Admirals club - family guest rules
Jul 7, 2008, 8:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
Programs: AA EXP, HH Dia
Posts: 58
Admirals club - family guest rules
Im Plat and traveling LHR-ORD. As a Plat, I have entry to Admirals Club for this international trip.
On this occasion I have wife and 2 kids travelling with me (no status). Can they come into lounge with me?
I have searched through AA site but cant find anything.
On this occasion I have wife and 2 kids travelling with me (no status). Can they come into lounge with me?
I have searched through AA site but cant find anything.
Jul 7, 2008, 8:46 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
Technically, the "family rule" applies to AC members, not Emerald/Sapphire members flying internationally, so you are technically allowed only one guest.
In actuality, the AC may allow your family to enter with you, particularly in the US. The odds of this happening at ACs outside of the US are a bit less, but not impossible.
Rules at non-AA oneworld lounges are typically vigorously enforced, so expect to be refused at these clubs on most occasions.
The lounge access policy is on the AC site: http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...ungeAccess.jsp
In actuality, the AC may allow your family to enter with you, particularly in the US. The odds of this happening at ACs outside of the US are a bit less, but not impossible.
Rules at non-AA oneworld lounges are typically vigorously enforced, so expect to be refused at these clubs on most occasions.
The lounge access policy is on the AC site: http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...ungeAccess.jsp
Jul 7, 2008, 8:49 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
Programs: AA EXP, HH Dia
Posts: 58
Technically, the "family rule" applies to AC members, not Emerald/Sapphire members flying internationally, so you are technically allowed only one guest.
In actuality, the AC may allow your family to enter with you, particularly in the US. The odds of this happening at ACs outside of the US are a bit less, but not impossible.
Rules at non-AA oneworld lounges are typically vigorously enforced, so expect to be refused at these clubs on most occasions.
The lounge access policy is on the AC site: http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...ungeAccess.jsp
In actuality, the AC may allow your family to enter with you, particularly in the US. The odds of this happening at ACs outside of the US are a bit less, but not impossible.
Rules at non-AA oneworld lounges are typically vigorously enforced, so expect to be refused at these clubs on most occasions.
The lounge access policy is on the AC site: http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...ungeAccess.jsp
Thanks
Jul 7, 2008, 9:00 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Jul 7, 2008, 9:11 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
No reason not to try. Worst that can happen is they say no. I'd give the CX lounge a shot.
P.S. to the OP: if you're traveling on a fare that gives at least 1x EQPs, make sure to sign the family up for at least a GLD challenge.
P.S. to the OP: if you're traveling on a fare that gives at least 1x EQPs, make sure to sign the family up for at least a GLD challenge.
Jul 7, 2008, 9:32 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
I encountered some resistance two years ago when traveling as a PLT AUS-DFW-CDG-ORD-AUS with wife and two children (one borrowed ;-). AC at DFW really didn't want me (as non-AC member) to bring in more than one guest. They relented after some gentle persuasion. AC front desk folks at ORD on the way back raised an eyebrow but let us in anyway. I think the sympathy factor seeing us all bleary eyed after TATL helped in ORD, FWIW.
YMMV,
benzguy80
YMMV,
benzguy80
Jul 7, 2008, 10:46 am
#7
Original Member, Ambassador: OneWorld Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Programs: AA ExecPlat & 3MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,015
Give it a try, if they are not busy and you ask nicely, they will probably let all of you in. They did so for me last month.
The key is to be nice and know that they are doing you a favor (you are only entitled to 1 guest).
The key is to be nice and know that they are doing you a favor (you are only entitled to 1 guest).
Jul 7, 2008, 10:55 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TX Panhandle
Programs: EXP AA 5.7MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Marriott, a bit of United, a bit of this and that
Posts: 737
Itty bitty kids may be easier to bring in than full-fledged 21-year-olds who are technically your kids but would be a tough salesjob.
Jul 7, 2008, 11:34 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA ExP
Posts: 119
From my experience those with kids that are well-behaved and appear to remain so are let in more often than not. However, I was behind one family with one older kid and two younger ones that were turned away at the AC in ORD. The two younger kids were kind of ratty looking and hyper, so that might have played a part.
Jul 7, 2008, 1:28 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
Programs: AA EXP, HH Dia
Posts: 58
My kids are cute 4 & 7 year olds, so should have a good chance.
If they are mis-behaving, I'll leave 'em out in the terminal
If they are mis-behaving, I'll leave 'em out in the terminal
Jul 7, 2008, 2:27 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
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Posts: 12,966
Jul 7, 2008, 2:53 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, PCR Plat/Amb
Posts: 468
Jul 7, 2008, 4:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2002
Programs: AA (Exec Plat), UAL (Premier Exec), SPG (Platinum), Hyatt (Diamond), Marriott (Plat), Hertz (Prez)
Posts: 151
some tips i always use when i try to get stuff i'm not technically supposed to get:
-be extra nice to the agent
-have your kids be well behaved (perhaps even "hidden" under the high counter if possible so they're not that visible)
-try to get a guy, since it's my wife's theory that guy service agents are actually nicer than girl service agents
-if it's a girl agent, you speak to her; if it's a guy agent, have your wife ask.
good luck!
-be extra nice to the agent
-have your kids be well behaved (perhaps even "hidden" under the high counter if possible so they're not that visible)
-try to get a guy, since it's my wife's theory that guy service agents are actually nicer than girl service agents
-if it's a girl agent, you speak to her; if it's a guy agent, have your wife ask.
good luck!
Jul 7, 2008, 7:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Tulsa OK USA
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 620
We are AC members now so not an issue, but before we joined, we never had any problem getting our two sons in the AC. But they are experts at looking meek and very sweet. My youngest has really big blue eyes which can win over almost anyone.