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 29, 2017, 2:50 pm
#391
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
I searched and I couldn't come up with an answer. Long story short - last year I booked a ticket for travel on June 6th-9th 2016. I had to cancel the day of and when I did I was told the value (minus $200 change fee) would be good for one year (until June 6th 2017). Today I call to book a flight this week and returning before June 6th and am now being told that what I'm saying is inaccurate and it's one year from the date of issue (which was April 2016)?
Is this the rule and I simply got an agent who told me the wrong rules, or am I being told inccurate info now?
I'm only AA Plat if that helps
(Thank you to all for your help)
Is this the rule and I simply got an agent who told me the wrong rules, or am I being told inccurate info now?
I'm only AA Plat if that helps
(Thank you to all for your help)
Q. I have a nonrefundable ticket; can I use it for future travel?
Depending on fare rules, you can apply the unused value of your American Airlines ticket toward a future trip as long as:
Your new trip begins no later than one year from the ticket's original issue date
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...rvice-faqs.jsp
So it seems the April date is the correct answer.
May 29, 2017, 2:59 pm
#392
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL DM, AA Plat, Hertz Pres. Club. SPG Gold
Posts: 574
A quick search on aa.com tells me:
Q. I have a nonrefundable ticket; can I use it for future travel?
Depending on fare rules, you can apply the unused value of your American Airlines ticket toward a future trip as long as:
Your new trip begins no later than one year from the ticket's original issue date
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...rvice-faqs.jsp
So it seems the April date is the correct answer.
Q. I have a nonrefundable ticket; can I use it for future travel?
Depending on fare rules, you can apply the unused value of your American Airlines ticket toward a future trip as long as:
Your new trip begins no later than one year from the ticket's original issue date
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...rvice-faqs.jsp
So it seems the April date is the correct answer.
I shouldn't have listened to the agent and done my own research.
May 29, 2017, 4:57 pm
#394
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: PDX
Programs: UA, AS, AA, DL
Posts: 260
I am trying to help out friend who wants to cancel a ticket. She booked with a fairly tight connection in DFW (SEA-DFW-LIM). The original itin had a 1:25 connection time. There have been some schedule changes, and the itin now has a 51 minute connection time, which (I think) is technically legal, but a very bad idea, IMO. But the bottom line is that she wants to cancel/refund for other reasons. Is this liable to work, with a certain amount of HUACA, even though it's under the 61-minute threshold?
May 30, 2017, 5:32 am
#395
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Raleigh-Durham
Programs: HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; AA Platinum
Posts: 758
Access to Lounge - Codeshare Business Class flight
My parents are flying into the US on Etihad business class - connecting in Chicago - and then from there to RDU in AA business. Will they get access to the lounge in Chicago?
Thanks,
D
Thanks,
D
May 30, 2017, 6:54 am
#396
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
As your parents are flying into the USA on Etihad, which is not a member of the oneworld alliance, there is no lounge access under oneworld lounge access rules. Etihad and AA do not have a reciprocal lounge access agreement.
As they are flying domestic First ORD-RFU and AA does not grant lounge access based on two class or non-transcontinental flights, they will not have access under AA rules either.
The only way they could access the Chicago Admirals Clubs would be by purchasing one day passes ($59 per person).
May 31, 2017, 9:27 pm
#397
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: Spire Ambassador, HH Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 23
Lounge access in Hong kong on arrival
Hello, I have a flight from lax to hong kong in business class on AA (award) . Then I am transferring on a separate ticket on Thai airlines to BKK in economy ( paid) . I have a 5 hour layover to make sure I have enough time to go through immigration and recheck my bags. My question will I have access to any lounges in Hong Kong because of my incoming business class ticket? Or will I have to pay and use use the Priority pass lounge? If so, which priority pass lounge is the best.
Thanks so much, it is my first time in Hong kong and I am not familiar with the airport at all.
Thanks so much, it is my first time in Hong kong and I am not familiar with the airport at all.
May 31, 2017, 9:31 pm
#398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Lounges are for departures as on OW site https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access
This means you can relax or catch up with work in comfort and style before departure, regardless of which oneworld member airline you choose to fly with.
To be eligible, you must be departing on a flight that is both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline.
Some lounges may get busy at peak times, and access to them may be restricted as a result.
Eligible customers have access to lounges operated by a third party, contracted by the airline on which they are traveling. You can search all oneworld lounges using the 'Find an Airport Lounge' tool above.
- Arrivals lounges are excluded.
- Spa and Pre-Flight Dining facilities are excluded.
- British Airways Concorde lounges are excluded.
- Other exceptions may apply (see below).
