AA Plat flying in economy from TYO-LAX-PHX and I have a significant layover in LAX. I have done this before and had no problem with flagship access in LAX and others posting above indicate that it gets access.

However, when I look at the rules I am not sure. They require those with AA status to be “departing on or connecting to a qualifying international” flight. Is this new language or is it just not traditionally enforced as it seems to be written?