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)
Mar 27, 2020, 3:29 pm
#211
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Are AA Platinum allowed Flagship or Admirals Club access on International flights on the return flight. I am returning from London Heathrow in July 2020 connecting through Chicago O'hare and would know if I would have access on the return flight at ORD? I know that I have access on the outbound flight.
Mar 27, 2020, 3:29 pm
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Yes. Per oneworld rules, you are entitled to Flagship Lounge access when connecting to/from eligible "international" flights marketed and operated by OW airlines, as long as you have an ONWARD connecting flight both marketed and operated by a OW airline. The onward flight must be a same-day connection to/from the qualifying international segment, not a stopover.
"International" is defined as fights to/from through Europe, Asia, Central America, South America, Oceania, and Mexico City (MEX) only.
Note: OW policy does not grant access upon arrival at your terminating point. So, if you flew LHR-ORD-LAX, you would have lounge access at LHR and ORD, but not at LAX. (although the sponsoring carrier might choose to offer you access, independent of OW rules, by virtue of traveling in a premium cabin, etc)
"International" is defined as fights to/from through Europe, Asia, Central America, South America, Oceania, and Mexico City (MEX) only.
Note: OW policy does not grant access upon arrival at your terminating point. So, if you flew LHR-ORD-LAX, you would have lounge access at LHR and ORD, but not at LAX. (although the sponsoring carrier might choose to offer you access, independent of OW rules, by virtue of traveling in a premium cabin, etc)
Mar 27, 2020, 4:27 pm
#213
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
Are AA Platinum allowed Flagship or Admirals Club access on International flights on the return flight. I am returning from London Heathrow in July 2020 connecting through Chicago O'hare and would know if I would have access on the return flight at ORD? I know that I have access on the outbound flight.
Admirals Club lounges
American will temporarily close most Admirals Club lounges, but will maintain front desk customer service at large U.S. airports and at London’s Heathrow Airport. These changes go into effect beginning Thursday, March 26.Team members working at the locations below will be available to offer travel assistance. To reduce large gatherings, lounge services — including all food and beverage offerings, restrooms and shower facilities — will be temporarily suspended.
Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT), Concourse C
Chicago (ORD), Concourse H/K
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Terminals A, C and D
London Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 3
Los Angeles (LAX), Terminal 4
Miami (MIA), Gate D30
New York (JFK), Gate 12 (Flagship Lounge with temporary Admirals Club service)
New York (LGA), Concourse D
Philadelphia (PHL), Terminal B/C
Phoenix (PHX), Gate A7 and Gate A19
Washington (DCA), Terminal C
Mar 27, 2020, 4:30 pm
#214
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Apr 6, 2020, 9:49 am
#215
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Programs: TK*G, IHG PA, BA Bronze, Marriott Silver
Posts: 11
Admirals Club access - long haul Economy to short haul Business
Hi, I don't think this kind of connections is covered in the forum but if I'm flying LHR-(BA economy)-JFK-(AA domestic first)-MIA, will I have lounge access to Admirals Club at JFK during a 6-hour layover? I only have BA Bronze and since usually AA domestic first doesn't include lounge access, will they let me in if it's not "solely North American itinerary" but part of a transatlantic journey? Thanks so much!
Apr 6, 2020, 10:04 am
#216
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,659
Hi, I don't think this kind of connections is covered in the forum but if I'm flying LHR-(BA economy)-JFK-(AA domestic first)-MIA, will I have lounge access to Admirals Club at JFK during a 6-hour layover? I only have BA Bronze and since usually AA domestic first doesn't include lounge access, will they let me in if it's not "solely North American itinerary" but part of a transatlantic journey? Thanks so much!
Apr 6, 2020, 11:08 am
#217
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
This is all covered on the AA website:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...false&from=Nav
Terms such as long and short-haul do not matter. The specifics of the flight are relevant, e.g. international and domestic.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...false&from=Nav
Terms such as long and short-haul do not matter. The specifics of the flight are relevant, e.g. international and domestic.
Apr 6, 2020, 12:00 pm
#218
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
Hi, I don't think this kind of connections is covered in the forum but if I'm flying LHR-(BA economy)-JFK-(AA domestic first)-MIA, will I have lounge access to Admirals Club at JFK during a 6-hour layover? I only have BA Bronze and since usually AA domestic first doesn't include lounge access, will they let me in if it's not "solely North American itinerary" but part of a transatlantic journey? Thanks so much!
Apr 6, 2020, 12:20 pm
#219
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Was there another update?
Apr 6, 2020, 3:25 pm
#221
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Are you sure about that? I think several are still open. For JFK...
New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Was there another update?
New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Was there another update?
"The Flagship® Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has been temporarily converted to offer Admirals Club service. Flagship and Admirals Club guests may access the customer service desk but lounge services like food and beverage, restrooms and shower facilities will be temporarily discontinued."
Aug 17, 2020, 8:33 am
#222
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 33
Hi Everyone,
I know that it's been 4 months since anyone posted on this thread, but I am wondering if someone could help me with this question: can a person flying AA Domestic First or Business access non-AA oneworld Business/First lounges e.g. the BA Galleries Club/First Lounge at PHL?
Thank you! and I hope everyone is safe and well.
I know that it's been 4 months since anyone posted on this thread, but I am wondering if someone could help me with this question: can a person flying AA Domestic First or Business access non-AA oneworld Business/First lounges e.g. the BA Galleries Club/First Lounge at PHL?
Thank you! and I hope everyone is safe and well.
Aug 17, 2020, 9:00 am
#223
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,478
Hi Everyone,
I know that it's been 4 months since anyone posted on this thread, but I am wondering if someone could help me with this question: can a person flying AA Domestic First or Business access non-AA oneworld Business/First lounges e.g. the BA Galleries Club/First Lounge at PHL?
Thank you! and I hope everyone is safe and well.
I know that it's been 4 months since anyone posted on this thread, but I am wondering if someone could help me with this question: can a person flying AA Domestic First or Business access non-AA oneworld Business/First lounges e.g. the BA Galleries Club/First Lounge at PHL?
Thank you! and I hope everyone is safe and well.
And the BA lounge at PHL is notorious for only allowing qualifying pax on BA metal flights only, even when the rules would otherwise give you access.
Aug 17, 2020, 10:00 am
#225
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Thank you, @JJeffrey, for replying so quickly, and for the warning about the PHL BA lounge. On that note, do you know if the BA lounge personnel have done this to even BA Executive Gold or GGL members?