Originally Posted by
keitherson
I'm not sure why AS uniquely struggles with this and requires the number in the reservation: I think it's a made-up policy to hide the fact that they can't search up (or agents don't know how/weren't trained on) or validate oneworld numbers.
All other oneworld lounges: AA - QF - BA - JL - CX - everywhere else in the world - "real" oneworld airlines - they can search up your number and let you into the lounge if it's a different number than the one you have in your boarding pass.
Being based in LAX, I don't even bother going to the Alaska lounge anymore, I just go straight to AA Flagship or QF First when flying Alaska. People in other airports sadly don't have the same options.
Since obtaining BAEC Gold, I've never had a problem flying domestically on AA and getting flagship lounge access at DFW/ JFK/ ORD/ LAX. In fact, this morning, before these shenanigans in Seattle, I scanned my Alaska BP with my AA FF# and handed the DFW Flagship Lounge desk agent my BAEC card and she just typed it in and bam, in 30 seconds I was admitted. This appears to be a uniquely AS problem.
Originally Posted by
ashill
Whatever the underlying reason, the rules are clear even if you do typically get away with trying to double-dip on benefits from different programs in this way. No matter who's supposed to be paying whom, it's probably difficult or impossible if your FF# isn't in the record.
I don't think I'm double-dipping on benefits, per se, nor do I think the rules preclude what typically happens; that is when AA is more than happy to input my BAEC information and admit me to the FL sending the $150 admittance bill to BA. Just like BA would not have a problem in doing the same for me to access the Galleries First Lounge at LHR or a BA branded lounge once BA joins AA at Terminal 8 at JFK. It's an alliance of reciprocity. And only AA and AS and to a lesser extent Qantas are the outliers by offering a paid membership program. And it's not difficult nor impossible; the AA agent just types it in and it usually doesn't take longer than 30 seconds.