Originally Posted by
happiest_at_40000
I find it interesting though that you can be on a $599 special J transcon fare and get in upon arrival with out needing any onward flight at all but you technically by the rules could be turned away arriving on a $5000 J ticket on a OW carrier or even AA themselves, say if you were continuing onward with United or Delta or whomever.
By far thought he most confusing lounge access rules of any airline.
Much of the confusion stems from the fact that so many people have access. AS/AA OW sapphire and higher on intl itineraries. Non-AS/AA OW sapphire and higher on a domestic itinerary. OW J/F passengers. Flagship transcon passengers. Arrival/connecting passengers.
But I'd much rather have it this way and have multiple means of access than the requirements be as stringent as the Polaris lounges: Must be departing in a Star Alliance J/F cabin. Flying LH but connecting to a UA domestic flight? United Club for you. United 1k going to France in economy? Enjoy the complimentary stale chips and $12 gin and tonic.
While this doesn't excuse AA's inconsistent admittance practices, I think we should be relieved there are so many ways to access the Flagship Lounges.