCC/ADMIT profile, "IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL," to admission standards.
[quote]* * * INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION * * *
35NI/ TO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES EXCLUDING SAN JUAN
36NI/ CUSTOMERS WHO TRAVEL TO CANADA MEXICO AND
37NI/ CARRIBEAN DESTINATIONS WILL BE TREATED AS INTL AND
38NI/ CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE RED CARPET CLUB
39NI/ **HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO DRINK CHITS**
40NI/.
41NI/ THIS APPLIES TO UA CUSTOMERS `F XF NF C XC NC)
42NI/ AND STAR GOLD CUSTOMERS ONLY ..SAME-DAY TRAVEL IS
43NI/ REQUIRED AND THIS INCLUDES CONNECTING STATIONS
44NI/ ON SAME DAY TRAVEL AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN F OR C
45NI/ CLASS FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY......[quote]
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/S*RCC/ADMIT