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
Nov 8, 2018, 2:22 am
#632
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Do note that there is no FL at DFW at the moment and there is a temporary premium lounge. May be better off going to the AC.
Nov 10, 2018, 4:00 am
#633
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BA Gold, Tesco, Nectar
Posts: 313
Lounge access - arrive on AA, depart on another airline
Hi all,
I currently have a KOA - LAX ticket in MCE. I am oneworld emerald. I may connect onwards from LAX on delta or united. Will I get Admirals club lounge access. From the website it seems like I will.
Also looks like there will be a change from 2019 Nov? When in this case I more likely would not be allowed access?
Rules from the site:
""""""""'
I currently have a KOA - LAX ticket in MCE. I am oneworld emerald. I may connect onwards from LAX on delta or united. Will I get Admirals club lounge access. From the website it seems like I will.
Also looks like there will be a change from 2019 Nov? When in this case I more likely would not be allowed access?
Rules from the site:
""""""""'
oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire
Includes customers on all flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries don't qualify.To enter
You’ll need 2 items:
- Qualifying boarding pass with oneworld Frequent Flyer number
- Government-issued photo ID
Last edited by Newbtravelle; Nov 10, 2018 at 4:05 am
Nov 10, 2018, 5:43 am
#634
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,477
Hi all,
I currently have a KOA - LAX ticket in MCE. I am oneworld emerald. I may connect onwards from LAX on delta or united. Will I get Admirals club lounge access. From the website it seems like I will.
Also looks like there will be a change from 2019 Nov? When in this case I more likely would not be allowed access?
Rules from the site:
""""""""'
I currently have a KOA - LAX ticket in MCE. I am oneworld emerald. I may connect onwards from LAX on delta or united. Will I get Admirals club lounge access. From the website it seems like I will.
Also looks like there will be a change from 2019 Nov? When in this case I more likely would not be allowed access?
Rules from the site:
""""""""'
oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire
Includes customers on all flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries don't qualify.To enter
You’ll need 2 items:
- Qualifying boarding pass with oneworld Frequent Flyer number
- Government-issued photo ID
The Nov 2019 changes are only applicable if you're accessing the club via an Admirals Club membership, so that wouldn't apply here.
Nov 10, 2018, 8:38 am
#635
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
I'm sure somebody has asked a similar question, but I did not find the answer by reading the Wiki's, the AA Lounge Access pages or by scrolling through these posts. 
I am PLT flying MDE-MIA-DFW-TUS all on the same day. It's all same ticket, all AA-marketed/operated. I know I get FL access at MIA. But, I am not 100% sure that I get FL and/or AC access at DFW, so that is the question.
The AA FL access page section for AA elites only says "connecting to international flights," and the AC access page just says,"on international flights." I am pretty sure that those two statements would include the 2nd domestic connection on the same day, but I would like to confirm.
I am PLT flying MDE-MIA-DFW-TUS all on the same day. It's all same ticket, all AA-marketed/operated. I know I get FL access at MIA. But, I am not 100% sure that I get FL and/or AC access at DFW, so that is the question.
The AA FL access page section for AA elites only says "connecting to international flights," and the AC access page just says,"on international flights." I am pretty sure that those two statements would include the 2nd domestic connection on the same day, but I would like to confirm.
I do have a hotel in MIA, but it would be nice to grab something to eat before heading to the hotel and then breakfast in the morning. The lounge access in DFW isn't really a big deal, as my layover is only 90 minutes, but it would be good to have some place to go if the departure is delayed.
Nov 10, 2018, 9:56 am
#636
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
@serfty was kind enough to answer my question shown above with a yes. But I am back again. When I got to the airport this morning, I found that I had grabbed my son's passport instead of mine. $461 poorer, I am flying the same itinerary (MDE-MIA-DFW-TUS) this afternoon and now have an overnight in MIA. The interesting thing is, my MIA-DFW flight leaves before 6 a.m. Am I correct in assuming that I have lounge access both in the evening after I arrive in MIA and in the morning before leaving for DFW? If so, would I also have access in DFW while waiting for the TUS flight?
I do have a hotel in MIA, but it would be nice to grab something to eat before heading to the hotel and then breakfast in the morning. The lounge access in DFW isn't really a big deal, as my layover is only 90 minutes, but it would be good to have some place to go if the departure is delayed.
I do have a hotel in MIA, but it would be nice to grab something to eat before heading to the hotel and then breakfast in the morning. The lounge access in DFW isn't really a big deal, as my layover is only 90 minutes, but it would be good to have some place to go if the departure is delayed.
