Jan 3, 2019, 6:26 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2019)
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
Link to aa.com Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge Access rules.
Also see Admirals Club rates increasing, new restrictions: 2019
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 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===================
NOTE: The kduarte Lounge Access tool page has become 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 Executive card users), reciprocity agreements with other airlines, traveling on certain transcon flights in F or J, or traveling internationally with Platinum or Platinum Pro (oneworld Sapphire) or Concierge Key or Executive Platinum (oneworld Emerald) status or in F or J classes of service - except if flying solely within North America destinations other than MEX as AAdvantage elite or AA elite in Business class. The last is often the greatest source of confusion, despite lounge access rules being described clearly on aa.com.
Admirals Club members paid or Executive primary 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.
Executive card subsidiary cardholders have admission as well.
PLT and PPRO members are eligible for access to all oneworld Business Class lounges, now including Flagship Lounges, including Admirals Clubs; EXP and CK members are also eligible for access to nearly all oneworld First Class lounges, including Flagship Lounges.
For AA status-based access (PLT, PPRO, EXP, Concierge Key),* 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.
Lounges operated by third parties or premium lounges operating outside of oneworld rules (e.g. BA Concorde Room, Qatar Al Safwa or Al Mourjan lounges, AA Flagship First Dining) 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.
The following exceptions apply: (in part; for the entire list, see here)
American Airlines and Qantas paid programmes
American Airlines and Qantas offer programmes enabling customers to pay to gain access to their lounges. These programmes are not part of the oneworld agreement, and members of these programmes are not entitled to access lounges under the oneworld agreement.
American Airlines AAdvantage member North American flights
American Airlines Airlines AAdvantage members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligble for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S, Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Carribean. For more information, visit, http://aa.com/i18n/travelInformation...miralsClub.jsp
American Airlines and Qantas paid programmes
American Airlines and Qantas offer programmes enabling customers to pay to gain access to their lounges. These programmes are not part of the oneworld agreement, and members of these programmes are not entitled to access lounges under the oneworld agreement.
American Airlines AAdvantage member North American flights
American Airlines Airlines AAdvantage members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligble for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S, Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Carribean. For more information, visit, http://aa.com/i18n/travelInformation...miralsClub.jsp
Traveling Flagship® Business Transcontinentalalso gives you lounge access and other amenities:
Los Angeles (LAX) - New York (JFK)
San Francisco (SFO) - JFK
LAX - Boston (BOS) – traveling on A321T aircraft only
LAX - Miami (MIA) – traveling on B777-300 aircraft only (through October 26, 2019)
San Francisco (SFO) - JFK
LAX - Boston (BOS) – traveling on A321T aircraft only
LAX - Miami (MIA) – traveling on B777-300 aircraft only (through October 26, 2019)
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 vice-versa are eligible for lounge access. oneworld 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 vice-versa are eligible for lounge access. oneworld 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 who 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) (2019)
● New York (JFK)
● Miami (MIA)
● Los Angeles (LAX)
First Class customers on American’s three class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining.
● Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) (2019)
● New York (JFK)
● Miami (MIA)
● Los Angeles (LAX)
First Class customers on American’s three class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship Dining.
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 flyingoneworld 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 Admirals Club members be traveling on a departing AA marketed flight, otherbthan the LAX / TBIT lounge.
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
Admirals Club Membership + Reciprocal Qantas Club Access (master thread)
Note: Qantas Club access for Admirals Club members has recently CHANGED
Note: Qantas Club access for Admirals Club members has recently CHANGED
Admirals Club members
As an Admirals Club annual, lifetime member, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Card primary cardholder, or AirPass member with Admirals Club privileges, your Qantas Club domestic access has recently changed (again):
Select Qantas Clubs when departing on the same day on a
Qantas operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas.
Qantas operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas.
NOTE: This is different than oneworld access rules and pertains only to Admirals Club members.
Also note Qantas will soon begin selling single admission starting at $49, but these at least initially will be restricted to QF Bronze or Silver members and only available during non-peak times. At this time, AA flyers are ineligible. Link to Australian Business Traveller article.
