TK -> Eva
 

Just posted this in the Eva thread but realised this is probably a much better place. Sorry, I'm new!

I have E+ status with Turkish = SA Gold, but I'm moving to Taiwan in a few weeks so I want to switch to Eva. I know status matching within an alliance isn't going to happen and I'll have to earn up again but my question is this: SA Gold gives me lounge access travelling on Eva normally but does that still apply when I whip out my TK card if have a non-status Eva number printed on my boarding pass?

I know I could probably solve this by claiming all flights after the fact but I'm hoping it isn't necessary because I forget to do it most of the time.

Generally for lounge access you'll have no problem at all doing it that way. What may be more hit or miss is extra luggage allowance if you need it and priority boarding.

Having said that, make sure you've really read well into Eva's mileage program before jumping ship. It's not always best to use the home town mileage program just because you'll be living there. Eva's is a good case here, it's a pretty bad program all around. Is your goal in a program just *G or something more? I can't see BR being a wise choice unless your company is flying you consistently in BR C and no other *A carriers. If you want something in the region for some reason then NH, OZ, and SQ are all miles better than BR's program, but NH requires half the annual mileage on their metal.

Very helpful thanks!

Will be floating around Asia a fair bit but my bread and butter route will be TPE - MNL something close to weekly and only direct options there are Eva or PAL as far as I know, and hell no to PAL :)

Really the only reason for the switch is hoping to pick up upgrades with Eva Diamond status as I'm stuck in economy for short haul. I'd assume op upgrades pretty rare with only *G on a different airline as they'll take Eva elites first? I don't know how realistic it is to expect semi-regular upgrades in any case though, perhaps an EVA regular can advise?

Second reason is hoping to get a Eva CC of some kind as a Taiwan resident, though I don't know how willing they are to hand those out to new residents - that one probably outside the scope of this forum though.

Yes, BR Diamonds would get op-up far more frequently than OAL *G. I don't know however how often they upgrade other than for op-up, that would be a question for some BR regulars, not sure how many Infinity Mileagelands users though are on this forum.

Have a look around, you may not be locked into a BR credit card. In Japan we have cards for quite a few foreign airlines as well as Amex (standard and SPG) and Diners Club which both have multiple transfer partners. I would assume that Taiwan is similar, especially on the Amex scene. Amex is also one of the easiest cards to get for a new resident in most cases since they have the international transfer program, however you usually have to have had an Amex in your previous country for a certain amount of time first before you're eligible for that.

Star's published rules are clear that this is fine - only one form of status proof (gold card OR boarding pass showing *G status) is required for lounge access. What is less certain is whether lounge dragons, checkin staff etc know the Star rules they are supposed to be following. If I were you I would be asking at checkin where the lounge is and whether you need an invite to the lounge - if checkin gives you a printed invite you are less likely to be knocked back than presenting just your gold card to lounge staff who think they make the rules. If by chance the checkin staff says you don't have access you at least have a chance to speak to a checkin supervisor.

I believe BR lounges have been known to turn away *G flying with other Star airlines in some ports, which is against Star rules (although 'space' considerations are open to interpretation). But if you are actually flying BR (and in fact crediting to them) you are likely to be OK.

And for the record I have been upgraded from Y to PE by BR in Asia while holding *G with another airline (and crediting to that airline). I had no trouble with lounge access, but I had both gold card and *G on BP.