Hello!

My apologies if this is not the right place for my question or if this issue has already been covered on this forum.

On May 28, I flew from JNB to MIA (via ATL) on DL in economy. (I am FB Gold.) When I tried to use the AF lounge in JNB, I was turned away because the lounge was "reserved" for BC pax on the DL flight.

I thought that my FB Gold card (hence Elite status) allowed me to use any Air France lounge as long as I was departing on an international flight with AF, KL or any other ST carrier (which DL is.) Did I misunderstand the rules, or can each lounge make up their own rules?

I was told that they even turn away ST E+ members who are not in BC on the DL flight. What gives?