Will my BD*G card still get 'rejected' in Canadian Maple Leaf lounges?
Jun 5, 2009, 12:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Will my BD*G card still get 'rejected' in Canadian Maple Leaf lounges?
Last summer in Canada, I had to spend several minutes at the desk of the Maple Leaf lounges, explaining why my BD *G card was still valid, to the suspicious staff.
They like to 'swipe' the card, to confirm eligibility, but unfortunately, the expiry date on the cards must be magnetically stored in the same way as it is printed on the front.. ie. mm/yy. So my card said 04/09. Their computer "said no".. interpreting this in the North American format of dates, with year first, therefore as expiring September 2004.
Has this been fixed, or will I suffer the same problem this summer when I return to Canada with my 04/10 card?!?
They like to 'swipe' the card, to confirm eligibility, but unfortunately, the expiry date on the cards must be magnetically stored in the same way as it is printed on the front.. ie. mm/yy. So my card said 04/09. Their computer "said no".. interpreting this in the North American format of dates, with year first, therefore as expiring September 2004.
Has this been fixed, or will I suffer the same problem this summer when I return to Canada with my 04/10 card?!?
Jun 5, 2009, 12:11 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YHM (BUF/YYZ/YTZ in practice, formerly LHR)
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As a recent arrival to Canada, I can confirm that BOTH date formats are in use over here - and yes, you can imagine some of the fun that can cause! 
- so I'd stand your ground if they try that on.
Anyone who has to use multiple systems over here will at least be aware that different date/month formats exist, and such issues can and do happen.
Tell them it's a UK card. Better yet, if you have your itin, BP, or something with UK format date on it... ^
- so I'd stand your ground if they try that on.Anyone who has to use multiple systems over here will at least be aware that different date/month formats exist, and such issues can and do happen.
Tell them it's a UK card. Better yet, if you have your itin, BP, or something with UK format date on it... ^
Jun 5, 2009, 1:07 pm
#3
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Checked this with AC when we were in YYZ on a DO last year. They checked the BD DC card anomaly on their computers.
Yes, the card doesn't read.
BUT
The entry registration procedure with *G visitors is NOT to swipe the card at registration but to manually copy the data into the visitor record that is used to charge BD and other *A carriers for the visit. So if they are swiping the card to make their life easier and not manually copy the data, its their problem, not yours.
Yes, the card doesn't read.
BUT
The entry registration procedure with *G visitors is NOT to swipe the card at registration but to manually copy the data into the visitor record that is used to charge BD and other *A carriers for the visit. So if they are swiping the card to make their life easier and not manually copy the data, its their problem, not yours.
Jun 5, 2009, 3:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Your boarding pass should shown your status on it - BD * Gold. Coupled with the card, it should have been sufficient. If you are worried, I would recommend printing out the webpage of your account where it notes your status.
Personally, I have always used month/year for numerical notation of date. In Canada, it is day/month/year (US is month/day/year).
Personally, I have always used month/year for numerical notation of date. In Canada, it is day/month/year (US is month/day/year).
Jun 5, 2009, 5:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I've never had any issues with this in YVR, YYC or YYZ, i even got in with no issues when using a card that was expired because the new one hadn't arrived.
Jun 5, 2009, 5:35 pm
#7
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
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Had no problem last month at YVR. Don't remember if the receptionist swiped it or not.
Jun 6, 2009, 12:12 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2004
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This problem still exists. In the last 2 weeks I have had "expired" card proclems @ YVR & YYC with my DC card that's good to May 2010. I was admitted to both lounges following manual intervention from myseld & the lounge staff.
Jun 6, 2009, 9:32 pm
#11
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There is one lady with curly hair, spectacles at the yvr international maple tree lounge who explicitly says "she cannot read the BD * gold words on the boarding card last july and initially tried to refuse entry on a weekday morning.
I don't know the situation in other lounges but if you happen to see a staff member that fits this description, please be aware you may need to carry the BD card and explain star gold members are allowed into the lounge. The lounge itself is good. They don't have a wide food spread but decent food, good computer facilities and the alcohol is complimentary.
LH has also asked me for my card before.
Jun 6, 2009, 10:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: BD Diamond Club Gold
Posts: 108
hey. quick question, slightly OT: I am DC Silver, but I have never seen this remarked on a boarding pass. Flying a lot on UA right now, and now matter if I check it with an agent (and give her the card) or with a machine (no way to add DC# there?), it's never mentioned on the BP. Does this work automaticallay for you guys?
Jun 7, 2009, 6:43 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I usually check in online and my UA BP has PREM EXEC in a huge font, where the seating sequence # would be. For AC, I think it appears somewhere closer to the top right side.
Jun 7, 2009, 10:26 am
#14
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This has been a continuous problem for me but the front desk staff usually relents when you explain the difference in date formats and show your BP. I've actually had a similar problem in FRA (LH Senator Lounge). The difference is that the front desk staff are actually familiar with the problem. I am just surprised though as I would expect Germany to have the same date format in their systems.