Originally Posted by
drvannostren
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).
That sounds like ANA copied the boilerplate language from the rules rather than making the specific allowance. If you're on ANA as a *G they'll give you a pass for the lounge at the check-in counter. LH does the same thing. It is a contract lounge, not a *A-operated *G lounge so just showing up will not get you in if you're not flying on a carrier which explicitly grants such access (and pays the lounge operator for it).
I was last through YVR for an international departure in November '13 and the Plaza Premium lounge was under construction at the time. I should hope that work is completed by now.