Singapore Airlines has tightened the lounge entrance requirements at SFO, now refusing to let in Star Gold members traveling on purely domestic itineraries.
Here’s the official Star Alliance policy on lounge access for Star Gold members:
Star Alliance Gold Customers Travelling in Any Class: Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers’ owned lounges with the Star Alliance Gold logo at the entrance.
- Customer must present a valid frequent flyer programme Star Alliance Gold level card
- Customer must also present a boarding card for a same day Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
- Customer is entitled to one guest
- Continental, United, and US Airways Star Alliance Gold customers may only access the Presidents Club, Red Carpet Club and US Airways Clubs within the U.S. when travelling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight.
As you can see, there is no exception for Singapore Airlines’ lounges.
With the recent remodeling of the lounge at SFO (pictures here), there is even more seating than before so I cannot imagine that the problem is lack of seating.
It would not surprise me if the root of this problem is that United is not paying Singapore for the members who access their lounge. We do not know how much airlines pay each other when members access partner lounges, but it is rumored to be in the ballpark of $20-25. Unfortunately, I will not be passing through SFO anytime soon, but I have reached out to SQ’s Station Manager at SFO for a clarification of the policy. I will share any updates I receive with you here.
I would also be interested to know if only UA or UA/CO/US flyers are being denied, or whether all Star Alliance Gold members are denied. While the policy seems to apply to all Star Alliance golds, flyers with a British Midland or other "foreign" Star Alliance gold card might still be able to gain access.
If this policy sticks, it marks a dangerous precedent in terms of Star Alliance lounge access for domestic travelers in the United States who hold Star Gold status. This move could prompt Lufthansa, which offers a tremendous lounge at Washington Dulles, to implement a similar policy.
From Flyertalk, apparently this policy decision was made by a woman named Cynthia. If you happen to be passing through SFO in the weeks ahead, may I kindly suggest you knock on the door of the lounge (open from about 0900-1200 and 2100-0000) and express your dissatisfaction of the new policy to Cynthia?
“The A380 is replacing the 747 on the SFO-NRT route in March, but that is still three months away and even with the increase in premium class seating coming, that still begs the question why SQ decided now to cut lounge access.”
SQ flies SFO-HKG and SFO-ICN, both with 77W aircraft. Their NRT flight, operated by a 747, flies from LAX.
Thanks Gary–I wasn’t thinking clearly when I wrote this (from an internet cafe in Xi’an early this morning)!
Correction made.
Has the policy changed for RCC/PC members wanting to access the SQ lounge? That is usually how i access LH and SQ lounges in the states.
@HunterSFO: My understanding is that if you’re on a purely domestic itinerary, you’re not allowed in the club.
And it’s not just for UA elites. AC members have reported being denied entrance on FT.
Just was denied access–am a Continental Platinum traveling on a domestic itinerary (and have a 2+ hour connection). Was shocked by how rude the agent was at the desk–raised her voice when I asked if she could double check the policy. This is a very disappointing change…and is clearly against Star Alliance Policy. Did the SQ station manager ever confirm this is their new policy?
I was denied entry when traveling to LAX and connecting to London (in F and then in business). According to the dragon only international departures from SFO on UA can get access to SKL. She said it was a change by United (not that I believe her).
now a 1k member with United got denied entry on a outgoing international ticket! I been denied before in bound but now they said outbound too! Got into United lunge no problem, What is going on with them? I was on an award ticket with transfer to SQ flight too! This is getting stupid..