You won't have access to the lounges in MIA upon arrival since you'll have to exit the airside while clearing CBP and Customs and you will not be regranted access until the next morning for your DFW flight. You should have access to the FL in MIA the next morning as your flight is before 6:00 AM, but it will be iffy in DFW. Worth trying though.
Nov 10, 2018, 12:34 pm
#637
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
First of all.. Ooops ;-)
You won't have access to the lounges in MIA upon arrival since you'll have to exit the airside while clearing CBP and Customs and you will not be regranted access until the next morning for your DFW flight. You should have access to the FL in MIA the next morning as your flight is before 6:00 AM, but it will be iffy in DFW. Worth trying though.
You won't have access to the lounges in MIA upon arrival since you'll have to exit the airside while clearing CBP and Customs and you will not be regranted access until the next morning for your DFW flight. You should have access to the FL in MIA the next morning as your flight is before 6:00 AM, but it will be iffy in DFW. Worth trying though.
The app had us listed as arriving at gate D32, and I had fantasies about walking right off the plane to the FL. I suppose the worry about the almost-blown trip distracted me.Even if they would let me go through security, it wouldn't be worth the effort..
Nov 11, 2018, 6:42 am
#638
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 491
I recently flew LHR-JFK in AA J (evening flight that arrives late) with an overnight in JFK and then a connecting flight in domestic F out of JFK the following morning.
I wasn't sure if I would get Flagship Lounge access for the domestic flight the next morning, but lounge attendant scanned the LHR-JFK BP and said I was good to use the lounge.
I wasn't sure if I would get Flagship Lounge access for the domestic flight the next morning, but lounge attendant scanned the LHR-JFK BP and said I was good to use the lounge.
I'm a Brit with only BA Bronze (OneWorld Ruby) status. Flying from LHR into PHL on BA (business class) landing at 7.10 pm. My "connecting" flight to LAX on AA (in business again) departs at 8.10 am the next day.
What chance do I have of ANY lounge access at PHL in the morning?
Thanks
Nov 11, 2018, 7:35 am
#639
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
First of all.. Ooops ;-)
You won't have access to the lounges in MIA upon arrival since you'll have to exit the airside while clearing CBP and Customs and you will not be regranted access until the next morning for your DFW flight. You should have access to the FL in MIA the next morning as your flight is before 6:00 AM, but it will be iffy in DFW. Worth trying though.
You won't have access to the lounges in MIA upon arrival since you'll have to exit the airside while clearing CBP and Customs and you will not be regranted access until the next morning for your DFW flight. You should have access to the FL in MIA the next morning as your flight is before 6:00 AM, but it will be iffy in DFW. Worth trying though.
MIA-DFW got in early, and I was walking right by the club, so I thought I'd give it a try. This access was based on the computer's judgment - no special pleading on my part.
I had not been in a regular AC for a long time. I think the one in Terminal A is darn nice. It's really almost on a level with the FL in MIA, and they have breakfast tacos, which the FL does not. Of course, it's 8 a.m., so maybe I am not giving the lack of self-pour drinks as much weight as I would if it were afternoon.
Last edited by coolcoil; Nov 11, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Nov 11, 2018, 7:37 am
#640
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
I'm a Brit with only BA Bronze (OneWorld Ruby) status. Flying from LHR into PHL on BA (business class) landing at 7.10 pm. My "connecting" flight to LAX on AA (in business again) departs at 8.10 am the next day.
What chance do I have of ANY lounge access at PHL in the morning?
Thanks
What chance do I have of ANY lounge access at PHL in the morning?
Thanks
Note: I am assuming that your morning flight is separately booked on AA and not part of your BA itinerary. If you were flying business on a BA ticket that might be different. I'll have to defer to others if that is the case.
Nov 11, 2018, 7:57 am
#641
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 491
Thanks, that's what I feared (no access). However, it is actually one AA ticket (OSL-KOA) with the first two hops on BA metal so I still hold out some hope...
Nov 11, 2018, 8:11 am
#642
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
If it’s AA-ticketed, then you are out of luck. The rules are clear that your flight must depart prior to 6 a.m. Though, it never hurts to ask...
Nov 11, 2018, 9:24 am
#643
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 491
Nov 11, 2018, 9:35 am
#644
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Actually, based on my experience, you’ll probably get access to any of the ACs at PHL. Although the rules technically say connecting flights must leave before 6 am the following day, as long as the domestic connection is in the same record as your international J flight, there’s a good chance you’ll get access. I would definitely give it a shot.
Nov 11, 2018, 12:08 pm
#645
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Last time I was at LAX, got into the Admirals Club with a International Business ticket, but could not get into the Flagship area; that was for First only...not Business. Looks like Flagship now allows J Int'l in ?