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)
Dec 27, 2017, 3:25 pm
#811
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 291
I have a flight from MIA->POP in business same deal no status can I go to the lounge?
Dec 27, 2017, 3:31 pm
#812
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,258
Dec 27, 2017, 3:32 pm
#813
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,258
At https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...ward-chart.jsp , the region definitions list which region the countries are in
I will drop a note to AA to see if they could add a link on the Admirals club page to the region list. Wouldn't hurt.
Dec 27, 2017, 6:28 pm
#814
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,137
From the wiki: "The last is often the greatest source of confusion, despite lounge access rules being described clearly on aa.com."
Ha !
From aa.com: "oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire, Includes customers on all flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).***
What appears to be clear is that Emerald and Sapphire customers get Admirals Club access with any American operated flight with any class of travel.
The asterisks don't make it clear per se. Moreover, the denoted additional information states that a complete subset does not apply: a subset that in the US would be the majority of oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers.
The sentence quoted from the wiki should be removed.
Ha !
From aa.com: "oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire, Includes customers on all flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).***
What appears to be clear is that Emerald and Sapphire customers get Admirals Club access with any American operated flight with any class of travel.
The asterisks don't make it clear per se. Moreover, the denoted additional information states that a complete subset does not apply: a subset that in the US would be the majority of oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers.
The sentence quoted from the wiki should be removed.
Dec 27, 2017, 6:47 pm
#815
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
From the wiki: "The last is often the greatest source of confusion, despite lounge access rules being described clearly on aa.com."
Ha !
From aa.com: "oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire, Includes customers on all flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).***
What appears to be clear is that Emerald and Sapphire customers get Admirals Club access with any American operated flight with any class of travel.
The asterisks don't make it clear per se. Moreover, the denoted additional information states that a complete subset does not apply: a subset that in the US would be the majority of oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers.
The sentence quoted from the wiki should be removed.
Ha !
From aa.com: "oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire, Includes customers on all flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).***
What appears to be clear is that Emerald and Sapphire customers get Admirals Club access with any American operated flight with any class of travel.
The asterisks don't make it clear per se. Moreover, the denoted additional information states that a complete subset does not apply: a subset that in the US would be the majority of oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers.
The sentence quoted from the wiki should be removed.
Dec 28, 2017, 4:32 am
#816
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
Apologies if this has already been asked and answered. I know I asked it somewhere else but cannot find it anymore now.
Im flying CMB-AUH-JFK-SEA in F. Do I have access to Flagship First? If not, what am I entitled to? Where can I get a shower after getting off of the EY Flight from AUH? (it’s the 777 Flight). Also my cousin is flying with me all the way to JFK, but is getting off there since he lives in NYC. Since we go through Pre-Clearence in AUH and land as a domestic flight, can he go into a lounge with me?
I do not have any oneworld status. I’m in first class going AUH-JFK-SEA. My connection to Seattle leaves two hours after I arrive JFK, and I would like to take a shower. This is a Tuesday and I’m on a EY777 they operate that day so no onboard showers. But EY says I cannot use their lounge upon arrival in JFK unless I pay $75. If they don’t allow arriving pax to use the lounge, which they could because the flight lands as a domestic plane because of the preclearance facility in AUH, I’m not really even sure why they have showers to begin with... whatever.
Since EY isn’t a OW member, in the main lounge thread “will I have access” nobody was certain if I could access an AA lounge either. In addition they’re also doubting if I will have lounge access at any AA lounges, let alone ones with shower facilities. But nobody could really answer my question with certainty or give me a concrete answer, it was all speculation. Hence why I created a thread specifically about lounge access and Etihad since no one can answer this question in the main lounge thread of “will I have access?” Anyone know of a lounge I’m entitled entry into I could visit in JFK on my layover to take a shower? I’m also a Priority Pass member, and it looks like some of the PP lounges in terminal 1 have showers. But of course I’d have to give my boarding pass, and not sure TSA will let me go through security at terminal 1.
if anyone knows the answer to this question, or has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciated it.
Im flying CMB-AUH-JFK-SEA in F. Do I have access to Flagship First? If not, what am I entitled to? Where can I get a shower after getting off of the EY Flight from AUH? (it’s the 777 Flight). Also my cousin is flying with me all the way to JFK, but is getting off there since he lives in NYC. Since we go through Pre-Clearence in AUH and land as a domestic flight, can he go into a lounge with me?
I do not have any oneworld status. I’m in first class going AUH-JFK-SEA. My connection to Seattle leaves two hours after I arrive JFK, and I would like to take a shower. This is a Tuesday and I’m on a EY777 they operate that day so no onboard showers. But EY says I cannot use their lounge upon arrival in JFK unless I pay $75. If they don’t allow arriving pax to use the lounge, which they could because the flight lands as a domestic plane because of the preclearance facility in AUH, I’m not really even sure why they have showers to begin with... whatever.
