Jan 4, 2017, 9:24 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2017)
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
PLEASE DO NOT ALTER THE CONTENT OF THIS MODERATOR NOTE
The Lounge Access Help Desk
To assist members with questions about Lounge Access Rules that they have not been able to answer on their own using the above resources, the AA Moderator team has decided to institute this thread, the third in a series of "Help Desk" threads. N.B.: If you have questions about physical access to a specific lounge (e.g., airside vs. landside, different terminal, etc.), please search for and post to the appropriate specific thread for that lounge.
New threads on this topic will be merged into this one and bumped by the moderators as necessary. As such, we do not expect that this thread will develop into a searchable database, but that it will nonetheless provide a valuable resource to members. As well, we may shed / pare down posts from time to time to a trailing thread or similar device.
Our goal is to provide a place where members can feel welcome to post such questions and expect helpful, accurate responses. In this way, we hope to accommodate the needs and desires of both new and veteran members - those who aren't sure they are interpreting the available resources correctly can ask for help without fear of snarky-appearing responses; those who do not wish to participate in such threads are invited and, indeed, encouraged, to ignore this thread.
Please be forewarned: This thread will be subject to heavy moderation. Posts that are incorrect will be subject to deletion without notice - DO NOT POST answers unless you are 100% sure your answer is complete and correct. Posts that are unhelpful or off-topic will also be subject to deletion without notice - DO NOT POST unless you can be friendly, helpful, concise, and salient.
Finally, a few guidelines for members posting queries to this thread:
- Please DO make an effort to review the listed resources before posting here.
- Please DO try to give as much information as possible, including your entire itinerary, with carrier for each segment and codeshares and stopovers clearly designated, your class of service and fare class purchased, whether or not you have Admirals Club or Qantas Club membership, a Citi AAdvantage Executive card (which includes full Admirals Club membership), and the number of guests and your family relationship with them, if any.
- Please DO understand it could take some time for answers (especially on holidays and weekends.)
- Please DO thank helpful members volunteering to reply to your questions.
Also see the future changes in lounges and access: Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge Changes, Renovations & Additions
Sincerely,
The American Airlines | AAdvantage forum Moderator Team
(Help Desk established by dstan)
=================end mod note===================
oneworld Lounge Access
Wizard by kduarte.
Help Desk: Lounge Access Rules / Will I Have Lounge Access?
Lounge Access can be obtained in a number of ways during travel on AA and its oneworld partner airlines. These include purchasing an Admirals Club one day pass, or via Citi AAdvantage Executive MasterCard (including, as of Dec 2015, authorized card users), reciprocity agreements with other airlines, traveling on certain transcon flights in F or J, or traveling internationally with Platinum (oneworld Sapphire) or Executive Platinum (oneworld Emerald) status or in F or J classes of service - except if flying solely within North America inc,Using destinations other than MEX or the Caribbean. The last is often the greatest source of confusion, despite lounge access rules being described clearly on aa.com. Threads about these are linked to in the American Airlines LOUNGE DASHBOARD thread.
Admirals Club members paid or Executive cardholder members) are entitled guests as follows:
Up to two guests or household members (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under the age of 18) may accompany the member.
For AA status-based access (PLT, PlatPro or EXP),* passengers must: (1) be traveling on an international itinerary (Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Mexico City, excluding the Caribbean and other destinations in North America (other than on certain three class transcontinental flights) including other destinations in Mexico, and (2) have an onward flight on a oneworld airline marketed and operated flight on the same day. PLT and PPRO members are eligible for access to all oneworld Business Class lounges, now including Flagship Lounges, including Admirals Clubs; EXP members are also eligible for access to all oneworld First Class lounges, including Flagship Lounges.
Lounges operated by third parties or premium lunges operating outside of oneworld rules (e.g. BA Concorde Room, Qatar Al Safwa or Al Mourjan lounges) may be excluded, and all may may refuse admittance if they claim they are crowded. There are other exceptions.
*Non-AA oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites are not subject to rule #1 above.
Emerald / EP on CX JFK-YVR are not subject to AA limitations and are issued Flagship Lounge invitations for use at JFK.
Another confusing rule relates to transcontinental access. From member FriendlySkies:
Traveling on a Non-Stop Transcontinental* Flight? http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/trans-con-access.jsp
More changes:
If you are traveling in the First or Business class cabin (on flights sold as three classes) in one of the following non-stop markets, we welcome you to visit the lounge as indicated below.
