Is this a *A-mandated benefit? I ask this because CO currently has the worst contract lounge access policies of any ST carrier. For example, if you are a CO Plat flying on CO from CPH, you do NOT get access to the contract lounge. If you are a CO Plat flying AF, DL, or KL you DO get access to the contract lounge. In other words, will CO retain the right to continue to offer lesser lounge access when flying CO metal from cities without *A lounges?

Nonetheless, my gut feeling is that this will be a big plus for international-heavy CO travelers, but that it will be partially offset by a lesser quality of lounges within the US.