Originally Posted by
Danwriter
Returning MXP-JFK last month, I was pleasantly surprised that a) I was ushered into the FL at the JFK AC, and b) that I was allowed to do so on the return portion of the itinerary. Always understood that F and J were entitled only on the outbound portions. Nice change, but within the context of the rest of Doug Parker's regime change, I'm glad I got an Amex plat card and Centurion Lounge access, too.
the outbound rule is a Star Alliance rule, not a One World one. OW rules clearly allow you to access the first or business lounge (depending on status or class of service) on the arriving portion of a longhaul flight, as long as the onward / connecting flight is also on a OW carrier. Heck, *A flyers that don't have status aren't even allowed to access the F/J lounge at the first airport of departure if connecting short haul to the long haul flight at another hub (ie SFO-ORD-Europe, no access at SFO, only at ORD). OW rules are far more generous
Also I've had absolutely no problem accessing ACs on arrival as either a member (obviously) or using Citi/access rules back when Prestige gave you access (with no onward flight). The reason you typically can't get to the lounges on arrival with no connecting flight from an international destination is because there's no way to get you back airside post customs. So as an example I'd imagine you'd have no issue getting into the FL from SFO-JFK in J or F to take a shower off a redeye and have some breakfast before heading into town, which is fantastic.