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)
Sep 25, 2022, 6:35 am
#946
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,144
Sep 25, 2022, 4:32 pm
#947
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
Very clear cause I wrote it for him lol and he didn't go to FL he just went straight to gate he doesn't like complications when I told him they should honor it but might say something . Oh well.
Sep 27, 2022, 7:09 am
#948
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,849
Hmm. I think if he paid for Flagship Business or Flagship First and the product he received was different, then shouldn't there be some kind of effort to make up for it? Maybe try contacting them again?
Sep 27, 2022, 1:46 pm
#949
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
Has anyone gotten the lounge agents to deviate from the access requirements at all? Traveling on a qualifying route as a PPro so I rate one guest but going to have my kid with us too. Is this like Vegas where I can slip them a $20 and weasel my way in?
Sep 27, 2022, 4:03 pm
#950
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
Kids guest access is always YMMV in the end, your odds are going to greatly depend on how old your kid is. If they're 1 or 2 then you'll have a much better chance for the agent to just wave you all in compared to a teenager.
Sep 27, 2022, 6:45 pm
#951
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
Kinda what I figured. Guess we will see how the agents are feeling that day.
Sep 30, 2022, 3:04 pm
#952
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 871
Flying LAX-MCO-MIA-LHR with the LAX-MCO segment on the night before and the MCO-MIA-LHR the following day. I know, as a OW Sapphire, I'll get FL access in MIA, but will I be able to get it in LAX?
Sep 30, 2022, 5:03 pm
#953
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
Technically by the rules no access at LAX since it's the day before however as long as everything is on the same ticket then I've never been turned away the day before my qualifying flight.
Sep 30, 2022, 5:27 pm
#954
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 871
Unfortunately not on the same ticket. Semi-related: I will be able to check in for the MIA-LHR flight using the kiosks at LAX, right?
Sep 30, 2022, 11:48 pm
#955
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
Oct 1, 2022, 10:35 am
#956
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,436
Oct 4, 2022, 3:47 pm
#957
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP 5MM; BA GLD; UA 1MM; Marriott Lfe Ti, Hyatt Glob, Hilt Dmd, IHG Dmd RA, GT Globility Board
Posts: 23
Changing FF from AA EXPLAT to BA GOLD after being upgraded on AA domestic flight
Yes. OW Sapphire works for FL access even if not on the BP. Just need to show them the digital membership card. We do this all the time with BA Silver (OW Sapphire) status and it works like a charm. I always make sure we're still crediting to AA as one time
it got changed to BA.
The only time I've come close to having an issue was with a less experienced agent at the FL who was not as familiar with other OW member levels. A more senior agent came by and made it all work.
Cheers.
it got changed to BA.
The only time I've come close to having an issue was with a less experienced agent at the FL who was not as familiar with other OW member levels. A more senior agent came by and made it all work.
Cheers.
Oct 4, 2022, 3:59 pm
#958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
But several times this year the agents at the entrance of the Admirals Club/Flagship have told me I would have to change the FF number from AA to BA at check-in to be allowed entry into the Flagship since this is a BA Gold privilege (they did eventually let me in "as an exception")..
Cheers.
Oct 4, 2022, 4:59 pm
#959
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 871
Figured I'd follow up for the sake of a data point. Went to the OW lounge first since it was easier for the Uber driver to drop me off at TBIT (huge backup in the right two lanes between TBIT and T4). After presenting my passport (not sure why I'd need to show this) and BP, he told me that if I didn't have Sapphire or Emerald with an airline other than AA/AS, I couldn't get in because my intl. trip was the next day. I honestly couldn't care less, so I left and went to the FL in T4. Agent scanned my MIA-LHR boarding pass, handed me the invitation, and welcomed me in.
Oct 4, 2022, 5:53 pm
#960
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,144
That said — the agent helping me in MIA had never dealt with a situation where lounge access status was not on the PNR, and initially wanted to change it on the PNR. Another agent was standing behind her and helped her click through to the screen where you validate access.