Originally Posted by
moa999
Complex situation with the extra exclusions around AA ExPlats. Particularly with a Y-F connection.
Were these on the one PNR or separate tickets?? (I don't think connections is particularly well defined)
It is very well defined. EXP on international itinerary, per oneworld rules (
https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access) is covered under exception no.2, which means they are allowed access whenever they are
not "travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean". Otherwise we would not have access to the AC FL. It doesn't matter if you are flying Y-F, J-Y, or what the class of service is. The rules say access. Ironically I was permitted access to the J lounge, with the explanation that the J lounge is a oneworld lounge and the QF lounge is not (ha-ha). This only seems to be a problem in the US.
Originally Posted by
QueenOfCoach
Is the quality of the QF lounge that much greater than the Flagship lounge to make it worth the hassle of admittance and wasted time if denied?
yes, it is much better than the FL, like, light years ahead. The FL is small, dated, and has limited food options. The QF F lounge is a proper restaurant, comparable to a nice restaurant one might dine at outside the airport.
So far I've been randomly denied maybe 2/6 times, so it isn't that bad, but it is incredibly frustrating when I am denied. Especially when I have a guest. And at least one of the times I got it only AFTER some arguing. .... It really isn't that hard --- AA on domestic only itin - no access, AA on international itin - access. Don't know why they can't figure it out...