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 26, 2019, 11:43 am
#361
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,158
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
I think you have access, but you don't have access to the flagship dining room. Which, if I understand correctly, is the special part (the lounge isn't that different)
I think you have access, but you don't have access to the flagship dining room. Which, if I understand correctly, is the special part (the lounge isn't that different)
EDIT: I see that s0ssos may have meant in comparison to the OW J lounge. That is a closer call but I would still prefer the FL.
Last edited by FlyingEgghead; Jul 26, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Jul 26, 2019, 11:45 am
#362
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
I love the flagship in LAX, great food and of course make your own bar!
Jul 26, 2019, 12:29 pm
#363
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
I much prefer the AA Flagship Lounge to the OW Business Lounge. The latter is darker (no view of the tarmac), the food is generally less interesting (to me), and it is frequently busier. If you don't actually need the LATAM counter at TBIT, you can just enter at T4, check out the Flagship Lounge and if it's not to your liking, make your way over to TBIT and the OW lounge. This way, no backtracking.
Jul 26, 2019, 1:03 pm
#364
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 127
Thanks again, all. The AA Flagship Lounge appears to be winning out. Husband has not been in either lounge before, so I think it will be fun to try both. So I assume we need to check in at the LATAM counter in the Bradley terminal, since we have luggage and they have to check our passports? Can one check in at the AA counter in T4?
Here's what I was thinking. If we need to check in at the Bradley terminal, then we'll walk on the sidewalk over to T4, and go through security there. Husband has Global Entry, or whatever you call it, and I do not. Then we'll go to the Flagship Lounge, and then spend the last hour at the Business Class OW Lounge. I don't drink much, but when I do, I like girly wimpy drinks like strawberry margaritas, so the bar service will come in handy before boarding.
Here's what I was thinking. If we need to check in at the Bradley terminal, then we'll walk on the sidewalk over to T4, and go through security there. Husband has Global Entry, or whatever you call it, and I do not. Then we'll go to the Flagship Lounge, and then spend the last hour at the Business Class OW Lounge. I don't drink much, but when I do, I like girly wimpy drinks like strawberry margaritas, so the bar service will come in handy before boarding.
Jul 26, 2019, 3:50 pm
#365
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,226
You would need to check in with the operating airline so if that's LATAM then it would be TBIT. There is a PreCheck line now at TBIT so no reason your husband can't use that rather than traipse to T4 although, of course, you may not have PreCheck and would need to use the regular TSA line. If you're going to use the Flagship Lounge first then going through TSA at T4 probably makes more sense as it means you end up in TBIT ahead of your flight rather than making a round trip 
Personally I have found both the OW lounge and the Flagship lounge to be quite busy on occasions, although I would agree that the buffet in the FL is generally better. Not sure if they have the lamb there at the moment but they had it at the ORD FL earlier this month and it was really good!
Personally I have found both the OW lounge and the Flagship lounge to be quite busy on occasions, although I would agree that the buffet in the FL is generally better. Not sure if they have the lamb there at the moment but they had it at the ORD FL earlier this month and it was really good!
Jul 26, 2019, 4:29 pm
#366
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
I don't think LATAM participates in PreCheck
https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/participating-airlines
https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/participating-airlines
You would need to check in with the operating airline so if that's LATAM then it would be TBIT. There is a PreCheck line now at TBIT so no reason your husband can't use that rather than traipse to T4 although, of course, you may not have PreCheck and would need to use the regular TSA line. If you're going to use the Flagship Lounge first then going through TSA at T4 probably makes more sense as it means you end up in TBIT ahead of your flight rather than making a round trip
Jul 26, 2019, 4:51 pm
#367
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,226
Oh thanks for that clarification @aamilesslave. In that case as PreCheck isn't an option then it's probably much of a muchness whether the OP goes through security at TBIT or walks round to T4. If the lines aren't too bad at TBIT then I'd probably go through there!
Jul 26, 2019, 4:59 pm
#368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,599
Oh thanks for that clarification @aamilesslave. In that case as PreCheck isn't an option then it's probably much of a muchness whether the OP goes through security at TBIT or walks round to T4. If the lines aren't too bad at TBIT then I'd probably go through there!
TBIT OW Lounge is a nice space, with almost no wireless signal and so so food offerings. The one time I was in the FL (not Flagship dining) I found the F&B to be superior, but I like the OW Lounge space better.
Jul 26, 2019, 5:11 pm
#369
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
My personal preference:
AA Flagship
QF First
OW Lounge
I know OP won't have access to QF first but I think it's over rated even though it is probably nicer than Flagship lounge. I like the Flagship lounge because of the self serve bar and buffet. However, if I'm feeling a bit more chatty I tend to go to the QF First lounge and sit at the bar.
OW Lounge in my opinion isn't worth a trip. It is always packed the times I'm there. It's a step up from a normal AC but not by much.
AA Flagship
QF First
OW Lounge
I know OP won't have access to QF first but I think it's over rated even though it is probably nicer than Flagship lounge. I like the Flagship lounge because of the self serve bar and buffet. However, if I'm feeling a bit more chatty I tend to go to the QF First lounge and sit at the bar.
