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
Apr 28, 2018, 1:43 am
#331
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
Lounge Access
No doubt this has been asked and answered before.
A friend is flying LAX-ORD-AMM (Amman, Jordan) in J. On an award ticket, which I'm sure doesn't matter.
She can use the Admiral's Club in ORD, but can't guest someone in, right? (She's traveling with someone who's flying Y.)
A friend is flying LAX-ORD-AMM (Amman, Jordan) in J. On an award ticket, which I'm sure doesn't matter.
She can use the Admiral's Club in ORD, but can't guest someone in, right? (She's traveling with someone who's flying Y.)
Apr 28, 2018, 1:53 am
#332
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Apr 28, 2018, 6:52 am
#333
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
No doubt this has been asked and answered before.
A friend is flying LAX-ORD-AMM (Amman, Jordan) in J. On an award ticket, which I'm sure doesn't matter.
She can use the Admiral's Club in ORD, but can't guest someone in, right? (She's traveling with someone who's flying Y.)
A friend is flying LAX-ORD-AMM (Amman, Jordan) in J. On an award ticket, which I'm sure doesn't matter.
She can use the Admiral's Club in ORD, but can't guest someone in, right? (She's traveling with someone who's flying Y.)
Apr 29, 2018, 7:29 pm
#334
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
LAX Lounges
This isn't a question of eligibility but more of geography and desirability,
I have Priority Pass, which in LAX gets me into Alaska, Virgin, and KAL.
I'm starting to have a number of flights where I connect in LAX, arriving 6:30PM and leaving 9PM. The flight arrives in some random part of the airport and pax are bused to Terminal 4. Last trip I went to Alaska, which was a frightfully long walk and an unexceptional lounge with non-working wifi. I then had to walk back to Terminal 4 to take the bus to the commuter terminal.
The KAL lounge is in the Tom Bradley international terminal, and Virgin is in Terminal 2. KAL closes at 8PM.
Can anyone give me an idea how long a walk these are, and whether they're worth the walk? It's a long enough connection time to make it worth not sitting in the gate area.
I have Priority Pass, which in LAX gets me into Alaska, Virgin, and KAL.
I'm starting to have a number of flights where I connect in LAX, arriving 6:30PM and leaving 9PM. The flight arrives in some random part of the airport and pax are bused to Terminal 4. Last trip I went to Alaska, which was a frightfully long walk and an unexceptional lounge with non-working wifi. I then had to walk back to Terminal 4 to take the bus to the commuter terminal.
The KAL lounge is in the Tom Bradley international terminal, and Virgin is in Terminal 2. KAL closes at 8PM.
Can anyone give me an idea how long a walk these are, and whether they're worth the walk? It's a long enough connection time to make it worth not sitting in the gate area.
Apr 29, 2018, 9:15 pm
#335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,993
The T2 Virgin lounge is not available to Priority Pass members after 12:30pm. Aside from that, to stay airside you would need to catch a bus from the far north end of TBIT than head back back on a bus again for your flight.
Here's a review of the KAL lounge: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea....geles-airport/
Here's a review of the KAL lounge: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea....geles-airport/
Last edited by serfty; Apr 29, 2018 at 9:22 pm
Apr 29, 2018, 9:54 pm
#336
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
The T2 Virgin lounge is not available to Priority Pass members after 12:30pm. Aside from that, to stay airside you would need to catch a bus from the far north end of TBIT than head back back on a bus again for your flight.
Here's a review of the KAL lounge: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea....geles-airport/
Here's a review of the KAL lounge: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea....geles-airport/
Food offerings are finger sandwiches, ramen, veggie stix, and pour your own liquor.
Definitely better than hanging at the gate.
Apr 30, 2018, 5:52 am
#337
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
She'll also have access to the AA Flagship Lounge in LAX, which is a very nice lounge, and closer to the AA gates.
Apr 30, 2018, 6:10 am
#338
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Apr 30, 2018, 1:06 pm
#339
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
Platinum flying domestic only but also have Iberia Oro (OW sapphire). Only inquiring about standard domestic lounges.
Apr 30, 2018, 1:10 pm
#340
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
Apr 30, 2018, 1:15 pm
#341
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
May 3, 2018, 7:58 pm
#342
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold
Posts: 187
I'm seriously confused by some of the lounge changes. Perhaps one of you frequent fliers/experts on AA can chime in?
I have a ticket in F flying BZE-MIA-LAX and then connecting onto a late night LAX-PDX flight on AS. Will I have access to the Flagship Lounge in either MIA or LAX, or even the "regular" AC's? The MIA-LAX is on the 772 (2 class configuration) so it certainly looks like Flagship First Dining is out of the question.
AA's website no longer lists LAX-MIA as a "qualifying" transcon - but Belize certainly is in Central America so seems like it would qualify? Their website states:
I have a ticket in F flying BZE-MIA-LAX and then connecting onto a late night LAX-PDX flight on AS. Will I have access to the Flagship Lounge in either MIA or LAX, or even the "regular" AC's? The MIA-LAX is on the 772 (2 class configuration) so it certainly looks like Flagship First Dining is out of the question.
AA's website no longer lists LAX-MIA as a "qualifying" transcon - but Belize certainly is in Central America so seems like it would qualify? Their website states:
Qualifying international flights
Flights between the U.S. and:
- Asia
- Australia
- Central America
- Europe
- Mexico City (MEX)
- New Zealand
- South America
May 3, 2018, 8:29 pm
#343
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
I'm seriously confused by some of the lounge changes. Perhaps one of you frequent fliers/experts on AA can chime in?
I have a ticket in F flying BZE-MIA-LAX and then connecting onto a late night LAX-PDX flight on AS. Will I have access to the Flagship Lounge in either MIA or LAX, or even the "regular" AC's? The MIA-LAX is on the 772 (2 class configuration) so it certainly looks like Flagship First Dining is out of the question.
I have a ticket in F flying BZE-MIA-LAX and then connecting onto a late night LAX-PDX flight on AS. Will I have access to the Flagship Lounge in either MIA or LAX, or even the "regular" AC's? The MIA-LAX is on the 772 (2 class configuration) so it certainly looks like Flagship First Dining is out of the question.
May 3, 2018, 8:54 pm
#344
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
In my experience (and as I think others have reported), AA lounge access is de facto granted throughout a OW international F/J (or EXP/PPR/PLT) itinerary, including upon arrival if the lounge is physically accessible. Indeed, the typical scenario for this is arriving at the USA final destination on an AA domestic connection.
May 3, 2018, 9:21 pm
#345
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold
Posts: 187
In my experience (and as I think others have reported), AA lounge access is de facto granted throughout a OW international F/J (or EXP/PPR/PLT) itinerary, including upon arrival if the lounge is physically accessible. Indeed, the typical scenario for this is arriving at the USA final destination on an AA domestic connection.