Feb 3, 2020, 12:06 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
While a *G BP is the easiest way to get lounge access, sometimes that fails to be on the BP. So as a backup you might then need to produce a digital *G card with UA's app, with *A Gold symbol and/or bar code.
To get the bar code, tap on the card and it flips over.
For displaying the *A Gold emblem, the two major smartphone apps work differently
For IOS/Apple you need to move the card to the Apple Wallet.
For Android, the front of the card shows the *A Gold symbol but it is not very large.
Should work as is, but if need be, you can enlarge by enabling the triple tap magnifier or screen capture to Gallery and enlarge the picture.
From Recent Denials of admission to *A Lounges due to lack of UA *G card [2019-2020], it appears *G BP or the digital card is sufficient for lounge access. The past issues requiring the physical card are "past history" unless one can not produce a *G BP or UA app digital card.
To get the bar code, tap on the card and it flips over.
For displaying the *A Gold emblem, the two major smartphone apps work differently
For IOS/Apple you need to move the card to the Apple Wallet.
For Android, the front of the card shows the *A Gold symbol but it is not very large.
Should work as is, but if need be, you can enlarge by enabling the triple tap magnifier or screen capture to Gallery and enlarge the picture.
From Recent Denials of admission to *A Lounges due to lack of UA *G card [2019-2020], it appears *G BP or the digital card is sufficient for lounge access. The past issues requiring the physical card are "past history" unless one can not produce a *G BP or UA app digital card.
Displaying *G card on UA apps
Jan 3, 2020, 4:14 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BAEC - Silver
Posts: 130
Imagine a German airline sticking rigidly to policies, (even if it doesn't seem to be the policy). Who would have thought!
I remember coming through Frankfurt about 7 years ago on a connection. The board in the lounge had no boarding calls showing which we didn't think anything of until it was about 20 minute before our flight was due to board. I asked the lounge angel if our flight was boarding and when/if it would show. The reply came with typical German efficiency that if the flight was scheduled to leave at XX:XX then it would leave at that time and we must be there 20 minute before hand. It seems there is no need for boarding calls as everything runs on time - always! Well that's me told!!!
Jan 3, 2020, 4:58 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
In 2019, on the one occasion where I was not flying business class on a *A carrier, I was asked to show my physical card to gain entry to one of the LH *G lounges in FRA, despite *G showing on my boarding pass. I always carry the card, so not an issue. This year, without having the front of UA's card available on the UA app, it will be difficult for those without a physical card to gain entry to LH or LX lounges.
Jan 3, 2020, 5:10 am
#48
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,565
In 2019, on the one occasion where I was not flying business class on a *A carrier, I was asked to show my physical card to gain entry to one of the LH *G lounges in FRA, despite *G showing on my boarding pass. I always carry the card, so not an issue. This year, without having the front of UA's card available on the UA app, it will be difficult for those without a physical card to gain entry to LH or LX lounges.
Jan 3, 2020, 5:16 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Are we supposed to have physical cards?
I'm *G (UA gold for most of the year, now UA Platinum). I don't have a physical card that shows this.
I've been able to get into the various Lufthansa lounges in FRA. I've done 2 SFO-FRA-HEL round trips. Never a problem getting access (4 times) with just my boarding pass. They never asked to see a card (physical or otherwise). Both times booked in PE / Y for TATL / inta-europe leg.
Also I flew SFO-NRT in PE on UA. On the return trip, I decided to skip the UA club in NRT and instead went to the NH business class lounge. Again, no issues getting in with just my boarding pass (no mention of a card was made). So... I'm 5 for 5 on partner lounges. I also had no problem getting into UA clubs when I was supposed to.
So... am I supposed to have a physical card? I got Gold status through a status match at the beginning of the year, and then qualified for Gold later in the year, and Platinum near the end. At no time did UA send me any physical cards. Do I need a physical card? How do I get it?
I've been able to get into the various Lufthansa lounges in FRA. I've done 2 SFO-FRA-HEL round trips. Never a problem getting access (4 times) with just my boarding pass. They never asked to see a card (physical or otherwise). Both times booked in PE / Y for TATL / inta-europe leg.
Also I flew SFO-NRT in PE on UA. On the return trip, I decided to skip the UA club in NRT and instead went to the NH business class lounge. Again, no issues getting in with just my boarding pass (no mention of a card was made). So... I'm 5 for 5 on partner lounges. I also had no problem getting into UA clubs when I was supposed to.
So... am I supposed to have a physical card? I got Gold status through a status match at the beginning of the year, and then qualified for Gold later in the year, and Platinum near the end. At no time did UA send me any physical cards. Do I need a physical card? How do I get it?
Jan 3, 2020, 5:57 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
In the last couple of years, I have been through MUC maybe 15 times in the Senator lounge a similar number of times in HAJ, and a handful of times in TXL.
Never had an issue with just *G being indicated on the boarding pass and never had to show even the virtual card.