Previously, members could access Qantas domestic lounges with an Admirals Club card without having purchased the AA codeshare. This is no longer permitted. These changes do not include one world Emerald or Sapphire members.
Eligible Admirals Club members must present the following documentation: [/B]
- Government-issued photo ID
- Admirals Club membership card
- Applicable boarding pass for same day travel
NOTE Qantas Club Dress Code: N.B. Qantas Lounges and Clubs will require Smart Casual (sic) dress as of May 2015; those not meeting the standard may be turned away. (No open-toe shoes.) c/o hartlogan
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Which, Access, Rules (2019)
Jul 19, 2019, 4:45 am
#316
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
Jul 19, 2019, 8:04 am
#317
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Similar to the incorrect Flagship Dining assertion you had yesterday, I might humbly suggest you better familiarize yourself with the AA/oneworld lounge access rules, the core of which hasn't changed in years, before anyone else gets confused by this nonsense.
For example, it is often said that the flight on an international trip must be same day or before 6am the next day, but the status rules make no mention of this (it is mentioned in the rules for non-status F and J passengers) and simply state it must not be a domestic itinerary. My experience is that I do get lounge access when my international flight is the next day (after 6am) and I am connecting to it, but the AA clubs / lounges never let me in when my next day flight is domestic and I am connecting from an international flight (but the OW lounges do let me in).
Jul 19, 2019, 10:20 am
#318
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I think that would be easier for him / her if the rules were well written and if they were applied as written, but since neither is true, we are often forced to go on other people's experience.
For example, it is often said that the flight on an international trip must be same day or before 6am the next day, but the status rules make no mention of this (it is mentioned in the rules for non-status F and J passengers) and simply state it must not be a domestic itinerary. My experience is that I do get lounge access when my international flight is the next day (after 6am) and I am connecting to it, but the AA clubs / lounges never let me in when my next day flight is domestic and I am connecting from an international flight (but the OW lounges do let me in).
For example, it is often said that the flight on an international trip must be same day or before 6am the next day, but the status rules make no mention of this (it is mentioned in the rules for non-status F and J passengers) and simply state it must not be a domestic itinerary. My experience is that I do get lounge access when my international flight is the next day (after 6am) and I am connecting to it, but the AA clubs / lounges never let me in when my next day flight is domestic and I am connecting from an international flight (but the OW lounges do let me in).
I totally agree with you that the rules are not well written, sometimes the rules as stated by AA and Oneworld are inconsistent, and on top of all that the rules are not applied consistently. Hence, the possibility of varying experiences. For the record, my experience is that lounge access has always been granted for same-day domestic connections from international flights; moreover, although the general rule is that the connection must be before 6am the next calendar day to qualify as "same-day," I have gained access to Admiral's Clubs when my connection was after 6am, as long as the connecting flight was in the same record as the qualifying international flight. On the flip side, I have been denied access to the QF F lounge at LAX the evening before a domestic flight to DFW departing at 1:00 am, connecting same day to a flight to HKG. Of course, I had no problems accessing the AA Flagship Lounge.
Jul 19, 2019, 10:53 am
#319
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
So I can't tell from the wiki exactly, (The wiki link to https://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/trans-con-access.jsp is a dead link). We have upcoming J tickets for LAX-MIA and back MIA-LAX. I have no status. Will we get Admiral's Club??
Jul 19, 2019, 10:59 am
#320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
So I can't tell from the wiki exactly, (The wiki link to https://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/trans-con-access.jsp is a dead link). We have upcoming J tickets for LAX-MIA and back MIA-LAX. I have no status. Will we get Admiral's Club??
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
Jul 19, 2019, 11:08 am
#321
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
If you are in business on a 3-class flight (77W) between MIA-LAX then you get access to the Flagship Lounges.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
Jul 19, 2019, 5:37 pm
#322
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,012
Admirals club access upon Intl arrival in DFW?
