May 20, 2015, 3:45 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
oneworld and American Airlines Lounge Access Based on oneworld Status
Relax in more premium lounges around the world
If your oneworld® frequent flyer tier status is Emerald or Sapphire, or you are traveling in a First or Business Class cabin on any oneworld member airline, you can access more than 600 airport lounges throughout the world.
This means you can relax or catch up with work in comfort and style before departure, regardless of which oneworld member airline you choose to fly with.
To be eligible, you must be departing on a flight that is both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline.
oneworld lounge access for frequent flyers by tier status
Enjoy exclusive access to premium airport lounges around the world with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire frequent flyer tier status. Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with the equivalent of oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by any oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class being flown (exceptions are noted below).
The following exceptions apply:
If your oneworld® frequent flyer tier status is Emerald or Sapphire, or you are traveling in a First or Business Class cabin on any oneworld member airline, you can access more than 600 airport lounges throughout the world.
This means you can relax or catch up with work in comfort and style before departure, regardless of which oneworld member airline you choose to fly with.
To be eligible, you must be departing on a flight that is both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline.
- Some lounges may get busy at peak times, and access to them may be restricted as a result.
- Lounges operated by third parties are identified in the lounge finder tool (above). Access to these lounges is restricted to eligible customers when travelling on specific oneworld airlines as shown in the lounge finder tool.
- Arrivals lounges are excluded.
- Spa and Pre-Flight Dining facilities are excluded.
- British Airways Concorde lounges are excluded.
- Other exceptions may apply (see below).
oneworld lounge access for frequent flyers by tier status
Enjoy exclusive access to premium airport lounges around the world with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire frequent flyer tier status. Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with the equivalent of oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by any oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class being flown (exceptions are noted below).
- Emerald tier frequent flyers can use First Class, Business Class or frequent flyer lounges.
- Sapphire tier frequent flyers are welcome in Business Class* or frequent flyer lounges. (*does not include Qantas Domestic Business Lounges)
- Emerald and Sapphire members may invite one guest to join them in the lounge. The guest must also be travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld carrier.
- You must be prepared to show your boarding pass and frequent flyer membership card, with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status, to access a lounge.
The following exceptions apply:
- First and Business Class customers who do not hold Emerald or Sapphire tier status are not eligible to access American Airlines or US Airways lounges when travelling on solely domestic flights within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico [except Mexico City], the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean; customers travelling in First or Business class on U.S. transcontinental flights between JFK-LAX, JFK-SFO and MIA-LAX (and vice-versa) are eligible for lounge access.
- Guests are not permitted at Qatar Airways Al Safwa and Al Mourjan lounges at Hamad International Airport in Doha or Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4.
oneworld and AA Lounge Access Based on oneworld Status
Jun 29, 2016, 2:49 pm
#76
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Starwood/Hyatt/IHG-PLAT/Hilton-DIA
Posts: 468
Forget about Wikipedia definitions. All that matters is AA's definition of immediate family, which is spouse/partner or children under 18. So by the rules your parents won't be able to come in.
However, in practice, this always depends on which club, how busy is it, if the AAgent is in a good mood, etc. etc. I certainly have accessed various ACs several times over the years with 3 guests. So I would certainly try, but don't be upset if they say no.
However, in practice, this always depends on which club, how busy is it, if the AAgent is in a good mood, etc. etc. I certainly have accessed various ACs several times over the years with 3 guests. So I would certainly try, but don't be upset if they say no.
Jun 29, 2016, 3:38 pm
#77
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
The official Admiral's club terms say that an Admiral's club member can only bring in:
" Up to two guests or immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age) may accompany the member"
However, I am wondering if my wife and I are traveling with my two parents - will they allow my parents in?
<snip>
However, the Admirals terms do not mention parents or siblings, so I am worried about if I will be able to bring in 3 people.
If anybody has any recent 2016 experiences they can share, it would be much appreciated. ^
" Up to two guests or immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age) may accompany the member"
However, I am wondering if my wife and I are traveling with my two parents - will they allow my parents in?
<snip>
However, the Admirals terms do not mention parents or siblings, so I am worried about if I will be able to bring in 3 people.
If anybody has any recent 2016 experiences they can share, it would be much appreciated. ^
Based on my experience across many clubs across the system, more often than not, I've seen Admirals Club members get stopped when trying to bring 3 adults guests with them. The AC language is written so that someone can't bring in 4 adult children or a whole family of parents, in-laws, adult siblings, adult children, etc.
