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 13, 2018, 8:19 pm
#166
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 612
Travelling HND-JFK in JAL F with a separate ticket afterwards from JFK-YUL in AA Y. We have no status. Do we still qualify for the T8 flagship lounge by virtue of the JAL F ticket?
Feb 13, 2018, 8:22 pm
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
Feb 16, 2018, 1:47 am
#168
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 111
The dilemma here is he is not admissible unless he is accompanied by an adult, and you are inadmissible until the next day. I doubt you’ll be able to pass through security as he’s 16, not an unaccompanied minor or significantly disabled, and I sincerely doubt they’ll admit you to the Flagship Lounge thevdsy prior to your departure. Anything is possible, but this is not probable.
I thought that I would update this in case anyone is in a similar situation. I had no problem getting through security or getting into the Flagship Lounge.
Feb 16, 2018, 10:04 am
#169
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
Feb 16, 2018, 3:37 pm
#170
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,353
I'm flying LHR - ORD - SEA and return on BA J transatlantic and AA F domestic. Only hold OW Ruby status. Both flights are on the same day.
From reading this thread I believe I do get lounge access at ORD before my SEA flight, but is this to the Admiral's Club or Flagship lounge in T3?
On the return leg, is there any access at SEA? It seems that the only lounge there is operated by Alaska rather than AA.
From reading this thread I believe I do get lounge access at ORD before my SEA flight, but is this to the Admiral's Club or Flagship lounge in T3?
On the return leg, is there any access at SEA? It seems that the only lounge there is operated by Alaska rather than AA.
Feb 16, 2018, 5:25 pm
#171
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
I'm flying LHR - ORD - SEA and return on BA J transatlantic and AA F domestic. Only hold OW Ruby status. Both flights are on the same day.
From reading this thread I believe I do get lounge access at ORD before my SEA flight, but is this to the Admiral's Club or Flagship lounge in T3?
On the return leg, is there any access at SEA? It seems that the only lounge there is operated by Alaska rather than AA.
From reading this thread I believe I do get lounge access at ORD before my SEA flight, but is this to the Admiral's Club or Flagship lounge in T3?
On the return leg, is there any access at SEA? It seems that the only lounge there is operated by Alaska rather than AA.
Feb 20, 2018, 1:06 pm
#172
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Murcia, Spain
Programs: AADVANTAGE, Iberia Plus, BA Exec Blue, Hertz #1Gold, HHonors Gold, AS, Paradores Amigos
Posts: 505
AA day passes are $59 per person but that will not work for DFW due to construction and you cannot use day passes from Admiral's Club to get into the QANTAS lounge
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...membership.jspOne-Day Pass
Available at select locations for $59. Excludes airports with clubs under construction:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...membership.jspOne-Day Pass
Available at select locations for $59. Excludes airports with clubs under construction:
- Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW)
- Miami (MIA)
For our forthcoming trip (April/May) involving connections on one day at DFW and CLT I'm guessing that for $118 the two of us would only get us access to the lounge at CLT? Whereas before, for $59 we could both had access to several lounges. The date of that particular journey is 7th May and I wonder if the restriction on day pass use at DFW my be lifted by then? Also, I could buy these online. I assume they are now only available at the first lounge of the day?
(The flights on the day in question are in F, as AAnytime Awards, not that I guess that makes any difference!).
Feb 20, 2018, 1:47 pm
#173
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
I'm a bit shocked to discover the changes to One Day Pass availability and rules since our last trip in May/June 2016. On that and our previous trips, the pass was a good deal, getting both of us into lounges on our couple of domestic journeys involving several legs (the pass holder could have one adult guest. Now it seems to be just 3 children!).
For our forthcoming trip (April/May) involving connections on one day at DFW and CLT I'm guessing that for $118 the two of us would only get us access to the lounge at CLT? Whereas before, for $59 we could both had access to several lounges. The date of that particular journey is 7th May and I wonder if the restriction on day pass use at DFW my be lifted by then? Also, I could buy these online. I assume they are now only available at the first lounge of the day?
(The flights on the day in question are in F, as AAnytime Awards, not that I guess that makes any difference!).
For our forthcoming trip (April/May) involving connections on one day at DFW and CLT I'm guessing that for $118 the two of us would only get us access to the lounge at CLT? Whereas before, for $59 we could both had access to several lounges. The date of that particular journey is 7th May and I wonder if the restriction on day pass use at DFW my be lifted by then? Also, I could buy these online. I assume they are now only available at the first lounge of the day?
(The flights on the day in question are in F, as AAnytime Awards, not that I guess that makes any difference!).
If DFW-A Club is fully open, you’ll be admitted. It’s possible you might be admitted at another DFW Club if it’s not, but in my experience the C Club has sometimes been pretty crowded with the A refurbishment. If it’s at all crowded, you’ll have to try at another.
