Jan 4, 2017, 9:24 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2017)
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 deletion without notice - DO NOT POST answers unless you are 100% sure your answer is complete and correct. Posts that are unhelpful or off-topic will also be subject to deletion without notice - DO NOT POST unless you can be friendly, helpful, concise, and salient.
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
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 2015, 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 - except if flying solely within North America inc,Using destinations other than MEX or the Caribbean. 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, PlatPro 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 North America (other than on certain three class transcontinental flights) including other destinations in Mexico, and (2) have an onward flight on a oneworld airline marketed and operated flight on the same day. PLT and PPRO members are eligible for access to all oneworld Business Class lounges, now including Flagship 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.
Emerald / EP on CX JFK-YVR are not subject to AA limitations and are issued Flagship Lounge invitations for use at JFK.
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
More changes:
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.
More changes:
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
Flagship Lounges (JFK, LAX, LHR and ORD) offer extended beverages and upscale snack services as well. See below for link.
NOTE: Some Lounges and Clubs are undergoing refurbishment.
Citi Prestige MasterCard holder Admirals Club access ended 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.
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)
. . . ● AA.com: Lounge Access Rules
. . . ● AA.com: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Access Rules
Beginning later in 2017: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ge-updates.jsp opens Flagship access to many more pax.
. . . ● 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.
. . . ● Last year's thread:HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2016)
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2017)
Mar 26, 2017, 8:22 pm
#226
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Guangzhou, China
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 11
AA Platinum, travelling all in Y
One ticket number and one PNR, booked in AA.com by multi-sector search.
AA192 HKG-LAX
AA1027/1267 LAX-ORD-DCA
AA293/193 JFK-LAX-HKG
HKG - not a problem
How about in LAX, ORD and JFK? Do I have lounge access?
Thanks.
One ticket number and one PNR, booked in AA.com by multi-sector search.
AA192 HKG-LAX
AA1027/1267 LAX-ORD-DCA
AA293/193 JFK-LAX-HKG
HKG - not a problem
How about in LAX, ORD and JFK? Do I have lounge access?
Thanks.
Mar 26, 2017, 8:50 pm
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
There are three of us travelling on an international first class itinerary on separate bookings this coming week. One of us is BA Gold (OW Emerald) and the other two are BA Silver (OW Sapphire).
We're flying LHR-EWR the day before doing JFK-LAX-SJC and are wondering if anyone has a clue as to what lounge we'd all be able to access at LAX. Obviously at least two of us would definitely be able to get into the temporary flagship lounge on the veracity of OW Emerald + 1 guest, but was wondering if there would be access by rights of the inbound first class transcontinental sector?
We're flying LHR-EWR the day before doing JFK-LAX-SJC and are wondering if anyone has a clue as to what lounge we'd all be able to access at LAX. Obviously at least two of us would definitely be able to get into the temporary flagship lounge on the veracity of OW Emerald + 1 guest, but was wondering if there would be access by rights of the inbound first class transcontinental sector?
Mar 27, 2017, 6:17 am
#228
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dorset, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 635
Thanks flyerCO. To be clear, just so I'm understanding correctly, the international leg is on a different day to the domestic transcons. However, the domestic transcons by having rights in F should grant access in LAX to all passengers regardless?
Mar 27, 2017, 7:41 am
#229
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Yes. The JFK-LAX/SFO (all flights) and MIA-LAX (the daily 777) are treated just like a 3 cabin flight to LHR for lounge access. Part of the confusion is that in the US what we call Domestic FC is really called business elsewhere. On the mentioned flights AA operates an actual First class cabin, not just Domestic First Class aka Business.
Mar 27, 2017, 11:55 am
#230
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
Lounge Access during International to Domestic Transfer
I'm flying from NRT-DFW-MCO. Business with JAL and AA domestic first class.
Do I get the lounge access during the layover in DFW?
Do I get the lounge access during the layover in DFW?
