Feb 16, 2017, 2:34 pm
Last edit by: seawolf
NOTE: Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining closed March 20, 2020. They will begin reopening in September of 2021, as discussed in this thread (link). This thread will reboot as the Premium facilities begin reopening and as AA announces any changes including access rules.
Beginning in spring 2017, AA began introducing their completely renovated or new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Rules for expanded access to Flagship Lounges were published June 2017.
Features
As well, Flagship Lounge access policies changed.
American Airlines has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
*Qualifying international flights are those between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) only. Qualifying transcontinental flights are defined as non-stop between New York Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). All other international destinations are excluded from this benefit. Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries (other than flights mentioned immediately above) will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
: An exception usually exists for First and Business passengers on AA Flagship (three class aircraft actually sold as three classes), such as the seasonal MIA-LAX 77W and LAX-BOS A321T.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining. Qualifying international passengers may bring one guest; qualifying domestic passengers are not allowed any guests.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class passengers traveling on 3-cabin transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO are allowed entry to the Flagship Lounge both upon departure and upon arrival (e.g. A passenger traveling business class nonstop from JFK to LAX will have access to the JFK Lounge and the LAX Lounge). However, passengers on this itinerary will not be allowed to bring in a guest if they are not also in the Flagship® cabin
Link to relevant "Flagship Lounge" aa.com page
Link to 2017 and 2018 posts archived from this thread.
Beginning in spring 2017, AA began introducing their completely renovated or new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Rules for expanded access to Flagship Lounges were published June 2017.
Features
- More room for you to spread out and relax
- Larger buffet with premium, fresh meals
- Premium beer, wine and spirits
- Updated interiors with additional power and privacy options
- More staff in each lounge for the highest level of service
As well, Flagship Lounge access policies changed.
American Airlines has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
- First and Business Class customers (on qualifying international flights or 3-class transcontinental markets*)
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum (including Concierge Key), Platinum Pro and Platinum members in any cabin (on qualifying international flights*)
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire members in any cabin (on all qualifying flights**)
Qualifying transcontinental flights
3-class non-stop flights between:
- New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
- JFK and San Francisco (SFO)
- JFK and Orange County (SNA)
- LAX and Miami (MIA)
- LAX and Boston (BOS)
Qualifying other domestic filghts
Flights with seats ticketed as Flagship® between:
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL)
- DFW and Kona (KOA)
- DFW and Maui (OGG)
- Chicago (ORD) and HNL
- Charlotte (CLT) and HNL
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
*Qualifying international flights are those between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) only. Qualifying transcontinental flights are defined as non-stop between New York Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). All other international destinations are excluded from this benefit. Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries (other than flights mentioned immediately above) will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
: An exception usually exists for First and Business passengers on AA Flagship (three class aircraft actually sold as three classes), such as the seasonal MIA-LAX 77W and LAX-BOS A321T.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining. Qualifying international passengers may bring one guest; qualifying domestic passengers are not allowed any guests.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class passengers traveling on 3-cabin transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO are allowed entry to the Flagship Lounge both upon departure and upon arrival (e.g. A passenger traveling business class nonstop from JFK to LAX will have access to the JFK Lounge and the LAX Lounge). However, passengers on this itinerary will not be allowed to bring in a guest if they are not also in the Flagship® cabin
Link to relevant "Flagship Lounge" aa.com page
Link to 2017 and 2018 posts archived from this thread.
Guide to Flagship Lounge Access (in revision)
Jan 8, 2022, 10:57 pm
#451
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
If it is Flagship First arrival from JFK or MIA, you will not be able to guest anyone in on account of the class of service. But if you have OW Sapphire or Emerald status through a program other than AA or AS, you'll be able to guest her into the Flagship Lounge.
This is, of course, assuming they are open.
Jan 8, 2022, 11:45 pm
#452
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
If it is Flagship First arrival off an international flight, then you would be able to guest her into both.
If it is Flagship First arrival from JFK or MIA, you will not be able to guest anyone in on account of the class of service. But if you have OW Sapphire or Emerald status through a program other than AA or AS, you'll be able to guest her into the Flagship Lounge.
This is, of course, assuming they are open.
If it is Flagship First arrival from JFK or MIA, you will not be able to guest anyone in on account of the class of service. But if you have OW Sapphire or Emerald status through a program other than AA or AS, you'll be able to guest her into the Flagship Lounge.
This is, of course, assuming they are open.
Jan 9, 2022, 10:59 am
#453
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
That is correct. Officially. Maybe you'll find a sympathetic agent. But black letter law as stated on AA website, you would not be permitted to take a guest into any of them based solely on class of service.