And I've seen even more stringent application of the rules be applied when it's admittance based on status-based entry - strict 1 guest per qualified passenger.
Forget about Wikipedia definitions. All that matters is AA's definition of immediate family, which is spouse/partner or children under 18. So by the rules your parents won't be able to come in.
However, in practice, this always depends on which club, how busy is it, if the AAgent is in a good mood, etc. etc. I certainly have accessed various ACs several times over the years with 3 guests. So I would certainly try, but don't be upset if they say no.
However, in practice, this always depends on which club, how busy is it, if the AAgent is in a good mood, etc. etc. I certainly have accessed various ACs several times over the years with 3 guests. So I would certainly try, but don't be upset if they say no.
Jun 29, 2016, 3:52 pm
#78
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
The official Admiral's club terms say that an Admiral's club member can only bring in:
" Up to two guests or immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age) may accompany the member"
However, I am wondering if my wife and I are traveling with my two parents - will they allow my parents in?
Parents are "immediate family" according to the widely accepted wikipedia definition:
"The immediate family is a defined group of relations, used in rules or laws to determine which members of a person's family are affected by those rules. It normally includes a person's parents, spouses, siblings, children."
However, the Admirals terms do not mention parents or siblings, so I am worried about if I will be able to bring in 3 people.
If anybody has any recent 2016 experiences they can share, it would be much appreciated. ^
" Up to two guests or immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age) may accompany the member"
However, I am wondering if my wife and I are traveling with my two parents - will they allow my parents in?
Parents are "immediate family" according to the widely accepted wikipedia definition:
"The immediate family is a defined group of relations, used in rules or laws to determine which members of a person's family are affected by those rules. It normally includes a person's parents, spouses, siblings, children."
However, the Admirals terms do not mention parents or siblings, so I am worried about if I will be able to bring in 3 people.
If anybody has any recent 2016 experiences they can share, it would be much appreciated. ^
Admirals Club Terms and Conditions (link) are quite clear; they state:
"Membership includes access by either immediate family members (spouse or domestic partner and children under eighteen (18) years of age) or up to two (2) guests. Access by immediate family members or guests applies only when such individuals accompany the Member."
You will not generally be able to admit four adult people total, regardless of relationships. I'm guessing they'll suggest a $50 one day pass for the fourth person, though if another member of your party can benefit from these while they're available*, a $99 thirty day membership may be more economical in some instances.
*30 day memberships will no longer be sold as of 25 July 2016.
Jun 30, 2016, 8:47 am
#79
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virginia
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum - 2M miles
Posts: 216
Lounge Access for BA flight
I am AA Plat (OW Sapphire) and have not taken an international flight in probably 4 yrs. We are taking a BA flight from JFK to Paris in the fall but using AA to connect to JFK.
Last time, AA lounges stated that we were NOT allowed to use any lounges within the Mainland even though we were connecting to an international flight. Is this correct?
However, at JFK, we should be able to access the BA Lounge - is that correct?
Thanks for any comments.
Last time, AA lounges stated that we were NOT allowed to use any lounges within the Mainland even though we were connecting to an international flight. Is this correct?
However, at JFK, we should be able to access the BA Lounge - is that correct?
Thanks for any comments.
Jul 1, 2016, 6:07 am
#80
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,193
from my experience, you can access any OW lounge when connecting to another OW
airline on the day of your departure, granted it will be the business lounge
never had an issue with either AA or BA lounges. (as a previous ow sapphire)
airline on the day of your departure, granted it will be the business lounge
never had an issue with either AA or BA lounges. (as a previous ow sapphire)
Jul 1, 2016, 7:36 am
#81
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I am AA Plat (OW Sapphire) and have not taken an international flight in probably 4 yrs. We are taking a BA flight from JFK to Paris in the fall but using AA to connect to JFK.
Last time, AA lounges stated that we were NOT allowed to use any lounges within the Mainland even though we were connecting to an international flight. Is this correct?
However, at JFK, we should be able to access the BA Lounge - is that correct?
Thanks for any comments.
Last time, AA lounges stated that we were NOT allowed to use any lounges within the Mainland even though we were connecting to an international flight. Is this correct?
However, at JFK, we should be able to access the BA Lounge - is that correct?
Thanks for any comments.
Link to oneworld lounge access rules. In part:
"oneworld lounge access for frequent flyers by tier status
Enjoy exclusive access to premium airport lounges around the world with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire frequent flyer tier status. Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with the equivalent of oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by any oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class being flown (exceptions are noted below).
