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===================
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)
#677
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 223
I am correct in understanding that a domestic First class flight from LaX does not give any lounge access?
#679
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
Flying LAX-JFK-MIA, LAX to JFK will be in F, JFK to MIA will be in coach.
Will I be able to access flagship lounge on arrival in JFK? Assuming yes. Do they have showers there?
What is best lounge option in LAX since I’ll be traveling in F on transcon A321?
Will I be able to access flagship lounge on arrival in JFK? Assuming yes. Do they have showers there?
What is best lounge option in LAX since I’ll be traveling in F on transcon A321?
#680
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
LAX best lounge is QF at TBIT - requires a little walk from T4/T5.
#681
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,130
I read many of the previous comments, but received a different answer from the ExPlat line, so want to verify:
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
#682
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
I read many of the previous comments, but received a different answer from the ExPlat line, so want to verify:
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
#684
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I read many of the previous comments, but received a different answer from the ExPlat line, so want to verify:
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
#686
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I read many of the previous comments, but received a different answer from the ExPlat line, so want to verify:
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
Two separate PNRs but flights are on the same day (and I'm an ExPlat):
PNR #1 : LHR - LAX (arrive at 3:15pm) in Y
PNR #2 : LAX - SEA (departs at 7:45pm) in Y
Will I have access to the AC in LAX during this layover? ExPlat line claims no, but their explanation was so bizzare that I wanted to check with the experts here.
#687
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
#688
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hertz PC, IC Plat, Hilton Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 89
Business Class Guest Lounge Access AA/OW
Couldn't find an answer in any other threads:
My inlaws are traveling AA from Madrid, no status. I used Systemwides, but had to split and only one of them is in Business class. Can they both gain access to the Iberia Velazquez Lunge (OW business) together with one in economy based on the other's business class ticket? I know with status I could get guests in, but unsure of with just a Biz ticket.
Any different at Admirals clubs in DFW?
Thanks
My inlaws are traveling AA from Madrid, no status. I used Systemwides, but had to split and only one of them is in Business class. Can they both gain access to the Iberia Velazquez Lunge (OW business) together with one in economy based on the other's business class ticket? I know with status I could get guests in, but unsure of with just a Biz ticket.
Any different at Admirals clubs in DFW?
Thanks
#689
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
business class does not provide guesting privileges
#690
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,130
The OP will go to the Qantas F lounge, with which he is very familiar and a huge fan of. In fact, the OP may lounge hop given the silly amount of time he'll have at LAX. The DIY juice press at the OneWorld Business lounge is worth a short visit