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 7, 2018, 3:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Philly
Programs: US, CO, Marriott
Posts: 217
AA PHL Gate Pass Denied
I took my 20 year old daughter to the airport on Friday night and was able to use an upgrade to get her into Biz Class to Europe (Yea!). I asked the First Class Check in Agent if I could get a gate pass to walk her out to the gate. At first she said yes, then the crusty agent beside her said a loud no, then I showed the Agent my CK Card (DYKWIA move, yes), then she claimed to call a supervisor, who then said no.
I had thought gate passes were fairly easy but decided not to push the matter. It was crowded and I didn't find a supervisor myself to talk to.
For future reference, is this something I could normally do?
I had thought gate passes were fairly easy but decided not to push the matter. It was crowded and I didn't find a supervisor myself to talk to.
For future reference, is this something I could normally do?
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 8, 2018 at 9:59 am Reason: Restore original post title
Jan 7, 2018, 3:17 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
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 7, 2018, 3:20 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
<redacted>
See the bottom of my post. What you are describing is *specifically* prohibited by AA's Conditions of Carriage. The OP could lose his status, all his miles, and be banned from future participation in AAdvantage, for this type of fraudulent activity.
See the bottom of my post. What you are describing is *specifically* prohibited by AA's Conditions of Carriage. The OP could lose his status, all his miles, and be banned from future participation in AAdvantage, for this type of fraudulent activity.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 7, 2018 at 3:57 pm Reason: Redacted previously deleted post content.
Jan 7, 2018, 3:49 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Philly
Programs: US, CO, Marriott
Posts: 217
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.
I actually thought about the whole book a ticket and cancel, but it wasn't that important to me. Good to know that this is technically not allowed. Its not worth the risk of someone cancelling my status over something dumb.......
Jan 7, 2018, 4:06 pm
#5
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
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.
Moderator
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
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 9, 2018 at 10:49 am Reason: Correckt typoes
Jan 7, 2018, 5:01 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Philly
Programs: US, CO, Marriott
Posts: 217
As mentioned, Gate passes are very difficult to get unless you’re escorting an unaccompanied Minot or person with disabilities to the gate or meeting them there. They are allowed for Admirsls Club members with paid tental facilities at the Club.
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
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
Jan 7, 2018, 5:58 pm
#8
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
Jan 7, 2018, 8:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 124
I had need of a conference room at ORD a few months ago and tried to book it in advance - I was *not* intending to travel that day and told that to AA. They told me that no longer book conference rooms for folks that are not traveling. So, fwiw...
Jan 7, 2018, 10:21 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,233
Jan 7, 2018, 10:25 pm
#13
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
Jan 8, 2018, 9:43 am
#15
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
That’s an option, but it won’t work at all airports in that case.
Sime time ago, gate passes were easy to secure. I got one to meet a nephew coming into LAX to debrief him (his liveaboard dive boat room mate purposely committed suicide by diving, and his father had committed suicide previously) and I secured the pass merely by mentioning my nephew was connecting and I wanted to see him.
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.
Sime time ago, gate passes were easy to secure. I got one to meet a nephew coming into LAX to debrief him (his liveaboard dive boat room mate purposely committed suicide by diving, and his father had committed suicide previously) and I secured the pass merely by mentioning my nephew was connecting and I wanted to see him.
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.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 8, 2018 at 9:57 am