Let the *A fun begin!

I booked a flight on LX for outbound on 10-29 and return on 11-3. I called to see if they could add my OnePass number, and surprising they were able to (or it seems at least the computer "took" it). But, during the conversation the agent first told me CO wasn't a partner, then was totally shocked when I told her CO was joining *A beginning 10-27. She said "thanks for letting me know, we have seen anything about that at all."

So...what do you think my chances are of being able to use the lounge in BCN or HAM or ZUR on this trip, like we could always do with ST at "Elite Plus" (though ST doesn't have a lounge in HAM). I think it pretty minimal, especially BCN since it seems it's not labled a "Gold *A" access lounge.

Did anyone here know that? Unlike ST, where as an "Elite Plus" you can access partner lounges, with *A the lounge must carry the designation "Gold *A" or you have to be flying J or better to access. YEAH! I'm excited, about this change that will "give me so many more options".

Oh, yeah...ever priced award ticktes on LH? You thought the fees and surcharges were high on AF with ST, just you wait.

Couple notes. As a Platinum elite, you will be *G and entitled to lounge access at all *A lounges on your day of travel. At checkin, make sure that your CO ff# is properly entered in order to assure lounge access. Additionally, make to sure to have your CO card on your person as *A clubs require a card. The LH clubs are especially viscious on seeing your elite card.

It's true I will have that status, but it's not true that access is available at all *A lounges. The *A website does say in the description under benefits all lounges, but if you read the lounge access policy in detail you see that is not entirely true. The lounge must specifically be marked *G, and they all aren't BCN is one example. Here's the policy with the important part in bold:

Star Alliance Gold Customers Travelling in Any Class: Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers' owned lounges with the Star Alliance Gold logo at the entrance.

Customer must present a valid frequent flyer programme Star Alliance Gold level card. (which I am sure we won't have on October 27th).

Customer must also present a boarding card for a same day Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport

Customer is entitled to one guest

United and US Airways Star Alliance Gold customers may only access the Red Carpet Club and US Airways Clubs within the U.S. when travelling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight.

You will be *G on October 27th. CO has stated that they will make every reasonable effort to ensure that the benefit it recognized across the alliance. I doubt we'll get new cards but hopefully the other alliance partners will have a bulletin go out to their lounges that shows CO Platinum and Gold cards as valid for entry.

As for the number "sticking" in the reservations systems, most carriers can enter FF numbers from a variety of carriers. Credit is still based on the normal rules (and you should get it no problem on your flights) but being able to enter the number in isn't particularly novel.

Actually, *A has the best lounge access policy among the 3 alliances.

As a *G cardholder, you have access to all *G-designated lounges, in addition to any contracted lounge(s) for the *A carrier you are flying (just like a C-class PAX).

(You just need to scroll further down at http://www.StarAlliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html)

I am not arguing any of these points. What I am trying to communicate is that we will not have access to ALL *A lounges. We will have access ONLY to those designated as *Gold lounges.

Under ST, I am pretty sure as ElitePlus we had access to ALL ST lounges (of course not First Class lounges). But I did use the AF Salon lounge in BCN as an example.

An example I've used in another post is BCN. There is a *A lounge, but it is not designated a *Gold access lounge. You can only access it with a Biz or First ticket, and or a Senator memebership...and as it seems Red Carpet, or Maple Leaf, or a couple other memberships in the Alliance. I have no idea if President's Club members will have this access.

Sortof. You had access to "most ST-operated lounges." That is what was in the T&C.

The lounge in the new T1 in BCN is a contracted lounge for LH. Therefore, you will have access to it as a *G (e.g. OnePass Platinum), when flying LH.

PC membership (or lack thereof) will have nothing to do with it.

1. Star Gold lounge access is simply unrivaled by any other alliance. I was Star Gold for a year due to a US Airways promo gone awry, and it will blow your mind when you are able to access Star Gold lounges not only in major cities but also in some of the most random locations you can think of (Durban, South Africa, for one).

2. PC members should fall under the same policy that covers other paid lounge memberships within the Star Alliance -- i.e., unlike the current regime where the PC card is largely worthless outside of North America, it will allow for entry access to any Star Alliance member carriers' owned Business Class lounges (and most Star lounges are Business Class lounges).

OK...I am going to believe you, and not trust the LH web site, and says there's not lounge access in BCN for Gold Card holders.

I'll be flying Swiss, but should be the same right?

Of course all is depends on them recoginizing CO PE as *Gold on October 29th outbound or November 3rd return.

You're confusing taxes with surcharges imposed by the airlines.

CO has no surcharges when booking awards. LH does on awards issued by LH.

So if you use CO miles (or UA miles) to book LH flights, you pay no surcharge, only taxes.

It is generally far cheaper to book a first or business class connection through FRA or MUC than it is though CDG because of lower taxes.

Well, you will have access to all *A lounges. Some lounges of *A carriers are just not *A lounges (SKL at SIN, FCT/FCL at FRA/MUC/ZRH...). If there is a sign outside, it is open to you. If not, there is at least another lounge somewhere. Without any *A lounge at an airport, you will always get an invitation for a contract lounge at check in.
(except for domestic US, of course)

Is this a *A-mandated benefit? I ask this because CO currently has the worst contract lounge access policies of any ST carrier. For example, if you are a CO Plat flying on CO from CPH, you do NOT get access to the contract lounge. If you are a CO Plat flying AF, DL, or KL you DO get access to the contract lounge. In other words, will CO retain the right to continue to offer lesser lounge access when flying CO metal from cities without *A lounges?

Nonetheless, my gut feeling is that this will be a big plus for international-heavy CO travelers, but that it will be partially offset by a lesser quality of lounges within the US.

Yes it is, at least as long as "your" airline has any contract lounge at the airport, which they usually have for their own *G and/or C/F- pax.

"Contract Lounges

Star Alliance Gold customers have access to third party Contract Lounges contracted by the Star Alliance member carrier on which the customer is travelling.
Customer must present a valid frequent flyer programme Star Alliance Gold level card
Customer must also present a boarding card for a same day Star Alliance flight departing from that local airport having contract with the third party lounge
Customer is entitled to one guest. Guest must be departing on the same day and same carrier
Paid Lounge members are not entitled to use any contract lounges"

http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html

If CO provided contract lounge access to C/F PAX at CPH, they would now be, effectively, required to provide access to that lounge to *Gs (flying CO) as well.