I am now sitting in the "Smiles" lounge at GIG. We produced our TAM economy boarding cards, along with the magic words `Star Gold`and two star gold cards - A3 and OZ. She took our boarding passes and the cards, and a lot of typing happened.

It was obvious she was entering the information for both of us. So I do not know if they apply the `plus one guest`rule as it should only have been necessary to enter one, as the other would have been a guest.

The news, though, is that the lounge access people recognise Star Gold. Also I discovered the TAM website specifies that *G is eligible for this lounge. So it looks like the administrative difficulties have not affected the passengers. Note, though, there is no Star Gold labeling.