Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to book and cancel Star Alliance paid lounge entry
Star Alliance paid lounge entry is a lounge reservation the alliance sells through its own booking pages, advertised as access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide. The buyer must be flying on a Star Alliance member carrier flight, but needs neither frequent flyer status nor a business class ticket. [3] Air New Zealand's own site, checked alongside it, shows Koru membership and Airpoints balance together in a signed-in view and carries a join path for Koru. [2] This page covers the paid-entry product in general; it does not provide a complete airport-by-airport list of lounges.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Star Alliance advertises paid lounge entry to over 1,000 lounges worldwide, and the buyer must be flying on a Star Alliance member carrier flight. [3]
- A purchased reservation carries no frequent flyer status requirement and no business class requirement. [3]
- A reservation admits you only to the lounge you booked, for a maximum of three hours unless the access document or the lounge says otherwise. [3]
- Air New Zealand's own site shows Koru membership and Airpoints balance together in a signed-in view and carries a "Join Koru" path. [2]
How does paid Star Alliance lounge entry work?
Star Alliance runs a reservation site for lounge entry that it describes as covering over 1,000 lounges worldwide; visitors enter their travel details to find out which lounges they can access. [3] At the time of checking, the booking page listed two Star Alliance-branded lounges: Los Angeles (LAX), in the Tom Bradley International Terminal on the 6th floor, open 08:00–01:00 all days, and Rio de Janeiro (GIG), in Terminal 2, Level 3, after duty free and before the gates, open 12:00–02:00 all days. Each has its own details page and a "Book Now" button. [3]
Star Alliance states that a purchased reservation requires no frequent flyer status and no business class travel. [3]
The condition that does apply is the flight: Star Alliance says you have to be flying on a Star Alliance member carrier flight to purchase lounge access. [3] At the lounge door, present the reservation together with a valid boarding pass for the same day of travel, and be ready to show identification, since the FAQ says you may be asked for it at any time. [3]
Deciding at the airport works too. The FAQ describes scanning a barcode with a smartphone at the lounge entrance, opening the reservation site with the date and time already selected, completing checkout and presenting the emailed reservation at the front desk; it adds that a purchase made at the lounge counter makes you eligible to proceed to entry straight away. [3]
What are the guest and party-size rules?
The party limit is stated in two different ways on the same page. One answer allows a travel party of up to nine people including yourself; another allows your own access plus a maximum of nine additional guests under the same reservation. [3]
When you book on behalf of another person, that person's full name must match their boarding pass. For a group booking, Star Alliance says the reservation requires the details of the person presenting access, and appended guests can enter only with that person. [3] You must be at least 18 years old to reserve lounge access. [3]
When can a lounge reservation be refunded?
Refunds depend on why you cancel and on how far ahead of entry you cancel. [3]
| Situation | Refund |
|---|---|
| Cancelled more than 24 hours before the estimated entry time, because the flight was cancelled or delayed by more than four hours | Full refund [3] |
| Access bought less than 24 hours before the estimated entry time, with the flight cancelled or delayed by more than four hours | Partial refund, with a service fee of 5% of the total transaction retained [3] |
| No cancellation, or a flight that was not cancelled and not delayed by more than four hours | No refund [3] |
Cancellations run through the "Manage my Reservation" link in the confirmation email. [3] First name, last name, email address, flight number and comments can be edited; the date and time cannot, so moving to a different slot means cancelling and booking again. [3] Some lounges restrict when access can be bought, so a date showing no availability needs another date or time. [3]
What does Air New Zealand publish for Koru members?
Air New Zealand's homepage is the airline's own account entry point: it invites customers to sign in to see "your next trip, Airpoints balance, Koru membership and personalised offers", and carries a "Join Koru" path beside the sign-in link. [2]
Air New Zealand's own site carries a "Join Koru" link, and a signed-in view shows Koru membership and Airpoints balance together. [2]
Koru tier benefits and Air New Zealand lounge eligibility are outside this page's scope; see the Air New Zealand lounge access page.
Exceptions and limits
- One lounge per reservation. A purchased reservation admits you only to the lounge you booked; it does not extend to other lounges in the same airport. [3]
- The flight rule still stands. Buying access removes the status and cabin conditions but not the requirement to be on a Star Alliance member carrier flight. [3]
- Entry is guaranteed, house rules are not waived. Star Alliance describes access as guaranteed once a reservation is completed, subject to lounge policies such as dress code and valid identification, and notes that lounges have their own terms and conditions for entry, including conduct. [3]
- Children. Child access differs by lounge; some lounges offer complimentary access for children, while others require paid access for each child. [3]
- Length of stay. A reservation covers a maximum of three hours unless the access document or the lounge indicates otherwise, and some lounges sell several durations at different prices. [3]
- Check the lounge before you travel. Star Alliance directs travellers to check the specific lounge's access policy and its operating hours. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Do you need frequent flyer status to buy lounge access?
No. Star Alliance says a purchased reservation requires neither frequent flyer status nor a business class ticket, although you must be flying on a Star Alliance member carrier. [3]
Can you use the reservation at any lounge in the terminal?
No. Entry is limited to the lounge you reserved, and you present that reservation with a same-day boarding pass. [3]
How long can you stay inside the lounge?
Up to three hours unless the access document or the individual lounge sets a different limit. [3]
Can someone else book the access for you?
Yes, provided the full name on the reservation matches the name on your boarding pass. [3]
What if no slot is available on your date?
Some lounges limit the times at which access can be bought, so the answer is to pick a different date and time. [3]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It describes Star Alliance's paid lounge entry product in general and does not provide a complete airport-by-airport list of lounges; it also does not cover Star Alliance member airlines' individual status or cabin thresholds, Star Alliance Gold benefits, Koru tier benefits, Air New Zealand lounge eligibility, or third-party paid lounges. Source [2] is cited only for what Air New Zealand's homepage shows about Airpoints and Koru accounts. For programme-level detail see the Star Alliance lounge and Air New Zealand lounge pages.
- Air New Zealand website: Airpoints and Koru membership, checked 18 October 2026
- Star Alliance paid lounge access and frequently asked questions, checked 18 October 2026