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
Jun 11, 2018, 7:22 pm
#421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
After feedback from a previous thread I've revised my routing but curious about lounge access.
LAS-LAX-DFW-PEK
LAX Flight leaves at 11:59 PM on Day 1, arrives 5:00 AM Day 2;
DFW flight leaves on Day 2 11:00 AM.
Will I have access at LAX? I believe the answer is no - but wanted to be sure. Thanks!
LAS-LAX-DFW-PEK
LAX Flight leaves at 11:59 PM on Day 1, arrives 5:00 AM Day 2;
DFW flight leaves on Day 2 11:00 AM.
Will I have access at LAX? I believe the answer is no - but wanted to be sure. Thanks!
However, I've flown the LAX/SFO-DFW redeyes connecting to the DFW-Asia flights the next morning and have never been denied access in LAX or SFO just because it was technically the day before the qualifying flight. I typically just hand them your international boarding pass and say "I'm on the way to Beijing" and you never have a problem. Honestly I think most AC agents are not familiar with the 6am rule or think its 24 hrs, or something else, but it's rarely enforced in this situation.
Jun 11, 2018, 10:34 pm
#422
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,268
After feedback from a previous thread I've revised my routing but curious about lounge access.
LAS-LAX-DFW-PEK
LAX Flight leaves at 11:59 PM on Day 1, arrives 5:00 AM Day 2;
DFW flight leaves on Day 2 11:00 AM.
Will I have access at LAX? I believe the answer is no - but wanted to be sure. Thanks!
LAS-LAX-DFW-PEK
LAX Flight leaves at 11:59 PM on Day 1, arrives 5:00 AM Day 2;
DFW flight leaves on Day 2 11:00 AM.
Will I have access at LAX? I believe the answer is no - but wanted to be sure. Thanks!
this is an odd routing.
Jun 12, 2018, 4:26 am
#423
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - DM, Charter KM; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 1,355
Jun 15, 2018, 9:22 am
#424
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA GLD for life, HH Gold, SPG gold, Hyatt Plat, Avis Select, TSA pfd
Posts: 99
Me, my spouse and his 16 yo kid are flying on 7/4 from MIA to CDG in PE. I'm EXP and have AC membership. We return on BA from FCO in PE as well. If I understand, we're not entitled to Flagship Lounge in MIA as I can only have one guest? However, I'm not sure if the 3 of us can get any lounge access in FCO and LHR? I know I can use AC lounge in MIA but is there reciprocity in FCO and LHR? I can also get AMEX lounge in MIA but it's always so crowded. Any guidance appreciated. I might try a meet up in MIA.
Jun 15, 2018, 10:49 am
#425
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
Me, my spouse and his 16 yo kid are flying on 7/4 from MIA to CDG in PE. I'm EXP and have AC membership. We return on BA from FCO in PE as well. If I understand, we're not entitled to Flagship Lounge in MIA as I can only have one guest? However, I'm not sure if the 3 of us can get any lounge access in FCO and LHR? I know I can use AC lounge in MIA but is there reciprocity in FCO and LHR? I can also get AMEX lounge in MIA but it's always so crowded. Any guidance appreciated. I might try a meet up in MIA.
There’s no reciprocity at FCO, which is no great loss - the Lounge you’d use if you were in Businesx is crap (imagine a large community college cafeteria with poor offerings and dismal - often absent - Service, but with even less atmosphere.
Jun 15, 2018, 2:19 pm
#426
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
Me, my spouse and his 16 yo kid are flying on 7/4 from MIA to CDG in PE. I'm EXP and have AC membership. We return on BA from FCO in PE as well. If I understand, we're not entitled to Flagship Lounge in MIA as I can only have one guest? However, I'm not sure if the 3 of us can get any lounge access in FCO and LHR? I know I can use AC lounge in MIA but is there reciprocity in FCO and LHR? I can also get AMEX lounge in MIA but it's always so crowded. Any guidance appreciated. I might try a meet up in MIA.
At LHR, luckily the BA flights to MIA depart from T3, so all 3 of you can access the AC there.
In MIA, unfortunately the Flagship Lounge is one guest only. Although you can always try and see if an agent is feeling nice and will let all 3 of you in. Otherwise the AC is pretty nice, large, and newly renovated. And there's also the Premium Lounge, which is a dump but has better freepour liquor and champagne in the evenings.
Jun 15, 2018, 2:51 pm
#427
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
There is a lounge agreement in FCO where AC members can use the AA contract lounge ("Passenger Lounge" according to aa.com).
At LHR, luckily the BA flights to MIA depart from T3, so all 3 of you can access the AC there.
In MIA, unfortunately the Flagship Lounge is one guest only. Although you can always try and see if an agent is feeling nice and will let all 3 of you in. Otherwise the AC is pretty nice, large, and newly renovated. And there's also the Premium Lounge, which is a dump but has better freepour liquor and champagne in the evenings.
At LHR, luckily the BA flights to MIA depart from T3, so all 3 of you can access the AC there.
In MIA, unfortunately the Flagship Lounge is one guest only. Although you can always try and see if an agent is feeling nice and will let all 3 of you in. Otherwise the AC is pretty nice, large, and newly renovated. And there's also the Premium Lounge, which is a dump but has better freepour liquor and champagne in the evenings.
Jun 16, 2018, 4:40 am
#428
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
That's my understanding, the partner lounges that AC members have access to at international outstations have the same guest restrictions as a normal AC. I don't see anything on the aa.com page that would lead me to think otherwise.
It's only a single datapoint, but I was traveling with 2 guests and accessed the JL Sakura Lounge at FRA via my AC membership, and we were all let in with no issues.
It's only a single datapoint, but I was traveling with 2 guests and accessed the JL Sakura Lounge at FRA via my AC membership, and we were all let in with no issues.
Jun 16, 2018, 5:47 am
#429
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
That's my understanding, the partner lounges that AC members have access to at international outstations have the same guest restrictions as a normal AC. I don't see anything on the aa.com page that would lead me to think otherwise.
It's only a single datapoint, but I was traveling with 2 guests and accessed the JL Sakura Lounge at FRA via my AC membership, and we were all let in with no issues.
It's only a single datapoint, but I was traveling with 2 guests and accessed the JL Sakura Lounge at FRA via my AC membership, and we were all let in with no issues.
Jun 16, 2018, 5:57 am
#430
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I stand corrected if that’s so; thanks for that. (According to AA that excludes those of us who have Club Membership via the Citi Executive card, so that would explain why some are allowed, others not.)
Jun 16, 2018, 1:50 pm
#431
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
Maybe I am. Sometimes, I feel the language on aa.com lacks clarity. But members’ experiences, such as yours, help fill in between the lines. Thanks, teemu!
Jun 17, 2018, 6:15 am
#432
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 66
Access
Question on Flagship access, If taking a flight from US airport to MIA-DFW-PVG, would you have access as Sapphire in MIA to Flagship even if there is another US airport before trans-Pacific?
Jun 17, 2018, 6:19 am
#433
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Yes, if your DFW-PVG flight is on the same day or before 6:00 AM the next (and they are all OW flights).
Jun 17, 2018, 2:00 pm
#435
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA GLD for life, HH Gold, SPG gold, Hyatt Plat, Avis Select, TSA pfd
Posts: 99
Thanks for the reply and the heads up on the T3 departure, it's always a process changing terminals at LHR!
Last edited by JDiver; Jun 17, 2018 at 2:53 pm Reason: Close post quote