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)
May 5, 2017, 2:26 pm
#316
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
Situation: Arriving in business class to ORD on Aer Lingus metal, but a BA booking and flight number. I'm connecting to an AA flight, but it's a separate booking and the two are not tied together. The connecting AA domestic flight is also a Y booking. I have no status. Do I have access to AC in ORD?
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 6, 2017, 12:56 am
#317
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPLAT, AS MVP 75K, Star Alliance Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, SPG GOLD, HH Gold
Posts: 108
Hello Everyone,
Tried to find something close to an answer and I am still a bit confused....So I am traveling F on a red eye from LAX>JFK late July as an EXP, I know I have Flagship and QF F lounge access in LA but wondering about JFK.
I connect (well, on a separate PNR later that day flying AY to HEL) and wondering if I can access Flagship lounge on arrival just based off my AA flight, if not I can always OLCI to access I believe. Furthermore, if JFK F dining experience is open by then am I able to access based on my transcon F AA flight ?? Not sure how all that works out, any information would be greatly appreciated!
Tried to find something close to an answer and I am still a bit confused....So I am traveling F on a red eye from LAX>JFK late July as an EXP, I know I have Flagship and QF F lounge access in LA but wondering about JFK.
I connect (well, on a separate PNR later that day flying AY to HEL) and wondering if I can access Flagship lounge on arrival just based off my AA flight, if not I can always OLCI to access I believe. Furthermore, if JFK F dining experience is open by then am I able to access based on my transcon F AA flight ?? Not sure how all that works out, any information would be greatly appreciated!
May 6, 2017, 7:00 am
#318
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,453
Hello Everyone,
Tried to find something close to an answer and I am still a bit confused....So I am traveling F on a red eye from LAX>JFK late July as an EXP, I know I have Flagship and QF F lounge access in LA but wondering about JFK.
I connect (well, on a separate PNR later that day flying AY to HEL) and wondering if I can access Flagship lounge on arrival just based off my AA flight, if not I can always OLCI to access I believe. Furthermore, if JFK F dining experience is open by then am I able to access based on my transcon F AA flight ?? Not sure how all that works out, any information would be greatly appreciated!
Tried to find something close to an answer and I am still a bit confused....So I am traveling F on a red eye from LAX>JFK late July as an EXP, I know I have Flagship and QF F lounge access in LA but wondering about JFK.
I connect (well, on a separate PNR later that day flying AY to HEL) and wondering if I can access Flagship lounge on arrival just based off my AA flight, if not I can always OLCI to access I believe. Furthermore, if JFK F dining experience is open by then am I able to access based on my transcon F AA flight ?? Not sure how all that works out, any information would be greatly appreciated!
May 6, 2017, 7:14 am
#319
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Hello Everyone,
Tried to find something close to an answer and I am still a bit confused....So I am traveling F on a red eye from LAX>JFK late July as an EXP, I know I have Flagship and QF F lounge access in LA but wondering about JFK.
I connect (well, on a separate PNR later that day flying AY to HEL) and wondering if I can access Flagship lounge on arrival just based off my AA flight, if not I can always OLCI to access I believe. Furthermore, if JFK F dining experience is open by then am I able to access based on my transcon F AA flight ?? Not sure how all that works out, any information would be greatly appreciated!
Tried to find something close to an answer and I am still a bit confused....So I am traveling F on a red eye from LAX>JFK late July as an EXP, I know I have Flagship and QF F lounge access in LA but wondering about JFK.
I connect (well, on a separate PNR later that day flying AY to HEL) and wondering if I can access Flagship lounge on arrival just based off my AA flight, if not I can always OLCI to access I believe. Furthermore, if JFK F dining experience is open by then am I able to access based on my transcon F AA flight ?? Not sure how all that works out, any information would be greatly appreciated!
May 6, 2017, 11:53 am
#320
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPLAT, AS MVP 75K, Star Alliance Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, SPG GOLD, HH Gold
Posts: 108
Many thanks for this information flyerCO and JJeffrey! I do hope the dinning is up and running by then, would be nice to check it out. As well as after the transcon redeye, a shower and breakfast will be much appreciated!
Thanks again ^
Thanks again ^
May 7, 2017, 2:59 pm
#321
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
I'm taking Cathay from JFK to YVR in Y. As an exp, will I have flagship/IFCL access?
May 7, 2017, 5:09 pm
#322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
May 7, 2017, 5:37 pm
#323
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
May 7, 2017, 11:04 pm
#324
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
OW airlines, know and follow the same policy for AA OWE. They might give you access, but I wouldn't hold out hope. Also CX flies out of T8. AA lounges will follow AA policy for AA elites. It doesn't vary based on the airline you're flying.
May 8, 2017, 7:11 am
#325
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Thanks flyerCO. Just wondering if anyone can speak from actual experience
May 8, 2017, 7:31 am
#326
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Would OP have access to BA FCL under the Emerald rules?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Nevermind... found it. No access.
American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
For more information, visit,
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...miralsClub.jsp
Last edited by Global321; May 8, 2017 at 7:34 am Reason: updated with info.
May 8, 2017, 7:35 am
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
No. AA has a specific policy that is recognized by OW. It requires AA OWE to be flying on a qualifying flight to get lounge access. This does not include flights to Canada. The operating airline does not matter. One can't use AA OWE status to access lounge when flying to Canada, Mexico (other then MEX), and Caribbean.
May 8, 2017, 7:56 am
#328
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nge-access.jsp indicates that the lounge access exception is limited to AA flights
May 8, 2017, 8:39 am
#329
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
From the One World lounge access page
2. American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
2. American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
May 9, 2017, 7:43 pm
#330
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYLON - AA EXP 1MM, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,234
From the One World lounge access page
2. American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
2. American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
"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."
Clearly CX are paying for their passengers to use the AA lounges in JFK so the question is whether they have included AA elites.
I am flying this route in a few weeks in F but I will try to ask the lounge agents what they would do if I was travelling in Y.