Last edited by Issac Ng; Mar 27, 2017 at 12:31 pm Reason: Typo
Mar 27, 2017, 12:12 pm
#231
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Mar 28, 2017, 10:09 am
#232
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
Eventually my flight beginning from KUL-NRT-DFW-MCO all in one ticket. I guess an 3 hours 25 minutes layover in DFW (first city in US upon entry) would be sufficient for me to clear Immigration and Custom right?
Hopefully I will have enough to take a quick shower in DFW before heading to MCO.
Mar 28, 2017, 10:12 am
#233
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,738
Thank you!
Eventually my flight beginning from KUL-NRT-DFW-MCO all in one ticket. I guess an 3 hours 25 minutes layover in DFW (first city in US upon entry) would be sufficient for me to clear Immigration and Custom right?
Hopefully I will have enough to take a quick shower in DFW before heading to MCO.
Eventually my flight beginning from KUL-NRT-DFW-MCO all in one ticket. I guess an 3 hours 25 minutes layover in DFW (first city in US upon entry) would be sufficient for me to clear Immigration and Custom right?
Hopefully I will have enough to take a quick shower in DFW before heading to MCO.
Mar 29, 2017, 2:02 am
#234
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Posts: 3,010
JFK, definitely yes.
In all of the locations, you'll have access to the Admirals Club. In LAX, you'll also have the option of the Oneworld J lounge.
Mar 29, 2017, 3:06 am
#235
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Guangzhou, China
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 11
Assuming the LAX-ORD-DCA flights are the same day as the HKG-LAX flight, yes for LAX and ORD. If you're not departing from LAX the same day as you arrive from HKG, then no, you won't.
JFK, definitely yes.
In all of the locations, you'll have access to the Admirals Club. In LAX, you'll also have the option of the Oneworld J lounge.
JFK, definitely yes.
In all of the locations, you'll have access to the Admirals Club. In LAX, you'll also have the option of the Oneworld J lounge.
Thanks! I arrive at LAX 4:30pm and departs LAX at 1:10am +1, does it means "same day" or not? Thanks.
Mar 29, 2017, 5:48 am
#236
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Mar 29, 2017, 6:07 am
#237
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Guangzhou, China
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 11
Mar 31, 2017, 8:25 am
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Admirals Club ExecPlat access on MEX ticket
I don't have an AC membership because most of my AA flights include international segments and I have ExecPlat status that gets me AC access at my YYZ base or at US transit airports. This weekend I have an BusinessExtra coach award to/from MEX (so no upgrade even though there's still lots of J seats on my flights). I have read the appropriate pages relating to AC access but it's still not clear if an AA/OW Emerald (or Sapphire) can use the club when flying to MEX on a coach ticket. It is clear that other OW Emeralds/Sapphires would have access, but what about AA's own elites?
My flight is mid-morning from CLT, so want to know if it's worth getting to the airport too early. (The return is not an issue as there are several Priority Pass lounges at MEX I can use if I can't get into the AC there, and at my transit US airport I'll use the MIA Amex Centurion lounge.)
Thanks for clarifying this, as MEX is the exception for the AA elite benefit AC restrictions within the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
My flight is mid-morning from CLT, so want to know if it's worth getting to the airport too early. (The return is not an issue as there are several Priority Pass lounges at MEX I can use if I can't get into the AC there, and at my transit US airport I'll use the MIA Amex Centurion lounge.)
Thanks for clarifying this, as MEX is the exception for the AA elite benefit AC restrictions within the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Mar 31, 2017, 8:28 am
#239
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
AA.com:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nge-access.jsp
Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City) unless you’re a oneworld Emerald or Sapphire customer. However, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members regardless of Emerald or Sapphire status, are not eligible
Mar 31, 2017, 8:30 am
#240
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago, London
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 31
MEX is considered international just like Europe or Asia, so you will be eligible as ExPlat transiting to Mexico City.
It is an exception to other cities in Mexico, Canada and Caribbean. If you were flying to CUN instead, you would not have access. Hope that helps.
It is an exception to other cities in Mexico, Canada and Caribbean. If you were flying to CUN instead, you would not have access. Hope that helps.