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As a *G do I get lounge access on a flight operated by AI Express

As a *G do I get lounge access on a flight operated by AI Express

Old Jun 3, 2019, 3:38 am
  #1  
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As a *G do I get lounge access on a flight operated by AI Express

I am planning to book an Air India ticket, however the flight is operated by Air India Express. The route is DOH to BOM.

Do I get lounge access in DOH as I am a Star Gold?

I have tried to search through FT, but could not find any information. Can someone with more experience, help me out?

Thanks in advance
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Old Jun 3, 2019, 6:22 am
  #2  
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i think air india express is still excluded from all star alliance benefits....

there has been some talk for the last few years to include ai express but i don't think that has happened yet....
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Old Jun 3, 2019, 8:39 am
  #3  
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Originally Posted by Keyser
i think air india express is still excluded from all star alliance benefits....

there has been some talk for the last few years to include ai express but i don't think that has happened yet....
Hi Keyser,
Thanks for the message. Its a pity AI express is excluded.
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Old Jun 3, 2019, 3:13 pm
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I fly Alliance Air all the time. I get lounge access. Just no points.
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 1:05 am
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Alliance Air is the regional airline of Air India, and AI Express is a different airline altogether. Like Thai and Thai Smile.
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 1:24 am
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AI Express (IX) is a completely different operation and not part of the *A, so you get zero bennies. Alliance Air (9I) is a subsidiary of AI that operates flights on behalf of AI, so its a full fledged *A flight.
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 5:38 am
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There were news reports of IX trying to join *A... but just like AI that process is taking forever. IX is probably failing all audits!
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 5:48 am
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An LCC joining an alliance is counterproductive. Thai smiles is joining *A as connecting partner, so that is probably what IX is after too.
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 7:09 am
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Originally Posted by Keyser
i think air india express is still excluded from all star alliance benefits....

there has been some talk for the last few years to include ai express but i don't think that has happened yet....
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Express to provide *G benefits. Maybe in a couple of years they may join the Thai Smiles move, but there may be some different market dynamics involve that extend keeping Express as something different than Smiles becomes for Thai and *G.
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 11:06 am
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I think IX wants to get the connecting traffic benefits and that's what is/was driving them to seek *A partnership. Perhaps becoming a connecting partner like Juneyao?
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Old Jun 4, 2019, 1:47 pm
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Alliance has never given me any points. Only lounge access. And only in one direction. Outstations have no lounges. Hell some have no seats.
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Old Jun 5, 2019, 3:09 am
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I just asked the question, as I wasnt sure whether booking an Air India ticket (with AI numbers, but operated by AI express) entitles me for a lounge. but from the above discussion it seems - the answer is NO. thanks for all the inputs
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Old Jun 5, 2019, 3:47 am
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Express to provide *G benefits. Maybe in a couple of years they may join the Thai Smiles move, but there may be some different market dynamics involve that extend keeping Express as something different than Smiles becomes for Thai and *G.
i've been reading about this for about 3 years now & i'm sure we will still be talking about this 3+ years from now....i don't expect it to happen anytime soon, if at all....
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Old Jun 5, 2019, 3:50 am
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Originally Posted by Cozmo456
Alliance has never given me any points. Only lounge access. And only in one direction. Outstations have no lounges. Hell some have no seats.
i fly alliance air between del-ixd-del over 20 times a year....i always get points & lounge access (in del)....the only thing they don't give me is additional baggage allowance since the flight is operated by an atr....
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Old Jun 5, 2019, 1:03 pm
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Originally Posted by Keyser
i fly alliance air between del-ixd-del over 20 times a year....i always get points & lounge access (in del)....the only thing they don't give me is additional baggage allowance since the flight is operated by an atr....
Maybe my fare class is too low. I am booking this flight now and it appears no one is on it for a flight in the first week of September.
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