Quick warning for newly minted Skyteam elites re lounge access

[dajop]

Ok, just a quick note for those of you with newly minted Skyteam elite status thanks to the AF/KL Flying Blue status match. As most of you would be aware, Star Alliance and oneworld gold/sapphire or higher members are granted access to lounges prior to flights, with a few exceptions like AA members on domestic flights. Note that with Skyteam this access is only granted if you are connecting to/from international Skyteam flight. Enforcement seems to vary, with CZ I'm on second dom flight within China and 50% success rate regarding lounge access.... but a little different to the two alliances I am more familiar with. I guess if I'd read the rules first I would have known!

 

[anat0l]

Ok, just a quick note for those of you with newly minted Skyteam elite status thanks to the AF/KL Flying Blue status match. As most of you would be aware, Star Alliance and oneworld gold/sapphire or higher members are granted access to lounges prior to flights, with a few exceptions like AA members on domestic flights. Note that with Skyteam this access is only granted if you are connecting to/from international Skyteam flight. Enforcement seems to vary, with CZ I'm on second dom flight within China and 50% success rate regarding lounge access.... but a little different to the two alliances I am more familiar with. I guess if I'd read the rules first I would have known!

Interesting quirk. You have a reference to the rules?

I wonder if this holds for travelling on one's own carrier domestically, e.g. AF/KL on French / Dutch domestic flights? (The exception, of course, is DL on American domestic routes, which doesn't work at all IIRC).

 

[oz_mark]

Anat0l, it is in the Skyteam Loung Access Policy (SkyTeam Lounges). Bit of a trap for those on domestic flights

• All international First and Business Class passengers traveling on or connecting to/from a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam Member airline have access to our exclusive lounge facilities. Simply present your same-day (First or Business Class) ticket for an international SkyTeam airline flight

• SkyTeam Elite Plus members, regardless of their travel class, are allowed access to a SkyTeam lounge at a particular airport if traveling on or connecting to/from a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam Member airline. Simply present your same-day ticket for an international SkyTeam airline flight and a valid Elite Plus membership card

 

[Lucky_man]

I picked up this 'feature' in the policy. Can some one clarify another difference to OW. On Skyteam it says Skyteam Operated flight, does this mean that as long as the metal is Skyteam it does not matter if it was a code share with a non Skyteam member.

I am thinking Qantas code sharing with MU.