FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - AA Executive Platinum Status: Functional Uses For Domestic US?

Oct 21, 2019 | 2:22 pm

#15

Stripe

Join Date: Jun 2005

Location: AUS

Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Silver, Hertz Five Star

Posts: 7,483

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJeffrey

Because AA, along with DL & UA, have long established paid lounge membership programs. Just one of those things that's different in the US (and Australia) vs. rest of world.

And lounge access is a benefit for oneworld Emerald and Sapphire, so letting every EXP, PLT Pro, and PLT into clubs on every domestic itinerary would be complete overcrowded chaos. None of the legacy carriers have the lounge infrastructure for that. Not to mention they're certainly not going to give up all the revenue they receive from lounge memberships.

Technically correct. However, I would note that DL gave domestic lounge access to all Diamonds for a number of years after they introduced that tier in 2010. I'm sure it was a factor in SkyClubs being consistently overcrowded. The benefit was therefore tightened over the years to exclude guests and it's now available only as a "Choice Benefit". Still better than AA, of course, which offers EXPs only a discounted membership.

Reply