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ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2017)

Old Jan 4, 2017, 9:24 pm
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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 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.
Note: Members interested in arranging AA lounge meet-ups or offer guesting in should use this thread: Admirals Club / Flagship Lounge Meet Up & Guest Offer (master thread)

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.
* Note that AA no longer offers a 30-day membership as of July 25 2016.

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.

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
On February 17 2016, AA announced an addition to the above. As stated on their Reimagining our lounges page, in the Flagship Lounges section, "Starting in 2017, lounge access will be extended to customers booked in Business and First Class on A321T, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific and deep South American flights."

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 Americans 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining in 2017
All Admirals Club visitors receive free Wi-Fi access at Admirals Clubs (password is available at front desk and throughout the Club on signs), some non-alcoholic and "well" (lower price tier) alcoholic beverages and counter snacks (fruit, some kind of snack mix, cheese cubes, hot cereal mornings and soup evenings are the most common - recent additions have been made); free computer terminals are available for all passengers, and many Clubs have Business Centers and tethered Samsung Galaxy tablets in seating areas. Passengers accessing Admirals Clubs based on status or class of service on international travel are entitled to free drinks coupons usable for higher-tier non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and bottles of water.

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)

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ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Access, Rules (2017)

Old Nov 24, 2017, 5:48 pm
  #736  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by VeryHumerus
Flying into ORD from HKG on Cathay Pacific Business class or First class with connection to DFW in economy. Will I have access to the Flagship lounge since I'm flying in on premium seat?

Dont have status with AA.
Yes, you will have access.
Is it all on one ticket? It shouldn't matter given the actual rules for access, but I've found it's easier for the agent if it's on one ticket, since all they have to do is scan the boarding pass. It would be good to ask the CX agent in HKG to print a lounge invitation for the FL in ORD, and just give them that.

As I mentioned, this is all just to make it totally seamless, but if it is a different ticket, if you explain the itinerary to the agent, they should let you in.
DMPHL is offline  
Old Nov 24, 2017, 9:25 pm
  #737  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,013
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by flyingeph12
In my experience, you should get access if arriving and connecting to an AA domestic flight. At least this was the case for me at ORD a few weeks ago.
Originally Posted by Global321
Yes and Yes.

EXP gets access before connecting AA flight and is allowed to guest 1 person. (Done it too many times to count.)
Thanks both!
ft4lyf is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2017, 6:02 am
  #738  
amm
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 106
Have checked AA.com and through a few threads here and am still unclear. Flying POS-MIA-SFO in economy (Q) on 12/9 and am AA Plat. Have an 8 hour layover and not sure which lounges Ill be able to access (OW, Flagship, etc.). Also not sure if POS counts as South America.
amm is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2017, 7:52 am
  #739  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Originally Posted by amm
Have checked AA.com and through a few threads here and am still unclear. Flying POS-MIA-SFO in economy (Q) on 12/9 and am AA Plat. Have an 8 hour layover and not sure which lounges Ill be able to access (OW, Flagship, etc.). Also not sure if POS counts as South America.
POS is considered Caribbean, so you will not have lounge access in MIA.
flyingeph12 is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2017, 8:31 am
  #740  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by amm
Have checked AA.com and through a few threads here and am still unclear. Flying POS-MIA-SFO in economy (Q) on 12/9 and am AA Plat. Have an 8 hour layover and not sure which lounges Ill be able to access (OW, Flagship, etc.). Also not sure if POS counts as South America.
The Wikipost seems pretty clear - flights between North America and N. America, other than MEX and a few designated transcons, and the Caribbean, do not allow status or class of service based access. A $59 day Pass will allow Admirals Club access all day (LAX and SFO). Safe travels.
JDiver is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2017, 9:34 am
  #741  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Originally Posted by JDiver
The Wikipost seems pretty clear - flights between North America and N. America, other than MEX and a few designated transcons, and the Caribbean, do not allow status or class of service based access. A $59 day Pass will allow Admirals Club access all day (LAX and SFO). Safe travels.
Can one buy a day pass at MIA or LAX? I know that for a while AA was not selling day passes at its hubs due to construction and overcrowding. Not sure if that has changed recently with construction finishing up.
flyingeph12 is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2017, 10:44 am
  #742  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by flyingeph12
Can one buy a day pass at MIA or LAX? I know that for a while AA was not selling day passes at its hubs due to construction and overcrowding. Not sure if that has changed recently with construction finishing up.
Good question; I should have inquired Thursday when I visited the much expanded D15 lounge (not crowded when I visited, though the Centurion got to SRO for a while) in Miami. (D30 is closed, the E Premium Lounge is Open).LAX the 4 Club is fully open (but gets poor and the Eagles Nestand T-5 Clubs are fully open as well. Id call the Club number Monday at .(800) 237-7971‬.
JDiver is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2017, 2:43 pm
  #743  
amm
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 106
Originally Posted by flyingeph12
POS is considered Caribbean, so you will not have lounge access in MIA.
Originally Posted by JDiver
The Wikipost seems pretty clear - flights between North America and N. America, other than MEX and a few designated transcons, and the Caribbean, do not allow status or class of service based access. A $59 day Pass will allow Admirals Club access all day (LAX and SFO). Safe travels.
Thank you both! Figured as much, but would have been annoyed with myself if I hadnt checked. Was thinking about buying an AC day pass due to the length of the layover will report back if there are any issues with that.
JDiver likes this.
amm is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2017, 10:26 am
  #744  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
Lounge access question

