Jan 1, 2018, 2:40 pm
Last edit by: coolcoil
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2018)
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.
- Please DO understand it could take some time for answers (especially on holidays and weekends.)
- 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.
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===================
The kduarte Lounge Access tool page is unavailable
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
Important Note: Though this announcement excluded Northern South America and Central America, those travelling to or from those destinations in J/F or whom hold OWE or OWS, including AA elites, do indeed have access to the Flagship Lounge. See the link below for Flagship Lounge access rules for details.
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:https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...es-2017-a.html
ARCHIVE: 2018 HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Which, Access, Rules
Feb 28, 2018, 9:32 am
#196
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: KHH, FUK, SNA
Programs: BR, UA 1k, CX
Posts: 1,181
Mar 1, 2018, 6:47 am
#197
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CLE
Programs: RA, UA MM 1k, AA EXP, Marriott LTP, Hyatt Plat, SPG100
Posts: 476
I think I understand the rules, but more interested in opinions on WHICH club to use. I'm an EXP flying AA J DFW-LAX-SYD, but do not have Admiral's Club membership. I have about a 3 hour layover at LAX. Which club would you advise? I understand that I would have access to Admiral's Club and Flagship. Any others that are a better option? I also have a United Club membership, if that makes a difference in your opinions.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Mar 1, 2018, 7:09 am
#198
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I think I understand the rules, but more interested in opinions on WHICH club to use. I'm an EXP flying AA J DFW-LAX-SYD, but do not have Admiral's Club membership. I have about a 3 hour layover at LAX. Which club would you advise? I understand that I would have access to Admiral's Club and Flagship. Any others that are a better option? I also have a United Club membership, if that makes a difference in your opinions.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Mar 1, 2018, 1:33 pm
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
I like to allow enough time for an evening meal in the Qantas first Lounge cafeteria at TBIT before heading to T4 and Flagship to await my flight to SYD.
Mar 1, 2018, 1:46 pm
#200
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 13
Will we have Admirals Club access; Redeemed AA miles in J Business Class
Hi FlyerTalk,
We redeemed miles and booked a trip from the US to Europe an a plane that has two classes of service Business and Economy, so First Class was not an option. The level of award we booked was "J" Business Class. I'm trying to interpret the Admirals Club access rules and am wondering 1) if my wife and I will have access (we're the ones with the Business Class award tickets) and 2) if we're able to bring our two travel companions/guests with us.
The info on AA for Admirals Club says "Qualifying International First" passengers can bring 1 guest and "All other qualifying customers" can bring no guests. Are our tickets considered International First since the aircraft only has two classes of service?
We've visited the Admirals Club before and would love to have our friends come check it out as well. Thanks so much for any info you can provide!
We redeemed miles and booked a trip from the US to Europe an a plane that has two classes of service Business and Economy, so First Class was not an option. The level of award we booked was "J" Business Class. I'm trying to interpret the Admirals Club access rules and am wondering 1) if my wife and I will have access (we're the ones with the Business Class award tickets) and 2) if we're able to bring our two travel companions/guests with us.
The info on AA for Admirals Club says "Qualifying International First" passengers can bring 1 guest and "All other qualifying customers" can bring no guests. Are our tickets considered International First since the aircraft only has two classes of service?
We've visited the Admirals Club before and would love to have our friends come check it out as well. Thanks so much for any info you can provide!
Last edited by SNNtraveler; Mar 1, 2018 at 1:46 pm Reason: typo
Mar 1, 2018, 1:55 pm
#201
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 189
I believe you cannot bring a guest on a J ticket.
Which Admiral's Club did you like so much you think friends should see it?
Which Admiral's Club did you like so much you think friends should see it?
Mar 1, 2018, 1:59 pm
#202
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 13
We'll have a decent layover at ORD before continuing to LHR and thought maybe we'd grab some drinks and snacks at the Admirals Club before the overnight flight. We've visited some of the Admirals Clubs in ORD, LAX, and DFW before.
Mar 1, 2018, 2:00 pm
#203
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
No guests. You and your wife will get access.
Mar 1, 2018, 2:10 pm
#204
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Dayton, OH
Programs: United, Delta, Alaska, American
Posts: 102
connection city before reaching international departure city
I (no status) am flying on a J award itinerary DAY-PHL (AA single class plane) - BOS (AA single class plane) - HKG (CX J) - CEB (CX J). I know I will get access to the British Airways lounge in BOS based on the BOS-HKG leg. But will I also get access to any lounges in PHL, considering the fact that DAY-PHL and PHL-BOS legs are on single class planes? I'm just not sure how the rules apply if I have an "extra" domestic connection ... If yes, which lounges in PHL?
Domestic itinerary plus BOS departure is all on one day -- well, the BOS-HKG flight technically leaves after midnight at 01:50. Thanks!! :-)
Domestic itinerary plus BOS departure is all on one day -- well, the BOS-HKG flight technically leaves after midnight at 01:50. Thanks!! :-)
Last edited by Bagette; Mar 1, 2018 at 2:15 pm Reason: putting in paragraph spacing
Mar 1, 2018, 2:30 pm
#205
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I (no status) am flying on a J award itinerary DAY-PHL (AA single class plane) - BOS (AA single class plane) - HKG (CX J) - CEB (CX J). I know I will get access to the British Airways lounge in BOS based on the BOS-HKG leg. But will I also get access to any lounges in PHL, considering the fact that DAY-PHL and PHL-BOS legs are on single class planes? I'm just not sure how the rules apply if I have an "extra" domestic connection ... If yes, which lounges in PHL?
Domestic itinerary plus BOS departure is all on one day -- well, the BOS-HKG flight technically leaves after midnight at 01:50. Thanks!! :-)
Domestic itinerary plus BOS departure is all on one day -- well, the BOS-HKG flight technically leaves after midnight at 01:50. Thanks!! :-)
Mar 4, 2018, 7:26 am
#206
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
I have read the wiki (even the highlighted parts) and I am pretty sure the answer is no, but I just wanted to verify here. I am AA Plat traveling in J class from Nashville to CUN. I assume I will NOT have access to the AA lounge in Nashville because 1) It is not an eligible international flight as a AA Platinum, 2) I am not Sapphire with another partner and 3) Biz Class to CUN doesn't qualify.
Does that pretty much sum it up? Or is there something I am missing. (Fine nuances indeed). Thank you in advance for confirming.
Does that pretty much sum it up? Or is there something I am missing. (Fine nuances indeed). Thank you in advance for confirming.
Mar 4, 2018, 7:32 am
#207
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
I have read the wiki (even the highlighted parts) and I am pretty sure the answer is no, but I just wanted to verify here. I am AA Plat traveling in J class from Nashville to CUN. I assume I will NOT have access to the AA lounge in Nashville because 1) It is not an eligible international flight as a AA Platinum, 2) I am not Sapphire with another partner and 3) Biz Class to CUN doesn't qualify.
Does that pretty much sum it up? Or is there something I am missing. (Fine nuances indeed). Thank you in advance for confirming.
Does that pretty much sum it up? Or is there something I am missing. (Fine nuances indeed). Thank you in advance for confirming.
Mar 4, 2018, 11:23 am
#208
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: MAN/JNB
Programs: KL/BMI/BA
Posts: 412
We're flying MIA-JFK in First (award ticket) then on a separate booking JFK to London First Class on British airways. We have no status on either airline. Would we get lounge access in MIA and if so could anyone tell us which lounge-thanks.
Mar 4, 2018, 11:29 am
#209
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Last edited by andersonCooper; Mar 4, 2018 at 11:48 am Reason: Correcting