LAX FL Access - AA Award on AS and TN
 

Apologies if this has already been answered. I am an AA Exec Plat member. I realize that typically when flying Air Tahiti Nui (TN) out of LAX, there is no Flagship Lounge access as TN is not OneWorld. However I will be flying AS from SEA to LAX before connecting onwards to CDG on TN. With AS now a Oneworld member would that get me access to the T4 Flagship Lounge during my connection?

NOTE: This trip is in summer of next year so assuming lounges will be open.

Thank in advance.

rules state that you have to depart or connect to any OneWorld marketed and operated international flight. Is your TN flight marketed by AA?

It probably does not matter — TN is not a oneworld airline and the terms say marketed AND operated.

I read the policy; it says “departing on or connecting to an eligible international flight,” for status based access. Business class access is based on the specific flight in business being eligible, so no luck there either.

If you are an Admirals Club member, you can use the Admirals Club on the basis of your AS flight (provided it is not marketed by TN).

OP mentioned it’s an AA award, so the AS flight will almost certainly have an AS flight number.

It is not marketed by AA (not a codeshare), so it sounds like no access to FL.

Thats a good point. I have an Alaska Lounge membership so would get access to the Admiral's Club, but not the Flagship Lounge.

So sounds like I would have access to the following lounges:

Alaska Lounge T6 - (AS Lounge Member)
Admirals Club T4/5 - (AS Lounge Member)
Centurion Lounge TBIT - (Amex Plat Holder)
LAX Int'l Lounge TBIT - (TN Business Access)
Korean Air Lounge TBIT - (Priority Pass)

So many choices, but guessing Centurion will be highest quality...

Thanks everyone!

One more thing: the T4 Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge share an entrance, so it can’t hurt to try to go to the Admirals Club and see if you get pointed to the Flagship Lounge instead.

The OP would be accessing the Admirals Club based on his AS lounge membership & his SEA-LAX arrival boarding pass.
I don't think they would hand the Flagship Lounge invitation, in this case as his Air Tahiti Nui flight is irrelevant in this case.

It probably won’t work, but given OP is on a long haul international itinerary and is a OWE, it’s an edge case that AA’s computers might grant access on anyway.

Maybe just ignore me and go to the Centurion lounge. :)

I know it's AA's IT system, but they get paid by the OW partner when getting on a Long Haul Int'l flight. Scan is going to fail.. I can't recall the last time it was a "manual" verification.

Assuming purported “building repairs” are completed by then. :rolleyes:

Just so I'm clear, because I've read a few different things, will I (under current, temporary rules) get AC access at CLT when flying CLT to AUA as AA Plat? Not the end of the world if not as I'll have Centurion Lounge access for definite but nice to know the options.

I'll be flying ORD-CLT-AUA. If the answer to the question above is yes, would I get AC access in ORD too because it's part of a wider international booking, or just at CLT?

You will have access to AC in ORD and CLT based on your status and traveling same day on qualifying flight to Aruba

If I fly A321T Lax to Bos on the red eye and then fly down to Jfk I know I am allowed to enter FL & FFD for that matter, by virtue of the red eye counting as the "next day". Even though it left the day before it lands the next day so I know from my Lax-Dfw-Hkg same type of deal taking a "red eye" to DFw and getting in to FL that I am allowed to get in. Just worried if I get one bad lounge agent they could make it quite difficult.

This is for the Spring but I have a red eye out of JFK to Europe and i want to be able to use FFD since the flight is a 772. Red eye lands Boston 7am ish, be down to Ny by 10am if I do the routing this way. . I know I am allowed to use it but worried. Anyone does this often enough to say Jfk lounge agents know whats what and there should be no issue getting itto FFD. Would have 9 hours at JFK before Europe flight. Even if I go to TWA for a bit or venture for some food in Queens or Brooklyn I still will have 4-5 hours and would be cool to have FFD by virtue of the Lax-Bos flight.

Reason I am not going right into JFK is AA has completely made F for Lax/Jfk out of my price range. There is no more occasional $800 fare. The $1159 I used to see is not there anymore. They are gone for Fall, Winter, Spring. Everything is $3500 with the occasional $2500. The $639 Business fare is still around but none of the good F fares

The day I need is $3500 lax-Jfk. Thats freaking ourtageous.

So that leads me to my next question... there is a routing where Lax-Bos isnt the non stop but rather goes to Jfk. The price is $1200, the same price as the Lax-Bos non stop. I know this would be a hidden city trick and "illegal" but I was thinking of doing it. I dont even care about the little bit of time wasted at Bos getting down to Jfk b/c I have so much time til the night flight to Europe. I'm just worried about being denied FFD. Whereas, if I land right at Jfk then obviously no issues/no worry I will be good for FFD. Granted I know they may frown on using FFD for both breakfast, maybe lunch & dinner but at least the arriving from Bos component wont matter.

Only thing about doing the trick is will they call me out in the lounge when I miss the Bos flight and make me leave as this would completely defeat the entire purpose. I've never done the hidden city thing so one time isnt horrible I dont believe. Just could mention at FL Jfk that my Boston lunch meeting was cancelled or something.

Sorry for the slightly all over the place post here just want to spend $1200 not $3500 and have FFD at Jfk that day.

Thx

Flying LAX-BOS-JFK and getting FD access at JFK, this is no different than the other examples we were discussing before where you're one stop removed from the qualifying flight. It's a grey area and one that isn't clearly spelled out in the rules, totally up to the agent.

As I mentioned, there are plenty of examples of folks being allowed in and others where they weren't. Unless AA happens to clarify the rules at aa.com, there's nothing that customer service or Twitter or anyone around here can tell you that will guarantee you'll get FD access in the above scenario. Up to the agent at JFK that morning.

Honestly I would not be stressing so much and spinning your wheels about getting FD access until we see what FD looks like when/if it comes back.

Also, you're still 8+ months away, there's plenty of time for more fare sales, etc., especially as the airlines evaluate what the business travel landscape (or lack thereof) looks like in the fall and winter. No reason to pull the trigger today on a less than desirable routing on an itinerary like LAX-JFK, just keep an eye on it over the next 2-3 months.

Good suggestion thank you. I'll wait a few months and re evaluate the Transcon F pricing . I cant believe how much it is. There isnt an F flight for under $2500. AA did something just a few weeks ago b/c a few weeks ago there was an occasional Saturday $808 in F and definitely some $1159 red eyes on various days. Even some $1659's but now its all $2500+ for F. Maybe it will come back to normal soon.

I guess I can grab a J seat on the day/flight I need, as its $639 which is obviously very good and with the exception of the occasional $599 the lowest I have ever seen it. Worst case I'll just fly J but maybe prices will come down for F.

The Boston trick with Lax-Jfk-Bos would be temping to save $1300 and guarantee FFD. I know we discussed some grey areas on being one removed and for that Lax-Mia-Jfk i really wouldnt be tripping if I dont get in as I would have FFD 2 times plus a flight in J just 2-3 hours later. On this trip I was asking about here I would have 9-10 hours at Jfk. If F doesnt go down straight to JFk I may pull off my first ever hidden city trick. One time never hurt anyone I dont believe :)