BA lounge at PHL denies access to AA Elites / Premium Flyers
May 21, 2014, 2:16 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
I disagree.
There are contractual obligations to being part of an alliance. BA gets benefits but also has responsibilities under those contractual obligations. I agree that an individual AAdvantage member probably lacks the standing to sue BA, but would probably have standing to sue AA (not that I would recommend this course of action).
AI'm not aware of any contractual obligations requiring BA to let in someone that happened to have flown a lot on another airline. And even if there is some implied contract through marketing literature or similar, I'm sure BA's lawyers have crafted legal disclaimers somewhere allowing them to refuse access to (or throw out anyone) they want for any or no reason whatsoever.
May 21, 2014, 3:15 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,424
This happened to me a few months ago right before US officially joined OW. There was a prominent AA sign out front, but the lounge dragon said she would let me in (I was flying US J, but trying to get in with my Amex Plat) as a one-time exception. It took a lot of begging, however.
I think it is just the culture of the people who work there to refuse access to the lounge, especially with the US lounges nearby. Unless whoever their local manager is changes the culture, it likely will not change no matter what we do.
I will say I did not like it as the lounge was small and cramped.
I think it is just the culture of the people who work there to refuse access to the lounge, especially with the US lounges nearby. Unless whoever their local manager is changes the culture, it likely will not change no matter what we do.
I will say I did not like it as the lounge was small and cramped.
May 22, 2014, 5:49 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
Flew out of PHL yesterday and the BA lounge did not open until 3pm. The new AA lounge between A4 and A6 was a bit of a walk but was nice. Note: I was on AA domestic, had not been through PHL in a couple of months and was not aware of the new AA club until I got there yesterday.
May 23, 2014, 10:17 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
Ever try to access BA's MIA or DFW lounge via One World?
I have been refused entry to Galleries lounges in both these AA hubs when flying AA internationally as sapphire and emerald OneWorld. They redirect me to the admiral's club and when I persist they claim the lounge is too busy. Ba does not care about the fee they would collect for admitting another OW member's passenger into their lounge. They only care about keeping their lounge pleasant for their passengers, particularly the real revenue premium cabin passengers.
On the OW site, in lounge info, there is a disclaimer that if a lounge is very busy access can be denied-that is what BA seems to use to keep other airlines' passengers from accessing under OW elite rules. Let's face it, if they did not redirect AA an US elites to our own airlines' clubrooms in these cities, we would fill their Galleries Lounges to enjoy a more premium business class like lounge rather than a membership club being passed off as a premium lounge.
It does irritate me that Executive Club Golds can access our clubs in North america with no restriction that the ticket be international when we are kept out of their North am clubs though.
I have been refused entry to Galleries lounges in both these AA hubs when flying AA internationally as sapphire and emerald OneWorld. They redirect me to the admiral's club and when I persist they claim the lounge is too busy. Ba does not care about the fee they would collect for admitting another OW member's passenger into their lounge. They only care about keeping their lounge pleasant for their passengers, particularly the real revenue premium cabin passengers.
On the OW site, in lounge info, there is a disclaimer that if a lounge is very busy access can be denied-that is what BA seems to use to keep other airlines' passengers from accessing under OW elite rules. Let's face it, if they did not redirect AA an US elites to our own airlines' clubrooms in these cities, we would fill their Galleries Lounges to enjoy a more premium business class like lounge rather than a membership club being passed off as a premium lounge.
It does irritate me that Executive Club Golds can access our clubs in North america with no restriction that the ticket be international when we are kept out of their North am clubs though.
The Club at DFW
Location details: Terminal D, airside near Gate D21
Opening hours: Daily: 1430 - 1830
Operated by a third party. May be used only by eligible customers when travelling on: British Airways
Location details: Terminal D, airside near Gate D21
Opening hours: Daily: 1430 - 1830
Operated by a third party. May be used only by eligible customers when travelling on: British Airways
May 23, 2014, 11:47 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
May 25, 2014, 10:53 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
May 25, 2014, 3:40 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PIT
Programs: UA-1k, Starwood-G, Marriott-G, Hilton-G
Posts: 85
OP, sounds like a bit of a pain, but do hope she redirected you to the Envoy lounge. I fly both BA and US regularly and while the food and drink is better in the BA lounge, the US Envoy lounge in A-West is a much nicer place to spend time IMHO. Anyway on behalf of my hometown, sorry for the "aah-tee-tude" (as we say around here).
