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)
May 24, 2017, 9:28 am
#376
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1
Lounge Access JFK-YVR CX?
Apologies if this is asked before but I can't find anything specific to this.
As CX now leaves from JFK T8, the lounge options for passengers are limited to the AA ones. AAs lounge access policy says only first or business class passengers and elites on qualifying* international itineraries get access to flagship and admirals club lounges. Qualifying here excludes all Canadian destinations. To my knowledge United has similar lounge exclusion rules for its own passengers but Air Canada business class passengers within NA ARE given access to united clubs. As AA had no partners operating intra NA flights (well, CX was but not in terminal 8) before I guess similar language wasn't necessary.
TL;DR: Do CX first and business class passengers get lounge access if terminating in YVR on 889? What about AA EXP/PP/PLT in economy?
As CX now leaves from JFK T8, the lounge options for passengers are limited to the AA ones. AAs lounge access policy says only first or business class passengers and elites on qualifying* international itineraries get access to flagship and admirals club lounges. Qualifying here excludes all Canadian destinations. To my knowledge United has similar lounge exclusion rules for its own passengers but Air Canada business class passengers within NA ARE given access to united clubs. As AA had no partners operating intra NA flights (well, CX was but not in terminal 8) before I guess similar language wasn't necessary.
TL;DR: Do CX first and business class passengers get lounge access if terminating in YVR on 889? What about AA EXP/PP/PLT in economy?
May 24, 2017, 9:30 am
#377
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
Since you're flying on CX metal, CX lounge admittance rules will apply and you will get lounge access if you are Sapphire (PLT/PRO) or above. CX will print you a lounge invitation at check-in, which will admit you into the AC (PLT/PRO or J class) or IFL (EXP or F class).
May 24, 2017, 11:03 am
#378
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
After a couple years racking up miles on my AAdvantage Mastercard, I finally cashed a few in last February and flew Business for the first time (JFK>Cancun). I was kinda excited: looking forward to the lounge, the booze, etc. But when I got to the AA lounge at JFK, the woman scanned my ticket and politely informed me that I couldn't enter. The lounge was for international traveling customers only.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," I replied, "But Cancun is international."
"It is, technically," she said, "But American doesn't consider Cancun to be international."
I decided it wasn't worth a fight. "How disappointing," I responded calmly, and walked back to the gate. I resolved to make up for it by eating and drinking more on the plane, and that worked out well enough. I didn't think about it again...
...Until a few days later, when I was at the Cancun airport for my return journey (back in Economy this time). When I checked my bag, I was informed that I'd have to pay the checked bag fee, which is normally waived for holders of the AAdvantage Mastercard. A pit peeved, I flagged the attention of the ticket agent.
"Isn't this fee normally waived?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "But it still applies to international flights."
"Oh," I replied, "I don't consider Cancun to be international."
I dropped it there, but it strikes me as more than a little unfair that Cancun is international when it suits AA and domestic when it doesn't. I can't imagine there's any way around this, but if someone knows a good hack, I'm all ears.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," I replied, "But Cancun is international."
"It is, technically," she said, "But American doesn't consider Cancun to be international."
I decided it wasn't worth a fight. "How disappointing," I responded calmly, and walked back to the gate. I resolved to make up for it by eating and drinking more on the plane, and that worked out well enough. I didn't think about it again...
...Until a few days later, when I was at the Cancun airport for my return journey (back in Economy this time). When I checked my bag, I was informed that I'd have to pay the checked bag fee, which is normally waived for holders of the AAdvantage Mastercard. A pit peeved, I flagged the attention of the ticket agent.
"Isn't this fee normally waived?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "But it still applies to international flights."
"Oh," I replied, "I don't consider Cancun to be international."
I dropped it there, but it strikes me as more than a little unfair that Cancun is international when it suits AA and domestic when it doesn't. I can't imagine there's any way around this, but if someone knows a good hack, I'm all ears.
May 24, 2017, 11:11 am
#379
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Yes, it is a bit disappointing. It's also why forums like this exist, to look up in advance what access you have and (more important) what you can do increase your odds of getting into the lounge, the best ways to ask for an exception, etc.
