Originally Posted by
little_dc
FRA is my home airport and as a UA 1K I have had to show card 90% percent of the time. Not only at the lounge, but at check in (even with the UA*G) for the extra bag. I also fly to an airport in the UK were LH uses a contracted lounge and they "REQUIRE" a Star Gold card.. there is even a sign on the check in desk. LH also has a keeper at the Star Gold/First class check in area who wants to see a card to access that check in area. This was on Jan 3rd. Trust me in Europe people will run into problems with all the contracted lounges out there.
One other solution I have found that works real well (when I have forgotten my card) is to ask the check in agent for a pass to the lounge because I do not have my card. He or she has been able to verify my status and rights and makes a pass (has been a sheet of paper and has been a card) that has never failed to get me in. But if you are transferring and do not have to exit the secure area, finding such help is probably much harder.
But I have also been able to get in with just a boarding pass stamped *G, but I have also been denied with just a boarding pass.