Originally Posted by
vbaskar
I live in US but given my international address and i am Flying Blue Gold / Skyteam Elite Plus..
Last 3 days i had a back to back travel and found this
a) Atlanta Lounge :: Sorry Sir, Flying Blue Elite Plus are allowed only if you are travelling overseas or can show the passport that you are not residing in USA
b) Ft.Lauderdale :: Sorry Sir, As per the new rules they have only selected Lounges across USA that you can get in and Ft.lauderdale is not part of it..
c) LAX :: After 20 mins of checking, calling and everything the representative did and said i will allow you this time sir, but i fear next time might not be possible..
Not sure where these guys are heading into.............I am seriously thinking of moving to Worldperks...
Not sure Worldperks will solve your problem.
The issue is that certain alliances restrict lounge access to lounges to those pax traveling on an international flight. Here's how it works:
- Oneworld: lounge access for all top status card holders traveling on a oneworld flight that day. Only restriction: AA Card holders cannot enter lounges if trip is solely in North America. However, top status card holders of any other program (BA, QF, CX, etc) can use the lounge, even if traveling on a purely North American/US domestic trip.
- Star Alliance: the same: lounge access for all top status card holders traveling on a Star Alliance flight that day. Only restriction: US and UA Card holders cannot enter lounges if trip is solely in North America. However, top status card holders of any other program (BD, LH, SA, SQ, etc) can use the lounge, even if traveling on a purely North American/US domestic trip.
- Skyteam: lounge access for all top status card holders traveling on an international flight. Basta. No access for domestic flights, no matter if you are member of a US-based airline's program or a foreign one.
Thus, the problem is that Skyteam is more restrictive than others. Being a member of Worldperks doesn't allow you to escape that problem.
For some reason that doesn't surprise me Air France-KLM is a member of that alliance that provides the least service
. So if you want to swap your Flying Blue card for something else, go with one of the European programs of a oneworld or Star carrier. (Of course only if your travel patterns allow for it)