Feb 19, 2015, 12:28 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2016)
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
PLEASE DO NOT ALTER THE CONTENT OF THIS MODERATOR NOTE
The Lounge Access Help Desk
To assist members with questions about Lounge Access Rules that they have not been able to answer on their own using the above resources, the AA Moderator team has decided to institute this thread, the third in a series of "Help Desk" threads. N.B.: If you have questions about physical access to a specific lounge (e.g., airside vs. landside, different terminal, etc.), please search for and post to the appropriate specific thread for that lounge.
New threads on this topic will be merged into this one and bumped by the moderators as necessary. As such, we do not expect that this thread will develop into a searchable database, but that it will nonetheless provide a valuable resource to members. As well, we may shed / pare down posts from time to time to a trailing thread or similar device.
Our goal is to provide a place where members can feel welcome to post such questions and expect helpful, accurate responses. In this way, we hope to accommodate the needs and desires of both new and veteran members - those who aren't sure they are interpreting the available resources correctly can ask for help without fear of snarky-appearing responses; those who do not wish to participate in such threads are invited and, indeed, encouraged, to ignore this thread.
Please be forewarned: This thread will be subject to heavy moderation. Posts that are incorrect will be subject to editing (
Finally, a few guidelines for members posting queries to this thread:
- Please DO make an effort to review the listed resources before posting here.
- Please DO try to give as much information as possible, including your entire itinerary, with carrier for each segment and codeshares and stopovers clearly designated, your class of service and fare class purchased, whether or not you have Admirals Club or Qantas Club membership, a Citi AAdvantage Executive card (which includes full Admirals Club membership), and the number of guests and your family relationship with them, if any.
- Please DO understand it could take some time for answers (especially on holidays and weekends.)
- Please DO thank helpful members volunteering to reply to your questions.
Also see the future changes in lounges and access: Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge Changes, Renovations & Additions
As well, note Expanded Access to Flagship Lounge Coming "in Spring 2017"
Sincerely,
The American Airlines | AAdvantage forum Moderator Team
(Help Desk established by dstan)
=================end mod note===================
oneworld Lounge Access
Wizard by kduarte.
Help Desk: Lounge Access Rules / Will I Have Lounge Access?
Lounge Access can be obtained in a number of ways during travel on AA and its oneworld partner airlines. These include purchasing an Admirals Club one day pass, or via Citi AAdvantage Executive MasterCard (including, as of Dec 20-5, authorized card users), reciprocity agreements with other airlines, traveling on certain transcon flights in F or J, or traveling internationally with Platinum (oneworld Sapphire) or Executive Platinum (oneworld Emerald) status or in F or J classes of service. The last is often the greatest source of confusion, despite lounge access rules being described clearly on aa.com. Threads about these are linked to in the American Airlines LOUNGE DASHBOARD thread.
Admirals Club members paid or Executive cardholder members) are entitled guests as follows:
Up to two guests or household members (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under the age of 18) may accompany the member.
For AA status-based access (PLT or EXP),* passengers must: (1) be traveling on an international itinerary (Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Mexico City, excluding the Caribbean and other destinations in Mexico), and (2) have an onward flight on a oneworld airline marketed and operated flight on the same day. PLT members are eligible for access to all oneworld Business Class lounges, including Admirals Clubs; EXP members are also eligible for access to all oneworld First Class lounges, including Flagship Lounges.
Lounges operated by third parties or premium lunges operating outside of oneworld rules (e.g. BA Concorde Room, Qatar Al Safwa or Al Mourjan lounges) may be excluded, and all may may refuse admittance if they claim they are crowded. There are other exceptions.
*Non-AA oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites are not subject to rule #1 above.
Another confusing rule relates to transcontinental access. From member FriendlySkies:
Traveling on a Non-Stop Transcontinental* Flight? http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/trans-con-access.jsp
On September 1, 2012, access to the Admirals Club® and Flagship Lounge® changed for customers traveling on an American Airlines certain non-stop transcontinental flight.
If you are traveling in the First or Business class cabin (on flights sold as three classes) in one of the following non-stop markets, we welcome you to visit the lounge as indicated below.
