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 10, 2017, 4:07 am
#766
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Dec 10, 2017, 5:16 am
#767
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Dec 10, 2017, 6:31 am
#768
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Dec 10, 2017, 1:35 pm
#769
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 108
Reporting back, went to the D15 AC yesterday. Inquired about a day pass and was told they aren’t selling any due to construction at the D30 AC.
Dec 10, 2017, 4:35 pm
#770
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
Dec 11, 2017, 1:03 pm
#771
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,030
Family of 3 (PLT with AC membership, wife GLD, 5-yo child no status) traveling JFK-ZRH in Y.
I know we can use AC, but how lenient has JFK's Flagship Lounge been to allow families of 3?
I know we can use AC, but how lenient has JFK's Flagship Lounge been to allow families of 3?
Dec 11, 2017, 1:33 pm
#772
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1k, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 231
If you mean LAX-ORD (not ORD-LAX) following your HKG-LAX flight, then yes, as long as the LAX-ORD flight is on the same day, or before 6:00 AM the following day. Also, if you're an AA EXP (per your profile), you'll have access to the Qantas First Lounge which is located in the TBIT. Highly recommend.
Dec 11, 2017, 4:15 pm
#773
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
In my experience, they’re pretty lenient with a small child, less so with a tween- or teenager (though I’ve seen that vary, too).
Dec 11, 2017, 6:57 pm
#774
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Dec 13, 2017, 11:51 am
#775
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
Will be flying MIA-SCL on LAN 501 in J on award tickets. Have a 3 hour layover in Miami. Which lounges will I have access to? I think I can access the Flagship lounge. Will this same access apply on the return? I arrive at MIA from LAN 500 from SCL in J class with 3 hour layover, then home to MCI on AA in econ as there are no F award seats available.
Dec 13, 2017, 3:55 pm
#776
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Will be flying MIA-SCL on LAN 501 in J on award tickets. Have a 3 hour layover in Miami. Which lounges will I have access to? I think I can access the Flagship lounge. Will this same access apply on the return? I arrive at MIA from LAN 500 from SCL in J class with 3 hour layover, then home to MCI on AA in econ as there are no F award seats available.
Dec 18, 2017, 9:39 am
#777
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,214
Flying SFO-MIA-GYE in J.
SFO-MIA is a red-eye arrives in MIA the morning of the following day. The MIA-GYE flight does not leave until the evening. Curious if I should be entitled to AC access in SFO or if because the int'l segment is not until the next day I will be told otherwise.
Thanks.
SFO-MIA is a red-eye arrives in MIA the morning of the following day. The MIA-GYE flight does not leave until the evening. Curious if I should be entitled to AC access in SFO or if because the int'l segment is not until the next day I will be told otherwise.
Thanks.
Dec 18, 2017, 10:52 am
#778
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Flying SFO-MIA-GYE in J.
SFO-MIA is a red-eye arrives in MIA the morning of the following day. The MIA-GYE flight does not leave until the evening. Curious if I should be entitled to AC access in SFO or if because the int'l segment is not until the next day I will be told otherwise.
Thanks.
SFO-MIA is a red-eye arrives in MIA the morning of the following day. The MIA-GYE flight does not leave until the evening. Curious if I should be entitled to AC access in SFO or if because the int'l segment is not until the next day I will be told otherwise.
Thanks.
However, in practice it's definitely a YMMV situation. I've definitely accessed the AC & FL in similar situations several times the day before my qualifying flight on international itineraries. You should for sure at least try at SFO. I would hand the AAgent your boarding passes and say something like "I'm on the way to Ecuador.."
Dec 18, 2017, 11:27 am
#779
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
By the official rules, no access for the reason you mentioned, your qualifying MIA-GYE flight isn't until the following day and it's after 6am.
However, in practice it's definitely a YMMV situation. I've definitely accessed the AC & FL in similar situations several times the day before my qualifying flight on international itineraries. You should for sure at least try at SFO. I would hand the AAgent your boarding passes and say something like "I'm on the way to Ecuador.."
However, in practice it's definitely a YMMV situation. I've definitely accessed the AC & FL in similar situations several times the day before my qualifying flight on international itineraries. You should for sure at least try at SFO. I would hand the AAgent your boarding passes and say something like "I'm on the way to Ecuador.."
Dec 19, 2017, 8:51 am
#780
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
LAX to JFK First Class One-Way
I will be traveling from LAX to JFK First class on flight AA 172 leaving LAX at 10:45AM and arriving into JFK at 7:19PM. This is a one-way ticket. Will I have access to JFK Flagship Lounge upon arrival? I am Exec. Platinum as well.
Last edited by Dbergz1389; Dec 19, 2017 at 8:58 am Reason: Add one more point.