Perhaps this should be a perpetual thread?

I'm trying to completely understand when I am and am not able to use which lounges, and I imagine some others may have the same question. I am a United 1P and RCC member.

The StarAlliance website says:


So here's what I know...

Traveling on Domestic UA - UA RCC via RCC membership
Traveling on Domestic US - US Air Club via RCC membership
Traveling on Intl Whatever - Whatever Lounge via *G

Can I use the LH Lounge if I was traveling on say Spanair Intl?

My main question ultimately comes down to, while traveling on UA domestic, can I access, say an LH Senator Lounge via *G, or because it is *G from UA (and thereby not as good as say bmi's *G) am I denied?

I ask primarily because 99% of my travel is domestic, and I usually qualify for *G on segments... ugh.


As a brief aside, why did UA, a founding member of the Star Alliance allow their *G status to be less worthy/important/whatever than other members?

Also, if I can get concrete, definitely answers, I'll make a google document or something...

Can *G members access the RCCs without an RCC membership? The *A website leads me to believe that. Forgive me if this is a stupid question, I'm coming over from CO and am deciding whether or not to renew my PC membership this summer.

Yes, though for domestic RCCs, it doesn't work if the *G comes from UA or US.

Yes.

Yes, assuming you can access the international departure area (not possible at some airports).

Probably because UA has more *G than anyone else, more lounges, and wants to make money selling RCC memberships.

It remains to be seen whether the current more restrictive arrangements for UA & US *G members will also apply to CO *G members, and to what extent paid CO club members can access UA & US lounges.