On September 1, 2012, access to the Admirals Club® and Flagship Lounge® changed for customers traveling on an American Airlines certain non-stop transcontinental flight.
If you are traveling in the First or Business class cabin (on flights sold as three classes) in one of the following non-stop markets, we welcome you to visit the lounge as indicated below.
The following exceptions apply:
First and Business Class customers who do not hold Emerald or Sapphire tier status are not eligible to access American Airlines lounges when travelling on solely domestic flights within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico [except Mexico City], the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean; customers travelling in First or Business class on U.S. transcontinental flights between JFK-LAX, JFK-SFO and MIA-LAX (and vice-versa) are eligible for lounge access. one world lounge access page - link
First and Business Class customers who do not hold Emerald or Sapphire tier status are not eligible to access American Airlines lounges when travelling on solely domestic flights within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico [except Mexico City], the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean; customers travelling in First or Business class on U.S. transcontinental flights between JFK-LAX, JFK-SFO and MIA-LAX (and vice-versa) are eligible for lounge access. one world lounge access page - link
In the Flagship Dining subsection, they state:
Beginning in early 2017, the Flagship Dining experience will be available in select cities with 3-class service:
● Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
● New York (JFK)
● Miami (MIA)
● Los Angeles (LAX)
First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining in 2017
● Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
● New York (JFK)
● Miami (MIA)
● Los Angeles (LAX)
First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining in 2017
All Admirals Club visitors receive free Wi-Fi access at Admirals Clubs (password is available at front desk and throughout the Club on signs), some non-alcoholic and "well" (lower price tier) alcoholic beverages and counter snacks (fruit, some kind of snack mix, cheese cubes, hot cereal mornings and soup evenings are the most common - recent additions have been made); free computer terminals are available for all passengers, and many Clubs have Business Centers and tethered Samsung Galaxy tablets in seating areas. Passengers accessing Admirals Clubs based on status or class of service on international travel are entitled to free drinks coupons usable for higher-tier non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and bottles of water.
Flagship Lounges (JFK, LAX, LHR and ORD) offer extended beverages and upscale snack services as well. See below for link.
NOTE: US Airways Clubs have been rebranded as Admirals Clubs; full consolidation has occurred. Some Clubs are undergoing refurbishment.
Citi Prestige MasterCard holder Admirals Club access ends July 23, 2017.
American Express Platinum cardholder Admirals Club access ended 21 March 2014.
NOTE: It has been verified more airports are allowing multiple terminal access on one's day of departure. LAX has been one since mid-2014, so this has added the oneworld Business and Qantas First lounges at the TBIT international terminal for passengers departing TBIT; the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge, and Alaska Airlines Board Room to the scope of lounges one might access (depending on status or class of service eligibility).
Admirals Club access is granted the day of flight for statusholders flyingone world and those flying F or J, or the following day at the first port of arrival if flying overnight and arriving by 0600.
Airports requiring Lounge users have a same day departure boarding pass include BOG, CCS, CDG, GIG, GRU, LHR, MEX, NRT, SCL, YYZ.
N.B. Qantas Lounges and Clubs require Smart Casual (sic) dress as of May 2015; those not meeting the standard may be turned away. They also require AAdvantage members be traveling on a departing AA marketed flight.
Please see the following resources for full details on Lounge Access Rules: (and see below)
. . . ● oneworld Lounge Access Wizard, created by FlyerTalk member imagineertobe
. . . ● AA.com: Lounge Access Rules
. . . ● AA.com: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Access Rules
. . . ● AA.com: Reimaging our lounges
. . . ● AA.com: Admirals Club Membership Guide in a downloadable PDF format.
. . . ● oneworld.com: Lounge Access Rules and Search Tool
. . . ● Wiki: Lounges
. . . ● FT: American Airlines LOUNGE DASHBOARD
For various threads on membership, access by status, transcon service, class of service, Flagship lounge access, lounges directory with links to specific lounge threads, Club member access to partner lounges, recipripocity agreements, etc.
