Originally Posted by
miamiflyer8
Forgive my ignorance but,
My interpretation is what the OW says is what OW members must provide at minimum. For example at AY's hub HEL in the non-Schengen section they have a business class lounge for all oneworld customers in premium cabins as well as elites. Then they have the superior Premium lounge (which is not a designated OW lounge like the other two Business lounges are) meant for AY's own SPH and EMD which is run at their sole discretion, Non-AY Sapphires have always been allowed access to that lounge until 2-3 years ago they revoked access and only grant non-AY OWE as a courtesy.
Hence my interpretation with the previous listing "all flights" and my previous experiences match the wording.
Nowhere in the OW lounge access policy does it say "all flights". In fact, the official OW rules specifically limit access to departing flights. Check out what it says on the
OW website.
Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with the equivalent of oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by any oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class being flown (exceptions are noted below).
For AC lounges, the rules are posted
here.
Includes customers on all departing flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries don't qualify.***