Jan 6, 2020, 12:24 pm
Last edit by: Microwave
HELP DESK: Lounge Access, Access Rules. Will I Have Lounge Access? (2020)
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
Please read this wiki carefully; some fine nuances exist.
Admirals Club lounges have reopened from the Covid closures, but not all Clubs have reopened, and hours have changed.
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
="3"%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.
. . . ● 2019 year thread:https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...es-2019-a.html
. . . ● 2017 year thread:https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...es-2017-a.html
="4"%Admirals Club Membership + Reciprocal Qantas Club Access (master thread)
="3"%Note: Qantas Club access for Admirals Club members has recently CHANGED
="3"%Admirals Club members="3"%Note: Qantas Club access for Admirals Club members has recently CHANGED
="3"%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):
="3"%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:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Admirals Club membership card
- Applicable boarding pass for same day travel
- Admirals Club membership card
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
HELP DESK: Will I Have Lounge Access? Which, Access, Rules (2020-2022)
Apr 29, 2022, 12:21 pm
#421
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: USA
Programs: American Airlines (Executive Platinum), Hyatt (Globalist), Hilton (Diamond), IHG (Diamond)
Posts: 2,917
Prior to covid I was a concierge member. I chair 4 companies over in AU and live in Tucson AZ, just now starting to travel again. Today I am returning on a $10K ticket from AU and was just refused access to the lounge in PHX because AA knocked me all the way back to platinum and I booked two separate tickets, one from TUS to LAX and another from LAX to SYD. This is the first time that I am contemplating a switch to Delta or United. Breaks my heart because I used to love AA.
Welcome to the new AA, where credit card spending is more important than having spent $50,000+ per year on flights pre-Covid.
Apr 29, 2022, 12:21 pm
#422
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,604
Of course, the OP could keep flying AA but credit his flights to a foreign oneworld program. Oneworld Sapphire or higher in a foreign program would get him Admirals Club access on domestic AA flights.
Apr 29, 2022, 12:24 pm
#423
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,514
Were your flights all on one ticket? The OP is apparently on a separate TUS-PHX-LAX ticket.
Of course, the OP could keep flying AA but credit his flights to a foreign oneworld program. Oneworld Sapphire or higher in a foreign program would get him Admirals Club access on domestic AA flights.
Of course, the OP could keep flying AA but credit his flights to a foreign oneworld program. Oneworld Sapphire or higher in a foreign program would get him Admirals Club access on domestic AA flights.
Apr 29, 2022, 1:18 pm
#424
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Were your flights all on one ticket? The OP is apparently on a separate TUS-PHX-LAX ticket.
Of course, the OP could keep flying AA but credit his flights to a foreign oneworld program. Oneworld Sapphire or higher in a foreign program would get him Admirals Club access on domestic AA flights.
Of course, the OP could keep flying AA but credit his flights to a foreign oneworld program. Oneworld Sapphire or higher in a foreign program would get him Admirals Club access on domestic AA flights.
May 5, 2022, 4:47 am
#425
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
I'm have a paid Admirals Club membership and will be flying PHL-LHR-DEL on BA metal (AA flight numbers) in a few weeks. I'm traveling with 2 co-workers. At the Admirals Club in PHL I'll be allowed 2 guests, so no issue there. Will I be allowed 2 guests at the T5 Galleries lounge at LHR?
May 5, 2022, 5:04 am
#426
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,495
I'm have a paid Admirals Club membership and will be flying PHL-LHR-DEL on BA metal (AA flight numbers) in a few weeks. I'm traveling with 2 co-workers. At the Admirals Club in PHL I'll be allowed 2 guests, so no issue there. Will I be allowed 2 guests at the T5 Galleries lounge at LHR?
