Originally Posted by
jpezaris
And, by extension, If you are checking-in at the counter and getting a printed boarding pass, check that your status does indeed appear, especially if you're flying a *A partner. If your status doesn't appear, ask the check-in agent to ensure that your UA number is in fact on the record.
Originally Posted by
Counsellor
"Most" being the operative word. Not "all" do show status on the boarding pass. I've had a couple situations flying Star Alliance (but not United) where the check-in agent has asked to see my card. Fortunately I kept the last one United sent out and even though it has long since "expired" it does show my lifetime "Gold" status and has been accepted.
I seem to recall if flying on award ticket, Star Alliance number/status doesn't always show up as printed on the boarding pass. Which was one of the cases in which a status card might be needed.
Last award trip, BP worked just fine for lounge admittance when scanned.
Your digital card is always available on the app, which according to recent reports has been accepted readily, even by formerly iffy locations (LH mostly). I would make sure you have it available as it would be better than an expired physical card.
A by-product of COVID. Electronic versions of a lot of docs are much more widely accepted.