ashill

Or really just VX suddenly became a lounge partner of AA, which it wasn't when the lounge was built.

tom911

Alaska has 13% of all seats from SFO while AA is at 8%. For Alaska, that's almost 9 million seats a year. The AS-VX merger made Alaska the #2 in both available seats and departing flights from SFO. I can see why AA doesn't want to be overrun with Alaska flyers.
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/articl...O-13875046.php

PDXPremier

I really meant my question as a general question to everyone, not necessarily the OP for whom cost isn't a factor....I'm honestly curious why one would pay more for an AC membership over a cheaper AS Lounge membership since the AS membership allows access to almost all domestic and international AC.

williwaw

I think the most compelling argument for AC over AS is if you use the Citi AAdvantage Exec Card, which is at the same "price" as a general AL membership but also lets you add up to 10 other card holders and has access to SFO. But starting this Fall access will be limited to being on AA and partner flights so the benefit diminishes a bit. Personally for my usual routes the MVPG pricing on the AL was a slam dunk since I am not looking for international options since all my work travel is on the AS network.

Flying for Fun

AS & AA have a "reciprocal" lounge access agreement in certain domestic markets. An AL membership won't grant you access to Admiral Clubs in PHX. AA is in Terminal 4, AS is in Terminal 2. AS has an agreement with UA there. It is favourable to have a AC membership that grants access everywhere and all Alaska Lounges than to have an AL membership to all Alaska Lounges and a subset of Admiral Clubs.

I do a lot of international travel. My Citi AC membership has been a great benefit and I know I won't be denied at any AL.

James

MAH4546

Flying for Fun

Not according to the AS Website. There is no mention of pseudo-ACs, only to select AC locations.

"Alaska Lounge members have access to the select Admiral Club Locations listed below when arriving or departing that day on a purchased or redeemed-mileage ticket on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines*. Members do not have access to the Admirals Club in San Francisco."

I was incorrect in stating MIA & PHX as they do appear on the list. Can you show me where SCL & ICN contract lounges are listed? I have visited those locations recently. You are correct here. Thank you for the clarification. Until November, there is no requirement to be flying AA for access & SFO isn't sidelined. The World Elite Mastercard offers up to 11 memberships for the annual fee while a single additional AL Spouse/Partner membership is an additional $250. While it may not work for everyone it is the better choice for me since my first/last flight to/from home is always on AS via SEA.

James

ashill

Flying for Fun

Yes, you are correct. I did say it may not work for everyone. I am Canadian based flying AS and have authourized American based users who fly AA. I have 3 authourized users which equates to four AC memberships (including access to all partner/contract lounges) and one AL membership. As the primary cardholder I do have access to Alaska Lounges and can guest my partner in when we are traveling together. In the rare cases he is traveling without me, 75K lounge access codes fill the gap. Access to the AC at SFO has also been quite beneficial as both an arrival and depature lounge while flying AS.

James

TheDudeAbides

SCL LATAM lounge is not an AC obviously. No reason for BR members to have access.

sudobuntu

Once AS moved all operations into T2 at SAN (end of January this year), the Airspace lounge sign was reprinted with an official-looking "Alaska Lounge" icon next to the AA and BA ones. So even though there are actual Admirals Club agents in there, I think it may be more of a directly negotiated third-party contract lounge now instead of a pseudo-AC.

Indeed, on the website it's listed under "Other partner locations" (not ACs) with the note:
Before AS moved into T2 you still had access to this lounge but it was listed under the AC section according to a Wayback Machine archive from 2017. Of course only pmVX's SFO flights flew out of T2 so this was of limited use anyway since T1 is not connected.
You can access Airspace with your Amex Plat as well, which you should use if you have it as entering with AC/BR memberships don't get you the $10 premium food/bev credit that the Amex does.

Flying for Fun

Thanks for the information everyone. I did miss SAN listed in the "Other" section. Although I have access to US domiciled CC accounts as a non-resident alien, most of my consumption throughout the year is in Canada. As such, a lot of card products with bonus spend categories & transfer partners are less appealing to me as I can't extract maximum value from them relative to cost. I personally value the BofA Alaska companion certificate more for my personal travel needs. I used to hold Amex products but discontinued using them when Costco switch to Visa.

SFO for now is a plus. Post October and once the SFO AL opens, I will reassess.

James

MAH4546