Denied Lounge Access at SEA
Jul 19, 2022, 12:27 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,966
AS is still very much a regional airline in many ways. It’s trying hard to become more global but many employees are stuck in the past. Sadly this causes so many issues and even when you have evidence they are wrong they won’t budge. On the positive side customer care doesn’t seem to take feedback and give some minor comp (I think last they they added a lounge pass).
Jul 19, 2022, 4:02 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
For flights operated by Finnair and every other oneworld airline except AA, it's very simple: oneworld Sapphire/Emeralds have lounge access when flying any oneworld airline (marketed and operated departures from the airport the lounge is in). Easy and simple. (And similar for the competition in Star and Skyteam.)
Jul 19, 2022, 11:09 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I'd have my phone out showing the language on the site and have them call everyone, including Ben's mom if needed, until they let me in if I was on an eligible itinerary. I'd be severely disappointed if on a partner carrier internationally that didn't recognize Alaska status and grant entry, but with all the marketing they've been doing about being a part of OW, for this to happen at their home base / flagship lounge? Really crappy.
Jul 19, 2022, 2:59 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Jul 19, 2022, 5:09 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP 75K
Posts: 24
I have flown to Central America, Europe, South America, and Asia as a 75k/ Emerald. Everytime it has been an argument to get into the lounge for Alaska or American. Never had a problem with any other OW carrier. I have to go in knowing the rules and I still get grief. American has been the worst and have been denied even with a cash J ticket. I always end up getting in but you have to be courteous and speak with confidence.
Jul 19, 2022, 5:17 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: North Oregon Coast
Programs: AS, AA, BA, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 354
In a nutshell, that's pretty much how you always need to be when you have a dispute as a customer -- at least in the beginning. At some point you may sometimes need to ratchet up the anger if they won't help or escalate as necessary, but this is always a good opening.
Last edited by ziggy29; Jul 19, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Jul 26, 2022, 1:51 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL DM/1MM, Natl Exec Elite, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diam
Posts: 382
Whether this works in practice or not, has a lot to do with bees and vinegar. I've always taken a "kill em with kindness" attitude. If I'm losing it to an agent, its because they actively did something to mess me up.
Jul 26, 2022, 3:53 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA ExecPlat
Posts: 94
Last time I flew SFO-SEA-LHR on AS/AA, the SEA gate agent wouldn't let me in with my AA business class boarding class or with my AA ExecPlat status, BUT they did finally let me in with my SFO-SEA first boarding pass. The agent was apologetic and friendly, but clearly they did not understand the access rules. I probably would have politely escalated if the other methods didn't work.
Jul 26, 2022, 4:21 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
Last time I flew SFO-SEA-LHR on AS/AA, the SEA gate agent wouldn't let me in with my AA business class boarding class or with my AA ExecPlat status, BUT they did finally let me in with my SFO-SEA first boarding pass. The agent was apologetic and friendly, but clearly they did not understand the access rules. I probably would have politely escalated if the other methods didn't work.
Jul 26, 2022, 5:26 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,388
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34007604-post4.html
Hasn't been flown since March. I doubt it's coming back (though maybe if they get a bunch of 788s/789s and BA cuts some of their service, I suppose, but I'm still pretty skeptical this AA longhaul "hub" will actually ever amount to much).
Jul 27, 2022, 12:49 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,601
OP were you able to use another lounge for this with another alliance partner?
hopeful that AS sends you courtesy miles for this mega error.
hopeful that AS sends you courtesy miles for this mega error.
Sep 14, 2022, 11:54 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951