Greg,
Thanks for the correction about UA's First Class lounges. By coincidence, I called RCC two days ago to find out if they have a First Class lounge in LAX b/c I will be travelling a revenue F ticket on ANZ (P class) soon but the agent said she doesn't think so. Yes, she was a RCC representative, can you believe it? She said they have somekind of 1K lounge that only 1K members can use. That's how I was under the impression that UA doesn't have First Class lounges. Sorry, I am not very familiar with Star-Alliance yet, I was only 'assimilated by force' not so long ago. As a side note, I also have American Platinum status, just got comped by AA. So, I may still be able to 'rescue' myself out of Star-Alliance if I try.
I am not familiar with the debate over SQ or SAS. I do know that I can't use SAS's lounge in BKK. But why bother, I can use Thai Airways' anyway. I have used SQ's lounge once in Sydney, I had no problem at all. It was an International Business class ticket on Ansett. You know what, I presented my CP Gold card with a big
Oneworld logo on it and she said: "Oh, yes you can use it..." then, she checked my card again and said: "just want to make sure it's gold...yep, it's gold so it'all right..." I don't know whatever problem some Star Gold people were having but that's hilarious now I know that those Star Gold people were having trouble. I mean this is funny:
"Singapore Airlines accept Oneworld status in their lounge rather than taking Star Gold members."
Greg, you are absolutely right about AA Platinum doesn't get lounge access within U.S. I know that as a fact for a long time and I can confirm that information. By the same token, UA's top tier members can't use RCC within U.S. unless they have RCC membership. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Now, looks like I was put on trial by someone. My name had to be put into
bold!
Here are my answers:
1)
1. Does an AAdmiral's Club membership get you into all the business class lounges across all member airlines? NO. You do with a Red Carpet Club membership from UA.
I think they have the rights. But, I can't confrim this information at this time. I went to do a little bit of reserach on their website. The only thing I found out was the announcement that the reciprocal agreement with CP Empress Lounge has ended. Nonetheless, that just shows they have reciprocal agreements with their partners. The only thing I can't confirm is if this applies to all. I will find out. In the meantime, unless you can prove me wrong with written proves, I suggest you refrain using such definitive tone. By the way, your above statement needs some correction. RCC membership DOES NOT get you access to
all the business class lounges of all members. Here is one notable exception: ANZ ,no access of International lounge in Auckland. Note Koru Clubs are only Domestic lounges. RCC gets you access to
most but not all partner lounges.
Source: www.ual.com
2. Does being AAdvantage Plat or EXP get you any better lounge previliges when
travelling exclusively domestic than United? NO, you don't get lounge access in both
cases.
What's your point then? They are equal. UA 1K & Co. don't have lounge access within U.S. either. Besides that, I thought we are debating about RCC membership v.s. AA Admiral Club.
3. Does being Star Gold get you into every single business class lounges across the Star network bar the SQ lounge in SIN, plus some First Class lounges? YES
See #1 above, I am sorry but you are wrong. Again, please refrain from using such definitive tone when you are not 100% sure of your information. "Every single business class lounges?" Gee...see my response to Greg above, if what you are saying about SQ is true, then appearantly
Oneworld Sapphire are having an easier time with SQ than Star Gold members. Isn't that ironic?
By the way, on top of the examples I gave out in #1, here are some more examples from my updated Elite guidebook with Air Canada, which is also Star Gold status: "No lounge access in the following places: ANA->Fuji Lounge and Signet Lounge in Narita, Fuji Lounge in Washington-Dulles, SAS lounge in BKK, SQ in Singapore." Now, I don't know how many other exceptions are out there for Star Gold of other programs, I bet there are several others. Therefore, the quote #3 above is false, not every sinlge business class lounges; there are several exceptions.
Source: Air Canada 2000 Elite member guide (updated version as of 01/01/2001)
4. OW does NOT have less exclusions than Star about lounge access. Most of the restrictions on Star is about access to certain First Class lounges, and nothing prevents any *G members travelling internationally from getting into any of its member's Business Class lounges. Of course, SQ is an exception, but I'm not sure if they even want to be in an alliance in the first place. They are the most arrogant airline on the planet (well, they do have a right to be, just not when they're in an "alliance").
