Oct 31, 2018, 10:59 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Member and Guest of Flying Business Purpose Access to Admirals Club - OVER
As of 14 Sep 2016 (unannounced), verified with Meeting Services and Admirals Club Service Center:
Gate passes will ONLY be available to previously declared participants at meetings in rented (paid for) conference facilities at those Clubs that have them. Participants must be registered at least 24 hours in advance with Club Member or Meeting Services (they're closed weekends). Without a conference room booking:
NO MORE gate passes for Admirals Club members declaring business purposes more than 24 hours in advance.
NO MORE gate passes for Admirals Club members' guests when declaring business purposes more than 24 hours in advance.
NO MORE gate passes for Admirals Club members at the ticket counter (has been gone some time now).
Club members may still enter and use Admirals Clubs when they have airside access for other reasons than flying AA through 1 Nov 2019, but gate pass availability is gone other than as described above.
Revised Admirals Club Terms and Conditions: link.
Q. I am a member and would like to meet someone at the airport, but I'm not flying today. Can I get through Security to get to the Admirals Club lounge?
A: Generally not. If you have rented a conference room you and your conferees may access the Club by previous arrangement. Casual access / walking up to the ticket counter to request a gate pass is not permitted; please do not put employees in an uncomfortable position by asking.
Members and non-members can NO LONGER schedule and attend business meetings (non-conference room meetings) in the Admirals Club® or Executive Center without traveling.
To admit yourself and conferees you must call at least 24 hours in advance and have rented a conference room at that Club:
Please contact Admirals Club Customer Service at least 24 hours prior to your business meeting by dialing 1-800 237-7971 from the U.S, Canada, or Puerto Rico, and pressing Option 1 or by dialing 1-817-963-6100 (from international locations) between the hours* of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Central Time) and providing the following information at least 24 hours in advance:
- Admirals Club number/AAdvantage® number
- Legal name as it appears on government issued identification for each individual
- Birth dates, including year, for each individual (maximum of two guests allowed for non-conference room meeting)*
- Location, date and time of rented conference room meeting
*(Times corrected to current service center hours)
From language on aa.com in the wiki of Admirals Club Membership: Annual, Citi Card (+ 1 Day Pass) (master thread). Italicized parts added for clarification.
Q. Am I required to rent a conference room to meet with others?
Yes, you are, as of 14 Sep 2015.
Q. Can't I just purchase a fully refundable ticket and use that?
It's honestly not a good idea, as this practice is specifically prohibited by American Airlines' Conditions of Carriage (Link):
American specifically prohibits practices commonly known as:
...Fraudulent, fictitious and abusive bookings: Fraudulent, fictitious and/or abusive bookings are prohibited. These types of bookings are defined as ... or to gain access to airport facilities....
...Fraudulent, fictitious and abusive bookings: Fraudulent, fictitious and/or abusive bookings are prohibited. These types of bookings are defined as ... or to gain access to airport facilities....
Unfortunately, as of 1 November 2019, even as a fully paid up member you will be required to possess a same day boarding pass for American, Alaska or a oneworld partner.
Starting November 1, 2019, same-day boarding passes on American Airlines or partner airlines will be required for entry.1
Link to previous, archived thread.
AA Gate Pass Conditions / Requirements as of 2018
Jan 8, 2018, 9:56 am
#16
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That’s an option, but it won’t work at all airports in that case.
E.g. At one time, Admirals Club members could request gate passes at the ticket counters. That changed and Club members had to call the Central Club number at least 24 hours (during normal working hours, so it might be 72 hours) in advance and declare a “work purpose” - it could be meeting someone you were guesting in, who would also get a gate pass, or to use the business machines or center. That changed to those who rented conference facilities and conferees. Now it’s “if you’re not flying, you’re not getting a Club related guest pass”. In this instance, it seems more of a cost-based decision to bar members from using lounge facilities when not flying.
AFAIK, I’ve seen reports, even recent ones, of non-flyers being able to secure gate passes to escort or meet children, people with disabilities (e.g. age- , cognition- and physically related conditions). This has generally depended on the individual gate agent or possibly instructions from the local manager.
I’m curious exactly why AA has tightened up so much on gate passes. After all, a gate pass holder still must go through a TSA security checkpoint.
E.g. At one time, Admirals Club members could request gate passes at the ticket counters. That changed and Club members had to call the Central Club number at least 24 hours (during normal working hours, so it might be 72 hours) in advance and declare a “work purpose” - it could be meeting someone you were guesting in, who would also get a gate pass, or to use the business machines or center. That changed to those who rented conference facilities and conferees. Now it’s “if you’re not flying, you’re not getting a Club related guest pass”. In this instance, it seems more of a cost-based decision to bar members from using lounge facilities when not flying.
AFAIK, I’ve seen reports, even recent ones, of non-flyers being able to secure gate passes to escort or meet children, people with disabilities (e.g. age- , cognition- and physically related conditions). This has generally depended on the individual gate agent or possibly instructions from the local manager.
I’m curious exactly why AA has tightened up so much on gate passes. After all, a gate pass holder still must go through a TSA security checkpoint.
I recollect that TSA was considering allowing ALL pax to see "friends" off at the gate--but I've not heard any updates re a policy change (that was 3 or so, years ago).
Jan 8, 2018, 12:07 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 468
Wouldn't have helped the OP but FWIW, I was helping check my wife in early 2017 while she was traveling with our then 1-year old. The AA agent offered a gate pass to me to help them through security. She said it's allowed if you're helping someone else traveling with an under-2. She said they don't publicize but it's AA policy. On her return, mother in law asked in CLT and was able to do the same. I was Platinum so no special treatment.