Jan 10, 2022, 11:45 am
#454
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 493
Not totally sure this is the right thread but can someone with a crystal ball let us know if there is any chance that the DFW FF lounge is likely to be open mid Feb when we will be flying DFW OGG. It might affect our choice of hotel but not a big issue if it’s just the AC access.
Jan 12, 2022, 11:11 am
#455
Join Date: May 2017
Location: BCN/STL
Programs: Marriott Titanium, United Silver, SW A List Preferred
Posts: 42
Hi all,
I am a Plat Pro arriving in MIA from BCN, then flying onto CMH, but the MIA-CMH flight is on a separate reservation.
Based on what I am seeing on AA.com, PP get Flagship access "departing on or connecting to a qualifying same-day international flight."
I can't quite tell-"connecting to" still makes it sound like it's only for departures, not arrivals. Would I get access as an arrival? Or not, since my flights are on separate reservations, thus not "connecting"?
I am a Plat Pro arriving in MIA from BCN, then flying onto CMH, but the MIA-CMH flight is on a separate reservation.
Based on what I am seeing on AA.com, PP get Flagship access "departing on or connecting to a qualifying same-day international flight."
I can't quite tell-"connecting to" still makes it sound like it's only for departures, not arrivals. Would I get access as an arrival? Or not, since my flights are on separate reservations, thus not "connecting"?
Jan 12, 2022, 11:44 am
#456
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Hi all,
I am a Plat Pro arriving in MIA from BCN, then flying onto CMH, but the MIA-CMH flight is on a separate reservation.
Based on what I am seeing on AA.com, PP get Flagship access "departing on or connecting to a qualifying same-day international flight."
I can't quite tell-"connecting to" still makes it sound like it's only for departures, not arrivals. Would I get access as an arrival? Or not, since my flights are on separate reservations, thus not "connecting"?
I am a Plat Pro arriving in MIA from BCN, then flying onto CMH, but the MIA-CMH flight is on a separate reservation.
Based on what I am seeing on AA.com, PP get Flagship access "departing on or connecting to a qualifying same-day international flight."
I can't quite tell-"connecting to" still makes it sound like it's only for departures, not arrivals. Would I get access as an arrival? Or not, since my flights are on separate reservations, thus not "connecting"?
Jan 25, 2022, 9:31 pm
#457
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Platinum, UA General
Posts: 63
Hello, having trouble finding a post that matches my situation: Flying AA SCL-JFK-DCA on Business International (AA 777). The JFK-DCA portion is in coach (Economy) lay-over 3 hours. Would I be able to access the Flagship lounge at JFK before my flight to DCA?
Jan 25, 2022, 10:03 pm
#458
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Yes, you will have access.
Jan 26, 2022, 10:27 am
#459
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 3
Did the exact same but SCL-JFK-MIA a couple of weeks ago, had no issues entering the FL upon arrival.
Jan 27, 2022, 12:26 pm
#460
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
I have to say thank you to those on this thread who helped me maximize my FL access on my pedestrian LAX > MIA flight today. As you can tell from my bio I've been captive to UA for ages but between these lounges and the truly incredible service I had on my route today I'm at least going to shift my coast-to-coast to AA.
Without FT, no chance do I dare even try to scan into the lounge on arrival.
Thank you!
Without FT, no chance do I dare even try to scan into the lounge on arrival.
Thank you!
Jan 28, 2022, 1:56 pm
#461
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
I'm an AY Emerald and wish to visit the FL while flying AA. I'm using my AY FF# for the AA flights.
Will a scan of my AA boarding pass permit entrance, or will I also need to show some separate proof of the AY status?
Thank you.
Will a scan of my AA boarding pass permit entrance, or will I also need to show some separate proof of the AY status?
Thank you.
Last edited by work2fly; Jan 28, 2022 at 3:20 pm
Jan 28, 2022, 5:07 pm
#462
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Small town near RNO
Programs: Delta 1MM/PM, BAEC GGL, Asiana Diamond Plus(Lifetime), AC *Tangerine
Posts: 899
As a BA Emerald it's been hit and miss at LAX. About half of the time there's a question about what a BA Gold (Guest List) as far as OW status. There's a couple of AAgents who've asked for my card several times each. All of the issues have been with mobile BPs, not paper ones. However, most of them don't have any problem. All this is pre FL re-opening at LAX.
Never an issue at JFK, PHL, and MIA
Never an issue at JFK, PHL, and MIA
Feb 1, 2022, 2:11 pm
#463
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
I have never been asked for the card when the FF is in the booking. It has also worked for me to have my AAdvantage number in the booking and showing separately my AY Elite card.