Airline passengers typically try to make the tough journey as pleasant as possible. However, United Airlines (UAL) has one guideline that inconveniences many flyers for a simple reason.
International travel is simplified by the alliance's partner flights, which offer greater route alternatives with global carriers. 26 airlines are Star Alliance members.
United is a founder member of Star Alliance, a global aviation alliance. On One Mile At a Time, travel expert Ben Schlappig revealed one important benefit of these relationships.
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.
Because in the US, you don't get lounge access for traveling domestic first class or being elite. U.S. airlines sell lounge memberships.
This can be frustrating for United passengers. The experience is not exclusive to United. Just a symptom of U.S. lounge access procedures.
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.