. . . ● FT Help Desk: Lounge Access and Lounge Access Rules [ARCHIVED]
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2016)
Dec 31, 2015, 8:32 pm
#1
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,416
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2016)
Help Desk: Lounge Access Rules / Will I Have Lounge Access?
Last edited by JY1024; Feb 12, 2016 at 8:04 pm Reason: Trying to restore date to 2015/6 instead of 2007
Dec 31, 2015, 10:50 pm
#2
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,416
Leaving empty post after reconstruction for lounge dashboard link use.
NOTE: Expanded Access to Flagship Lounge Coming "in Spring 2017" (Discuss in that thread until new Flagship Lounge access rules come into play.)
As part of "In spring 2017, we’ll start introducing our all-new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Features
American Airlines is expanding access to the Flagship Lounges (but reducing access to Flagship Dining within the Flagsip Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges, eligible customers will be:
*Qualifying international cities include flights to and from Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Australia and Mexico City only. Flights must be marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
NOTE: First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining.
Link to relevant "Lounge Updates" aa.com page
NOTE: Expanded Access to Flagship Lounge Coming "in Spring 2017" (Discuss in that thread until new Flagship Lounge access rules come into play.)
AA Expanding Flagship Lounge Access Spring 2017
As part of "In spring 2017, we’ll start introducing our all-new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Features
- More room for you to spread out and relax
- Larger buffet with premium, fresh meals
- Premium beer, wine and spirits
- Updated interiors with additional power and privacy options
- More staff in each lounge for the highest level of service
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges, eligible customers will be:
- First and Business Class customers (on qualifying international flights or 3-class transcontinental markets)*
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members in any cabin (on qualifying international flights)*
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire members in any cabin on all flights**
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
NOTE: First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining.
Link to relevant "Lounge Updates" aa.com page
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 16, 2017 at 2:54 pm Reason: Thread maintenance
Dec 31, 2015, 10:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: VA
Posts: 144
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2016)
I have no status but flying the following route
NRT-LAX AA First
+1 LAX-DFW F
DFW-ATL F
Will I be able to access the Flagship Lounge in LAX and Flagship Dining in DFW (or should I skip it and go to the Amex Centurion lounge)
Thanks
NRT-LAX AA First
+1 LAX-DFW F
DFW-ATL F
Will I be able to access the Flagship Lounge in LAX and Flagship Dining in DFW (or should I skip it and go to the Amex Centurion lounge)
Thanks
Dec 31, 2015, 10:55 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,582
Are you continuing on to DFW and ATL the same day as arrving in from NRT?
Dec 31, 2015, 10:57 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,582
Connecting between oneworld marketed and operated flights: First and Business Class customers connecting on the same day of travel, or before 6am the following day, can access the lounge when travelling between an international long haul (a oneworld international long haul flight is defined as an international flight marketed and operated by any oneworld carrier with a scheduled flight time longer than 5 hours) and an international short haul or domestic flight (and vice-versa
Jan 1, 2016, 11:02 am
#8
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
"+1" mean in
NRT-LAX AA First
+1 LAX-DFW F
DFW-ATL F?
+1 LAX-DFW F
DFW-ATL F?
Yet above you say you will depart LAX for DFW and ATL the same day you arrive.
If "A" and you overnight in LAX, you'll have no access.
If "B" and you continue your travel eastward the same day, you'll have access.
Jan 3, 2016, 4:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 25
MIA Admirals Club/Checkpoints D and E
Flying on separate award tickets tomorrow am from LIR-MIA, have Global Entry and passes to Admirals Club for a 3 1/2 hr layover. Arrive D23, DEP E4. Will need to pick up checked fishing rods at customs and recheck before our flight (F) to CLT/PHX/GEG.
Assume we will clear immigration and customs fairly quickly with GE, so which Admirals Club would be best? D30 says still remodeling, so space is limited. Is it a good option to go through the E checkpoint if D is too busy? What app is best to find out times at checkpoints...thanks!
Assume we will clear immigration and customs fairly quickly with GE, so which Admirals Club would be best? D30 says still remodeling, so space is limited. Is it a good option to go through the E checkpoint if D is too busy? What app is best to find out times at checkpoints...thanks!