Hi,

A friend of mine is BA silver and flying AA DFW-ORD later today. He's boarding pass reflects his ADV number, but not his BA one. If he shows at the lounge with his BA Silver Card, will he be granted access to the lounge?

Thanks!
oneworld82 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2017, 10:46 am
  #745  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Should have no problem using the BA silver card for access
lds89 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2017, 10:53 am
  #746  
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,025
I think all that matters is that you are flying on a OW operated / marketed flight and you are a OW Sapphire member (which BA Silver is).

From https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access:
  • You must be prepared to show your boarding pass and frequent flyer membership card, with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status, to access a lounge.
ntamayo is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2017, 8:07 pm
  #747  
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
I will be flying into Madrid airport with AA on business class in January and thinking of getting a y ticket to Granada via IB. Will I get lounge access for the second flight? I don't see any OneWorld arrival lounge, so I'm assuming that's not possible.

It seems like I should be able to if I'm PLT or EXP?
tphuang is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2017, 9:56 pm
  #748  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NorCal
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott GLD, HH PLT, Hertz 5*
Posts: 766
Do the FL guardian AAngels frown upon getting drinks in the FL and bringing them into the AC?

I'm EXP with Exec AA mcard (daughter is also card member)

Flying LAX-LHR with eVIP cleared (wife and daughter back in coach)

Instead of running out of chits might want to nip into the FL for water and premium liquor.
burtonmadness is offline  
Old Dec 4, 2017, 11:53 am
  #749  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,075
Originally Posted by burtonmadness
Do the FL guardian AAngels frown upon getting drinks in the FL and bringing them into the AC?

I'm EXP with Exec AA mcard (daughter is also card member)

Flying LAX-LHR with eVIP cleared (wife and daughter back in coach)

Instead of running out of chits might want to nip into the FL for water and premium liquor.
A couple of points.. the LAX FL hasn't reopened yet (rumor is Dec 13th). Once open, I don't think the AC folks would care too much if you trotted across from the FL, but at the same time it is easy enough to just ask for more drink chits, it's not like there is a limit..
teemuflyer is online now  
Old Dec 4, 2017, 2:00 pm
  #750  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by tphuang
I will be flying into Madrid airport with AA on business class in January and thinking of getting a y ticket to Granada via IB. Will I get lounge access for the second flight? I don't see any OneWorld arrival lounge, so I'm assuming that's not possible.

It seems like I should be able to if I'm PLT or EXP?
Yes, but in your departure terminal Terminal 4,not your T-4S arrival terminal, as long as youre arriving in MAD and departing the same day or by 0600.
JDiver is offline  

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