I was in the Melbourne airport a few days ago flying TG in biz class to Thailand. I tried to use UA's lounge explaining that I was flying TG in biz class, but was denied entry. Told to go to Air New Zealand's lounge upstairs. ANZ let me in immediately. I am not Star Gold yet on TG, but will be next month.

I thought that if you were flying biz class on any Star Alliance carrier, you were allowed access to ANY Star Alliance biz lounges. Am I wrong?

Yes, I think you are wrong.

Business Class = admission to specific lounges that the operating airline might invite you to.

StarGold = Admission to any lounge which displays the StarGold logo. A same day ticket on any Star airline is required.

The following is a quote from the Star Alliance website:Lounge Access

"International First Class
Customers who present an International First Class boarding pass, regardless of the Star Alliance carrier they fly, have lounge access. They, and one guest, are welcome to visit first class lounges or any other members' departure lounges when departing on a Star Alliance flight. Note: AC, AN, BD, OS (NG, VO), MX and SK do not have international first class service."

"International Business Class
Customers who present an international Business Class boarding pass, regardless of the Star Alliance carrier they fly, have access to all members' designated business departure lounges. Guests are not permitted."

"Star Alliance Gold Card Holder
Star Alliance Gold card holders and one guest, have access to any lounge that is identified with a Star Alliance Gold lounge sign when departing on a Star Alliance flight. Note: UA's Star Gold customers have access to US Red Carpet Clubrooms only when they present a ticket or boarding pass in conjunction with international travel (outside the US)."

"Eligible Guests
Any guest of an eligible customer (International First, Star Alliance Gold card holders, and eligible paid member) must enter the designated lounge with the eligible customer. The guest must also depart on a Star Alliance carrier, but may travel on a different flight."


According to the above wording, I believe that I am right. There is a paragraph for those flying business class on a Star Alliance carrier (no guests allowed) and a separate paragraph for those flying with Gold status (one guest allowed).

Please let me know if that is a wrong interpretation (and why).

Also, last month when I was flying TG biz class out of Hong Kong to Thailand, I entered UA's biz class lounge by showing my boarding pass and they let me in immediately (although I was specifically invited to the TG biz class lounge (located next door to UA's lounge) by the person at the check-in counter).

I do not have Gold status yet.

I stand corrected!

Although what I said is what often happens in reality. As we know, lounge entry benefits are not always understood especially by lounge agents themselves.

It would be interesting to try it at the SQ SilverKris lounge in Singapore.

(I once had trouble entering a lounge because the agent had never heard of SAS. I pointed out SAS's logo that was sitting on the counter top).

I am surprised UA RCC in Melbourne has denied your entry as their staff is really good.

Your Business Boarding Pass definitely grants you access to any Star Alliance Lounge, according to the rules.

In fact sometimes staff does not know the rules so, politely but firmly, I ask for a supervisor and everything gets settled.

Austman and pb9997:

I think you're both right, the lounge agents sometimes do not know the rules.

pb, I'll follow your advice next time and politely ask for a supervisor. I just wanted to know if I'm right on the rule first, so I asked here.

Thanks!