Jan 3, 2016, 4:18 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Flying on separate award tickets tomorrow am from LIR-MIA, have Global Entry and passes to Admirals Club for a 3 1/2 hr layover. Arrive D23, DEP E4. Will need to pick up checked fishing rods at customs and recheck before our flight (F) to CLT/PHX/GEG.
Assume we will clear immigration and customs fairly quickly with GE, so which Admirals Club would be best? D30 says still remodeling, so space is limited. Is it a good option to go through the E checkpoint if D is too busy? What app is best to find out times at checkpoints...thanks!
Assume we will clear immigration and customs fairly quickly with GE, so which Admirals Club would be best? D30 says still remodeling, so space is limited. Is it a good option to go through the E checkpoint if D is too busy? What app is best to find out times at checkpoints...thanks!
Jan 3, 2016, 8:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
The D15 club is the one under construction but both ACs tend to be super crowded. If you have GE suggest using the first PreCheck lane you come upon, should take no longer than a few minutes. AC members can use the Premium lounge if departing from Concourse E, day passes likely can't. Just use the AC closest to your gate. More than likely your gate assignment will change.
Jan 3, 2016, 8:25 pm
#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
The OP can access the two Admirals Clubs (or with the right AMEX card, Centurion or Platinum, the Centurion Club - or with other AMEX card with a fee.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 3, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Jan 4, 2016, 10:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 165
A friend is flying and asked me about lounge access... He's an AA Platinum...
DFW-LAX-JFK (redeye)-MIA-PTY
Ticketed in paid business. All short connections but technically speaking the Panama leg is the next day, but he's also on a transcon.
1. Will he get access to the Oneworld J lounge at LAX (he has plenty of time)?
2. On the way back home he does the exact same all on the same day. What about on that day?
(Just asking about the Oneworld J lounge at LAX, not any other lounge/AC/FL).
Thanks!
DFW-LAX-JFK (redeye)-MIA-PTY
Ticketed in paid business. All short connections but technically speaking the Panama leg is the next day, but he's also on a transcon.
1. Will he get access to the Oneworld J lounge at LAX (he has plenty of time)?
2. On the way back home he does the exact same all on the same day. What about on that day?
(Just asking about the Oneworld J lounge at LAX, not any other lounge/AC/FL).
Thanks!
Last edited by 747kona; Jan 4, 2016 at 10:48 pm
Jan 5, 2016, 2:00 am
#14
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
DFW-LAX-JFK (redeye)-MIA-PTY
Ticketed in paid business. All short connections but technically speaking the Panama leg is the next day, but he's also on a transcon.
1. Will he get access to the Oneworld J lounge at LAX (he has plenty of time)?
2. On the way back home he does the exact same all on the same day. What about on that day?
(Just asking about the Oneworld J lounge at LAX, not any other lounge/AC/FL)
Ticketed in paid business. All short connections but technically speaking the Panama leg is the next day, but he's also on a transcon.
1. Will he get access to the Oneworld J lounge at LAX (he has plenty of time)?
2. On the way back home he does the exact same all on the same day. What about on that day?
(Just asking about the Oneworld J lounge at LAX, not any other lounge/AC/FL)
If his connection at LAX is short, he won't have plenty of time. The T4-TBIT connector is not yet open, and last time I was through LAX there was not PreCheck at TBIT (though queues can be highly variable based on time of day, so it could still be fast).
Jan 5, 2016, 11:19 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 25
The D15 club is the one under construction but both ACs tend to be super crowded. If you have GE suggest using the first PreCheck lane you come upon, should take no longer than a few minutes. AC members can use the Premium lounge if departing from Concourse E, day passes likely can't. Just use the AC closest to your gate. More than likely your gate assignment will change.
Had to ask the desk agent(?) in the club to help with delayed and impossible connections. They worked a fix by rerouting us through MCO to make our PHX-GEG flight; had to give up the F seating for the long trip from MCO-PHX
but it was worth it to get home. Lot of delays at MIA yesterday, AA afternoon flight to DFW was cancelled at one point.