I fully agree with the other replies...I'd send AA a short letter. Don't complain about the situation, but politely ask them a definitive question: Is Cancun considered an international destination? The reason I ask is that I was told two different things at two different airports, and both times it worked against me.
May 25, 2017, 7:47 am
#380
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 16
I fully agree with the other replies...I'd send AA a short letter. Don't complain about the situation, but politely ask them a definitive question: Is Cancun considered an international destination? The reason I ask is that I was told two different things at two different airports, and both times it worked against me.
Thank you for contacting Admirals Club. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
The Admirals Club® is intended for the comfort and convenience of Admirals Club Members and their guests that pay dues for an annual membership. Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling First class on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City).
Bag fee policies are set for regions and has nothing to do with Club access.
I will forward you suggestion on to our marketing department.
May 25, 2017, 9:46 am
#381
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I did! Here's what they said:
Thank you for contacting Admirals Club. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
The Admirals Club® is intended for the comfort and convenience of Admirals Club Members and their guests that pay dues for an annual membership. Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling First class on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City).
Bag fee policies are set for regions and has nothing to do with Club access.
I will forward you suggestion on to our marketing department.I think they intentionally missed the point?
Thank you for contacting Admirals Club. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
The Admirals Club® is intended for the comfort and convenience of Admirals Club Members and their guests that pay dues for an annual membership. Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling First class on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City).
Bag fee policies are set for regions and has nothing to do with Club access.
I will forward you suggestion on to our marketing department.
May 25, 2017, 10:17 am
#382
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
I don't think they missed the point at all. I believe you sent your question to a department that is not responsible for making the rules/policies covering multiple areas of operations. All the AC department could do is reiterate the current rules/policies. Were you really expecting something else?
May 25, 2017, 11:11 am
#383
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,936
As you said, CX has their own rules for their business and first class customers, regardless of your status you will have access to the exciting (sarcastic) admirals club lounge at JFK, travelling in F you will get IFL.
AA Plat and up will get Oneworld access based on regular OW rules as it is a OneWorld Cathay flight.
** oops - see it was already debated - ignore this post. But in YVR an AA will get access to the J or F based on AA Oneworld status even in coach. In JFK it has been my experience that the same AC club will give access because its a CX flight based on status.
Last edited by smilee; May 25, 2017 at 12:22 pm
May 26, 2017, 11:09 am
#384
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
There was a post, now closed, in which someone was looking for a list of partner clubs that a membership in Admirals Club would grant access to.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ns-access.html
The thread was closed and the poster was advised to look at this thread. I'm looking of for the same information and haven't been able to find here.
The AA website states "membership includes access to over 50 Admirals Club lounges and 40 partner lounges worldwide." While the sites lists the locations for the Admirals Clubs I've been unable to find a list of the 40 partner lounges.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...membership.jsp
They provide a search tool below the list of their club locations...
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...-locations.jsp
but short of using the search tool to go through every city to find out if there is a partner club and create a list does anyone know where to find one?
In particular I ask because with PP now blocked at SEA, PDX and LAX much of the time I'm thinking of signing up for the Citi card that provides Admirals Club access because it also grants access to Alaska's clubs. I'd like to know what other clubs the membership is good for.
My apologies if this has been addressed but I searched FT and couldn't find the information anywhere.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ns-access.html
The thread was closed and the poster was advised to look at this thread. I'm looking of for the same information and haven't been able to find here.
The AA website states "membership includes access to over 50 Admirals Club lounges and 40 partner lounges worldwide." While the sites lists the locations for the Admirals Clubs I've been unable to find a list of the 40 partner lounges.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...membership.jsp
They provide a search tool below the list of their club locations...
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...-locations.jsp
but short of using the search tool to go through every city to find out if there is a partner club and create a list does anyone know where to find one?
In particular I ask because with PP now blocked at SEA, PDX and LAX much of the time I'm thinking of signing up for the Citi card that provides Admirals Club access because it also grants access to Alaska's clubs. I'd like to know what other clubs the membership is good for.
