Is Star Alliance Gold/Gold Elite Worth It
Dec 3, 2010, 9:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,130
LAX
Dec 4, 2010, 3:52 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England
Programs: OnePass Platinum, *G, Amex Plat, Priority Pass Prestige, Costa Coffee Loyalty Card
Posts: 378
If you want lounge access, far more cost efficient to buy a Priority Pass membership. I have one and find it extremely useful internationally. Doesn't always get you the very best clubs, but certainly gives you access to good clubs in pretty much every city. Plus, gives you access on domestic itineraries (whereas *G only gives you access on int'l itineraries).
Dec 4, 2010, 4:57 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
and thank you ani90 for accurately articulating this situation. Paid lounge cards are basically worthless overseas, despite what the Star Alliance rules say. The concept of a paid lounge membership is not understood by the vast majority of the lounge dragons of member *A airlines. What they are looking for is a piece of plastic which says *G on it.What the US based *A carriers really need to do is print something like Lounge *G on their club membership cards.
SunLover
Dec 4, 2010, 10:49 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DEN
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sonesta Elite, IHG Platinum, Frontier 100K
Posts: 238
The thing is, lounge membership does not get you into all of the member airline *Gold lounges. LH is one of the best examples, as *Gold uses the Senator lounge while the club membership only gains access to the business lounge.
Dec 4, 2010, 11:50 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,130
If you want lounge access, far more cost efficient to buy a Priority Pass membership. I have one and find it extremely useful internationally. Doesn't always get you the very best clubs, but certainly gives you access to good clubs in pretty much every city. Plus, gives you access on domestic itineraries (whereas *G only gives you access on int'l itineraries).
LAX
Dec 4, 2010, 11:55 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: EWR/LGA/JFK
Programs: AA - EXP, Marriott - Sil, SPG-Gold
Posts: 120
This has been very interesting. I have booked the MRs based on my international travel. The mileage bonuses will be a great benefit as I tend to use miles to book international business/first class rewards. For instance, I am going to SA in business class and returning in F. That ticket would be $7-8K and although I would never pay for that ticket, I do get to enjoy the benefit of that seat so having the miles allows me to create an reality for myself (international business class travel) that would other wise be impossible. I am tall and wide. The seats make a difference to me .
