MQS007

I assume this is a scam but came across this on Ebay.

​​​​​​https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Star-Allianc...d3-6:rk:1:pf:0

eigenvector

Hmm. I'm guessing they've found some vulnerability in how certain airline systems determine *G status for other FF programs and are exploiting it to have the airline system register that you are TG *G without actually having that status.

burgerkong

If all you're after is lounge access, this would work. Really good deal too since you get a physical card and as long as you show it you should be fine.

musicmtl

Definitely appears suspicious, though quite a few positive reviews. Could it be possible that there's a Star Alliance airline that offers a *gold pass or code, valid for a single use? A bit like the MLL passes, but also giving check-in and luggage benefits?

canadiancow

I don't think you get a physical card.

Certain airline systems (it was true for AC until not that long ago) only check the number before giving *G benefits, without doing any kind of name match. If I were to post my Aeroplan number here, anyone could add it to their United PNR and it would show up as AC*G on their boarding pass.

pprrff

I think they're selling some corporate program nominees that other airlines may have where one can nominate employees for status? This vendor seems to sell mostly status match on other listings though. Other vendors are selling Air China Pheonix Gold for 3 years for a couple grand.

It's a weird thing to buy because if you fly enough that *gold is an advantage worth paying for then you would probably meet the threshold.

Also *gold status on another *A airline than your status is not that great, just one free bag and the lounge (and gold track I guess).

tcook052

As this is a Star Alliance topic this thread has been relocated to the Star Alliance forum for further discussion.

tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator

Adam Smith

Whether it has worked for some people or not, this is clearly not legit. I wonder how long it will take to shut this down.

FlyerTalker70

Keep in mind some of those reviewers are new to eBay and this is the first and only review **cough** SCAM **cough**. IIRC there was a security researcher who showed that you could make small changes to the barcode of a boarding pass to gain *Gold access. The fact that the card doesn't earn any miles is also somewhat suspicious. The fact that the seller asks for your PNR and other personal details is also somewhat worrying (with those details they could do a number of things to your flight including cancelling it for a refund to their account). I'd also be curious to know what would happen if you were caught with a forged *Gold card. Would your ticket get cancelled? Would the police be called? Too many risks if you ask me!

I'll say this once and I'll say it again, *Gold is designed for the frequent traveller, someone who flies tens of thousands of miles every year. They are the ones who need priority services, lounge access and baggage allowance, not the FoTSG. And if you can pull of that type of travel activity there are a number of programs that will grant you Gold status not the least of which being UA, A3 and OZ.

Safe Travels,

James

Often1

It is a scam and fraudulent.

Whether it will work is another question. You may also rob a bank, then purchase a J ticket with the proceeds and have lounge access along with the J ticket. If you are not caught, it will be just fine. If you are caught....

oliver2002

It looks like s/he is inserting a TG*G ffp number in the reservation in the hopes that the airline doesn't crosscheck the number with the *A database. The list of the excluded airlines clearly indicates that this doesn't work. The 'digital' card is obviously a photoshopped TG card from their app with the name replaced. The miles retrocredit is also a big hint that they are using a number that doesn't have your last name, so regular credit fails.

I recall SAS had this problem before migrating to CITP/altea. You were able to add an EBG number to anyones booking with SAS and they could enjoy EBG benefits.

That said I'm not overly concerned. Airlines that don't have a live connection to the database routinely will card you. I doubt they will let you get by with an image of a card on a smart phone.

ericw

I was told by someone that he bought *G status twice on a Chinese site, once it was a gifted status by an SAS elite. 2nd time it was suspected that it's a matched TK status using some bogus photoshopped elite card.

ondraondra

Judging by the short validity, the seller is most likely exploiting TG's status match system, most likely selling matched FFP cards in their "challenge" phase.

I'd try it if flying heavy discount Y-fare where I don't care about possible loss of miles and I want the cheap lounge access.

If this is still a thing in September, I have one AC Rouge trip that I'm willing to sacrifice for this...

oliver2002

Air Canada is clearly excluded in the fine print above. This is no real *G card but a TG*G number of another person. Such kind of "trick" is caught by the *A CITP which checks the name behind the number.

Xiaotung

Star Alliance is working to clamp down the abuse of membership numbers that belong to someone else to be used on another person. For a long time, the status validity is delayed across airlines when your status changes and it does not cross reference your name.

A number of airlines including NZ will now only accept membership number that matches the traveler's name, and it's in real time. Eventually the loophole will close and everyone can start behaving themselves.