May 25, 2014, 3:47 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Yes. But if they don't follow the rules of OW - then they should be pushed out. Just because you are a founding member doesn't mean you can't leave. Let BA form BAWorld.
With lounge policies and high fees on rewards - I just don't fly BA.
If going to Europe I will fly *A and LH over BA. Just don't like BA. LH plays by the rules in *A.
With lounge policies and high fees on rewards - I just don't fly BA.
If going to Europe I will fly *A and LH over BA. Just don't like BA. LH plays by the rules in *A.
May 25, 2014, 10:28 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
I'd say for 2 flights/day - the PHL BA Club is plenty sufficient in size and quality. It wasn't designed or built to support a large OW contingent of passengers, which has been thrust upon it by the new AA, QR and TBD. Remembering that when the club was designed/built, BA was the only OW carrier serving PHL, as standalone AA had a tiny presence and essentially zero outbound connecting traffic. If BA should add another evening supper flight, then I'd speculate the club's size will be a problem. What I'd like to see is for AA to do a quality redesign of the A-West Club (Old Envoy Lounge) and pronounce it as the primary OW club (international and (maybe) paid AA memberships only), leaving AA with 3 other dedicated clubs (A-East, B/C and F) - and BA with potentially less non-BA passengers requesting access to their club.
May 26, 2014, 4:14 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat., HH Gold
Posts: 342
I'd say for 2 flights/day - the PHL BA Club is plenty sufficient in size and quality. It wasn't designed or built to support a large OW contingent of passengers, which has been thrust upon it by the new AA, QR and TBD. Remembering that when the club was designed/built, BA was the only OW carrier serving PHL, as standalone AA had a tiny presence and essentially zero outbound connecting traffic. If BA should add another evening supper flight, then I'd speculate the club's size will be a problem. What I'd like to see is for AA to do a quality redesign of the A-West Club (Old Envoy Lounge) and pronounce it as the primary OW club (international and (maybe) paid AA memberships only), leaving AA with 3 other dedicated clubs (A-East, B/C and F) - and BA with potentially less non-BA passengers requesting access to their club.
May 26, 2014, 7:47 am
#42
formerly bdohmen
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: Still dealing with the loss of my BA Concorde Room Card
Posts: 488
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wollstonecraft
...........................
What I'd like to see is for AA to do a quality redesign of the A-West Club (Old Envoy Lounge) and pronounce it as the primary OW club (international and (maybe) paid AA memberships only), leaving AA with 3 other dedicated clubs (A-East, B/C and F) - and BA with potentially less non-BA passengers requesting access to their club.
Originally Posted by Wollstonecraft
...........................
What I'd like to see is for AA to do a quality redesign of the A-West Club (Old Envoy Lounge) and pronounce it as the primary OW club (international and (maybe) paid AA memberships only), leaving AA with 3 other dedicated clubs (A-East, B/C and F) - and BA with potentially less non-BA passengers requesting access to their club.
May 26, 2014, 10:26 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
I agree. The last time I was in the envoy lounge it had been converted to a regular us airways club and could absolutely use some sprucing up. Now that PHL is a OW hub it could use a proper lounge. That being said the example of dfw is a prime example of how a massive oneworld presence doesn't seem to necessitate decent Ow premium lounge.
Both locations have few non-AA/US Oneworld flights. PHL has 1x QR PHL-DOH and 2x BA PHL-LHR. DFW has 1x BA DFW-LHR, 1x QF DFW-BNE, and 1x QR DFW-DOH (beginning in July). The only reason the BA lounge exists at PHL is to provide departing travelers the option of dining before their flight. The food spread otherwise has always been minimal. You're not missing much in the PHL BA lounge. What PHL could really use is some showers in those large lounges in A West and B/C. It's something I've grown accustomed to with the Admirals Clubs, but I don't think any of the US Airways Clubs have them.
Jan 1, 2015, 10:22 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC LAX RDU
Programs: US-Plt;Concierge key; American AAirpass; Delta Silver;Starwood - Platinum; Amex Cent
Posts: 710
I think splitting the club in two making the part to the left a OW international lounge similar to the old Envoy lounge with free pour wine/liquor and better food and keeping the longe to the right a regular US/AC lounge is a good idea! In that case there would be plenty room for everyone! 4 lounges, including the big main one in the B/C terminal for US/AC paid members, and 2 lounges for OW international premium passengers.
Jan 1, 2015, 2:55 pm
#45
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
ZRH originating travel via PHL and shower question has been moved so this thread can remain on topic.
/Moderator
/Moderator