Star Alliance Airport Lounge Access Explained

Star Alliance Airport Lounge Access Explained

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One of the great things about the “big three” global airline alliances is that they offer reciprocal lounge access for travelers. In this post I wanted to take a closer look at the Star Alliance’s lounge access policy for travelers, as understanding the nuances of airport lounge access can be complicated.

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect that you’ll get lounge access with Star Alliance either if you have Star Alliance Gold elite status, or if you’re traveling in first or business class. That doesn’t consistently apply within the United States (when traveling on United), which I’ll address as well.

First let me cover the basics of the Star Alliance, and then I’ll talk about the alliance’s policy on lounge access when traveling in first class, business class, and when having Star Alliance Gold status. Note that you can always reference the Star Alliance Lounge Finder for the basics of Star Alliance’ lounge access rules (though I’ll try to simplify it even more in this post).

In separate posts I’ll cover the lounge access policies of oneworld and SkyTeam. Let me say that in general I think oneworld has the most generous lounge access policies, followed by Star Alliance, followed by SkyTeam.

The basics of the Star Alliance

First let’s cover the very basics. The Star Alliance is the world’s largest airline alliance, with over 25 member airlines. The alliance was founded in 1997, with United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and Thai Airways, being the founding members.

Nowadays Star Alliance has the following member airlines:

Aegean Airlines
Austrian Airlines
EVA Air
SWISS
Air Canada
Avianca
LOT Polish Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
Air China
Brussels Airlines
Lufthansa
Thai Airways
Air India
Copa Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
Turkish Airlines
Air New Zealand
Croatia Airlines
Shenzhen Airlines
United Airlines
All Nippon Airways
EgyptAir
Singapore Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
South African Airways
Star Alliance airlines
Star Alliance is the biggest global airline alliance

Star Alliance first class lounge access

Let’s start with the Star Alliance lounge access policy when traveling in long haul, international first class. The Star Alliance lounge access policy for first class is as follows:

  • You have access to international first class and/or any Star Alliance member carriers’ own lounges (with certain exclusions, which I’ll address below)
  • You must present a boarding pass for travel in first class on a Star Alliance flight
  • You must be departing from the local airport in first class
  • You must have paid for your ticket with cash or miles; staff travel doesn’t qualify
  • You are entitled to bring one guest, and they must be traveling on the same flight
Star Alliance First Class Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)

Note that not all Star Alliance first class lounges are available to first class passengers on other Star Alliance airlines:

If you ask me, one major weak point of the Star Alliance’s lounge access policy is that if you’re accessing a lounge based on the cabin you’re traveling in, it’s the departing flight that counts. Say you’re flying Lufthansa first class from Frankfurt to Los Angeles, and are then connecting from Los Angeles to San Francisco in United first class. You wouldn’t receive any lounge access in Los Angeles, since access is based on your departing flight (which would be United’d domestic first class, and that doesn’t come with lounge access).

Let me emphasize that individual airlines may have more generous policies that apply only to their own passengers. For example, if you fly first class and connect to business class on airlines like Lufthansa, Singapore, SWISS, etc., you may get first class lounge access while in transit. However, that only applies to the carrier’s own lounges, and isn’t an alliance policy.

Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich (MUC)

Star Alliance business class lounge access

Now let’s talk about the Star Alliance lounge access policy when traveling in business class. Note that lounge access for domestic United passengers differs a bit, so I’ll cover that in more detail below. The general Star Alliance lounge access policy for business class is as follows:

  • You have access to any designated Star Alliance business class lounge
  • You must present a boarding pass for travel in business class on a Star Alliance flight
  • You must be departing from the local airport in business class
  • You must have paid for your ticket with cash or miles; staff travel doesn’t qualify
  • You aren’t entitled to bring any guests

One added wrinkle is that individual airlines may have more generous policies for their own passengers. Just to give an example, say you’re flying from Frankfurt to Chicago to Los Angeles, with that second flight on United. A United first class ticket from Chicago to Los Angeles doesn’t offer lounge access based on Star Alliance policies. However:

  • If the Frankfurt to Chicago flight is on United, you could use United’s lounges in Chicago
  • If the Frankfurt to Chicago flight is on Lufthansa, you couldn’t use United’s lounges in Chicago

That’s because Star Alliance lounge access is based on the departing flight (and the Chicago to Los Angeles flight doesn’t offer lounge access), but individual airlines may have more generous policies (United offers lounge access to same-day connecting United long haul business class passengers, above and beyond the Star Alliance policy).

