Since when do A3 Golds get zero luggage on A3?
AFAIK,
all *Gs get a free bag, regardless of ticket type, on A3 flights (for now, at least). When you throw Olympic Air (so, most domestic flights + some international ones?) into the mix, then it's A3 *G only.
AHC96, from the
baggage page (bolding mine):
Miles+Bonus Gold* & Star Alliance Gold
Free baggage allowance: 3 pieces 32kg in Business or 2 pieces up to 23kg in Economy Flex or 1 piece up to 23kg in Economy GoLight
Dimensions: 158 cm (62 inches)
*The benefit is also available on Olympic Air flights.
With seating, A3 screws their own *Gs, making them pay for anything other than "Standard" seats, so you aren't missing much. I think you have to wait until check-in opens (48 hours?) to select the free seats. Gold Track
might save time at LHR, but at ATH (non-Schengen), it's pretty much useless. The bottleneck is at passport control, so security is pretty quick.