I've read the rules on the AA site but can't quite find an understandable answer. I'm flying Business class from MEX-DFW. Can I access the Admirals club in DFW upon arrival with my boarding pass?
Jul 19, 2019, 5:41 pm
#323
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
Are you connecting in DFW?
Jul 19, 2019, 6:40 pm
#324
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,012
Jul 19, 2019, 7:17 pm
#325
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
So I can't tell from the wiki exactly, (The wiki link to https://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/trans-con-access.jsp is a dead link). We have upcoming J tickets for LAX-MIA and back MIA-LAX. I have no status. Will we get Admiral's Club??
If you are in business on a 3-class flight (77W) between MIA-LAX then you get access to the Flagship Lounges.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
Jul 19, 2019, 10:57 pm
#326
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
I am also reading the rules and now I am confused about connecting flights as AA Platinum, because when entering based on status, I have been able to use the lounge at the connection point in the US, but I can't find this in the rules as it says "qualifying DEPARTING international flights".
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
For some reason I thought the rules had also mentioned connecting flights in the past.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp
For some reason I thought the rules had also mentioned connecting flights in the past.
Jul 19, 2019, 11:02 pm
#327
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
If you’re arriving from a qualifying international flight (such as MEX) and have qualifying status or flew in a qualifying class if service, you will have access if you are connecting to another one world flight departing the same day or by 6:00 am the next day.
We will merge this into the existing lounge access help desk thread. /Moderator
We will merge this into the existing lounge access help desk thread. /Moderator
Jul 19, 2019, 11:05 pm
#328
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
I totally agree with you that the rules are not well written, sometimes the rules as stated by AA and Oneworld are inconsistent, and on top of all that the rules are not applied consistently. Hence, the possibility of varying experiences. For the record, my experience is that lounge access has always been granted for same-day domestic connections from international flights; moreover, although the general rule is that the connection must be before 6am the next calendar day to qualify as "same-day," I have gained access to Admiral's Clubs when my connection was after 6am, as long as the connecting flight was in the same record as the qualifying international flight. On the flip side, I have been denied access to the QF F lounge at LAX the evening before a domestic flight to DFW departing at 1:00 am, connecting same day to a flight to HKG. Of course, I had no problems accessing the AA Flagship Lounge.
Has anyone out there connecting from an International Y or PE flight had access to the lounge when connecting just to a domestic flight? I feel like they must have, but I now find myself wondering if they have – anyone willing to offer up experiences?
Or, has anyone without status been refused access when connecting to an international J or F flight after 6am the next day?
Jul 19, 2019, 11:07 pm
#329
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
I just looked at the rules again (for some other reason) and it has never struck me before that, while I have assumed that my access is always due to my EXP status. it could well be that the rules seem to be oddly applied because my eligibility changes. For example, when I do LHR-PHX-MFR all on the same day, I have always assumed that my Club access in PHX is due to my EXP status, even though I am neither departing on or connecting to an international flight – BUT I have always been upgraded on the LHR-PHX flight, and I do get club access on that connection as a J passenger. Likewise, when I get access the day before an international flight, it is the case that I am connecting to (via some other airport) an international flight, so although I don't have access on account of the J ticket, I do by virtue of EXP rules.
Has anyone out there connecting from an International Y or PE flight had access to the lounge when connecting just to a domestic flight? I feel like they must have, but I now find myself wondering if they have – anyone willing to offer up experiences?
Has anyone out there connecting from an International Y or PE flight had access to the lounge when connecting just to a domestic flight? I feel like they must have, but I now find myself wondering if they have – anyone willing to offer up experiences?
Jul 20, 2019, 5:26 am
#330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
This is not a grey area or an agent doing you a favor or misunderstanding the rules, or anything like that, it's 100% policy. The core oneworld lounge access policy allows it.
The only exceptions are AA elites flying soley North American itineraries (except MEX of course) do not get lounge access. So an EXP, flying in Y, on a qualifying itinerary (i.e. one that is not soley in North America) automatically gets lounge access before each and every flight in the itinerary.