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
Jan 15, 2018, 12:23 pm
#77
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
I’m flying AA from LAX to SFO, connecting to JFK.
I have OWE status but will have my AA Platinum number on the ticket (for upgrade purposes).
Will I have issues accessing the QF F lounge in LAX using my OWE card (when it’s not associated with the booking)? I have seen them be awkward in general when trying to access using AA domestic flights.
I have OWE status but will have my AA Platinum number on the ticket (for upgrade purposes).
Will I have issues accessing the QF F lounge in LAX using my OWE card (when it’s not associated with the booking)? I have seen them be awkward in general when trying to access using AA domestic flights.
Jan 15, 2018, 1:53 pm
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
A non AA Emerald gets First lounge access where they exist before any oneworld operated and marketed flight.
There was confusion at LAX a little over a year ago of AA domestic flights and non AA Emeralds but I believe the staff were re-educated and reports of this are far less.
Now Qantas have an additional rule that should only apply to their members that the Frequent Flyer status being used to access the lounge is the one in the booking. This should not apply to non QF oneworld elites.
Enjoy!
There was confusion at LAX a little over a year ago of AA domestic flights and non AA Emeralds but I believe the staff were re-educated and reports of this are far less.
Now Qantas have an additional rule that should only apply to their members that the Frequent Flyer status being used to access the lounge is the one in the booking. This should not apply to non QF oneworld elites.
Enjoy!
Last edited by serfty; Jan 15, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Jan 20, 2018, 12:39 am
#79
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
AFAIK there's no rule that says the flight must arrive by 6am. I know this is in the wiki but I have no idea where it came from (happy to be corrected).
There is a rule though that says you can access lounges the calendar day before the qualifying (or connecting) flight, if the qualifying flights is departing before 6am the next day. This rule can be found at both aa.com and the oneworld lounge access pages.
Without this provision, an F customer arriving at LAX at say 10pm for a 130am LAX-HKG flight technically wouldn't have access until midnight, which would be silly.
A same day NRT-LAX-PHX trip in J will of course have lounge access at LAX (save your NRT-LAX boarding pass for entry since the connecting flight is a separate ticket).
There is a rule though that says you can access lounges the calendar day before the qualifying (or connecting) flight, if the qualifying flights is departing before 6am the next day. This rule can be found at both aa.com and the oneworld lounge access pages.
Without this provision, an F customer arriving at LAX at say 10pm for a 130am LAX-HKG flight technically wouldn't have access until midnight, which would be silly.
A same day NRT-LAX-PHX trip in J will of course have lounge access at LAX (save your NRT-LAX boarding pass for entry since the connecting flight is a separate ticket).
Jan 20, 2018, 12:46 am
#80
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Will they need to see both the NRT-LAX boarding pass, and the connecting flight? Because I couldn't pass up booking my separate ticket being on WN (better schedule, and half the price). I realize this would put me in the wrong terminal, but if they only need to see the relevant AA J ticket then I might take the walk over, mostly for a shower.
Jan 20, 2018, 1:09 am
#81
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Totally fair, and what I expected. But still I wasn't sure if "same day" was sufficient to just use the NRT pass. Thanks for confirming.
Jan 20, 2018, 12:09 pm
#82
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Portland, OR.
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 606
Enough Time for TBIT One World Lounge Access?
I'm an EXP flying through LAX one American Eagle which arrives and departs at the satellite terminal 5 (gates 52, 53) accessible by bus from the the main AA terminal 5. I have a 2 hour layover, will I have time to get from the satellite terminal 5 to TBIT to access the Qantas lounge?
Jan 20, 2018, 12:43 pm
#83
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Yes, I have done it myself - you will probably get about 40-50 minutes in the lounge in my experience, before heading back to your gate. This is enough time for a quick meal and a drink.
Jan 20, 2018, 1:15 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
So if you’re an EXP who’s strictly flying American Eagle flights (in other words, not three class premium transcon and not international long haul) under what rule do you think you get access to the QF F lounge? I’m keen to understand how that works...
Jan 20, 2018, 1:16 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
I'm an EXP flying through LAX one American Eagle which arrives and departs at the satellite terminal 5 (gates 52, 53) accessible by bus from the the main AA terminal 5. I have a 2 hour layover, will I have time to get from the satellite terminal 5 to TBIT to access the Qantas lounge?
Personally, I'd just wait in the AC right there in the Eagles Nest with a good book or Sudoku puzzle and a comfy chair rather than hassle the bus ride to and from T4 and hoofing it over to and back from TBIT. YMMV.
Jan 20, 2018, 1:19 pm
#86
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
I'm an EXP flying through LAX one American Eagle which arrives and departs at the satellite terminal 5 (gates 52, 53) accessible by bus from the the main AA terminal 5. I have a 2 hour layover, will I have time to get from the satellite terminal 5 to TBIT to access the Qantas lounge?
Jan 20, 2018, 2:25 pm
#87
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Portland, OR.
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 606
Thanks, you are correct-that pesky fine print. Hopefully priority pass will be me in at Alaska..
Jan 23, 2018, 1:44 pm
#88
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
If I'm flying JFK-LAX-HKG, where JFK-LAX is on AA's 321T F and LAX-HKG on CX F, would I be able to use the Flagship First Dining option in the new Flagship lounge at LAX before my departure to HKG?
Jan 23, 2018, 1:47 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Yes, inbound F on the transcon will grant you access to dining during your layover. If you were doing AA J to CX F or something, you wouldnt get access as the CX F deal is only for JFK departures.
Jan 23, 2018, 1:52 pm
#90
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA EXP Plat, Mariott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 165