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 10, 2017, 8:35 am
#331
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Just wanted to confirm: I'm an AA EXP who will be flying on Cathay Pacific in J from JFK to YVR (Vancouver) and terminating there. According to the rules and the "CX moving to T8" thread that it seems that I'll be able to access the Flagship/International FC (or at least the Admirals Club) lounge, but wanted to make sure.
Edit: on second thought, I'm not liking my chances.
Edit: on third thought, maybe? It seems like the Lounge exceptions are for flying on American airlines only.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nge-access.jsp
That, I assume, would override the general oneworld lounge access language: https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access.
------------
First and Business Class customers
Lounge access isn't available if you’re traveling on American Airlines solely within the U.S. (except qualifying transcontinental flights) or between the U.S. and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City).
Your access is determined by showing your boarding pass departing on an international flight marketed and operated by a oneworld® carrier that is five hours or longer, or connecting to one on the same day or before 6 a.m. the following day. You may enjoy access to: [the good stuff]
oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire customers
If you’re departing on a flight marketed and operated by a oneworld® carrier, regardless of your class of service, you may enjoy: [the good stuff].
Lounge exceptions
Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City) unless you’re a oneworld Emerald or Sapphire customer. However, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members regardless of Emerald or Sapphire status, are not eligible
----------------
Edit: on fourth thought, maybe not the Flagship Lounge? There are all sorts of conflicting rules
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ss-lounges.jsp
Customers traveling in First Class on a qualifying international or transcontinental flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline, and on a same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day) itinerary*
AAdvantage® ConciergeKeySM and Executive Platinum members (regardless of cabin flown) departing or connecting to a qualifying international* flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline
oneworld EmeraldSM customers** (regardless of cabin flown) departing or connecting to any flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline
**American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries do not qualify for FlagshipSM Lounge access. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except MEX), Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Edit: on second thought, I'm not liking my chances.
Edit: on third thought, maybe? It seems like the Lounge exceptions are for flying on American airlines only.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nge-access.jsp
That, I assume, would override the general oneworld lounge access language: https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access.
------------
First and Business Class customers
Lounge access isn't available if you’re traveling on American Airlines solely within the U.S. (except qualifying transcontinental flights) or between the U.S. and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City).
Your access is determined by showing your boarding pass departing on an international flight marketed and operated by a oneworld® carrier that is five hours or longer, or connecting to one on the same day or before 6 a.m. the following day. You may enjoy access to: [the good stuff]
oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire customers
If you’re departing on a flight marketed and operated by a oneworld® carrier, regardless of your class of service, you may enjoy: [the good stuff].
Lounge exceptions
Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City) unless you’re a oneworld Emerald or Sapphire customer. However, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members regardless of Emerald or Sapphire status, are not eligible
----------------
Edit: on fourth thought, maybe not the Flagship Lounge? There are all sorts of conflicting rules
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ss-lounges.jsp
Customers traveling in First Class on a qualifying international or transcontinental flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline, and on a same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day) itinerary*
AAdvantage® ConciergeKeySM and Executive Platinum members (regardless of cabin flown) departing or connecting to a qualifying international* flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline
oneworld EmeraldSM customers** (regardless of cabin flown) departing or connecting to any flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline
**American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries do not qualify for FlagshipSM Lounge access. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except MEX), Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
CX F & J passengers on the JFK-YVR flight get access lounge access, so you can definitely use the AC. A lot of the exceptions you listed above are just for AA metal flights within North America. Since CX is a foreign carrier, you should be able to access the FL, however I can see this getting muddy since it's an AA lounge, with AA AAgents used to enforcing AA rules.
May 11, 2017, 8:16 pm
#332
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Per the OW rules you are certainly correct that JFK-YVR would not allow access for AAdvantage members. But then again the OW rules would also prohibit Cathay J and F pax from using the AA lounge:
"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.
"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.
May 12, 2017, 5:47 pm
#334
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nge-access.jsp indicates that the lounge access exception is limited to AA flights
May 12, 2017, 11:55 pm
#335
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
May 13, 2017, 12:52 am
#336
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BA Silver, KLM, HILTON HONOURS
Posts: 184
I'm travelling LAS-PHX in F. Will I have lounge access I'm BA silver. Thanks
May 13, 2017, 1:24 am
#337
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: 27,043
I was pointing out that per policy - No access is granted. As I pointed out CX though probably doesn't have their system setup to catch this one exception. Thus why I suggested CX might give out a invite, but per policy one wasn't required.
May 13, 2017, 1:39 am
#338
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
On the CX forum, a lot of us have confirmed that it is the operating carrier that pays for lounge access, regardless of elite membership across whichever partner. So in this case, CX was willing to sponsor EXP access to the lounge.
May 13, 2017, 9:48 am
#339
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
May 14, 2017, 5:13 am
#340
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Not exactly - more accurate to say that cx is following policy correctly but that published policy is poorly worded
May 14, 2017, 5:36 am
#341
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: 27,043
Asked today. Per lounge agent at JFK, AA elites on CX JFK-YVR only don't get access. However if they have a CX invitation then they get in. Being in technology, I'd bet the system isn't setup to catch this one situation that would result in no access.
May 14, 2017, 6:48 am
#342
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
You don't really have any reason to draw that conclusion.
May 14, 2017, 6:52 am
#343
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
One final question on this:
Will I be able to guest in a friend?
Will I be able to guest in a friend?
May 14, 2017, 7:22 am
#344
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: 27,043
May 14, 2017, 9:53 am
#345
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
