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ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2017)

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Old Jan 4, 2017, 9:24 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 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.
Note: Members interested in arranging AA lounge meet-ups or offer guesting in should use this thread: Admirals Club / Flagship Lounge Meet Up & Guest Offer (master thread)

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.
* Note that AA no longer offers a 30-day membership as of July 25 2016.

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.

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
On February 17 2016, AA announced an addition to the above. As stated on their Reimagining our lounges page, in the Flagship Lounges section, "Starting in 2017, lounge access will be extended to customers booked in Business and First Class on A321T, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific and deep South American flights."

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
All Admirals Club visitors receive free Wi-Fi access at Admirals Clubs (password is available at front desk and throughout the Club on signs), some non-alcoholic and "well" (lower price tier) alcoholic beverages and counter snacks (fruit, some kind of snack mix, cheese cubes, hot cereal mornings and soup evenings are the most common - recent additions have been made); free computer terminals are available for all passengers, and many Clubs have Business Centers and tethered Samsung Galaxy tablets in seating areas. Passengers accessing Admirals Clubs based on status or class of service on international travel are entitled to free drinks coupons usable for higher-tier non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and bottles of water.

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)

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ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2017)

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Old Oct 26, 2017, 1:05 pm
  #676  
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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Originally Posted by flightmedic
Flying JFK-OGG via LAX on the outbound but via DFW on the return (to LGA).

I know I will have lounge access on the outbound as it is a transcon flight in business. Will I have access in DFW on the return to LGA?

Thanks
No
wrp96 is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2017, 12:47 am
  #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?
Auscal is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2017, 1:05 am
  #678  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Originally Posted by Auscal
I am correct in understanding that a domestic First class flight from LaX does not give any lounge access?
Unless you're a non AA OWS, or OWE, or your flying on a transcon to JFK or MIA, no access.
teemuflyer is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2017, 8:19 pm
  #679  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
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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?
MSP_Monopoly is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2017, 8:37 pm
  #680  
 
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Originally Posted by MSP_Monopoly
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?
Yes. Plenty of showers available at JFK FL.

LAX best lounge is QF at TBIT - requires a little walk from T4/T5.
andersonCooper is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 1:16 pm
  #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.
gosha83 is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 1:18 pm
  #682  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
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Posts: 863
Originally Posted by gosha83
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.
They're wrong. You'll have access
jay_dubya is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 1:28 pm
  #683  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,130
Originally Posted by jay_dubya
They're wrong. You'll have access
Thank you!
gosha83 is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 2:52 pm
  #684  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Originally Posted by gosha83
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.
Originally Posted by jay_dubya
They're wrong. You'll have access
Well, it depends. If the flight from LAX to SEA is on AS, then no, even if it is an AA codeshare.
teemuflyer is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 3:13 pm
  #685  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by teemuflyer
Well, it depends. If the flight from LAX to SEA is on AS, then no, even if it is an AA codeshare.
The 7:45pm flight is AA.
Global321 is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 3:51 pm
  #686  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Originally Posted by gosha83
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.
Originally Posted by jay_dubya
They're wrong. You'll have access
Originally Posted by teemuflyer
Well, it depends. If the flight from LAX to SEA is on AS, then no, even if it is an AA codeshare.
Originally Posted by Global321
The 7:45pm flight is AA.
Well then why aren't we all telling the OP to go the QF F lounge instead of the AC !
Global321 and andersonCooper like this.
teemuflyer is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2017, 4:58 pm
  #687  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
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Posts: 5,951
Originally Posted by Auscal
I am correct in understanding that a domestic First class flight from LaX does not give any lounge access?
Originally Posted by teemuflyer
Unless you're a non AA OWS, or OWE, or your flying on a transcon to JFK or MIA, no access.
Or unless operated by AS. AS-operated flights in paid (cash or award) first class give access to the AS lounge.
ashill is offline  
Old Nov 8, 2017, 10:13 am
  #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
Elchupanebre4 is offline  
Old Nov 8, 2017, 10:18 am
  #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
jay_dubya is offline  
Old Nov 8, 2017, 11:41 am
  #690  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,130
Originally Posted by teemuflyer
Well then why aren't we all telling the OP to go the QF F lounge instead of the AC !
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
gosha83 is offline  


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