Jan 8, 2018, 4:46 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Jan 8, 2018, 10:01 pm
#19
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It should, pretty sure TSA doesn't care if your BP airline matches the checkpoint/terminal you're entering.
But I wasn't really making the comment for that reason. It was literally a FWIW, because I find it interesting that DL doesn't explicitly prohibit this. (I suppose one could argue it's still a fraudulent purchase).
But I wasn't really making the comment for that reason. It was literally a FWIW, because I find it interesting that DL doesn't explicitly prohibit this. (I suppose one could argue it's still a fraudulent purchase).
Jan 9, 2018, 12:15 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2012
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It should, pretty sure TSA doesn't care if your BP airline matches the checkpoint/terminal you're entering.
But I wasn't really making the comment for that reason. It was literally a FWIW, because I find it interesting that DL doesn't explicitly prohibit this. (I suppose one could argue it's still a fraudulent purchase).
But I wasn't really making the comment for that reason. It was literally a FWIW, because I find it interesting that DL doesn't explicitly prohibit this. (I suppose one could argue it's still a fraudulent purchase).
Jan 9, 2018, 1:48 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Western PA
Programs: AA EXP/2MM
Posts: 441
Come to Pittsburgh - they've started their "shopping pass" program where you can get a pass through TSA to the airside terminal under the premise of visiting the shopping.
Not like the TSA lines aren't often miles long as it is....
Not like the TSA lines aren't often miles long as it is....
Jan 9, 2018, 10:01 am
#22
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They absolutely do, at some airports at least. I don't know if it's a blanket TSA policy or airport-specific. They may remind you you're at the wrong checkpoint, but they should let you through.
Jan 9, 2018, 10:14 am
#23
Join Date: May 2005
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Jan 9, 2018, 10:38 am
#24
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I had a long layover in MIA a week ago and went from concourse D to J to meet a friend in the Avianca Lounge. Not an issue at all, although others have reportedly been stopped.
Jan 9, 2018, 8:21 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
I know I’m PHX once I was on WN and tried to go through the B checkpoint on the AA side to use the club and I was rejected. Could just be a tough agent. I just went to C and walked to B. The reason I mentioned Delta is that it’s a whole different terminal connected pre-security via tram. It’s not a risk I’d be willing to take just to try and scam the system into a gate pass.
Jan 9, 2018, 10:29 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2005
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I know I’m PHX once I was on WN and tried to go through the B checkpoint on the AA side to use the club and I was rejected. Could just be a tough agent. I just went to C and walked to B. The reason I mentioned Delta is that it’s a whole different terminal connected pre-security via tram. It’s not a risk I’d be willing to take just to try and scam the system into a gate pass.
I've never had them question me when going through the "opposite" checkpoints. I wish they had one morning. It was very early and I was still half asleep and turned the wrong way at the top of the escalator. Didn't think anything of it as I went through security until I was on the secure side and suddenly realized I was on the wrong side of the terminal. Could have just exited and gone back in the other side but figured it would about the same time to just go around. 
Lesson learned to double check which security I'm at.
Jan 10, 2018, 10:20 am
#27
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I know I’m PHX once I was on WN and tried to go through the B checkpoint on the AA side to use the club and I was rejected. Could just be a tough agent. I just went to C and walked to B. The reason I mentioned Delta is that it’s a whole different terminal connected pre-security via tram. It’s not a risk I’d be willing to take just to try and scam the system into a gate pass.
Jan 11, 2018, 11:32 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
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It was TSA. PHX doesn’t have the red coats.
Jan 12, 2018, 4:19 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Gate passes are generally no longer allowed as a routine thing, unless you are escorting elderly, disabled, or UM (unaccompanied minor) travelers. And even then, be prepared to ask very nicely and possibly be denied. Not only are there potential security issues for the airline, but it just clogs up the TSA lines to have people going through checkpoints who are not actually traveling and have no **need** to go airside.
Furthermore, AA has updated its CoC to say specifically that it is a violation to buy a ticket "to gain access to airport facilities." So don't try the fully-refundable ticket trick.
Furthermore, AA has updated its CoC to say specifically that it is a violation to buy a ticket "to gain access to airport facilities." So don't try the fully-refundable ticket trick.
Jan 12, 2018, 8:03 am
#30
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As mentioned, Gate passes are very difficult to get unless you’re escorting an unaccompanied minor or person with disabilities to the gate or meeting them there. They are allowed for Admirals Club members with paid rental facilities at the Club.
Note that AA expressly prohibits buying any ticket to merely gain access to a lounge or other airside facility if one isn’t intending to fly; that is fraud as defined in the CofC. AA has been quite aggressive in pursuing FT members who have violated AAdvantage T&C and CofC. It is forbidden to advocate fraud on FT. We will not entertain risk to FlyerTalk or our members by discussing or advocating fraudulent practices against members or companies, including AA.
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Note that AA expressly prohibits buying any ticket to merely gain access to a lounge or other airside facility if one isn’t intending to fly; that is fraud as defined in the CofC. AA has been quite aggressive in pursuing FT members who have violated AAdvantage T&C and CofC. It is forbidden to advocate fraud on FT. We will not entertain risk to FlyerTalk or our members by discussing or advocating fraudulent practices against members or companies, including AA.
Moderator