United Polaris Lounge Houston (IAH)

Star Alliance elite lounge access

Star Alliance Gold is the elite tier that offers access to Star Alliance lounges in conjunction with same-day travel. This gets you different lounge access than you’d get if traveling in first or business class, as the policy differs a bit by airline:

  • You can access any designated Star Alliance Gold lounge; in some cases these will be business class lounges, in some cases they’ll be better, and in some cases they’ll be worse, though they’ll all have the Star Alliance Gold logo at the entrance
  • You need to provide proof of your Star Alliance Gold status, ideally by having it associated with your ticket, in which case it will show on your boarding pass
  • You must present a boarding pass for travel on a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport in any class of service
  • You must have paid for your ticket with cash or miles; staff travel doesn’t qualify
  • You are entitled to bring one guest, and they must be traveling on the same flight
  • United MileagePlus Star Alliance Gold members may only access the United Clubs within the United States when traveling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight; however, they can access other Star Alliance lounges when traveling domestically (like the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge LAX, for example)

I think it’s interesting to note how different airlines treat Star Alliance Gold customers:

  • Lufthansa gives Star Alliance Gold members access to Senator Lounges, which are better than the carrier’s lounges for business class passengers
  • Singapore Airlines gives Star Alliance Gold members access to KrisFlyer Gold Lounges, which are worse than the carrier’s lounges for business class passengers
  • United Airlines gives Star Alliance Gold members access to United Clubs, which are worse than the carrier’s United Polaris Lounges for business class passengers
  • It’s also up to each Star Alliance airline as to whether or not they want to allow Star Alliance Gold members into contract lounges, when there are no Star Alliance lounges available; some airlines offer this, while others don’t
Lufthansa Lounge Milan (MXP)

What about United Airlines lounge access?

US airlines tend to get in the way of the alliance “groove” when it comes to lounge access. That’s because within the United States you generally don’t get lounge access just for flying domestic first class, or on account of having elite status. Rather US airlines try to sell lounge memberships.

If you’re traveling within the United States on United, what does that mean?

  • A first or business class ticket within the United States on United generally won’t get you lounge access, with the exception of a limited number of premium routes
  • Star Alliance Gold members through United MileagePlus don’t get United Club access when traveling within the United States on United; however, Star Alliance Gold members who earn status through a program other than United MileagePlus can access United Clubs when traveling domestically

See my detailed post on United Club access.

United Club Houston (IAH)

Bottom line

One of the great things about the global airline alliances is the reciprocal lounge access perks they offer to those traveling in premium cabins, as well as elite members. This is worth knowing, because in many cases you may have access to better lounges than you expect — don’t necessarily just go to the lounge that your airline gives you an “invitation” for.

In general lounge access for Star Alliance Gold elite members is pretty great and straightforward. Meanwhile for first & business class passengers it can get a bit complicated — the major limitation is that alliance lounge access is determined based on your departing boarding pass, which isn’t ideal for those connecting beyond long haul flights (since those typically have the most generous policies).

What has your experience been with Star Alliance lounge access?

Conversations (12)
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  1. Tim Guest

    What about those with Club access thru Chase United Club / Infinity card ? I know it works fine in US, but what about internationally ?

    Specifically I'm on a SG flight and transiting from Singapore, are there 2 types of business SG lounges ? Will my United Club card grant access ? (I'm United Gold but losing it to Silver status)

  2. Bgriff Guest

    The caveat about staff travel not qualifying for Star Gold lounge access is actually specifically wrong -- see under "other" here: https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy

    It might also be worth adding a section about paid lounge access for United Club and Air Canada lounge membership holders ... my understanding is that you basically get access to all Star Gold lounges *except* Star Alliance-operated lounges (which require actual Star Gold status).

  3. BBK Diamond

    Wow, this was dense even for a meticulous person like me!. I just can't wrap my head on how I was such a big fan of StarAlliance (in retrospective, I was captive with CM while based in Venezuela).

    When I discovered OneWorld I never looked back! (this great detailed post confirms why). Having unlimited, hassle free access to the Flagship Lounges in the US (with my non US OneWorld status) absolutely changed my pattern of flying since 2021.

