Originally Posted by
simpletastes
Where is it stated in OneWorld rules that the lounge must be in the terminal where I am departing from and not arriving in (as a transit passenger)? Other posters suggested that most (but not all) transit passengers have been able to use the lounge in the past, with the lounge agents clearly aware that they had an onward domestic connection from the domestic/main terminal. It is not a matter of what MH "wants" but a matter of them fulfilling their obligations to OneWorld elites, if they are operating a oneworld lounge.
This is what happens when you insist on interpreting the rules at face value. Like it or not, these unwritten policies exist, wherever you go in the world. You can choose to create a spectacle of yourself by writing to the CEO of every airline that offends you. Or you could take it in your stride to make life on the road less stressful, which it especially important these days.
Originally Posted by
simpletastes
I don't think that is "understandable that MH do not want domestic connection pax lingering around the international departures area" either because as a few posters said, they will admit arriving (and possibly transiting) business class passengers into the business class section (OWS) of the satellite lounge and they will admit arriving (and possibly transiting) MH Platinum cardholders into the business suite / first class section (OWE) of the satellite lounge. Rather, this is purely about them making a commercial profit-driven decision to deny access to their best lounge in contravention to OW rules. Every company is profit-maximizing of course, but not at the expense of (apparently; unless there are unpublished OW rule exceptions) breaking rules of an airline alliance they signed up for and at the expense of passengers who have elite benefits of such alliance.
I don't blame MH for expecting domestic passengers to clear immigration before lounge access. What if passengers miss their flights and create a mess for MH to sort out? I'm sure they're more concerned about avoiding that mess, than they are about breaking alliance rules.