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)
#692
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
F from SLC-LAX-MIA, B from MIA-PAP
I've got a first class flight from SLC-LAX-MIA, departing LAX at 9:20 PM and arriving in MIA at 5:10 AM. I then have a flight (business class) from MIA to PAP at 10:50 AM.
I assume I will have access at LAX, but not sure at MIA. It would be nice to have somewhere better to spend the 5 hours in between (thanks AA for rescheduling my 11:55 PM departure from SLC to a 7:11 PM departure).
I assume I will have access at LAX, but not sure at MIA. It would be nice to have somewhere better to spend the 5 hours in between (thanks AA for rescheduling my 11:55 PM departure from SLC to a 7:11 PM departure).
#693
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
I am doing a MR to SIN through LAX and HKG. I lost my EXP card.
Will I have problems accessing the Qantas lounge at LAX and SIN just using my boarding pass?
Will I have problems accessing the Cathay lounges at HKG just using my boarding pass?
Will I have problems accessing the Qantas lounge at LAX and SIN just using my boarding pass?
Will I have problems accessing the Cathay lounges at HKG just using my boarding pass?
#694
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Use the digital card in the AA app
#695
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,418
You shouldn't have an issue. As long as your AA number is attached correctly, your status should be on your PNR and show on your boarding pass. But as jay_dubyamentioned, you can also pull up your credentials on the AA app as a backup.
#696
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA, BA, Delta, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 718
I have looked online and called AA numerous times and still cannot get a definite answer.
Travelling an award ticket in Business class between LAX-MIA...
1. Can I enter Admirals Club lounge upon arrival?
The website has info only about departure PLUS states that non-revenue tickets are not eligible. Yet, customer service reluctantly gave positive answers. But when I requested where to see that in writing - did not get anywhere.
2. If the answer is positive then how to make sure luggage is not stolen from baggage area since it cannot be collected immeadiately upon arrival?
Thanks
PS If I go to collect luggage then there is no way to get back into the airport lounge. Catch 22
Travelling an award ticket in Business class between LAX-MIA...
1. Can I enter Admirals Club lounge upon arrival?
The website has info only about departure PLUS states that non-revenue tickets are not eligible. Yet, customer service reluctantly gave positive answers. But when I requested where to see that in writing - did not get anywhere.
2. If the answer is positive then how to make sure luggage is not stolen from baggage area since it cannot be collected immeadiately upon arrival?
Thanks
PS If I go to collect luggage then there is no way to get back into the airport lounge. Catch 22
#697
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I have looked online and called AA numerous times and still cannot get a definite answer.
Travelling an award ticket in Business class between LAX-MIA...
1. Can I enter Admirals Club lounge upon arrival?
The website has info only about departure PLUS states that non-revenue tickets are not eligible. Yet, customer service reluctantly gave positive answers. But when I requested where to see that in writing - did not get anywhere.
2. If the answer is positive then how to make sure luggage is not stolen from baggage area since it cannot be collected immeadiately upon arrival?
Thanks
PS If I go to collect luggage then there is no way to get back into the airport lounge. Catch 22
Travelling an award ticket in Business class between LAX-MIA...
1. Can I enter Admirals Club lounge upon arrival?
The website has info only about departure PLUS states that non-revenue tickets are not eligible. Yet, customer service reluctantly gave positive answers. But when I requested where to see that in writing - did not get anywhere.
2. If the answer is positive then how to make sure luggage is not stolen from baggage area since it cannot be collected immeadiately upon arrival?
Thanks
PS If I go to collect luggage then there is no way to get back into the airport lounge. Catch 22
#698
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA, BA, Delta, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 718
Thanks for clarification about non-revenue.
Hmm, interesting, 4 people from AA told me that I can access MIA lounge upon arrival, knowing that I do not hold any status or membership, just ticket in business class. I can't believe that they can provide false information... I guess I should tape the conversation. One of the reasons that I want to get flight in business is to have access upon arrival to their lounge. Flight arrives between 5-7am, and cruise boarding starts from 12pm.
#699
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Thanks for clarification about non-revenue.
Hmm, interesting, 4 people from AA told me that I can access MIA lounge upon arrival, knowing that I do not hold any status or membership, just ticket in business class. I can't believe that they can provide false information... I guess I should tape the conversation. One of the reasons that I want to get flight in business is to have access upon arrival to their lounge. Flight arrives between 5-7am, and cruise boarding starts from 12pm.
Hmm, interesting, 4 people from AA told me that I can access MIA lounge upon arrival, knowing that I do not hold any status or membership, just ticket in business class. I can't believe that they can provide false information... I guess I should tape the conversation. One of the reasons that I want to get flight in business is to have access upon arrival to their lounge. Flight arrives between 5-7am, and cruise boarding starts from 12pm.
#701
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
You'll have access on arrival
#702
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I have looked online and called AA numerous times and still cannot get a definite answer.
Travelling an award ticket in Business class between LAX-MIA...
1. Can I enter Admirals Club lounge upon arrival?
The website has info only about departure PLUS states that non-revenue tickets are not eligible. Yet, customer service reluctantly gave positive answers. But when I requested where to see that in writing - did not get anywhere.
2. If the answer is positive then how to make sure luggage is not stolen from baggage area since it cannot be collected immeadiately upon arrival?
Thanks
PS If I go to collect luggage then there is no way to get back into the airport lounge. Catch 22
Travelling an award ticket in Business class between LAX-MIA...
1. Can I enter Admirals Club lounge upon arrival?
The website has info only about departure PLUS states that non-revenue tickets are not eligible. Yet, customer service reluctantly gave positive answers. But when I requested where to see that in writing - did not get anywhere.
2. If the answer is positive then how to make sure luggage is not stolen from baggage area since it cannot be collected immeadiately upon arrival?
Thanks
PS If I go to collect luggage then there is no way to get back into the airport lounge. Catch 22
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I don't think that is correct. See the link above. Many people in this thread have mentioned access on arrival.
#703
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I believe you will have access.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I don't think that is correct. See the link above. Many people in this thread have mentioned access on arrival.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
I don't think that is correct. See the link above. Many people in this thread have mentioned access on arrival.
1) The first headline on the referenced page says:
"Relax before the runway"
2) The "*" for class of service access says:
"*Departing flight must be the same day or before 6 a.m. the following day. Non-revenue passengers aren’t eligible."
3) I can assure you that if one arrives from an Int'l trip flying F or J and then connects to a non-oneworld flight (ex. arrives to LAX from SYD flying J, then connecting to a Delta flight), that person would not have access to the AC without membership.
Maybe there is something different for transcons, but I'm not aware of those rules.
#704
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
In practice AA gives access on arrival to both transcons and international flights, assuming you have access to the terminal. For example, I've been given access in LGA when arriving from MXP-MIA-LGA, and I was not a club member at the time.