Contract lounge access
 

Hello,
I recently became star alliance gold. I understand that even when flying an economy star alliance operated flight, I get access to lounge. Normally this would be simple, if I fly Lufthansa economy, I get to access Lufthansa lounge, if I fly ANA economy, I get to use ANA lounge.

However, my question is regarding contract lounges. For example, when flying economy ANA or LOT from JFK (terminal 5). Neither ANA or LOT has a lounge at JFK terminal 7, and there is not a single star alliance lounge. Instead, ANA and LOT contract with British airways. So ANA and LOT business class flyers use the British airways lounge.

So, my question is, as a star alliance gold, can I access the British airways lounge when flying ANA or LOT economy?
It seems a bit odd getting access to a British airways OneWorld alliance lounge with Star Alliance . But since there is not a single star alliance lounge at the terminal, and both ANA and LOT use the OneWorld lounge, would I get access?

Yes, as a general rule you will be given access to the lounge with which the airline you are flying contracts

When the airline uses contract lounge, the airline will generally issue a paper lounge invitation to you (as your *G credential won't work).

This is what you need for the lounge. So make sure you check-in at an airport counter first before proceeding to the airside.

As long as you're flying with that airline you can expect them to give you access to their contract lounge usually through your details hand written on a pre-printed card.

On the other hand as an example say you're traveling with a different *A airline that doesn't contract to the BA Lounge in JFK, don't expect access to that lounge. You would however be able to access any *G lounge in JFK (irrespective of the Terminal).