More changes:
If you are traveling in the First or Business class cabin (on flights sold as three classes) in one of the following non-stop markets, we welcome you to visit the lounge as indicated below.
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 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. one world lounge access page - link
First and Business Class customers who do not hold Emerald or Sapphire tier status are not eligible to access American Airlines 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. one world lounge access page - link
In the Flagship Dining subsection, they state:
Beginning in early 2017, the Flagship Dining experience will be available in select cities with 3-class service:
● Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
● New York (JFK)
● Miami (MIA)
● Los Angeles (LAX)
First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining in 2017
● Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
● New York (JFK)
● Miami (MIA)
● Los Angeles (LAX)
First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining in 2017
Flagship Lounges (JFK, LAX, LHR and ORD) offer extended beverages and upscale snack services as well. See below for link.
NOTE: Some Lounges and Clubs are undergoing refurbishment.
Citi Prestige MasterCard holder Admirals Club access ended July 23, 2017.
American Express Platinum cardholder Admirals Club access ended 21 March 2014.
NOTE: It has been verified more airports are allowing multiple terminal access on one's day of departure. LAX has been one since mid-2014.
Admirals Club access is granted the day of flight for statusholders flyingone world and those flying F or J, or the following day at the first port of arrival if flying overnight and arriving by 0600.
Airports requiring Lounge users have a same day departure boarding pass include BOG, CCS, CDG, GIG, GRU, LHR, MEX, NRT, SCL, YYZ.
N.B. Qantas Lounges and Clubs require Smart Casual (sic) dress as of May 2015; those not meeting the standard may be turned away. They also require AAdvantage members be traveling on a departing AA marketed flight.
Please see the following resources for full details on Lounge Access Rules: (and see below)
. . . ● AA.com: Lounge Access Rules
. . . ● AA.com: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Access Rules
Beginning later in 2017: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ge-updates.jsp opens Flagship access to many more pax.
. . . ● AA.com: Reimaging our lounges
. . . ● AA.com: Admirals Club Membership Guide in a downloadable PDF format.
. . . ● oneworld.com: Lounge Access Rules and Search Tool
. . . ● Wiki: Lounges
. . . ● FT: American Airlines LOUNGE DASHBOARD
For various threads on membership, access by status, transcon service, class of service, Flagship lounge access, lounges directory with links to specific lounge threads, Club member access to partner lounges, recipripocity agreements, etc.
. . . ● Last year's thread:HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2016)
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2017)
Sep 22, 2017, 2:38 pm
#646
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
Accessing QF F lounge at TBIT as guest of OWE from BA
I’m flying on AA domestic tonight out of LAX as an AA PRO flyer and my friend is flying BA J as a BA Gold (OWE). Will he be able to take me into the TBIT QF F lounge as his guest since I’m flying on a OW carrier? I don’t see any restrictions for AA domestic flyer entering as a guest into that lounge?
Sep 22, 2017, 3:12 pm
#647
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
as a OWE Elmer las he has access to F lounge and can guest in one person .
I’m flying on AA domestic tonight out of LAX as an AA PRO flyer and my friend is flying BA J as a BA Gold (OWE). Will he be able to take me into the TBIT QF F lounge as his guest since I’m flying on a OW carrier? I don’t see any restrictions for AA domestic flyer entering as a guest into that lounge?
Last edited by AAExecPlatFlier; Sep 22, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Sep 22, 2017, 3:16 pm
#648
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
OP indicates the friend is OWE / BA Gold. He'll get F lounge access plus a guest. The rule for the guest is that they are flying any onward OW flight. You should both get access.
Sep 22, 2017, 3:23 pm
#650
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
I agree. Also because BA OWE has access themselves on AA domestic.
Sep 24, 2017, 3:21 pm
#651
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 181
Flying F from HND-JFK and then I have a cash ticket in Y from JFK-DCA (might be upgraded to J). All the same day. Will showing my HND-JFK boarding pass get me into the flagship lounge in T8? TIA
Sep 24, 2017, 3:54 pm
#652
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
Yes. You are arriving in F on a qualifying flight and departing on another oneworld marketed and operated flight (as long as you do so by 6:00 am the morning after arrival).
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Sep 27, 2017, 2:57 pm
#653
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,673
If someone is traveling on a LAX-MIA flight (2 class) booked in Y, but gets a "sticker" upgrade to F, will one have AC access at LAX?