To be eligible, you must be departing on a flight that is both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline.
Some lounges may get busy at peak times, and access to them may be restricted as a result.
Eligible customers have access to lounges operated by a third party, contracted by the airline on which they are traveling. You can search all oneworld lounges using the 'Find an Airport Lounge' tool above.
- Arrivals lounges are excluded.
- Spa and Pre-Flight Dining facilities are excluded.
- British Airways Concorde lounges are excluded.
- Other exceptions may apply (see below).
May 31, 2017, 9:33 pm
#399
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: CGK/KOA
Programs: AA ExPlat HH Diamond
Posts: 1,683
You will not have lounge access based upon your Biz class ticket into HK. You could use the StarAlliance lounge if you have status. Priority pass would be your best bet for lounge access.
May 31, 2017, 10:23 pm
#400
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
The Priority Pass lounges are the Plaza Premium lounges, which are not bad for Priority Pass lounges, in my opinion. The going rate for the public is something like US $75 for a two-hour visit, and people pay it, so it's a good use of Priority Pass.
EDITED to add: Whoops. It looks like you're going to be flying out of T2 on Thai. T2 is the dreary low-cost carrier terminal. Thankfully there is a Plaza Premium lounge (landside I believe) in T2 that you should be able to use with Priority Pass. I would not want to spend most of 5 hours in T2.
EDITED to add: Whoops. It looks like you're going to be flying out of T2 on Thai. T2 is the dreary low-cost carrier terminal. Thankfully there is a Plaza Premium lounge (landside I believe) in T2 that you should be able to use with Priority Pass. I would not want to spend most of 5 hours in T2.
Last edited by platbrownguy; May 31, 2017 at 10:31 pm
May 31, 2017, 10:45 pm
#401
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
Hello, I have a flight from lax to hong kong in business class on AA (award) . Then I am transferring on a separate ticket on Thai airlines to BKK in economy ( paid) . I have a 5 hour layover to make sure I have enough time to go through immigration and recheck my bags. My question will I have access to any lounges in Hong Kong because of my incoming business class ticket? Or will I have to pay and use use the Priority pass lounge? If so, which priority pass lounge is the best.
Thanks so much, it is my first time in Hong kong and I am not familiar with the airport at all.
Thanks so much, it is my first time in Hong kong and I am not familiar with the airport at all.
/Moderator
If you're departing to BKK on TG, Priority Pass will be your access ticket. To use a oneworld lounge, your next flight would have to be on a oneworld airline, such as CX (or KA) or MH.
Jun 1, 2017, 4:42 am
#402
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,477
EDITED to add: Whoops. It looks like you're going to be flying out of T2 on Thai. T2 is the dreary low-cost carrier terminal. Thankfully there is a Plaza Premium lounge (landside I believe) in T2 that you should be able to use with Priority Pass. I would not want to spend most of 5 hours in T2.
Jun 2, 2017, 10:18 pm
#403
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: EWR
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 100K, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 451
I did a bit of searching, so I believe that this issue has not been covered directly. I'm considering purchasing a first class ticket JFK-MIA-LAX. The MIA-LAX is first class transcon with three cabins. I cannot tell if the Miami Flagship lounge will be open when I fly (early July). Will I get Flagship lounge access at JFK before the first leg of my trip? I am flying a qualifying leg on the same day, so it looks like I should, but I can't tell.
Jun 3, 2017, 8:23 am
#404
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I did a bit of searching, so I believe that this issue has not been covered directly. I'm considering purchasing a first class ticket JFK-MIA-LAX. The MIA-LAX is first class transcon with three cabins. I cannot tell if the Miami Flagship lounge will be open when I fly (early July). Will I get Flagship lounge access at JFK before the first leg of my trip? I am flying a qualifying leg on the same day, so it looks like I should, but I can't tell.
Yes, you should get Flagship Check-in and Flagship Lounge access at JFK.
(From AA - "Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day")
Jun 7, 2017, 2:13 pm
#405
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Have an upcoming flight on AA from MSY to ORD with a later flight on BA from ORD to LHR. They are separate reservations (and I can't OLCI), so I won't be able to check in for the ORD-LHR segment before arriving at ORD.
As a result, I won't have the ORD-LHR BA PB. I will have a printout of the reservation, but that's it. Will my companion and I be allowed in the ORD FL (we qualify for access otherwise) without a BP, or will they turn us away?
As a result, I won't have the ORD-LHR BA PB. I will have a printout of the reservation, but that's it. Will my companion and I be allowed in the ORD FL (we qualify for access otherwise) without a BP, or will they turn us away?