Feb 20, 2018, 2:07 pm
#174
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Murcia, Spain
Programs: AADVANTAGE, Iberia Plus, BA Exec Blue, Hertz #1Gold, HHonors Gold, AS, Paradores Amigos
Posts: 505
Nothing has changed (AFAIR Pass holders were not ever allowed an adult guest - only accompanying children - and that was certainly true in 2016). You can still visit Clubs on your itinerary other than at airports where Admirals Clubs are under pressure because a Club or part of one are under construction and closed to Pass holders - and due to capacity limits, access may even be denied to oneworld flyers and guests. Members have Priority, followed by qualified AA and oneworld flyers.
If DFW-A Club is fully open, you’ll be admitted. It’s possible you might be admitted at another DFW Club if it’s not, but in my experience the C Club has sometimes been pretty crowded with the A refurbishment. If it’s at all crowded, you’ll have to try at another.
If DFW-A Club is fully open, you’ll be admitted. It’s possible you might be admitted at another DFW Club if it’s not, but in my experience the C Club has sometimes been pretty crowded with the A refurbishment. If it’s at all crowded, you’ll have to try at another.
The info re DFW is encouraging. So we just see if we can buy passes and get in on the day at the lounge desk? Thanks very much for this info.
Feb 20, 2018, 2:23 pm
#175
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
Absolutely right. My memory these days! It was a 30 day pass we used last time, which I guess are no longer available? We had a 2-leg trip, SLC-PHX-ANC and then ANC-SEA-CLT-DCA so we did some value from that!
The info re DFW is encouraging. So we just see if we can buy passes and get in on the day at the lounge desk? Thanks very much for this info.
The info re DFW is encouraging. So we just see if we can buy passes and get in on the day at the lounge desk? Thanks very much for this info.
You won’t be able to buy one day passes at all at DFW if A isn’t completed yet. But if your origin has a Club you should be able to buy passes there, and you may be allowed to use them at DFW - dependent on capacity and the agent.
Many of us are on tenterhooks about the length of time it’s taking to refurbish A. (And we’re slightly mourning the loss of the exercise room and the last remaining vestiges of the Flagship and Arrivals Lounges dating back to when A was the International Terminal. The Lounges operated prior to AA deciding to build D without the Flagship and Arrivals facilities - and probably, mourning the best shower facilities ever, other than the suites CX has at HKG, of course.)
Feb 20, 2018, 3:02 pm
#176
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Murcia, Spain
Programs: AADVANTAGE, Iberia Plus, BA Exec Blue, Hertz #1Gold, HHonors Gold, AS, Paradores Amigos
Posts: 505
We've been in several lounges at DFW but they're all a bit of a blur, to be honest. Our origin on the day in question, (RAP), has no lounge, of course. At the start of our whole trip, coming in from MAD and on to PHX, we've again booked 5 Star service at DFW. Maybe I could try sweet talking the 5* agent to see if he/she could help with some paperwork for our connection at DFW a few weeks later. I'm firmly of the philosophy "if you don't ask......".
Feb 20, 2018, 3:20 pm
#177
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
We've been in several lounges at DFW but they're all a bit of a blur, to be honest. Our origin on the day in question, (RAP), has no lounge, of course. At the start of our whole trip, coming in from MAD and on to PHX, we've again booked 5 Star service at DFW. Maybe I could try sweet talking the 5* agent to see if he/she could help with some paperwork for our connection at DFW a few weeks later. I'm firmly of the philosophy "if you don't ask......".
Ask, you might receive. Don’t ask, you’re generally SOL. And ask about the opening schedule for A - you might be in luck.
Feb 21, 2018, 12:39 am
#178
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Murcia, Spain
Programs: AADVANTAGE, Iberia Plus, BA Exec Blue, Hertz #1Gold, HHonors Gold, AS, Paradores Amigos
Posts: 505
We will blow the $$s on passes, even though we may only get into CLT. Our regular biennial trips from Europe for 5+week vacations in the US are funded by my allocating my meagre state pension from the UK for this! So the extra few dollars are a marginal cost and, if it enhances our trip, we'll do it! With that in mind, are there any commercial lounges at DFW that would fit the bill?
Re 5* service: yes, but we would have qualified for lounge access on our inwards flight anyway for our connection to PHX at DFW as we are in paid J from MAD. And on the return from JFK will we get to sample for the first time the Flagship lounge there.
Thanks. I do appreciate the input.
Last edited by johnash; Feb 21, 2018 at 12:47 am Reason: More info
Feb 22, 2018, 6:37 am
#179
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: IAD, TPE
Posts: 465
DCA-JFK in economy - then connecting JFK to NRT in JAL business, all on one ticket. Will I have AA lounge access in DCA?
Feb 22, 2018, 6:39 am
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443