*A gold not allowed to access *A first class lounges?
 

I had a s****y event in last January, while I was at ICN.
Since I had about an hour prior to my departure, I went to OZ first class lounge.
I entered the lounge and showed my BP and *A gold to an OZ agent.
She did say "You may NOT use the lounge", because I was a just *A gold member, not a first class pax.
I knew *A lounge restrictions for *A gold that only few *A F lounges in the world didn't admit *A gold due to space availability.
I knew that OZ F lounge at ICN is not one of them.
I knew OZ F lounge was big enough to recieve *A gold members.
It was apparent that she wasn't following the rule.
I was a bit pissed off at that time.
I guessed that she didn't let me use it, because I was a minor.
According to *A USA website, only BD diamond lounges don't receive minors.
However, according to *A Korea website, which is operated by Asiana, it says minors can't use *A F lounges.
I tried to access *A websites for some other countries, but I couldn't find any *A website.
Anyhow, my point of the question is "Aren't *A gold members allowed to access *A first class lounge?" My answer is "Yes, they can" But an OZ agent says, "No, they can't"
What's your answer? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by N227UA (edited Mar 08, 2004).]

Two threads are posted.
What's wrong?

[This message has been edited by N227UA (edited Mar 08, 2004).]

A *A Gold card holder is not necessarily entitled to an F (or other) Lounge unless that specific lounge is identified with the *A logo sign. Additional info below from the *A website.

Full answer regarding access to Lounges at
http://www.staralliance.com/star_all...ge_access.html


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).

if it doesn't have a *Gold logo at the entrance, than you can't use the lounge on a *Gold card. First class lounges are rarely (if ever) tagged as *Gold...

And you're wrong about only BD lounges not permitting access to minors. For example,

AC Maple Leaf Lounges - Visitors under the age of majority will be granted access to the lounge only when accompanied by an adult with his/her own access.

UA Red Carpet Clubs - Membership is open to individuals 18 years of age and older.

I am not aware of any first class lounge of any StarAlliance-carrier allowing access to anyone not having or accompanying a passenger with a Star-carrier-first-class boarding pass (except some shared first-class/top-tier lounges like the Lufthansa Senator lounges).

Thank you for your answer.
So, I'm wrong. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Then, I went to OZ business lounge. Even though I was holding a business(op-up) BP and *A gold card, they reluctantly accepted me. They told me my flight was just about to leave, again and again. In fact, I was an hour ahead of departure. Finally, I got out of the funky lounge.
I went to SQ lounge, and it was far better than OZ lounge. I showed my BP and the card. SQ agent said not a single word, but admitted me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Yes, the LH Senator lounge (at FRA doubles as F lounge) is the only "F" lounge I know of that has a *G entrance policy (perhaps because it's nothing to write home about!).

I don't know of any specific F lounge that allows *G in unless they are flying F on a Star carrier, in which case any * F lounge may be used (with the possible exception of SilverKris @ SIN).

------------------
RichardMEL, UA 1P (It's Time to Fly)
A Star Alliance Member.

That's a oneworld perk. Their top-tier members (Emerald?) have access to F lounges during international travel. Unlike Star, oneworld has a three-tier elite system.

------------------
"There are those who travel, and those who travel well."

And then there was the time I flew RG in F out of LHR. UA refused me access to their F lounge. Only once I produced a USAirways club card, did they permit me into the RCC. (This is as a 1K!) Go figure!

Yes, that's right.
Oneworld has a three-tier system.
The highest one is Emerald, second one is Sapphire, and the last one is Ruby.
However, Skyteam has a two-tier system as Star Alliance.
It has Elite Plus and Elite.
Unlike to *A, ST admits its Elite Plus members into ST first class lounges.
I think ST has more benefits and privileges for its members than any other alliance, but it's lack of enough members to serve passengers worldwidely.


[This message has been edited by N227UA (edited Mar 09, 2004).]

SAS' Scandinavian Lounge requires *A to get in. (They have Business Lounge for non-*G C class pax.)

However, if you hold an F class BP (on another * carrier since SK has no F) then you can get into the Scandi Lounge. In CPH the main difference is hard liquor and free domestic phone calls.

I am pretty sure that the Thai F lounge in BKK had a *G logo. I was about to go in but I decided not to enter when they told me that there were no bathrooms. (The main reason for entering after being in the bathroomless SAS lounge.)

Thai F lounge in BKK had a *G logo

right now (I ws at that lounge on feb-4, flying TG first MEL-BKK-ZRH) there is just one provisional TG first-class lounge at BKK (as the usual larger other one is renovated). My first-class TG boarding pass gave me access (the TG butler did guide all connecting first-class passengers from the arrival gate to the lounge), but I have noticed that 'simple' StarGold-passengers (without first-class boarding pass in hand) were denied access - and their wouldn't have been any space (between 21:00-midnight) to accomodate them anyway!

Similarly SQ First lounge is available for PPS and above Kris Flyer tiers under certain conditions.

Yes, PPS members have to be seated in C to access the F Lounges of SQ!

The folks on the SK board doubted me as well. I was flying C on SK and am *G. It's right next door to the small SK lounge. I had to go to the toilet rather badly before heading to board my flight.

I spotted the *G logo (or at least thought so) and headed in there to use the facilities. They didn't seem to have a problem about my entering but this was a bathroom visit so I moved on..... Yes, it would be pretty bad if their permanent F class lounge didn't have a toilet.

They also have fast track emigration (sic) in BKK but only for TG pax. It would be nice if they offered it to their *A partners.