From the aa.com AC partner location page:
*Must present your membership card and boarding pass at lounge check-in counter for same-day departure on an American Airlines operated flight
May 5, 2022, 5:06 am
#427
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I'm have a paid Admirals Club membership and will be flying PHL-LHR-DEL on BA metal (AA flight numbers) in a few weeks. I'm traveling with 2 co-workers. At the Admirals Club in PHL I'll be allowed 2 guests, so no issue there. Will I be allowed 2 guests at the T5 Galleries lounge at LHR?
As a Sapphire or Emerald member you are welcome to invite one single guest per each departing flight to join you in the lounge. (Guest must be travelling on British Airways or one of our oneworld partners). All lounge access is subject to capacity restrictions..
May 5, 2022, 5:14 am
#428
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I'm have a paid Admirals Club membership and will be flying PHL-LHR-DEL on BA metal (AA flight numbers) in a few weeks. I'm traveling with 2 co-workers. At the Admirals Club in PHL I'll be allowed 2 guests, so no issue there. Will I be allowed 2 guests at the T5 Galleries lounge at LHR?
#2 As an EXP you can guest 1 person even to the First Class Lounge at T5
#3 If y'all are flying J or F, then everyone can access to Lounge reflective of COS..
May 5, 2022, 5:18 am
#429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,495
As an AC member you get access to select partner and 3rd party lounges at international outstations, but you must be departing on AA metal to access. LHR Galleries Club lounges at T5 and T3 are included in the current list since the LHR AC has remained closed.
May 5, 2022, 7:01 pm
#430
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: AAdvantage (Platinum)
Posts: 470
I flew SFO-LAX-BOS on AA metal and flight #s. SFO-LAX was in F and LAX-BOS was in J on 321T. What lounge access is expected for SFO (LAX is obvious)? I thought any itinerary with a lounge-qualifing segment grants for all airports on the itinerary. The scan of the first boarding pass didn’t result in an automatic grant by the computer (I’ve previously been told by lounge dragons that it just pulls up the reservation so it doesn’t matter which boarding pass I present), but the agent wasn’t sure and let me in (the lounge was nearly empty).
May 6, 2022, 12:49 pm
#431
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: QR PC Platinum, TK M&S elite, UA silver, ITA Voltaire Executive (lol), Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,171
Hey all,
Does flying in J to MEX still grant AC access?And if so, would that access be granted before a connecting domestic segment? And if not, would I be able to guest 2 people into AC’s (and potentially FLs) with my QR OWE status?
(the other 2 pax don’t have AA/OW status or AC membership)
Does flying in J to MEX still grant AC access?And if so, would that access be granted before a connecting domestic segment? And if not, would I be able to guest 2 people into AC’s (and potentially FLs) with my QR OWE status?
(the other 2 pax don’t have AA/OW status or AC membership)
May 6, 2022, 12:53 pm
#432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,495
But if you are a QR Emerald then you get access plus one guest in any event regardless of class of service. That includes FL's as well, but one guest only.
May 6, 2022, 1:05 pm
#433
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: QR PC Platinum, TK M&S elite, UA silver, ITA Voltaire Executive (lol), Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,171
Yes, as of now all international business class (to anywhere) comes with AC access. Access should be granted before a connecting flight as well.
But if you are a QR Emerald then you get access plus one guest in any event regardless of class of service. That includes FL's as well, but one guest only.
But if you are a QR Emerald then you get access plus one guest in any event regardless of class of service. That includes FL's as well, but one guest only.
May 6, 2022, 1:41 pm
#434
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,495
You got it. If you're going through DFW or MIA then the FL and AC are close by so depending on how much time you have you could always take 1 guest over to the FL to check it out or for a nicer snack and drink, etc.
May 8, 2022, 11:13 pm
#435
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Moorestown, NJ
Posts: 8
I am flying DCA-JFK-DOH-MLE w/ the first segment on AA First, then AA flagship business, then QR Business.
I was wondering if I have access to the DCA lounge,
My JFK-DOH is at 1aM so it is not “same day” it is the next day.
Would I have access to the DCA Admirals Club the day before?