OW Lounge in my opinion isn't worth a trip. It is always packed the times I'm there. It's a step up from a normal AC but not by much.
Jul 26, 2019, 6:37 pm
#370
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum; Amex Plat; Four Seasons; Fairmont; HH; etc.; "Retirees-In-Training"
Posts: 658
I don't think we were aware of these lounge privileges for AA Platinum.
DH is AA Platinum for life (from the good old days way back, when one could get that from spend; he flew AA cross-country many, many times for business for a few years, but it was the one or two week nice hotel stays each time that really helped with that status, as we would later find out).
May he bring a guest to *any* of the lounges he has access to as AA Plat? Or are there some restrictions?
This is not LAX-specific.
Many thanks!
GC
DH is AA Platinum for life (from the good old days way back, when one could get that from spend; he flew AA cross-country many, many times for business for a few years, but it was the one or two week nice hotel stays each time that really helped with that status, as we would later find out).
May he bring a guest to *any* of the lounges he has access to as AA Plat? Or are there some restrictions?
This is not LAX-specific.
Many thanks!
GC
Jul 26, 2019, 6:58 pm
#371
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I don't think we were aware of these lounge privileges for AA Platinum.
DH is AA Platinum for life (from the good old days way back, when one could get that from spend; he flew AA cross-country many, many times for business for a few years, but it was the one or two week nice hotel stays each time that really helped with that status, as we would later find out).
May he bring a guest to *any* of the lounges he has access to as AA Plat? Or are there some restrictions?
This is not LAX-specific.
Many thanks!
GC
DH is AA Platinum for life (from the good old days way back, when one could get that from spend; he flew AA cross-country many, many times for business for a few years, but it was the one or two week nice hotel stays each time that really helped with that status, as we would later find out).
May he bring a guest to *any* of the lounges he has access to as AA Plat? Or are there some restrictions?
This is not LAX-specific.
Many thanks!
GC
Jul 26, 2019, 7:37 pm
#372
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum; Amex Plat; Four Seasons; Fairmont; HH; etc.; "Retirees-In-Training"
Posts: 658
Aha!
I had no idea about the Oneworld Sapphire!
Now I need to read up on "what that gets us"
Better to learn late, than never, right?
Thanks so much. I hadn't even though of partner perks. (I've focused like crazy on using awards on *partner* airlines, and THAT has been absolutely terrific for us!)
Thanks again!
GC
Jul 26, 2019, 8:16 pm
#373
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
With the one major restriction that AA Elites cannot access AA or other OneWorld lounges on purely domestic itineraries, or itineraries to Canada and Mexico (except to Mexico City).
Jul 26, 2019, 8:29 pm
#374
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum; Amex Plat; Four Seasons; Fairmont; HH; etc.; "Retirees-In-Training"
Posts: 658
Also, are there times when one can use one of the lounges if one is not flying on that particular airline (or perhaps not even a partner airline)?
Where is the best place to read about this, or at least to start to learn?
Thanks.
GC
Jul 26, 2019, 8:57 pm
#375
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
My husband and I are flying in January from LAX to Santiago via Lima on LATAM. We are using a coach award via American Airlines. My husband is a Lifetime Platinum.
My questions has to do with lounge access at LAX. I know we are eligible to go into the One World Lounge at the Bradley Terminal, but may we go into the AA Flagship Lounge? The rules for the AA Flagship Lounge are confusing. Our well-traveled son thinks we will be eligible, and told me there is now a bridge to get over to the AA terminal from the Bradley terminal.
If we have a choice of lounges, which one would you prefer? Our flight is departing on a Friday night at 8:30 PM. I thought it would be fun to arrive a little early and have dinner in the lounge. Son thinks the AA Flagship Lounge is preferable since it's more quiet. I have been in the One World Lounge several times, and it does get quite crowded.
Please advise, and thank you in advance.
My questions has to do with lounge access at LAX. I know we are eligible to go into the One World Lounge at the Bradley Terminal, but may we go into the AA Flagship Lounge? The rules for the AA Flagship Lounge are confusing. Our well-traveled son thinks we will be eligible, and told me there is now a bridge to get over to the AA terminal from the Bradley terminal.
If we have a choice of lounges, which one would you prefer? Our flight is departing on a Friday night at 8:30 PM. I thought it would be fun to arrive a little early and have dinner in the lounge. Son thinks the AA Flagship Lounge is preferable since it's more quiet. I have been in the One World Lounge several times, and it does get quite crowded.
Please advise, and thank you in advance.
In your husband’s situation:
He is eligible to use a oneworld Business lounge whilst traveling to and from eligible countries. At LAX, that’s the TBIT oneworld Business lounge operated by Qantas. Link
Emerald and Sapphire members may invite one guest to join them in the lounge. The guest must also be travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld carrier.
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 has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
Guest access
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
- First and Business Class customers (on qualifying international flights or 3-class transcontinental markets*)
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum (including Concierge Key), Platinum Pro and Platinum members in any cabin (on qualifying international flights*)
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire members in any cabin (on all qualifying flights**)
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
You can read more about the T-4 — TBIT airside connector here: LAX AA T-4 - TBIT secure airside connector (open Feb 2016)