  4. Lucky ladyd Guest

    Lucky, Flying biz sfo/nadi enroute to syd on Fiji metal.I Recall a review you did a while back where you got access to star alliance lounges and Q lounge Syd. Is that still the case

  5. Terence Guest

    Ben -

    You called out the "wrinkle" while I see it as major issue - if not a trend. There are more member airlines that have carved out special lounges based on cabin within Star than other alliances.

    Exhibit A - United Polaris Lounge. You've already covered it. I tend to think it's not a matter of generosity but rather a tactic to lure UA base onto UA metal.
    Exhibit B - SQ...

    Ben -

    You called out the "wrinkle" while I see it as major issue - if not a trend. There are more member airlines that have carved out special lounges based on cabin within Star than other alliances.

    Exhibit A - United Polaris Lounge. You've already covered it. I tend to think it's not a matter of generosity but rather a tactic to lure UA base onto UA metal.
    Exhibit B - SQ SilverKris Business/First Class Lounge. In SQ's hub, Star Gold members without F/J tax are sent to a third-tier lounge which is much less appealing.

    In contrast, BA would offer Galleries First to OWEs which are between Galleries and Concorde Room in terms of service and amenities. The only airline in OW who have carved out nicer lounges for paying J pax is QR. CX/JL/QF all honour First Class lounge access to Emerald members.

    Granted that Star Gold is not a high bar these days but I hope it's not a trend that airlines follow and further dilute membership benefits.

  6. Shane Guest

    Hi Ben, thanks for explaining. In some cities, there are few business class lounges from different star alliance airlines. If I am flying SQ business class; will I be entitle for EVA or TG business class lounges apart from SQ silverkris lounge? Thank you.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Shane -- Yep, you can visit as many Star Alliance lounges as you'd like!

  7. Sam Guest

    What about accessing partner Star Alliance lounges holding a paid United Club membership?

    Per Star Alliance's website, paid United Club and Maple Leaf members can access any Star Alliance partner lounges displaying the "Star Alliance Lounge" logo.

    1. David Guest

      In theory, yes.

      In practice, many airline lounges that aren't familiar with the memberships (so outside of NA/EU) won't recognize it, and you'll need to fight with the lounge dragons to get admitted. NA/EU/JP are mostly okay, but smaller airports like ADB or CTU will struggle.

    2. Sam Guest

      Thanks for the input David. I never liked fighting for promised benefits. It's mentally exhausting.

  8. Alec-14 Gold

    Should add a call out to the LAX star alliance lounge that United gold get access to when flying domestically

  9. Gary Guest

    You failed to mention anything about paid lounge membership. Paid AC and UA memberships may access any *A business lounges. Includes staff travel as well.

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Terence Guest

Ben - You called out the "wrinkle" while I see it as major issue - if not a trend. There are more member airlines that have carved out special lounges based on cabin within Star than other alliances. Exhibit A - United Polaris Lounge. You've already covered it. I tend to think it's not a matter of generosity but rather a tactic to lure UA base onto UA metal. Exhibit B - SQ SilverKris Business/First Class Lounge. In SQ's hub, Star Gold members without F/J tax are sent to a third-tier lounge which is much less appealing. In contrast, BA would offer Galleries First to OWEs which are between Galleries and Concorde Room in terms of service and amenities. The only airline in OW who have carved out nicer lounges for paying J pax is QR. CX/JL/QF all honour First Class lounge access to Emerald members. Granted that Star Gold is not a high bar these days but I hope it's not a trend that airlines follow and further dilute membership benefits.

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Tim Guest

What about those with Club access thru Chase United Club / Infinity card ? I know it works fine in US, but what about internationally ? Specifically I'm on a SG flight and transiting from Singapore, are there 2 types of business SG lounges ? Will my United Club card grant access ? (I'm United Gold but losing it to Silver status)

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Bgriff Guest

The caveat about staff travel not qualifying for Star Gold lounge access is actually specifically wrong -- see under "other" here: https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy It might also be worth adding a section about paid lounge access for United Club and Air Canada lounge membership holders ... my understanding is that you basically get access to all Star Gold lounges *except* Star Alliance-operated lounges (which require actual Star Gold status).

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