Jan 3, 2019, 6:26 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2019)
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:

Quote:

Up to two guests or household members (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under the age of 18) may accompany the member.

* Note that AA no longer offers a 30-day membership as of July 25 2016.

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.

Quote:

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

Traveling Flagship® Business Transcontinentalalso gives you lounge access and other amenities:

Quote:

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)

Quote:

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

On February 17 2016, AA announced an addition to the above. As stated on their Reimagining our lounges page, in the Flagship Lounges section, "Starting in 2017, lounge access will be extended to customers booked in Business and First Class on A321T, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific and deep South American flights."
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:

Quote:

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.

All Admirals Club visitors receive free Wi-Fi access at Admirals Clubs (password is available at front desk and throughout the Club on signs), some non-alcoholic and "well" (lower price tier) alcoholic beverages, counter snacks and offered food items; free computer terminals are available for all passengers, and many Clubs have Business Centers and tethered Samsung Galaxy tablets in seating areas. Passengers accessing Admirals Clubs based on status or class of service on international travel are entitled to free drinks coupons usable for higher-tier non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and bottles of water.

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

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):

Quote:

Select Qantas Clubs when departing on the same day on a

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

Quote:

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)

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Jun 26, 2019, 6:31 am

#271

noddie09

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: London

Programs: Hilton Diamond, NZ Gold, BA Gold

Posts: 134

Arrivals JFK T8 (Bridge Lounge)

Hi All,

I will be arriving in to T8 tomorrow from YUL with AA. I have checked luggage but will have to wait at T8 for 3 hours as my wife arrives on a later flight. I would really like to try out the Flagship lounge and get some work done however I am worried about collecting my baggage.

1) Is it possible to collect luggage and then go to the lounge?

2) Will my luggage be collectible if I leave it on the belt for 3 hours?

Any other tips or suggestions. I am assuming I will clear immigration in Canada.

Jun 26, 2019, 7:17 am

#272

JJeffrey

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 12,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by noddie09

Without an onward oneworld flight you wouldn't have access to the FL on arrival.

Jun 26, 2019, 7:22 am

#273

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

Suspended

Join Date: Sep 2006

Programs: AAdvantage PP

Posts: 13,913

You can try but I doubt TSA will let you through Security without an ongoing flight. If you leave your bags on the belt in theory they should be collected and taken to the baggage office. But leaving your bags unattended at JFK never a good idea. Do you really need to check bags?

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George is offline

Jun 26, 2019, 7:59 am

#274

Antarius

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2012

Location: KHOU/KIAH

Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 11,244

Canada flights are considered "domestic" and do not grant FL access.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:11 am

#275

noddie09

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: London

Programs: Hilton Diamond, NZ Gold, BA Gold

Posts: 134

Leaving bags unattended is never a good idea, I agree but I was hoping to just pop in even for 30 minutes. I assumed if I arrive domestically I could access the lounge using my boarding pass.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:17 am

#276

JJeffrey

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 12,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antarius

Canada flights are considered "domestic" and do not grant FL access.

Quote:

Originally Posted by noddie09

Leaving bags unattended is never a good idea, I agree but I was hoping to just pop in even for 30 minutes. I assumed if I arrive domestically I could access the lounge using my boarding pass.

A BA Gold (oneworld Emerald) would have FL access regardless of destination, BUT they must have an onward oneworld flight.

JDiver, wrp96, Antarius and 1 others like this.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:18 am

#277

Antarius

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2012

Location: KHOU/KIAH

Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 11,244

deleted.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:18 am

#278

donotblink

Join Date: Dec 2014

Location: New York City + Vail, CO

Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite

Posts: 3,226

I was going to tell you to this: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ry-service.jsp
But it looks like YUL is restricted.

Because the OP is BA Gold, they should have Flagship access even though it's a domestic trip -- but IIRC, that's for departures only, not arrivals.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:20 am

#279

Antarius

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2012

Location: KHOU/KIAH

Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 11,244

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJeffrey

A BA Gold (oneworld Emerald) would have FL access regardless of destination, BUT they must have an onward oneworld flight.

Ah yes. I didn't see the BA status on the mobile page.

Yes, they would have access regardless of destination... but as you said, with a connecting flight.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:21 am

#280

JDiver

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by noddie09

Moot point. Though you’ll arrive as a domestic passenger and can remain airside, you won’t be granted lounge access on arrival without a connecting oneworld flight. An Admirals Club Pass is $59, and it would grant Admirals Club (not Flagship Lounge) access.

As to your unclaimed checked bags, assuming nobody removes them willfully or in error, they would normally be removed by baggage personnel and be claimable at the baggage claim office.

noddie09 likes this.

Jun 26, 2019, 8:25 am

#281

deeruck

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: Here and there

Programs: AA EXP

Posts: 1,551

Quote:

Originally Posted by donotblink

I was going to tell you to this: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ry-service.jsp
But it looks like YUL is restricted.

I read that as that delivery is available with YUL as origin or destination. Is that not correct?

Jun 26, 2019, 8:47 am

#282

donotblink

Join Date: Dec 2014

Location: New York City + Vail, CO

Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite

Posts: 3,226

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeruck

I read that as that delivery is available with YUL as origin or destination. Is that not correct?

It is correct, as I noted in your quote.

Jun 27, 2019, 1:36 am

#283

noddie09

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: London

Programs: Hilton Diamond, NZ Gold, BA Gold

Posts: 134

Onward AA flight booked using Avios and my luggage will now be delivered to the hotel! Couldn't have done it without you guys, thanks a million! It's amazing T8 doesn't have an arrival's lounge - Sort it out AA

Jun 27, 2019, 2:05 am

#284

flyingeph12

Join Date: Jan 2012

Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist

Posts: 2,846

Quote:

Originally Posted by noddie09

As far as I know, LHR is the only airport that AA has a dedicated arrivals lounge. So not sure it’s that extraordinary that JFK doesn’t have one. And actually, premium pax on transcons (from LAX and SFO) do get access on arrival (to shower, etc.). Those transcons are the major redeyes into JFK, so not sure JFK needs an arrivals lounge otherwise.

Next time you might consider grabbing a drink at the new TWA hotel.

wrp96 and noddie09 like this.

Jun 29, 2019, 8:03 pm

#285

gateH15

Join Date: Nov 2018

Posts: 1,285

Does San Diego airport have Admirals club? I was able to find info about airspace lounge - but not sure if i can bring 2 guests there. I have Citi Exec card