- Emerald tier frequent flyers can use First Class, Business Class or frequent flyer lounges.
- Sapphire tier frequent flyers are welcome in Business Class* or frequent flyer lounges. (*does not include Qantas Domestic Business Lounges)
- Emerald and Sapphire members may invite one guest to join them in the lounge. The guest must also be travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld carrier.
- You must be prepared to show your boarding pass and frequent flyer membership card, with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status, to access a lounge."
Jul 1, 2016, 11:30 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virginia
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum - 2M miles
Posts: 216
About 4 yrs ago, we flew AA from Washington Reagan (DCA) to JFK to connect to an AA flight to Japan and were told that we were not allowed to use the AA lounge at DCA because of a recent change in the rules. As I recall, we were told that we could not use any AA lounges in the continental USA - only lounges overseas. The Lounge dragon did grant an exception. Perhaps, AA has revised those rules once again - we will see!
Jul 2, 2016, 6:03 am
#83
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
About 4 yrs ago, we flew AA from Washington Reagan (DCA) to JFK to connect to an AA flight to Japan and were told that we were not allowed to use the AA lounge at DCA because of a recent change in the rules. As I recall, we were told that we could not use any AA lounges in the continental USA - only lounges overseas. The Lounge dragon did grant an exception. Perhaps, AA has revised those rules once again - we will see!
Jul 2, 2016, 7:20 am
#84
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
About 4 yrs ago, we flew AA from Washington Reagan (DCA) to JFK to connect to an AA flight to Japan and were told that we were not allowed to use the AA lounge at DCA because of a recent change in the rules. As I recall, we were told that we could not use any AA lounges in the continental USA - only lounges overseas. The Lounge dragon did grant an exception. Perhaps, AA has revised those rules once again - we will see!
Jul 17, 2016, 10:55 am
#85
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Say I am Emerald through AA and BA. Will I have access to FC lounges on soley domestic AA flights via my BA status?
The part that trips me up is the exclusion of AAdvantage members. Maybe just my reading comprehension is off?
If I do have access, does it matter to which program I am crediting my domestic travel?
I've read the thread and didn't see these facts addressed.
Thanks.
The part that trips me up is the exclusion of AAdvantage members. Maybe just my reading comprehension is off?
If I do have access, does it matter to which program I am crediting my domestic travel?
I've read the thread and didn't see these facts addressed.
Thanks.
Jul 17, 2016, 1:24 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,494
Say I am Emerald through AA and BA. Will I have access to FC lounges on soley domestic AA flights via my BA status?
The part that trips me up is the exclusion of AAdvantage members. Maybe just my reading comprehension is off?
If I do have access, does it matter to which program I am crediting my domestic travel?
I've read the thread and didn't see these facts addressed.
Thanks.
The part that trips me up is the exclusion of AAdvantage members. Maybe just my reading comprehension is off?
If I do have access, does it matter to which program I am crediting my domestic travel?
I've read the thread and didn't see these facts addressed.
Thanks.
Mar 14, 2017, 7:35 pm
#87
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 3
Oneworld sapphire with AirBerlin. Traveling from LAX-CUN with family. Since my status is with oneworld I believe I will have access to Admirals and oneworld lounges. Just wondering what possibility is for my wife and two minor kids to come in as well. When I read the oneworld loung info seems like my wife can be a guest, but how are the kids generally treated?
Mar 14, 2017, 9:20 pm
#88
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Oneworld sapphire with AirBerlin. Traveling from LAX-CUN with family. Since my status is with oneworld I believe I will have access to Admirals and oneworld lounges. Just wondering what possibility is for my wife and two minor kids to come in as well. When I read the oneworld loung info seems like my wife can be a guest, but how are the kids generally treated?
Mar 14, 2017, 9:50 pm
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,968
As a OW Sapphire with AirBerlin, you and one guest can use the Admirals Club (and any other OW Business Class lounges) anytime you travel on a OW-marketed, OW-operated itinerary anywhere in the world. HOWEVER, the guest policy is ONE guest. The guest must also be traveling on a OW-marketed, OW-operated flight.
Here is the link to AA's policy about lounge access for OW elites:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nge-access.jsp
It says: "**Children over the age of two count as a guest"
The "immediate family" exception is not for OW lounge access, but instead is for paid AC members, military, and a couple of others. The front desk staff MIGHT be very nice and allow you to enter with your children over age 2, but it would be an exception rather than the rule.