She said “Oh, you’re flying to London? It didn’t come up that way.” This sounded like a very weak excuse for not looking a little closer. My AS mileage number was in the reservation, and I assumed she just looked that far and no farther. Incidentally, I have accessed many AA clubs and have never had to show my card – a boarding pass has always worked, it’s the same number after all.

Cue the weak attempt at service recovery. “Now you get to visit our nicest lounge!” She began talking only to my wife and not to me, which I thought was kind of interesting. She handed over the invitation to the lounge and let us know to hand it to the attendant on the second floor. Also was a crack that everything in this lounge is self-serve, so be sure not to overserve ourselves.