I’m in need of my Star Alliance Gold fix. Anyone know a good dealer?
I have lifetime Premier Gold status with United Airlines, which also gives me lifetime Star Alliance Gold status. But that does not help me gain lounge access when traveling domestically on United. You see, United does not allow its own Star Gold members to access United Clubs on purely domestic itineraries. For good reason — the lounges are crowded enough already. But if you have a Star Gold car in another Star Alliance program, say Air Canada or Lufthansa, you are entitled to access United Clubs even if flying domestically in the USA in economy class.
The bmi Era
For many years I qualified for bmi Diamond Club Gold status in addition to my United status by crediting inexpensive premium cabin domestic trips that carried a huge crediting bonus. That made earning Star Gold status with bmi fairy easy each year. Sadly, bmi merged with British Airways and the most lucrative Star Gold program disappeared. Without this Gold status, I had to find another program to earn Star Gold status in.
SAS Status Match
Four years ago I used my American Airlines Executive Platinum status to request a status match with SAS Eurobonus. It got me Star Alliance Gold Status for two years. I never credited any miles to SAS during that time because there simply was not value in Eurobonus at the time compared to United MileagePlus.
Turkish Airlines Status Match
Two years ago, I used my United 1K status to match to Turkish Airlines, receiving Star Alliance Gold Status for two additional years. I also have not credited anything to Turkish Airlines: the fuel surcharges on award travel are ridiculous with redemption rates that do not compensate for it. Now, I’m in the final week of my Star Gold status and need to find another program.
COPA Status Match?
COPA, the Panamanian airline that split apart from MileagePlus, offered status matches last year when its new 
One day I may just buy United Club membership. I don’t wish to do that when there are cheaper alternatives, but the $450 annual fee on the Chase United MileagePlus Club Card would be worth it if I continue to use the clubs as much as I have the last year. And of course the one-time passes are still going for $10 on eBay…
Why fly United at all? And if you do, just use a Priority Pass Lounge They are as good as the crappy United Clubs.
United Clubs have come a long way. The new one at LAX is particaurly nice and that would be the one I would miss most:
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/11/29/new-united-club-at-lax/
People seem to love Aegean Airlines. You can qualify without flying them at all (need to fly more) and to requalify you don’t need to fly as much I believe. I think all revenue fares credit (the lower economy ones at 50%)
“For many years I qualified for bmi Diamond Club Gold status in addition to my United status by crediting inexpensive premium cabin domestic trips that carried a huge crediting bonus. ”
Or crediting premium cabin award tickets.
Ssh. 😉
Gary, why didnt u mention that earlier, I would have been a million miler as of now…
Of course those bmi Golds became BA Gold which was nice for AA Flagship Lounge access.
And Aegean matched bmi Gold to their own Gold which at the time was Lifetime Gold. Sigh.
You could always buy United club passes on eBay for ~ $14 each.
i think you need to get a life
I’m in the same situation. I’ve never held Star Gold, and I have AA Platinum for another week. Here’s hoping Copa can come through.
I’ve cycled through Turkish (twice now) and my Copa is expiring next week. Not sure what I’m going to do. I’m Premier Platinum on United, with ORD as my home airport (Priority Pass lounges aren’t a viable option). I can’t believe I’m contemplating buying a membership. Do you think I should just upgrade my Explorer card to the Club Card?
Let me know if Copa accepts I need another Star Gold too!
Renewing Turkish *G is easy – flew 1 longhaul and a couple shorthauls with them in the pointy end – the 2 years matched status suddenly became 4 years of *G status
Yes if flying TK is an Option for you, then this *G is still fairly easy to achiev. Since they don’t offer the straight 2years match any more, you need to fly 1 international TK sector for 1 year and 15000 miles on TK for 2 years
Jeez, for a blogger making hundreds of thousands a year and posting about all the miles you have and First Class flights you take, spend the f*%#ing $s and buy a membership. It’s tax deductible so at least you’re ripping off some institution! (And it comes with a nice looking card and set of luggage tags to add to your collection.)
@davidb – a little harsh but I agree.
You aren’t looking for a cheaper alternative, you are looking for a “scammed” or “hacked” alternative.
If you use the United Clubs that much, just pony up for the Club card. Surely there are other benefits that would help offset the fee further?