I tried this is the NZ forum but no response, so we'll give it a shot here:

Somehow, USAir sent me a Gold Preferred status card which I can use to bring one guest into the Koru Club in SYD/ AKL (I think...) There are three of us travelling together in coach but we all know the upgrade issues for NZ using UA mileage- On our return to SYD, we'll be flying coach as well, but C to LAX, and F to DEN and MSP, so Dane and I may be able to access the Koru Club in AKL by virtue of our UA C tix from SYD, if I understood KiwiFlyer correctly. I can use the USAir card to get our friend into the Koru Club that way. What about in SYD, though? Any way Koru Club staff would let me bring in two guests prior to dep? Thanks for any thoughts you might be able to share.

If I've got this right, you're all 3 travelling in C from SYD to LAX on UA? If so, wouldn't you already have access to the Red Carpet Club in SYD?

If your Gold Preferred US card has a Star Alliance Gold logo on it, then yes, you'll be able to take 1 companion into a Gold Designated lounge regardless of class of travel. You'd need to check entry rules for the individual lounge you are going to use to see if they allow over the 1 extra permitted, but it would be a rare occasion IMHO. The lounge dragons are generally very strict and guard their inner sanctums with ferocity.

Sorry, it is a bit complicated. Just the two of use flying from the US, friend from SYD flying on to AKL RT with us in coach and before we return to US.

I don't get your itinerary. Are you talking about two different flights, or about one?

Do I get this right:

You (*G): AKL-SYD on NZ in coach connecting to SYD-LAX on UA in business connecting to LAX-DEN on UA in first.

Passenger 2 (No status): AKL-SYD on NZ in coach connecting to SYD-LAX on UA in business connecting to LAX-MSP on UA in first.

Passenger 3 (No status): AKL-SYD on NZ in coach.

Now you want to know whether all three of you can access the NZ lounge, correct? I would say no according to the rules:

"Customers who present a paid international Business Class boarding card departing same day on any Star Alliance member
carrier operated flight have access to any Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at the departing airport (see Lounge Access
Chart), regardless of the Star Alliance member carrier they fly. They are not entitled to bring guests."

So this would only give you access at SYD by virtue of your business class ticket. At AKL, you can get in by virtue of your *G card, but you can only bring one guest.

Nevertheless, I would give it a try and ask nicely.

SmilingBoy.

Thanks for your take on it all, SmilingBoy- I think you got all the details right- And, I've emailed NZ to see if they'll allow an extra person into the KC at SYD- the worst thing they can say is "No"-

But there is no problem at SYD to get three people in - only at AKL!

SmilingBoy.

[QUOTE=SmilingBoy;7413653]But there is no problem at SYD to get three people in - only at AKL!

Sorry, no- only Dane and I are continuing on to the US from SYD, in C- so we'll both hopefully be able to access KC in AKL- Sally, third member of party, lives in SYD and will not be continuing on to US with us- I believe (?) the issue is getting her into KC in SYD before departure for AKL on 11 April- If we can access KC in AKL on 22 April for return due to UA C from SYD- LAX, then I can use *A gold status to guest her into KC in AKL-

And, of course, they did just that:

Dear gregdane,

Access to the lounge is for the member and one guest only, as the lounge is subject to space. Unfortunately this means you cannot take a third party into the lounge.

Kind regards

Clare



Anyone available to guest one of us in on 11 April about 10:00 at SYD?

What are you rolling your eyes at? That is the Star Alliance Gold guesting policy, so how are you expecting them to officially make an exception for you? If they do they have to do that for everyone.

Rolling my eyes thinking that I should have known the answer and not expecting anything different. I was not expecting an exception but just wondering how strictly the rule was enforced. It would seem that at times exceptions are made to the "rules"- one can hope but not necessarily expect.