Originally Posted by
econ
Maybe it was just because of the holidays, but I was in the right-side lounge (The Infinity?) several days ago in early morning prior to a BR J flight, and it was very crowded. Didn’t check out the left-hand side lounge.
Were you on 872 or 852?
Originally Posted by
GourmetFlyer
I am guessing yes, probably, this might be unique to TPE. I have accessed over a dozen Star Alliance Partner lounges in both Asia and Europe in recent months and experienced no issues. In fact, I was at the SQ SilverKris Lounge in HKG twice last year in Oct/Nov with a UA departure with no issues.
I think the keyword is "participating". A UC membership theoretically grants you admissions to "participating" Star Alliance lounges (regardless of status). But of course, in your particular case, SQ does not need to participate so I doubt a UC membership will make a difference.
Star Alliance website says paid membership allows access to all Star operated business lounges worldwide except for SQ Krisflyer Lounge in SIN and AC Signature Suite or UA Polaris lounges.
Lounge Access Policy - Star Alliance But I bet it would not matter, sounds like SQ and BR are making up new rules when they want.
Originally Posted by
MEL-World
Instead of complaining about SQ or BR, how about pressuring UA to provide a lounge of their own at TPE. SQ also has two flights per day but can provide a small lounge. As an SQ PPS, I'd be mightily upset with my carrier if I found the SQ lounge overfull of UA pax when they have another lounge option. UA has just too many 'elite' pax, I'd suggest.
Well, how about BR and SQ following the rules of the alliance they are in? When Star was created a big part of it was to be consolidation of lounges which would save money and allow for better service and amenities in lounges operated by the home carrier. With no home carrier at CDG they opened a Star Alliance lounge which was brilliant.
Not that it matters, but SQ's TPE lounge dates from when they operated 4-5 flights a day. I am surprised they even kept it after closing other international lounges, it just reopened and they announced it will be their last lounge to be reopened. Pure speculation, maybe they had pushback from BR on closing their lounge and had to change their plans. BR and SQ are not the closest of partners.
And as for UA having lounge in TPE, please, no. UA had its own TPE lounge ages ago (when they also had two flights a day) and it had all the charm of a dungeon, no windows and hardly any space to walk between seats. Unlike UA's first lounge in NRT I don't think it came from PA but it has been so long I can't be sure.
I am not a lounge person but this is getting out of hand. Very strange since it's not like the BR lounges are all that good!