Dec 30, 2023, 12:11 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread: Consolidated TPE logistics / connections / lounges {Archive}
Jan 2024
Jan 2024
I'm a 1K (hence *G) flying TPE-SFO in Polaris. The Singapore Airlines lounge in TPE terminal 2 displays the star alliance logo, but I was denied entrance as a UA *G flying UA. The agent told me that they have special permission from star alliance to deny United flyers and send us to the Plaza Premium lounge because of capacity problems. ....Thanks.
I recently took UA872 from TPE to SFO departing 11:10am. I am a 1K and had a paid C Polaris seat. Upon checking at the UA TPE ticket counter, I was notified by the UA CheckIn agent 872 flight pax is to use "Plaza Premium Lounge" instead of Eva lounge for *G and UA Polaris business class ticketed passenger. I thought it was just another option or lounge we can use at TPE. Therefore, I still went to the Eva lounge (designated *G lounge) and tried to enter the lounge. I was denied entrance. The Eva lounge attendant said anyone with UA872 ticket regardless of *G status or business class can not use Eva lounge due to "space limitation". UA contracted with Plaza Premium Lounge for flight 872.
Then I got further clarification from lounge manager that this restriction is only for UA872 ticket passenger. And it's not restricted for another TPE to SFO flight UA852 which departed later during the day at 1:10pm.
Then I got further clarification from lounge manager that this restriction is only for UA872 ticket passenger. And it's not restricted for another TPE to SFO flight UA852 which departed later during the day at 1:10pm.
Consolidated TPE logistics / connections / lounges (lounge access issue Jan 2024)
Jan 4, 2024, 8:43 pm
#121
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Jan 4, 2024, 8:48 pm
#123
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
Jan 4, 2024, 9:05 pm
#124
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
For more on the BR SFO lounge story, see Anyone try the EVA Air Lounge in SFO on a UA domestic itinerary? (note this is a 10 year old story).
The were also issues with the SQ SFO lounge, 1K denied entry outgoing intL PAX,SQ SilverKris Lounge at SFO UA Traveller Access
This were small lounges that could be overwhelm by UA *Gs at a UA hub.
Eventually UA acquired the space to be the lower area of the present SFO Polaris lounge.
But this is ancient history.
The were also issues with the SQ SFO lounge, 1K denied entry outgoing intL PAX,SQ SilverKris Lounge at SFO UA Traveller Access
This were small lounges that could be overwhelm by UA *Gs at a UA hub.
Eventually UA acquired the space to be the lower area of the present SFO Polaris lounge.
But this is ancient history.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 4, 2024 at 9:12 pm Reason: But this is ancient history.
Jan 4, 2024, 10:05 pm
#125
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 56
I think the keyword is "participating". A UC membership theoretically grants you admissions to "participating" Star Alliance lounges (regardless of status). But of course, in your particular case, SQ does not need to participate so I doubt a UC membership will make a difference.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 4, 2024 at 11:57 pm Reason: repaired quote
Jan 4, 2024, 10:11 pm
#126
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K, Citi Prestige, AMEX Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 720
To answer some questions that came up:
By UA and AC, I mean that UA and AC have an agreement that they don't have to let each other's *G into the lounge unless they are club members. But as a UA *G, I would expect access to any lounge not operated by UA and AC regardless of cabin or domestic/international, so long as I am flying a Star Alliance carrier.
Oh, and by show my card, I didn't mean my physical card, I meant in the app when you go to Account > Mileage Plus, there's a picture of a card you can tap that brings up a larger rendering of a card that says "Premier 1K" and has the *G logo in the lower-right corner.
By UA and AC, I mean that UA and AC have an agreement that they don't have to let each other's *G into the lounge unless they are club members. But as a UA *G, I would expect access to any lounge not operated by UA and AC regardless of cabin or domestic/international, so long as I am flying a Star Alliance carrier.
Oh, and by show my card, I didn't mean my physical card, I meant in the app when you go to Account > Mileage Plus, there's a picture of a card you can tap that brings up a larger rendering of a card that says "Premier 1K" and has the *G logo in the lower-right corner.
Jan 4, 2024, 10:18 pm
#127
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
The same thing is reportedly happening across the way over at the EVA lounges for UA872, according to the TPE thread.
Prior to 2021 I accessed the SQ and BR lounges regularly as a 1K/*G, before flights in both Y and J. I'm not sure what changed.
This seems like a blatant flouting of *A rules. Maybe SQ heard what BR was doing across the hallway and figured they'd give it a try too.
I'm surprised to see such blatant rule flouting at TPE.
Prior to 2021 I accessed the SQ and BR lounges regularly as a 1K/*G, before flights in both Y and J. I'm not sure what changed.
This seems like a blatant flouting of *A rules. Maybe SQ heard what BR was doing across the hallway and figured they'd give it a try too.
I'm surprised to see such blatant rule flouting at TPE.
Jan 4, 2024, 10:27 pm
#128
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,346
To answer some questions that came up:
By UA and AC, I mean that UA and AC have an agreement that they don't have to let each other's *G into the lounge unless they are club members. But as a UA *G, I would expect access to any lounge not operated by UA and AC regardless of cabin or domestic/international, so long as I am flying a Star Alliance carrier.
By UA and AC, I mean that UA and AC have an agreement that they don't have to let each other's *G into the lounge unless they are club members. But as a UA *G, I would expect access to any lounge not operated by UA and AC regardless of cabin or domestic/international, so long as I am flying a Star Alliance carrier.
UA will let any AC*G into any of their United Clubs on any itinerary with the departing flight operated by any *A airline.
AC stopped selling "club memberships" when COVID started, and never resumed it.
Jan 4, 2024, 10:31 pm
#129
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: Free agent, UA 1K, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 353
See my posts here from two days ago when this happened to me as well:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35870640-post103.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35870688-post106.html
Everyone should complain to 1Kvoice and Star Alliance corporate.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35870640-post103.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35870688-post106.html
Everyone should complain to 1Kvoice and Star Alliance corporate.
Jan 5, 2024, 12:49 am
#131
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Certain carriers and lounges are known for imposing capacity controls and restricting access to their own passengers prior to their departures. It's kind of gray area under *A rules and SQ has been known to do this at various locations, sometimes inconsistently.
The SQ lounge at TPE is also pretty small. The BR lounges can get super crowded; there's really not enough *A lounge capacity at this airport, particularly for the morning departure bank.
Seriously doubt SQ cares. They've been doing this kind of thing for at least a decade.
Seriously doubt SQ cares. They've been doing this kind of thing for at least a decade.
Jan 5, 2024, 12:55 am
#132
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
Does this mean *G flying UA Y out of TPE just have no lounge access if they aren't being admitted to the SQ or BR lounges because UA does not provide 3rd party lounge access to *G flying UA Y?
Jan 5, 2024, 1:56 am
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
-RM
Jan 5, 2024, 3:55 am
#135
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 125
Instead of complaining about SQ or BR, how about pressuring UA to provide a lounge of their own at TPE. SQ also has two flights per day but can provide a small lounge. As an SQ PPS, I'd be mightily upset with my carrier if I found the SQ lounge overfull of UA pax when they have another lounge option. UA has just too many 'elite' pax, I'd suggest.