American, China Southern Introduces Reciprocal Lounge Access

If you could normally visit lounges while flying American Airlines or China Southern Airlines, your access may have doubled. Starting in the beginning of August 2019, both airlines are offering reciprocal lounge access for first class, business class and elite frequent flyer members flying with either carrier.

Flyers heading across the Pacific aboard American Airlines or China Southern Airlines will soon have access to both airlines’ lounges if they are in a premium cabin or have elite frequent flyer status with either carrier. Business Traveller reports the two began reciprocal lounge access on August 1, 2019.

Under the agreement, flyers who are aboard either carrier’s first class or business class products, or hold elite status with one of the two carriers, will be able to access either American’s Admiral’s Club or the China Southern Sky Pearl Club, based on where they are traveling. American operates over 50 Admiral’s Club lounges, while China Southern has 38 Sky Pearl lounges across China.

To qualify for lounge access, flyers must be traveling in business or first class on a local flight in China, or a connecting international long-haul flight of five hours or more. The flights must either be flown or marketed by either American Airlines, China Southern Airlines, or a combination of both. For elite members, lounges are open to qualifying AAdvantage Platinum members and above, as well as China Southern Sky Pearl Gold Elite members and above.

The move is the latest to suggest that China Southern maybe campaigning for membership into the Oneworld alliance. In 2018, the Guangzhou-based carrier announced they would leave SkyTeam. The mid-sized alliance now has two Chinese mainland carriers: China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

Since then, American and China Southern have grown their relationships with one another. Shortly after announcing their departure from SkyTeam, American and China Southern entered an expanded codeshare agreement. And in March 2019, the two airlines allowed for reciprocal mileage earning, allowing members of both loyalty programs to earn miles in their selected currency aboard both carriers.

[Featured Image: China Southern]