Really, here is my challenge for you: "I have been doing some research for your questions and statements and will continue to do so for any unanswered parts, here is your turn to
prove me that there is any exclusion for
Oneworld Sapphire members of any Business Class lounge that they can't use
anywhere (except of course AA Platinum within the U.S.). Say, take Qantas Silver as your model. You seem to have something against SQ. Perhaps I am an exception, but they seem to welcome
Oneworld sapphire though. Are they arrogant? Not from my experience. What evidence do you have to suggest they don't want to join *A at the first place? The only thing I heard was that Thai considered a drop out shortly after SQ came in. Talking about arrogance, don't know about British Airways. It's a long story. Every single time, I have to make them understand that Sapphire can use their Club World or Club Europe lounge. Every single time, they ask me to go to Executive lounge, which I had to refuse and say: "Read your rules." And every single time, they have to say: "Sorry, you can use it; normally we reserve Club World for flying with us only." Gee...that's what I called arrogance. Is the alliance called
Oneworld or
BritishWorld. By the way, you just reminded me of one thing. Iberia allowed me to use their First Class lounge (Grand Clasé) in Madrid for traveling internationally with BA. That was like 3 weeks after they joined Oneworld. So, I conclude Sapphire status has access to certain First Class lounges too.
5. When you mention that *G doesn't get access to lounges in some airlines' hub
airports, like ANA in NRT and Varig in GIG/GRU, I hope you did finish reading the guide and found that they were actually restrictions on access to their First Class lounges at their hub airports?
I did finish reading my guidebook. Your mistake here again is a definitive term when your information is not accurate. ANA's First Class lounge is the Signet lounge (from my experience in PVG last December). Fuji lounge is not. What about SQ in Singapore? Don't start the complaint about SQ again. It's irrelevant. It is written in my Elite guidebook that I can't use SQ's Business Class lounge in Singapore. That counts I suppose. What about SAS lounge in BKK?
We are almost there, two more questions to go. O.K., if I remember correctly, you are also Star Gold with Air Canada/Canadian based on the fact that you were distributing free system wide stickers valid on Y/M. Let me take time to mention that it is very generous of you if you were indeed the person I am refering to, my memory may be wrong.
6. Airlines that have F class lounges: Air NZ, ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore, Thai, United and Varig. Now, being *G gets you access to 3 of these airlines' F Class lounges (except at their home-base airports), even when only flying 35000 miles per year.
Point: You don't get into ANY F class lounges when being Sapphire on OW.
Please tell which 3 airlines can Star Gold use F class lounges? From my experience, this varies with each airline. In PVG, Air Canada members cannot use Signet Lounge (First Class) even travelling on Business Class, but United 1K can use it. O.K., I just checked my guide, I suppose the three airlines are Lufthansa, Thai and Varig and or ANA. Let me tell you one thing: I don't think so. It's all theoretical until you actually fly. It's written on my guide that I have access to Signet lounge with ANA and it was not excluded in PVG, yet they didn't let me use it. Note, I was flying on a revenue Executive First ticket! I seriously don't think if I travel on economy class that any of the above airlines would let me use First Class lounges; they would give me their Business Class at best. It also depends on the reciprocal agreements between airlines. On the other hand, I've had experience of using First Class lounge as Sapphire. So what can you say about that? Oh! I forgot!
Star Gold includes two tiers in Oneworld: Sapphire and Emerald. It is therefore incorrect and unfair to compare Sapphire and Star Gold on an equal basis. Star Gold's benefits include some of the the top tier benefits, which is not simply a middle tier. Therefore, it is even unacceptable that they are refusing access to ALL First Class lounges, but to only a few of them since that some Star Gold members are actually Top Tier members of their respective programs. In comparison, this just proves my point that Star Gold membership is more general and the benefits are more diluted and only comparable to Sapphire but not to Emerald.
7. Lounge quality: Mainly personal opinions, but when you go to the Maple Leaf
lounges in AC hubs, or to SK's Scandanavian lounges in CPH/ARN, with only being a
middle tier on Star, I don't think you have much of a cause of complaint.
You are right, it's mainly personal opinion. But I beg your pardon, I am not a middle tier on Star. I am Star Gold, TOP tier in Star. Whether one is Super Elite or 1K, it doesn't make a difference. Under Star-Alliance system, we are equal, Star Gold = Star Gold. Do you think SAS in Sweden cares if I am Super Elite or Elite? No, SAS only knows I am Star Gold, Top Tier in Star-Alliance.
Woff...that was long.