Jan 1, 2018, 2:40 pm

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HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2018)
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.

Quote:

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.

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:

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Up to two guests or household members (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under the age of 18) may accompany the member.

* Note that AA no longer offers a 30-day membership as of July 25 2016.

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:

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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.

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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

On February 17 2016, AA announced an addition to the above. As stated on their Reimagining our lounges page, in the Flagship Lounges section, "Starting in 2017, lounge access will be extended to customers booked in Business and First Class on A321T, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific and deep South American flights."
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:

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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

All Admirals Club visitors receive free Wi-Fi access at Admirals Clubs (password is available at front desk and throughout the Club on signs), some non-alcoholic and "well" (lower price tier) alcoholic beverages and counter snacks (fruit, some kind of snack mix, cheese cubes, hot cereal mornings and soup evenings are the most common - recent additions have been made); free computer terminals are available for all passengers, and many Clubs have Business Centers and tethered Samsung Galaxy tablets in seating areas. Passengers accessing Admirals Clubs based on status or class of service on international travel are entitled to free drinks coupons usable for higher-tier non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and bottles of water.

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

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Feb 2, 2018, 10:05 am

#136

bostonkarl

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 56

Greetings Flier Friends!

I'm AA EXP flying CDG to MIA (business) with connection MIA to DCA (first) on same PRN all on AA ticket/metal. This is an award ticket.

Will I have access to the Flagship Lounge in MIA? How about Flagship Dining, since my layover crosses into the dinner hour?

Thank you for your help!

Feb 2, 2018, 10:12 am

#137

teemuflyer

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Austin

Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond

Posts: 6,087

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostonkarl

You'll have access to the Flagship Lounge in MIA, but not the FS Dining area as it requires an AA Int'l F class ticket. However the regular FS Lounge will have a fairly substantial buffet menu to take care of your dinner needs.

Feb 2, 2018, 10:22 am

#138

bostonkarl

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 56

Thank you Teem. The fact the it is an award ticket (AAdvantage Miles) isn't an issue, correct?

Feb 2, 2018, 10:33 am

#139

teemuflyer

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Austin

Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond

Posts: 6,087

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostonkarl

Thank you Teem. The fact the it is an award ticket (AAdvantage Miles) isn't an issue, correct?

None whatsoever. Using award miles is a form of payment accepted by AA.

Also, don't forget you'll have access to both the Admirals Club and the Cathay Pacific Lounge at CDG prior to departure. The CX Lounge has a F class section as well, which you can access due to your EXP/OW Emerald status.

Feb 2, 2018, 11:08 am

#140

bostonkarl

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 56

Ooh, goody! This will be fun. Once again, thank you Teem for the response and the CX Lounge recommendation!

Feb 2, 2018, 12:51 pm

#141

samm

Join Date: Feb 2015

Location: NYC

Programs: AA EP

Posts: 107

Hi,

I'm EP on AA and have a JFK-SFO in Y. They said this wasn't eligible for Flagship at JFK, and if EP you have to be on a business class ticket to use the Flaghship for transcon.

This isn't what the site says though?

"Get access if you’re departing on or connecting to a qualifying international flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin)."

And of course, "qualifying international flight" includes JFK-SFO and JFK-LAX. Am I missing something or were they incorrect?

Feb 2, 2018, 1:01 pm

#142

dave_261

Join Date: Nov 2001

Location: RDU

Posts: 2,263

Quote:

Originally Posted by samm

JFK-SFO and JFK-LAX are not international. There is special access for First/business passengers on this premium route, but not economy, regardless of status.

Feb 2, 2018, 1:01 pm

#143

thunderlounge

Join Date: Dec 2017

Posts: 1,107

Transcon is not the same as International.

Feb 2, 2018, 1:16 pm

#144

samm

Join Date: Feb 2015

Location: NYC

Programs: AA EP

Posts: 107

Interesting, ok thanks. It doesn't mention the first/business requirement on the access page.

Thanks for the help. Unrelated question, can I use oneworld lounges if I have emerald (via AA EP) if I am not flying on oneworld on the day of travel? Or is it needing the status and a sameday oneworld flight to have access?

Feb 2, 2018, 1:29 pm

#145

teemuflyer

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Austin

Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond

Posts: 6,087

Quote:

Originally Posted by samm

Must be flying a OW marketed and operated flight on the same day or before 6:00AM the following morning to access OW lounges.

JDiver and samm like this.

Feb 3, 2018, 3:19 am

#146

strtrek

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Australia

Programs: Virgin Australia : Gold

Posts: 31

Lounge access question

Hi there,

Traveling SYD-DFW on Qantas PE then DFW-MCO AA first, all same date 4th. Would we be able to use the one day AA lounge pass for syd Qantas international lounge and/or DFW AA lounge? We have 0 status with QF or AA.

Also MCO-DFW, connecting to DFW-SYD same day, would another one day lounge pass be ok?? 2 travelers. or is there another better way of doing lounge access?

I am status with Virgin Australia/Delta so never had to try this hard before for lounge access

but we thought we would give QF/AA a try this time.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Feb 3, 2018, 4:18 am

#147

mvoight

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2004

Location: DFW/DAL

Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond

Posts: 21,422

Quote:

Originally Posted by strtrek

but we thought we would give QF/AA a try this time.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

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.jsp

One-Day Pass

Available at select locations for $59. Excludes airports with clubs under construction:

Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW)
Miami (MIA)

Feb 3, 2018, 4:46 am

#148

steviewire

Join Date: Oct 2015

Location: UK

Programs: AA

Posts: 209

OP, I must admit some of the OW lounges are top notch including QF and the newer AA first class lounges. If you plan on travelling frequently with different airlines have you thought of a Priority Pass membership or a credit card affiliated membership? It may work out more economical than multiple day passes.

strtrek likes this.

Feb 3, 2018, 6:21 am

#149

strtrek

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Australia

Programs: Virgin Australia : Gold

Posts: 31

thanks for the suggestion re priority pass, its a brave new world when you have no status.
thanks again.

Feb 3, 2018, 4:37 pm

#150

fotoflyer88

Join Date: Apr 2008

Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC

Posts: 1,059

Quote:

Originally Posted by strtrek

thanks for the suggestion re priority pass, its a brave new world when you have no status.
thanks again.

Look at getting an Amex Platinum card? the DFW centurion lounge is very nice

strtrek likes this.