Since EY isn’t a OW member, in the main lounge thread “will I have access” nobody was certain if I could access an AA lounge either. In addition they’re also doubting if I will have lounge access at any AA lounges, let alone ones with shower facilities. But nobody could really answer my question with certainty or give me a concrete answer, it was all speculation. Hence why I created a thread specifically about lounge access and Etihad since no one can answer this question in the main lounge thread of “will I have access?” Anyone know of a lounge I’m entitled entry into I could visit in JFK on my layover to take a shower? I’m also a Priority Pass member, and it looks like some of the PP lounges in terminal 1 have showers. But of course I’d have to give my boarding pass, and not sure TSA will let me go through security at terminal 1.
if anyone knows the answer to this question, or has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciated it.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 31, 2017 at 7:31 am Reason: Merge cross posted posts
Dec 28, 2017, 5:58 am
#817
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Apologies if this has already been asked and answered. I know I asked it somewhere else but cannot find it anymore now.
Im flying CMB-AUH-JFK-SEA in F. Do I have access to Flagship First? If not, what am I entitled to? Where can I get a shower after getting off of the EY Flight from AUH? (it’s the 777 Flight). Also my cousin is flying with me all the way to JFK, but is getting off there since he lives in NYC. Since we go through Pre-Clearence in AUH and land as a domestic flight, can he go into a lounge with me?
Im flying CMB-AUH-JFK-SEA in F. Do I have access to Flagship First? If not, what am I entitled to? Where can I get a shower after getting off of the EY Flight from AUH? (it’s the 777 Flight). Also my cousin is flying with me all the way to JFK, but is getting off there since he lives in NYC. Since we go through Pre-Clearence in AUH and land as a domestic flight, can he go into a lounge with me?
Dec 28, 2017, 6:08 am
#818
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
Unless you have a non-AA Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status, you'd have no OW, i.e. AA Flagship Lounge access, due to the fact that EY is not part of OW, and the long haul international flight and connecting flight needs to be OW operated and marketed to qualify. Don't believe EY has an Arrivals Lounge in JFK, so don't know what other options you'll have.
Dec 28, 2017, 6:11 am
#819
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
What about accessing EY’s lounge at JFK in terminal 4? Isn’t that where we’ll be deplaning? Alternatively I could play dumb and try to get access to a lounge with a shower? Definitely gonna wanna shower after AUH Flight. If there really is no option which seems ridiculous to me, I have PP. I assume EY uses terminal 4 at JFK and I need to get to T8 for the SEA Flight?
Dec 28, 2017, 7:21 am
#820
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAX, ORD, ATH
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, BAEC bronze, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 93
Hi everyone
Travelling LAX-JFK in first class on 3-class cabin transcon.
Do I have access to flagship lounge and/or flagship dining on arrival at JFK?
Thanks
Travelling LAX-JFK in first class on 3-class cabin transcon.
Do I have access to flagship lounge and/or flagship dining on arrival at JFK?
Thanks
Dec 29, 2017, 7:36 pm
#822
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
When flying on a 3 class transcon as an AA EXP, as in your case, you'll only have access to the OW Business Lounge or the AA FS Lounge due to your J ticket If you were flying F, then you'd have access to the QF F Lounge.
Certainly AA "class of service" access is available for AA operated lounges on arrival into LAX, but oneworld policy is basically for departures. On that score, neither of the TBIT lounges would be available.
Last edited by serfty; Dec 30, 2017 at 1:42 am Reason: Too "Basic":p
Dec 29, 2017, 8:31 pm
#823
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
QF First will only allow access if the OP is departing on another oneworld flight, I believe; definitely not for arriving pax with no onward connection.
Dec 30, 2017, 6:40 am
#824
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
I have no AA status. Booked an American award on Etihad CMB-AUH-JFK-SEA, last segment AA operated. Etihad said they will not allow me access to their lounge upon arrival in JFK. Since they have preclearance in AUH the flight arrives as a domestic one would so I do have the ability, but Etihad said I do not have the access and would have to pay $75. Am I entitled to use any AA lounge with a shower? That’s pretty much all I care about at this point, finding a place to just shower.
Dec 30, 2017, 7:22 am
#825
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I have no AA status. Booked an American award on Etihad CMB-AUH-JFK-SEA, last segment AA operated. Etihad said they will not allow me access to their lounge upon arrival in JFK. Since they have preclearance in AUH the flight arrives as a domestic one would so I do have the ability, but Etihad said I do not have the access and would have to pay $75. Am I entitled to use any AA lounge with a shower? That’s pretty much all I care about at this point, finding a place to just shower.