Denied entry into AC lounge - unable to validate * Gold status
May 8, 2012, 10:17 am
#46
Join Date: May 2007
Location: variously: PVG, SFO, LHR
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he was NOT going to let me in. But then I showed him my boarding pass which was upgraded to business class and he said he can take this. They let me and my buddy in. I was fuming. The same guy finds me in the lounge and asks for my presidential card and he would investigate. He comes back and starts apologizing. and tells me he had them send out a lounge access for me. But he kept apologizing. I said to him "what?? Did you think my presidential card was a fake?? Just to get into your ...... lounge??
How they know that you haven't, for example, cancelled your credit card? The only thing that validates your entrance is: Mileage Plus number and ID, which can be used to validate your United Club membership, United Club card, same-day international business class ticket, or same day international ticket coupled with *G frequent flyer card.
Really, you make it harder on the rest of us with all of this Do You Know Who I Am?? attitude when it is you that does not know the rules.
May 8, 2012, 10:25 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
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This swiping the card thing is airline dependent; not sure if it is really for charging. I remember one of the *A Gold lounges told me that the card is not necessary when I handed them my card and the boarding pass. It was either TG lounge in HKG or LH at IAD.
However, on the safe side, I always carry my 1K card.
However, on the safe side, I always carry my 1K card.
May 8, 2012, 10:42 am
#48
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Just South Of North
Programs: My Loyalty Programs? I now VOTE with my wallet!!!
Posts: 2,568
I Don't Get It???
To the Poster's point, it sucks that UA dropped the ball (now there's a shock) for not getting you your card sooner.
As to those that do not carry their *A FF & lounge cards...
Can you really be that much of an idiot!!! Why in God's Green Earth wouldn't you carry them on you when you travel???!!!
As to those that do not carry their *A FF & lounge cards...
Can you really be that much of an idiot!!! Why in God's Green Earth wouldn't you carry them on you when you travel???!!!
May 8, 2012, 10:52 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 142
To the Poster's point, it sucks that UA dropped the ball (now there's a shock) for not getting you your card sooner.
As to those that do not carry their *A FF & lounge cards...
Can you really be that much of an idiot!!! Why in God's Green Earth wouldn't you carry them on you when you travel???!!!
As to those that do not carry their *A FF & lounge cards...
Can you really be that much of an idiot!!! Why in God's Green Earth wouldn't you carry them on you when you travel???!!!
Most reasonable, sensible people expect those they deal with to be reasonable and sensible. Smart and/or caring is just a bonus. If you are carrying a boarding pass with your United # on it that says "Star Gold" it's just unreasonable for any employee of United or any Star Alliance airline to require anything more.
May 8, 2012, 10:54 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
Option to print membership card is temporarily unavailable
We have temporarily disabled the ability to print a membership card as we finalize our system migration.
If you have elite status in 2012, rest assured that you should receive your elite card and credentials this week, if you haven't already.
We have temporarily disabled the ability to print a membership card as we finalize our system migration.
If you have elite status in 2012, rest assured that you should receive your elite card and credentials this week, if you haven't already.
May 8, 2012, 6:38 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Is this true even for a U.S. resident? Say I fly a simple LGA-DCA-MCI as an Aegean Gold (*G) on US metal with my Aegean number on the itinerary and printed on the BP. (For this purpose, assume I also carry the Aegean gold card with me.) Is that really good enough to get into the DCA US Airways lounge?
May 8, 2012, 7:04 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dirty Jersey
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 148
Really now. I got the Presidential Plus card last fall. After repeated attempts, I've never received a United Club card. I also haven't seen my Premier card (I know, it's not Star Gold, but extrapolate a bit).
Most reasonable, sensible people expect those they deal with to be reasonable and sensible. Smart and/or caring is just a bonus. If you are carrying a boarding pass with your United # on it that says "Star Gold" it's just unreasonable for any employee of United or any Star Alliance airline to require anything more.
Most reasonable, sensible people expect those they deal with to be reasonable and sensible. Smart and/or caring is just a bonus. If you are carrying a boarding pass with your United # on it that says "Star Gold" it's just unreasonable for any employee of United or any Star Alliance airline to require anything more.
Rightfully denied. You were not, as others noted, on a SAME DAY international flight.
Initially rightfully denied then rightfully accepted.
