So, as a guy who earns status the hard way I kinda feel like I'm mooching lounge access, so I try to know all the rules and never get turned away.

That said I just noticed something interesting. Wondering if someone can explain it.

I live in Vancouver, but I'm flying ANA to Tokyo this month. I have status via Air Canada, so as a Star Gold, I'll use the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge International at YVR.

I was on the ANA site, and was checking out their lounge at a few Asian airports, then clicked on their lounge in Vancouver (knowing they don't have a dedicated one). What I found confused me, I figured they'd just use the Star alliance relationship and have their passengers use the Maple Leaf Lounge, just like United does.

Turns out they use the Plaza Premium Lounge, so then I thought it would only be on offer to Paid J or F class ticketed passengers on ANA. But not according to the wording.

"Star Alliance Gold members on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights, and one accompanying guest on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights per customer."

Call me crazy, but that suggests to me that any Star Gold member, travelling on a Star flight can use this lounge. Is this accurate? Is this normal? I rarely fly INTL from YVR, but I'm positive the domestic plaza premium lounge doesn't feature this. So I'm wondering if maybe it's just a poorly worded translation. Using the Star Alliance lounge finder, it only shows Maple Leaf Lounge concourse D and E (which if working at YVR for 6 years taught me correctly, I don't think the Transborder lounge at E would be available as it would be cordoned off for passengers already cleared be US customs).