My apologies if this has been addressed but I searched FT and couldn't find the information anywhere.
May 28, 2017, 2:34 am
#385
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Is American still allowing access to the lounge with a one world elite card (e.g. BA silver) while crediting to AA?
May 28, 2017, 10:22 am
#386
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
The lounge would have no idea of who you're crediting to, and they won't ask. As long as you meet the listed criteria, you're in.
Last edited by SpammersAreScum; May 28, 2017 at 10:23 am Reason: too much quoted
May 28, 2017, 11:25 am
#387
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Diego
Programs: AS, BA, HA, UA
Posts: 23
Good point, though I'm glad you didn't push it.
After a couple years racking up miles on my AAdvantage Mastercard, I finally cashed a few in last February and flew Business for the first time (JFK>Cancun). I was kinda excited: looking forward to the lounge, the booze, etc. But when I got to the AA lounge at JFK, the woman scanned my ticket and politely informed me that I couldn't enter. The lounge was for international traveling customers only.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," I replied, "But Cancun is international."
"It is, technically," she said, "But American doesn't consider Cancun to be international."
I decided it wasn't worth a fight. "How disappointing," I responded calmly, and walked back to the gate. I resolved to make up for it by eating and drinking more on the plane, and that worked out well enough. I didn't think about it again...
...Until a few days later, when I was at the Cancun airport for my return journey (back in Economy this time). When I checked my bag, I was informed that I'd have to pay the checked bag fee, which is normally waived for holders of the AAdvantage Mastercard. A pit peeved, I flagged the attention of the ticket agent.
"Isn't this fee normally waived?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "But it still applies to international flights."
"Oh," I replied, "I don't consider Cancun to be international."
I dropped it there, but it strikes me as more than a little unfair that Cancun is international when it suits AA and domestic when it doesn't. I can't imagine there's any way around this, but if someone knows a good hack, I'm all ears.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," I replied, "But Cancun is international."
"It is, technically," she said, "But American doesn't consider Cancun to be international."
I decided it wasn't worth a fight. "How disappointing," I responded calmly, and walked back to the gate. I resolved to make up for it by eating and drinking more on the plane, and that worked out well enough. I didn't think about it again...
...Until a few days later, when I was at the Cancun airport for my return journey (back in Economy this time). When I checked my bag, I was informed that I'd have to pay the checked bag fee, which is normally waived for holders of the AAdvantage Mastercard. A pit peeved, I flagged the attention of the ticket agent.
"Isn't this fee normally waived?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "But it still applies to international flights."
"Oh," I replied, "I don't consider Cancun to be international."
I dropped it there, but it strikes me as more than a little unfair that Cancun is international when it suits AA and domestic when it doesn't. I can't imagine there's any way around this, but if someone knows a good hack, I'm all ears.
May 28, 2017, 12:26 pm
#388
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Thanks. Though they would know given that it's listed on your boarding pass. BA for example does not allow you to access the lounge based on airline status awarded by a different airline from that you are crediting too.
May 29, 2017, 11:59 am
#389
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Really? I have experienced counter-examples to that. It is possible that the lounge you tried to get into was crowded and you were low on the totem pole for entry...
May 29, 2017, 2:40 pm
#390
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL DM, AA Plat, Hertz Pres. Club. SPG Gold
Posts: 574
Questions on cancelled ticket
I searched and I couldn't come up with an answer. Long story short - last year I booked a ticket for travel on June 6th-9th 2016. I had to cancel the day of and when I did I was told the value (minus $200 change fee) would be good for one year (until June 6th 2017). Today I call to book a flight this week and returning before June 6th and am now being told that what I'm saying is inaccurate and it's one year from the date of issue (which was April 2016)?
Is this the rule and I simply got an agent who told me the wrong rules, or am I being told inccurate info now?
I'm only AA Plat if that helps
(Thank you to all for your help)
Is this the rule and I simply got an agent who told me the wrong rules, or am I being told inccurate info now?
I'm only AA Plat if that helps
(Thank you to all for your help)