The day before yesterday, I flew LHR-SFO-PHX-ANC in C. While the LHR-SFO segment was on UA, the rest of the flights -- thanks to the shutting-down of UA's ANC station -- were on US Scareways.

When I presented myself at the Chairman's Club during the three hour layover in PHX, I was denied entry. I was informed that UA flyers were admitted only if they a) were RCC cardholders; or b) flew the international segment of their trip on US metal. According to the Chairman's Club dragon, this rule only applied to UA flyers and not to other card-carrying *A humans.

Could this possibly be true?

That's sure not consistent with my own experiences. I've gotten into US lounges several times with no problems, without presenting my RCC card. 1K card (*G) and boarding pass always worked. Perhaps it's a policy change, though.

Condolences on the US experience. They're certainly on my "never again" list.

Cheers,

1Ken

I've also had no problem getting into US lounges after UA intl flights. I've tried this in CLT and LGA as recently as 4 months ago. It seems a very silly rule.

You might want to read this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...nied+entry+rcc

Write to 1K Voice!

My understanding is that it is UA flyers (or any flyer for that matter) were admitted only if they a) were RCC cardholders and flying US metal, though there have been reports of this requirement being waived.

Anyway, since there is an RCC in PHX, if you complain to UA, they'll probably tell you that the RCC is the designated *A lounge for UA flyers. That is likely why Chairman's Club denied you.

What is the Chairman's Club? Did US Airways rename their lounges?

In any case, their lounges aren't that great anyway. IIRC, their food offerings are even worse than the RCCs and they don't have free internet (I think)...

I've def gotten in before with a BMI Gold card . . . . your situation sounds peculiar.

Just for clarification: you did have your 1K card?

I believe the rules require you to present your card, although your US BP should have clearly stated *G.

Of course since the RCC in PHX is in a different terminal from the one US uses, the OP wouldn't have been able to use the RCC (he flew US SFO-PHX-ANC).

that's only true for UA flyers flying US domestically, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, etc.

On international itins, normal *G privileges kick in for UA flyers

Exactly.

Sounds like a misinformed agent.

That's different. BMI Gold card + *A flight = access regardless of destination/origin/itinerary.

This is not quite accurate.

UA allows Caribbean/Mexico/Canada as part of their * Gold benefits. So, a UA *G may enter a US lounge with such a flight. Although a US *G on the very same itinerary may not enter.

In short, a Star Alliance airline is not allowed to restrict *G benefits from other carriers' Elites. They are, however, allowed to restrict benefits given to their own Elites.

This is a very minor nuance, and US agents get it wrong all the time, but if you persist and make them read the entry requirements, it is very clear that for UA *G cardholders, any int'l boarding pass will do. It also worked on my US trip earlier this year from PVR in the PHX US lounge. The initial agent denied me, but her coworker next to her corrected her, saying that UA*G was fine, but US*G was not (kind of ironic, I know).

It's the US *G cardholder entry requirements that have such Caribbean/Mexico/etc. restrictions in effect.

Complain to US Airways.