I used the card for the first time last week in Thailand and was refused entry. The staff used their lounge folder to show them what the gold card looked like and when they seen my card was a new one and they didnt yet have the picture of the new cards, they said they couldnt let me in.

How pissed off was I… Just a little.

But when I contacted the Diamond club contact center, they couldnt be bothered and just said it doesnt matter if the logo isnt on the card… Hey!! wake up and smell the coffee mate! I am the card user on the ground and I can assure you I wasnt allowed in. There was a que behind me and I was very embarrassed.

Anyone got any similar probs with this?

http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/about-us/information-centre/press-releases/20091125.aspx

Some of the upcoming operational changes:
“bmi will reduce the number of aircraft in its mainline operation by nine from the current 39.”
“Leases will not be extended on aircraft when they expire in the first half of 2010, including two of the three long haul A330 aircraft.”
“Flights from Heathrow to Brussels, Tel Aviv, Kiev and Aleppo will be suspended in January 2010 and the service from Heathrow to Amsterdam will be suspended at the end of the current winter timetable period in March 2010.”

The new strategy for the airline includes “Making use of the synergies of Lufthansa and other partner airlines in all areas” and “Maximising revenue generating opportunities with codeshare and Star Alliance partners”.

I wonder what this means for Diamond Club — as bmi turns into a virtual airline, will they keep DC alive or let it get absorbed into Miles & More?

Also gone from the card is the Hertz CDP and logo; on the other hand, the card comes with 4 Europcar upgrade vouchers. The accompanying literature is in a very pretty postcard format, but the information on it is not extremely useful (though it is up to date — Continental is listed among the Star Alliance partners). The adhesive on the card is annoyingly strong, just like on the previous gold card.

in a couple of weeks I’m going on my first Star Alliance flight since getting both cards (LAX–BOS and back on United). I guess I’ll take both cards with me, just to be safe.

C7 on the other hand… I’ve had battles every time in there – be it access… or drinks chits (and getting my “One time exceptions”… twice)

Keep an eye on the threads – I’m sure people are going to try accessing with these new cards sooner rather than later.

I still have my old fashioned “Gold” Card still. Shame I’m not going to use it before the end of the status year