How they know that you haven't, for example, cancelled your credit card? The only thing that validates your entrance is: Mileage Plus number and ID, which can be used to validate your United Club membership, United Club card, same-day international business class ticket, or same day international ticket coupled with *G frequent flyer card.
Really, you make it harder on the rest of us with all of this Do You Know Who I Am?? attitude when it is you that does not know the rules.
Initially rightfully denied then rightfully accepted.
How they know that you haven't, for example, cancelled your credit card? The only thing that validates your entrance is: Mileage Plus number and ID, which can be used to validate your United Club membership, United Club card, same-day international business class ticket, or same day international ticket coupled with *G frequent flyer card.
Really, you make it harder on the rest of us with all of this Do You Know Who I Am?? attitude when it is you that does not know the rules.
I was denied access and told with a Presidential Card I can get in. I get the Pres Card and was denied again. How does that affect YOUR lounge experience at all???
I admit I was not sure of the rules. That is why I am on here asking and sharing my experience.
Last edited by iluv2fly; May 8, 2012 at 9:25 pm Reason: merge
May 8, 2012, 7:06 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
PMUA clubs ask for them now too - now that the scanners have been turned off. The PMCO clubs ask for ID as well. Its idiotic.
May 12, 2012, 10:30 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
May 12, 2012, 10:51 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS/MM, MR PPE/LTG, TSA Pre✓, NEXUS, APEC BTC, UKBF RT, CLEAR, DXB E-GATE
Posts: 251
Incidentally, my card no longer reads via a "swipe" and at the lounge in YYZ, the AC dragon tried to deny me entry because my "card wasn't valid." I said it is a lifetime pass, it is valid for the lifetime of CO/UA. They wouldn't have any of it, luckily I had my 1K card with me, and fed that to her...she seemed satiated at that point. The Service business is a people business, and as customers we are at the mercy and whims of those in charge. You can argue, you can debate and rationalize with the powers at be, but in my experience, even if you escalate to mgmt. more times than often they support their staff even if the staff is wrong.
May 12, 2012, 12:29 pm
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Cheers.
May 12, 2012, 1:34 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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May 12, 2012, 1:37 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold75K
Posts: 850
Lounge access is different in all locations.
I was denied access to IAH. it was a 3 hour layover
I was flying to california to visit my parents and then from LAX was headed to Asia.
But I was staying at my parents house for a few days.
At that time I was Gold (continental)
But my flight to IAH and LAX were upgraded to first class/business class
SO give the girl my Gold Elite Conti card-DENIED
I give her my One pass CC-DENIED
I give my first class boarding pass-DENIED!!!
she asks me if I have a Presidential Card or a Amex Platinum. I say NO. She says sorry.
I was pissed. But I moved on.
I applied for a Presidential Card and a month later was back at IAH. This time it was NOT a domestic flight, but an international. I hand her the Presidential Card and guess what?? DENIED! Now I had it. I went off. Told her to call her supervisor. My buddy was saying lets just leave. I refused. Some manager or supervisor came down and I told him what happened last time and now I have the 400 a year Presidential card and I am still DENIED?????
He tells me I need a Lounge Access card to get in??? I said WHAT!!!!!??
he was NOT going to let me in. But then I showed him my boarding pass which was upgraded to business class and he said he can take this. They let me and my buddy in. I was fuming. The same guy finds me in the lounge and asks for my presidential card and he would investigate. He comes back and starts apologizing. and tells me he had them send out a lounge access for me. But he kept apologizing. I said to him "what?? Did you think my presidential card was a fake?? Just to get into your ...... lounge??
so now I have a Lounge Card and guess what?? Most of the time they NEVER swipe it? The never check in MNL. They never check in GUM. They never check in BKK.
They never check in ORD. they never check in NRT.
I could not get into the lounge at PHX recently, because it closes at 7PM!!!
But they always swipe in EWR and IAH!!!!
does anyone know exactly what the criteria is for Lounge Access??
I assume domestic flights are only with presidential card?? I am also now Platinum level. What does that get me Lounge-wise??
On international flights, first class tickets get automatic lounge access??
Does a steerage ticket and a platinum level get you in as well???
As far as I know the lounge card is good for most lounges worldwide??
By the way, the Lounge at NRT is the best I have been too, so far.
Good food, drinks, huge. Showers and nice bathrooms
The Thai Silk Lounge has decent food too, but is small
I was denied access to IAH. it was a 3 hour layover
I was flying to california to visit my parents and then from LAX was headed to Asia.
