The Star alliance Website has been updated to include NZ and AN !

This is the Address:

www.star-alliance.com


MMM

I applaud their efforts to be current but they have a few kinks to iron out.
Air New Zealand Miles and More?
Ansett Australia Eurobonus?
Or have the new partners really taken this alliance thing to heart?

Senator access for Platinum (doesn't agree with Ansett's site which says Senator access with First or Business Class ticket)? Will 1Ks and Super Elite be getting the same deal?

Senator access for Golden Wing Club (equivalent of RCC membership)members when flying First and Business Class on LH predates Ansett joining Star Alliance and has nothing to do with FF status. Just as RCC members have access to STAR Alliance Business Class lounges. There are a few of these individual "non-STAR Alliance" arrangements - see your comparison chart eg SAS Eurobonus Gold access Senator lounges whereas other STAR Alliance gold cardholders only access FT or Business Class lounge

I realize Senator access when flying First and Business Class for Golden Wing Club predates Ansett joining Star Alliance--but why the extension of Ansett Platinum benefits to Senator Lounges too when flying any fare? Isn't there some equivalency. Surely the difficulty of earning 1K or Super Elite status on UA and AC must be comparable to Ansett Platinum? And what is Ansett Pass?

For sure some stuff is wrong.

Does anybody know who is in charge of Star Alliance website?

See my new posting.

[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 03-28-99).]

But Blonde Bomber, you could ask exactly the same question about Eurobonus Gold access to Senator lounges and Senator cardholder access to RVC Gold lounges. And Lufthansa Frequent Traveller cardholders (STAR silver)have access to RCC lounges when flying United domestically - at least they did 8 months ago when I travelled before reaching Senator status.
The STAR Alliance guarantees a broad level of reciprocal benefits but I don't think that that precludes other enhanced benefits through bilateral agreements most of which,as I said, pre-dated STAR Alliance.
Lufthansa FT and Senator card-holders have had access to Golden Wing Lounges since Lufthansa's alliance with Ansett began and the reality is Golden Wing Clubs are far superior to any of the LH FT or Business Class lounges - they are more akin to the Senator lounges.Therefore on the basis of reciprocity equivalent status Ansett flyers (Platinum and Diamond) have had access to the LH equivalent lounge - Senator.

[This message has been edited by 3544quebec (edited 03-28-99).]

ANSETT has decided to rename all their individual card levels....

OLD TIER / NEW TIER / STAR EQUIV.
SILVER / GLOBAL REWARDS / -Entry-
GOLD / SAPPHIRE / -Silver-
PLATINUM / PLATINUM / -Gold-
DIAMOND / DIAMOND / -Gold-

The Ansett Pass is their equivalent of the BA Premier, Swissair Circle Club etc. Given to members who they deem are important, and not by the miles they fly.

The old entry level, 'Silver' has had the title removed so as to remove confusion.

Note their old GOLD level is now called Sapphire. Really, couldn't they have thought of another mineral to name after?

Golden Wing members will have access to lounges as per their agreement when flying with their airlines. Currently, these are: AC Maple Leaf Lounge, LH's FTL Lounge, Air New Zealand's lounge, UA's Red Carpet. Note that Thai , SAS, and Varig are not included.

The service folk in Melbourne (that's where the service centre is!) are helpful but there are still some confusion as ato point accumulation toward elite status. They said that a new system will be in place by August.
Currently ALL airline partners count toward Elite status - and that includes STAR, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Lauda Air, South African Airways & All Nippon Airways (former and latter due to join STAR anyway). Will keep everyone updated as I get informed myself!


[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 03-28-99).]

[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 03-29-99).]

Thanks for the info. So Celestar, Golden Wings members currently don't get Senator Lounge access, only Business/Frequent Traveller access (unless flying First Class)?

How do the Golden Wings lounges compare to AC's upgraded Maple Leaf Lounges with the business centres?

Each city's Golden Wing Lounge is different. The largest ones are in Sydney (there are currently 2 in the domestic terminal as they are revamping the main one), Melbourne (quite big too), and Brisbane. They are quite comfortable as far as lounges are concerned. There are more emphasis toward the sort of booze spread than the food. Though there are nibblies throughout the day. There are 'quiet' areas for people who want to relax and 'work' areas for the office minded.

I think the Canadian lounges (both AC and CP) have a nicer feel to them compared to the Australian ones, and these are definitely more comfortable than compared to any of the US lounges I've been to.

There are defintely more "Club" members in Australia (people who tend to join airline clubs) than in Canada. Up until a few days ago, holding a Business Class does not entitle you to lounge access unless you are a Club member when flying domestically. Not even a Diamond level like myself unless I am a Golden Wing member. Which I am. But now all that's changed with STAR, since I am now considered a "GOLD" Star alliance member, I will have access even when my Golden Wing expires (which it will in May).

Incidentally, Lufthansa's Silver level FTL, have access to Golden Wing lounges whereas the rest of the Silver STAR members do not.



[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 03-29-99).]