infoguy

At LAX, will 5 -star provide a tarmac transfer to an Eagle flight departing 52C. The traveler will have the connecting service, and should arrive at TBIT since T4 won't be open at the arrival time of the international flight.

DrinkRaiderade

What is the arrival flight? What airline? What origin? I ask, because these things matter for FSS.

JDiver

Probably, but, as we have insufficient information to give an accurate reply:

"Five Star Service is available to customers with confirmed and ticketed travel on the day of Five Star Service in either First or Business class on at least one segment of the customer's itinerary."

"Itineraries involving airlines other than American Airlines or American Eagle may be accepted if flight departs from or arrives at an American Airlines terminal, and full access is allowed by local authorities."

"Five Star Service assistance is subject to local airport hours of operation."

FSS terms and conditions linked to in the Wikipost - and here.

infoguy

Sorry for the lack for detail. Arrival flight is AA192 which was delayed 14 hours, so it's getting into TBIT gate 153. Departure is from 52B. Traveler is in paid business class HKG-LAX-ELP.

HarryKUK

Flying LHR-ORD-SDF, arriving into the International Terminal 5 then connecting to the domestic flight from Terminal 3.

If I book the 'connection service' at ORD, does the FSS agent also accompany between the terminals? It seems like quite a long journey (and a lot of time!) for someone to meet us at the International gate and then continue with us through Immigration, Customs, landside transit, security and finally to the AA lounge in a different terminal!

Have previously used at JFK and LAX but that was all within one terminal, so wasn't sure how this would work at ORD.

brewdog11

Does anyone know why FSS is limited to F and J tickets only? They probably don't get much business from Y, but it seems like a poor business idea to exclude the group.

I think they do accompany you between terminals. As for the time the AAgent spends, I wouldn't worry about it. AA is charging you a premium for it, after all.

HarryKUK

I used this on an all Economy booking the very first time I used it, as I genuinely didn't realise it was only valid for F and J tickets. At no point did anyone stop me either at the reservation stage or on the day of service. I was taken to flagship check in and to the AA lounge too despite not having any AA status level at the time. This was about two years ago though - I have only used it on F or J since then.

Obviously an Economy non-status passenger benefits much more than an F or J passenger since they wouldn't have access to any of those services via status or class of travel.

United747

At the start of the program, they didn't have the disclaimer that it's only for F&J pax.

brewdog11

As United747 pointed out, there was no caveat that FSS is F/J only at the program's beginning. However, now the rule is enforced. There have been reports that pax awaiting an upgrade from Y to J have been told to wait for the upgrade before retaining FSS.

The rule really doesn't make much sense to me. As you pointed out, the benefits afforded to a non-status Y pax are huge, especially when a long day of international travel is involved. Just the expedited check-in and AC access are huge, but it's really nice to have these people on your side if you're forced into a jam or an unwanted overnight due to IRROPS. It's perfect for old family members who fly infrequently and travel in Y.

The service will exist whether Y pax use it or not, so it looks like AA is shunning a large category of potential revenue by limiting it to F and J. Maybe they get so much business (and they have only a few FSS AAgents) that they're trying to preserve the integrity of the program. Otherwise, I don't get it.

ijgordon

It seems like it would be quite the loophole for Y pax to get premium ground services at a fraction of the cost of buying a J or F ticket. They'd much rather you do the latter, I imagine, hence the rule.
And it probably is a capacity issue as well.

LE2

I will be flying:

LHR - LAX TBIT (BA F)
LAX T0 - YVR (AA J)

YVR - LAX T5 (AA J) American Eagle
LAX TBIT - LHR (BA F)

I contacted Five Star Service to book for the inbound and return connections at LAX.

I was told that I could not book the Connection package as AA staff can not meet or escort to the BA gates in the TBIT.

Is this correct?

Also, they said that I could book an Arrival and a Departure package in LAX instead. However, that would mean that I would have to go landside after each flight.

Does this his make sense?

I was hoping to avoid as much as possible the time, pain and stress of connecting between the TBIT and the American Eagle regional / remote terminal.

Any advice?

flyerCO

On the return you'll clear US immigration and customs at YVR. Thus you'll be airside upon arrival at LAX. The shuttle will drop you off at 4 and then you take the bridge to TBIT. fairly painless and bags transfer just like any other domestic flight.However if you wish connection service this shouldn't be an issue, and in fact is touted as a benefit for the program.

On the inbound their issue sounds correct. AA staff wouldn't be able to meet BA passengers till after they clear immigration and customs. This for AA purpose you'd be a departing passenger. Note you'll have to pickup and recheck bags at LAX. You'll have access since flew into LAX on BA in FC to the AA FC Flagship check-in, which is just a few doors down from TBIT exit.

LE2

Thanks for the information flyerCO!

Are you able to help with the answers to these questions:

Arriving from LHR in BA F into LAX TBIT, you mentioned that even without 5 Star Service (Departure) I would still have access to the AA Flagship Check-in at T4.

Is this because of my BA inbound flight is in F?

Will that include access to the Flagship priority security lane as well?

Will that include access to the AA Flagship Lounge in T4?


Also, on my return journey what would the 5 Star Service (Arrival) in LAX from YVR (US pre-clearance) entail if they are not able to escort me airside to TBIT?

flyerCO

Your return you'll be airside upon arrival at LAX. You clear US immigration and customs at YVR. Thus you arrive just like a domestic flight. No need to pickup luggage. Just catch the shuttle over to T4 and goto TBIT. You can use either the T4 AA Flagship lounge or the TBIT Qantas FC lounge. Qantas is considered much better.

On your inbound, yes you get access to the AA Flagship check-in because of the BA F flight. You can again access either Qantas FC, AA Flagship, or any of the AA Admirals Clubs because of the BA FC flight.

Basically with FSS you're paying to have someone walk with you. Everything else is included with your ticket already.

silverforumsurf

Can we get a list together of golf cart AAssisted airports?
PEverywhere except LAX, JFK?