As a slight sidenote, I do have issues getting *G to appear on LH reward tickets (booked with MP) and have to ask at the LH check in and then have the discussion about it being needed to get access to the lounge, fast track etc.
Never had an issue with just *G being indicated on the boarding pass and never had to show even the virtual card.
As a slight sidenote, I do have issues getting *G to appear on LH reward tickets (booked with MP) and have to ask at the LH check in and then have the discussion about it being needed to get access to the lounge, fast track etc.
Jan 3, 2020, 6:34 am
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Imagine a German airline sticking rigidly to policies, (even if it doesn't seem to be the policy). Who would have thought!
I remember coming through Frankfurt about 7 years ago on a connection. The board in the lounge had no boarding calls showing which we didn't think anything of until it was about 20 minute before our flight was due to board. I asked the lounge angel if our flight was boarding and when/if it would show. The reply came with typical German efficiency that if the flight was scheduled to leave at XX:XX then it would leave at that time and we must be there 20 minute before hand. It seems there is no need for boarding calls as everything runs on time - always! Well that's me told!!!
I remember coming through Frankfurt about 7 years ago on a connection. The board in the lounge had no boarding calls showing which we didn't think anything of until it was about 20 minute before our flight was due to board. I asked the lounge angel if our flight was boarding and when/if it would show. The reply came with typical German efficiency that if the flight was scheduled to leave at XX:XX then it would leave at that time and we must be there 20 minute before hand. It seems there is no need for boarding calls as everything runs on time - always! Well that's me told!!!
Jan 3, 2020, 6:43 am
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,565
This is the same procedure I follow with regard to EW tickets, and I've never had a problem with getting LH CSR's to help.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:06 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,375
Eg LH lounge @ IAD does boarding announcements (and they can board directly from the lounge)
For common /contracted lounges, probably no
Jan 3, 2020, 7:21 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DC
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 137
This has been the case for me in multiple lounges, most recently the ANA lounges at HND and NRT, as well as the contract lounge at TLL. In all cases, *G and MP number were printed on my boarding pass, but they still insisted on seeing a card, which I fortunately carry with me for this exact reason.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:23 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,459
That is where the barcode is, but I have never seen any agent scan the barcode.
On Android I have kept a screenshot of the card from the old app. I've only once had to use my digital card for access, and that time I showed the agent the current in-app card, was told 'no good'. When I then pulled up the old card screenshot, it was deemed acceptable.
I have no idea why the designed it like they have with the last major refresh. Android also has no google wallet function for the card, so the apple wallet workaround doesn't work.
On Android I have kept a screenshot of the card from the old app. I've only once had to use my digital card for access, and that time I showed the agent the current in-app card, was told 'no good'. When I then pulled up the old card screenshot, it was deemed acceptable.
I have no idea why the designed it like they have with the last major refresh. Android also has no google wallet function for the card, so the apple wallet workaround doesn't work.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:35 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,375
This has been the case for me in multiple lounges, most recently the ANA lounges at HND and NRT, as well as the contract lounge at TLL. In all cases, *G and MP number were printed on my boarding pass, but they still insisted on seeing a card, which I fortunately carry with me for this exact reason.
Early last year, was able to enter ANA NRT lounge
1) accepted physical UA boarding pass with *G, no card
2) accepted mobile UA boarding pass with *G (they need to manually enter PNR or *G # in computer to verify), no card
3) accepted physical UA boarding pass (which says *S) with mobile UA *G card (they called someone to verify gold status. Gold status was just newly minted from inbound flight)
Jan 3, 2020, 7:48 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DC
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 137
How recent?
Early last year, was able to enter ANA NRT lounge
1) accepted physical UA boarding pass with *G, no card
2) accepted mobile UA boarding pass with *G (they need to manually enter PNR or *G # in computer to verify), no card
3) accepted physical UA boarding pass (which says *S) with mobile UA *G card (they called someone to verify gold status. Gold status was just newly minted from inbound flight)
Early last year, was able to enter ANA NRT lounge
1) accepted physical UA boarding pass with *G, no card
2) accepted mobile UA boarding pass with *G (they need to manually enter PNR or *G # in computer to verify), no card
3) accepted physical UA boarding pass (which says *S) with mobile UA *G card (they called someone to verify gold status. Gold status was just newly minted from inbound flight)
Jan 3, 2020, 8:12 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BAEC - Silver
Posts: 130
Jan 3, 2020, 10:07 am
#60
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 747
I think award bookings may have issues at times with *G status not appearing.
I booked two Air China flights with UA miles and my *G status did not appear on the boarding passes. *G status did not come up when scanning the BP in PEK. They were able to confirm by entering my MP number but there were a tense few minutes of excited conversation between a few lounge workers before I was allowed to pass.
I booked two Air China flights with UA miles and my *G status did not appear on the boarding passes. *G status did not come up when scanning the BP in PEK. They were able to confirm by entering my MP number but there were a tense few minutes of excited conversation between a few lounge workers before I was allowed to pass.