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)
Jun 20, 2017, 10:17 am
#451
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,972
Jun 20, 2017, 10:18 am
#452
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: BOS
Posts: 12
Not very convenient. Terminal B (domestic AA) and Terminal E (international) are not connected and you would need to exit security and bus (or fairly long walk outside) between them. I have no knowledge of whether you could pass security in E with your boarding pass.
The BA lounge was recently renovated. I haven't been in it since the reno, but reviews seem positive.
The BA lounge was recently renovated. I haven't been in it since the reno, but reviews seem positive.
Jun 20, 2017, 10:18 am
#453
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AA EP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 636
If you are an AAdvantage Platinum member traveling domestic, then you have no lounge access privileges. You would need to get an admirals club membership or pay for a day pass
Jun 20, 2017, 10:46 am
#454
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,378
https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access
You would have access if you were QF Platinum, but not AA Platinum.
American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Jun 20, 2017, 10:48 am
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,972
Jun 20, 2017, 11:11 am
#456
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,581
As a AA Platinum (OneWorld Sapphire) OP would have access to the lounge if they were on the BA flight to LHR in any class, wouldn't have to be in business.
But, as has been correctly stated in this thread, no access if travelling on a solely domestic itinerary.
But, as has been correctly stated in this thread, no access if travelling on a solely domestic itinerary.
Jun 20, 2017, 11:14 am
#457
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,972
While I agree that's what the books say BA Terraces Lounges have denied access to folks that aren't flying BA and on another one world airline instead. It happened to me at DFW. They told me they are reserving space for BA flyers only so sorry and enjoy the AC.
Jun 20, 2017, 12:13 pm
#458
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AA EP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 636
And they were correct in denying you access to that lounge. Its not actually a BA lounge, its a shared use lounge. Plus the One World website says you need to be specifically flying one of a list of airlines to use the lounge, AA isn't on there.
Jun 20, 2017, 8:39 pm
#459
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
FRA JAL Sakura Lounge
Scenario: Mrs. controller1 (AAdvantage Gold) and I (AAdvantage Platinum and Admirals Club member via Citi Executive AAdvantage MasterCard) will be traveling in Business on AA71 FRA-DFW. We will be traveling with two other adults traveling in Coach. Neither these two are AAdvantage elite or Admirals Club members.
Will the following scenario get all four of us access to the JAL Sakura Lounge? -- Mrs. controller1 will enter based on her Business Class boarding pass. I will enter based on my Admirals Club membership and guest the other two.
Thanks.
Will the following scenario get all four of us access to the JAL Sakura Lounge? -- Mrs. controller1 will enter based on her Business Class boarding pass. I will enter based on my Admirals Club membership and guest the other two.
Thanks.
Jun 20, 2017, 9:09 pm
#460
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
Jun 20, 2017, 10:53 pm
#461
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
Scenario: Mrs. controller1 (AAdvantage Gold) and I (AAdvantage Platinum and Admirals Club member via Citi Executive AAdvantage MasterCard) will be traveling in Business on AA71 FRA-DFW. We will be traveling with two other adults traveling in Coach. Neither these two are AAdvantage elite or Admirals Club members.
Will the following scenario get all four of us access to the JAL Sakura Lounge? -- Mrs. controller1 will enter based on her Business Class boarding pass. I will enter based on my Admirals Club membership and guest the other two.
Thanks.
Will the following scenario get all four of us access to the JAL Sakura Lounge? -- Mrs. controller1 will enter based on her Business Class boarding pass. I will enter based on my Admirals Club membership and guest the other two.
Thanks.
and
"Must present a boarding pass for same day departing travel on an AA or US marketed and operated flight* and one of the following:
- First Class or Business Class ticket (on same flight)
- oneworld Emerald or oneworld Sapphire card
- Admirals Club membership"
Jun 24, 2017, 4:22 am
#462
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington,DC
Posts: 1,822
I'll be flying AA 81 LHR to DFW in First
I am EXP
Can my spouse (no status) but also in F and I enter the Cathay Pacific Lounge at LHR?
Is this better than the AA first class lounge?
Thanks for any advice or help
I am EXP
Can my spouse (no status) but also in F and I enter the Cathay Pacific Lounge at LHR?
Is this better than the AA first class lounge?
Thanks for any advice or help
Jun 24, 2017, 4:47 am
#463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
And yes, the updated CX lounge is your best bet departing T3.
Jun 25, 2017, 4:18 pm
#464
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 336
Memphis
Flying Business class to the Middle East via American & Iberia. Have never flown from MEM before. Looking at aa.com, I don't see an Admirals Club listed.
If there is not an AC, is there a partner lounge in Memphis?
THANKS!
If there is not an AC, is there a partner lounge in Memphis?
THANKS!
Jun 25, 2017, 5:34 pm
#465
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
But no Admirals Club or lounge with reciprocal access. (There's a Lounge Dashboard post in the WELCOME sticky worth checking.)