According to the wiki on this thread, it would qualify for AC access, but the link to the AA website (in the wiki) is dead and I can't seem to find anything on the AA website about 2-class transcon F passengers receiving AC access.
On a side note, is the LAX T4 AC still undergoing renovation? How does it compare to the T6 Alaska Boardroom?
According to the wiki on this thread, it would qualify for AC access, but the link to the AA website (in the wiki) is dead and I can't seem to find anything on the AA website about 2-class transcon F passengers receiving AC access.
On a side note, is the LAX T4 AC still undergoing renovation? How does it compare to the T6 Alaska Boardroom?
Sep 28, 2017, 7:37 am
#654
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
If someone is traveling on a LAX-MIA flight (2 class) booked in Y, but gets a "sticker" upgrade to F, will one have AC access at LAX?
According to the wiki on this thread, it would qualify for AC access, but the link to the AA website (in the wiki) is dead and I can't seem to find anything on the AA website about 2-class transcon F passengers receiving AC access.
On a side note, is the LAX T4 AC still undergoing renovation? How does it compare to the T6 Alaska Boardroom?
According to the wiki on this thread, it would qualify for AC access, but the link to the AA website (in the wiki) is dead and I can't seem to find anything on the AA website about 2-class transcon F passengers receiving AC access.
On a side note, is the LAX T4 AC still undergoing renovation? How does it compare to the T6 Alaska Boardroom?
On a 3 class flight, flying in J (upgraded or bought, no difference) one would get access to an AC or at LAX, to the TBIT OW Business Lounge.
The LAX T4 AC is indeed under renovations for now, so one would have to huff it over to T5 for the closest open AC.
Sep 28, 2017, 8:21 am
#655
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 179
If it is only a 2 class transcon, such as this LAX-MIA flight, one would not get access regardless if it was a bought ticket or it was upgraded.
On a 3 class flight, flying in J (upgraded or bought, no difference) one would get access to an AC or at LAX, to the TBIT OW Business Lounge.
The LAX T4 AC is indeed under renovations for now, so one would have to huff it over to T5 for the closest open AC.
On a 3 class flight, flying in J (upgraded or bought, no difference) one would get access to an AC or at LAX, to the TBIT OW Business Lounge.
The LAX T4 AC is indeed under renovations for now, so one would have to huff it over to T5 for the closest open AC.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I confirmed with AA Twitter team that flying on any LAX-MIA flight in domestic first would allow AC access. I have a LAX-MIA flight in early November on a two class A321 and will report back whether we can get into the Qantas F or AC Lounge.
Sep 28, 2017, 2:27 pm
#656
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA Plat Pro, SPG/Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,193
If I'm flying Lax-Cun in first, will I have access to the T-5 lounge? Thanks!
Sep 28, 2017, 2:48 pm
#657
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
AA.com no longer lists LAX-MIA as needing to be a three class cabin:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I confirmed with AA Twitter team that flying on any LAX-MIA flight in domestic first would allow AC access. I have a LAX-MIA flight in early November on a two class A321 and will report back whether we can get into the Qantas F or AC Lounge.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I confirmed with AA Twitter team that flying on any LAX-MIA flight in domestic first would allow AC access. I have a LAX-MIA flight in early November on a two class A321 and will report back whether we can get into the Qantas F or AC Lounge.
Sep 29, 2017, 2:26 pm
#659
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
AA.com no longer lists LAX-MIA as needing to be a three class cabin:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
...
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
...
NB: I also ripped out text at the end about ticket refunds, which didn't seem to belong there...
Sep 29, 2017, 9:34 pm
#660
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
AA.com no longer lists LAX-MIA as needing to be a three class cabin:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I confirmed with AA Twitter team that flying on any LAX-MIA flight in domestic first would allow AC access. I have a LAX-MIA flight in early November on a two class A321 and will report back whether we can get into the Qantas F or AC Lounge.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I confirmed with AA Twitter team that flying on any LAX-MIA flight in domestic first would allow AC access. I have a LAX-MIA flight in early November on a two class A321 and will report back whether we can get into the Qantas F or AC Lounge.
Had access to the Qantas F lounge in LAX at the beginning of the outbound, and again at the end of the return flight (had to show boarding pass for continuing flight from LAX to my next destination later that day). Incredible benefit and much appreciated.
Can confirm that Qantas lounge staff have no expectation of tips when dining at the restaurant. At Flagship First Dining in JFK, your server presents you a large "card" at the end of the meal, with a personal hand-written thank you. Tip expected (my impression).