US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - First Class Club Usage?

Why is it that when you fly first class you still can't access the club? Is that the case with most airline clubs, or just US Air's?

Why is it that when you fly first class you still can't access the club? Is that the case with most airline clubs, or just US Air's?

My understanding is that on all domestic carriers in the US - travelling domestically in F doesn't entitle you to lounge access. The only exceptions I think would be with AA's Flagship Service on transcons on full fare tix (sounds like upgrades don't get that perk - you'd have to ask the AA board that) - see (from the AA website):


At the AmericanAirlines Flagship Lounge, you can get away from the busy terminal and enjoy a little peace and quiet before your flight. When you travel full-fare in our First Class cabin (F, P and Z inventory) on an American Airlines non-stop transcontinental or First Class international flight, it's yours to enjoy with our compliments.
http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AAFlagshipLounges.jhtml

The only way you'd get club access is on flying Business or First on international (non-Canada flights), or if you're a certain level member of either Star, oneWorld, or SkyTeam (and dependent on their restrictions). Otherwise, the why is probably based on the fact that a lot of folks have the ability to fly in F on various carriers due to upgrades.

It's all US airlines, domestically. When you fly International Business or First (Tranatl/Transpac), then you get access to the International clubs, which are not the same as the 'standard' clubs.

For example - in PHL, USAirways has the standard USAirways Club in terminal A, B/C, and F. That's for club members to use on any flight they take, no matter what class of service they're flying. Then they have the Envoy lounge in A only, becuase that's where the European flights depart and it's only for customers flying in Envoy class. The key differentiation is the amenties. The intl. lounges have snacks and free bevereges, including alcohol.

All the US airlines that fly popular intl. routes have this same sort of arrangement.

It's all US airlines, domestically. When you fly International Business or First (Tranatl/Transpac), then you get access to the International clubs, which are not the same as the 'standard' clubs.

For example - in PHL, USAirways has the standard USAirways Club in terminal A, B/C, and F. That's for club members to use on any flight they take, no matter what class of service they're flying. Then they have the Envoy lounge in A only, becuase that's where the European flights depart and it's only for customers flying in Envoy class. The key differentiation is the amenties. The intl. lounges have snacks and free bevereges, including alcohol.

All the US airlines that fly popular intl. routes have this same sort of arrangement.

Can a star gold use the envoy lounge with an international ticket?

Thanks Guys--
So is that how it has always been? If that's the case, then the domestic lounges were built specifically for the preferred members. I always thought that the lounges were for those who fly first, so when I finally did the other day, I was slightly dissappointed. Guess I just have to keep earning those preferred points!

Can a star gold use the envoy lounge with an international ticket?

Yes.

actually i will disagree..the lounge in A is divided into two sections..you can only access the Envoy side if you are on an envoy ticket..but if you are star gold you can access the regular side of the A club.

If you are travelling on an international ticket and are star gold you can use any domestic club.

Thanks Guys--
So is that how it has always been? If that's the case, then the domestic lounges were built specifically for the preferred members. I always thought that the lounges were for those who fly first, so when I finally did the other day, I was slightly dissappointed. Guess I just have to keep earning those preferred points!Actually, most domestic lounges require a membership fee (though that fee is usually reduced for preferred flyers and sometimes waived for the "superelite" flyers). It wasn't always that way - Delta's Crown Room club back in the 70's used to be available to any business traveler who knew to ask about it. I think they switched to charging membership fees sometime in the 80's.

actually i will disagree..the lounge in A is divided into two sections..you can only access the Envoy side if you are on an envoy ticket..but if you are star gold you can access the regular side of the A club.


Not true, if you're Star Gold and fly Coach internationally, you will be invited to use the Envoy side of the lounge in Terminal A @ PHL. Happened to me every time.

. . . actually i will disagree..the lounge in A is divided into two sections..you can only access the Envoy side if you are on an envoy ticket..but if you are star gold you can access the regular side of the A club.



I am a Club member and have flown coach on several international legs out of PHL. While the 2 lounges are conjoined, Club members flying coach are seated in the "regular" ( non-Envoy ) side which has light snacks only & a cash bar.

Traveling coach on our most recent PHL to LGW flight last week, we are seated in the Envoy Lounge side because I now have Gold Preferred status and Golds are indeed permitted in the Envoy side which offers sandwiches, fruit and chees, and free spirits.

A much appreciated perk which makes international travel just a bit more pleasurable.

Barry

actually i will disagree..the lounge in A is divided into two sections..you can only access the Envoy side if you are on an envoy ticket..but if you are star gold you can access the regular side of the A club.

If you are travelling on an international ticket and are star gold you can use any domestic club.

As noted by other responses, Star Golds do indeed get into the Envoy lounge when flying internationally. I've done it many times, as recently as a week and a half ago (both in PHL and in LGW on the return). In both cases, I hung out in the lounge waiting for the upgrades to clear.

One thing I haven't tried, though, would be hanging out in the club in A-West as a Star Gold but not a club member during times the Envoy Lounge is closed - such as before a Caribbean flight. I assume it would work if I'm reading http://www.staralliance.com/star_alliance/star/content/lounge_access.html correctly. Anyone ever tried it?

It's all US airlines, domestically.


Not true. HP offers club access for pax flying on full or discounted F tickets (excludes NW clubs, though).

Not true. HP offers club access for pax flying on full or discounted F tickets (excludes NW clubs, though).

IIRC, HP has clubs in Las Vegas and Phoenix only - so not a ton of options there.

As to access to the clubs in the past - I think the airlines did it by invitation only - and figured they either had to open it up to all (to prevent possible discrimination issues) paying a membership fee, or call it a day. I'd imagine that they're a profit center for some carriers.

IIRC, HP has clubs in Las Vegas and Phoenix only - so not a ton of options there.




You do recall correctly. Two in PHX, one in LAS. So yeah, that doesn't leave you with much . . .

My understanding is that on all domestic carriers in the US - travelling domestically in F doesn't entitle you to lounge access. The only exceptions I think would be with AA's Flagship Service on transcons on full fare tix (sounds like upgrades don't get that perk - you'd have to ask the AA board that) - see (from the AA website):


At the AmericanAirlines Flagship Lounge, you can get away from the busy terminal and enjoy a little peace and quiet before your flight. When you travel full-fare in our First Class cabin (F, P and Z inventory) on an American Airlines non-stop transcontinental or First Class international flight, it's yours to enjoy with our compliments.
http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AAFlagshipLounges.jhtml

The only way you'd get club access is on flying Business or First on international (non-Canada flights), or if you're a certain level member of either Star, oneWorld, or SkyTeam (and dependent on their restrictions). Otherwise, the why is probably based on the fact that a lot of folks have the ability to fly in F on various carriers due to upgrades.


Not at Continental, the Presidents Club is mainly used for a departure and sometimes arrival lounge for Business First international traveling passengers, execpt where they use other club rooms world wide or can request arrival lounge access at certain international destinations....

I think they switched to charging membership fees sometime in the 80's.
I was in an Admiral's Club (AA) in 1979 and they were charging membership fees at that time. IIRC, some airlines were charging membership fees even in the '70's.