But I was staying at my parents house for a few days.
At that time I was Gold (continental)
But my flight to IAH and LAX were upgraded to first class/business class
SO give the girl my Gold Elite Conti card-DENIED
I give her my One pass CC-DENIED
I give my first class boarding pass-DENIED!!!
she asks me if I have a Presidential Card or a Amex Platinum. I say NO. She says sorry.
I was pissed. But I moved on.
I applied for a Presidential Card and a month later was back at IAH. This time it was NOT a domestic flight, but an international. I hand her the Presidential Card and guess what?? DENIED! Now I had it. I went off. Told her to call her supervisor. My buddy was saying lets just leave. I refused. Some manager or supervisor came down and I told him what happened last time and now I have the 400 a year Presidential card and I am still DENIED?????
He tells me I need a Lounge Access card to get in??? I said WHAT!!!!!??
he was NOT going to let me in. But then I showed him my boarding pass which was upgraded to business class and he said he can take this. They let me and my buddy in. I was fuming. The same guy finds me in the lounge and asks for my presidential card and he would investigate. He comes back and starts apologizing. and tells me he had them send out a lounge access for me. But he kept apologizing. I said to him "what?? Did you think my presidential card was a fake?? Just to get into your ...... lounge??
so now I have a Lounge Card and guess what?? Most of the time they NEVER swipe it? The never check in MNL. They never check in GUM. They never check in BKK.
They never check in ORD. they never check in NRT.
I could not get into the lounge at PHX recently, because it closes at 7PM!!!
But they always swipe in EWR and IAH!!!!
does anyone know exactly what the criteria is for Lounge Access??
I assume domestic flights are only with presidential card?? I am also now Platinum level. What does that get me Lounge-wise??
On international flights, first class tickets get automatic lounge access??
Does a steerage ticket and a platinum level get you in as well???
As far as I know the lounge card is good for most lounges worldwide??
By the way, the Lounge at NRT is the best I have been too, so far.
Good food, drinks, huge. Showers and nice bathrooms
The Thai Silk Lounge has decent food too, but is small
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's idiotic. Are you asked for ID at other places, such as the bank? Do you have to display an ID at your workplace? It's not a big deal to show your ID for 2 seconds.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ain-about.html
Last edited by iluv2fly; May 13, 2012 at 12:03 am Reason: merge
May 12, 2012, 1:38 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
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I would call and request it. Mine was not going to be sent. Until the manager of IAH called them. maybe just a glitch in the system, and I had no idea it was needed. So I never called.
How do I make it harder for you??? Get off your high horse.
I was denied access and told with a Presidential Card I can get in. I get the Pres Card and was denied again. How does that affect YOUR lounge experience at all???
I admit I was not sure of the rules. That is why I am on here asking and sharing my experience.
How do I make it harder for you??? Get off your high horse.
I was denied access and told with a Presidential Card I can get in. I get the Pres Card and was denied again. How does that affect YOUR lounge experience at all???
I admit I was not sure of the rules. That is why I am on here asking and sharing my experience.
It shows clear selfishness if one couldn't think of that on one' own.
May 12, 2012, 1:43 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold75K
Posts: 850
It makes it harder for us when folks who don't know what they're doing berate employees. We have to deal with them as well...and the more Elites who berate them, the more they think we're all like that.
It shows clear selfishness if one couldn't think of that on one' own.
It shows clear selfishness if one couldn't think of that on one' own.
I would call and request it. Mine was not going to be sent. Until the manager of IAH called them. maybe just a glitch in the system, and I had no idea it was needed. So I never called.
How do I make it harder for you??? Get off your high horse.
I was denied access and told with a Presidential Card I can get in. I get the Pres Card and was denied again. How does that affect YOUR lounge experience at all???
I admit I was not sure of the rules. That is why I am on here asking and sharing my experience.
How do I make it harder for you??? Get off your high horse.
I was denied access and told with a Presidential Card I can get in. I get the Pres Card and was denied again. How does that affect YOUR lounge experience at all???
I admit I was not sure of the rules. That is why I am on here asking and sharing my experience.
The point is that the lounges are part of the business. They are not there to be offered to people who aren't qualified to be there because of membership, status, or other access.
Last edited by iluv2fly; May 13, 2012 at 12:03 am Reason: merge