You were, unfortunately, misinformed - likely an Admrials Club staffer with insufficient awareness of the rules.
As an EXP/EP/Emerald I have used the FLs at LAX, JFK and ORD both on departure and on return from qualifying* international flights.
The
lounge access page is pretty clear on this; too bad the staffer wasn't properly informed.
**International is defined as Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Mexico City. Destinations in Canada and other destinations in Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean are not considered International for the purposes of lounge access.
Originally Posted by
Fornebufox
I was looking forward to checking out the Flagship Lounge at JFK after reading that EXPs flying international have access. But I was told on checking in at JFK (my first JFK intl departure since making EXP) that only First Class pax may use the FL
. Lounge access rules on the AA website say are conflicting -- in one place it says that EXP in business may only use AC, but further down the page it says that Emeralds may use the FL. What's the collective experience with this?