Star Alliance Lounge Access Guide

Star Alliance is the world's largest airline alliance with 26 member carriers, offering reciprocal lounge access across their global network. This guide explains who can access Star Alliance lounges and under what conditions.

Star Alliance Member Airlines

Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines.

Access by Ticket Class

First Class Passengers

Lounge Access: Star Alliance first class and business class lounges with a valid departing boarding pass.

Guest Policy: One guest permitted (must be traveling on the same Star Alliance flight).

Requirements:

• Same-day Star Alliance first class boarding pass
• Access determined by your departing boarding pass only

Important Restrictions:

• Lufthansa First Class Lounges (Frankfurt, Munich) - Only accessible to Lufthansa and SWISS first class passengers. Other Star Alliance first class passengers use Senator Lounges instead.
• SWISS First Class Lounges - Only accessible to SWISS and Lufthansa first class passengers.
• Singapore Airlines The Private Room (Singapore) - Restricted to Singapore Airlines first class passengers only.
• HON Circle Lounges (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian) - Reserved for HON Circle members only.

Connecting Flight Limitation: Alliance lounge access is based on your departing flight only. If you're connecting from a long-haul first class flight to a short-haul economy segment, you may lose first class lounge access at your connection point.

Business Class Passengers

Lounge Access: Designated Star Alliance business class lounges only (not first class lounges).

Guest Policy: No guest privileges.

Requirements:

• Same-day Star Alliance business class boarding pass
• Valid for departing flight only

Carrier-Specific Enhancements: Some airlines offer extended access for connecting passengers. For example, United provides lounge access to same-day connecting long-haul business class passengers even when on a domestic segment.

Excluded Lounges:

• All first class lounges
• Singapore Airlines The Private Room
• HON Circle Lounges
• Lufthansa First Class Lounges

Access by Elite Status

Star Alliance Gold Status

Gold is the top reciprocal tier in Star Alliance, earned through programs like United MileagePlus (Premier 1K, Premier Platinum), Lufthansa Miles & More (Senator), and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (PPS Club, Gold).

Lounge Access: Designated Star Alliance Gold lounges (typically business class level lounges).

Guest Policy: One guest permitted (must be traveling on the same Star Alliance flight).

Requirements:

• Same-day Star Alliance boarding pass (any cabin class, including economy)
• Must show Gold status card or digital equivalent

Excluded Lounges:

• Singapore Airlines The Private Room
• Lufthansa First Class Lounges
• SWISS First Class Lounges
• HON Circle Lounges (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian)
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa

Lounge Quality Varies by Airline: Star Alliance Gold access quality differs significantly by airline:

• Lufthansa - Senator Lounge access (better than standard business lounges)
• Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer Gold Lounge access (separate from SilverKris business lounges)
• United - United Club access (separate from Polaris business lounges)

Critical United Domestic Exception

MileagePlus Gold Members: United MileagePlus members with Star Alliance Gold status (Premier 1K, Premier Platinum) do NOT receive United Club access when traveling domestically within the United States on United.

Other Program Gold Members: Star Alliance Gold members who earned status through a program other than MileagePlus (e.g., Lufthansa Senator, Air Canada Super Elite) CAN access United Clubs when traveling domestically on United.

This creates a significant disparity where a Lufthansa Senator flying United domestic gets lounge access, but a United Premier 1K on the same flight does not.

International Travel: MileagePlus Gold members DO receive United Club access when traveling internationally on Star Alliance carriers.

Star Alliance Silver Status

Silver is the entry-level elite tier, offering benefits like priority check-in, extra baggage, and priority boarding but no lounge access.

Lounge Membership Programs

United Club / Air Canada Maple Leaf Membership

Lounge Access: Any Star Alliance member airline's owned business class lounges worldwide.

Guest Policy: One guest permitted (must be on the same Star Alliance flight).

Requirements:

• Valid membership card
• Same-day Star Alliance departing boarding pass

Exclusions:

• Contract lounges (third-party operated lounges)
• First class lounges
• Premium facilities like The Private Room

Special Rules & Exceptions

United Polaris Lounges

United Polaris Lounges are premium business class facilities available to:

• United Polaris (international business class) passengers
• United international first class passengers
• Select partner airline premium cabin passengers

Not Available To:

• Star Alliance Gold status members flying economy
• Domestic United passengers (regardless of cabin)
• United Club members (without qualifying international ticket)

Lufthansa Lounge Hierarchy

Lufthansa operates multiple lounge tiers:

1. HON Circle Lounge - HON Circle members only
2. First Class Lounge - Lufthansa/SWISS first class only
3. Senator Lounge - Lufthansa Senator, Star Alliance Gold, other first class
4. Business Lounge - Business class passengers, lounge members

Singapore Airlines Lounge Hierarchy

1. The Private Room - Singapore Airlines first class only
2. SilverKris First Class Lounge - First class passengers
3. SilverKris Business Class Lounge - Business class passengers
4. KrisFlyer Gold Lounge - Star Alliance Gold members in economy

Day-of-Departure Requirements

Departing Flight Rule

All Star Alliance lounge access requires a same-day departing Star Alliance flight. Access is determined by your outbound boarding pass, not your complete itinerary.

This means:

• No access the day before your flight
• Access may be limited at connection points if your departing segment is economy
• Arriving passengers cannot access lounges after their final segment

Connecting Passengers

Unlike some alliances, Star Alliance strictly enforces the departing flight rule:

• A first class arrival followed by economy departure = economy lounge access (none)
• Business class arrival followed by economy departure = no lounge access
• Some individual carriers may offer exceptions for their own passengers

Quick Reference Table

*Except Lufthansa/SWISS First (own passengers only), The Private Room (SQ only) **Except Polaris Lounges without qualifying ticket

Tips for Travelers

1. Understand the departing flight rule - Your access is based on what you're flying next, not what you flew to get there.

2. United domestic quirk - If you have Gold through MileagePlus, you won't get United Club access domestically. Consider earning status through another Star Alliance program for better domestic benefits.

3. Lufthansa first class access - Even with a first class ticket on another Star Alliance carrier, you'll use Senator Lounges, not Lufthansa First Class Lounges.

4. Singapore connections - The Private Room is strictly for SQ first class. Other first class passengers use SilverKris First.

5. Book strategically - If lounge access matters at a connection, consider which cabin your departing segment is in.

6. Polaris requires premium cabin - Star Alliance Gold alone won't get you into Polaris Lounges—you need a United international premium cabin ticket.

Last updated: January 2025