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)
Oct 21, 2021, 9:16 am
#316
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,460
We are flying SFO/DFW/OMA next week 2.5 hour layover - 2 choices for lounges use our AX Aspire credit to buy our way into the 2 AC’s $118 (we have $130 left expiring 12/31) or use the PP lounges at both airports.
Would there be any difference in our enjoyment experience?
I suppose we could even mix and match.
Would there be any difference in our enjoyment experience?
I suppose we could even mix and match.
Oct 21, 2021, 11:09 am
#317
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
We are flying SFO/DFW/OMA next week 2.5 hour layover - 2 choices for lounges use our AX Aspire credit to buy our way into the 2 AC’s $118 (we have $130 left expiring 12/31) or use the PP lounges at both airports.
Would there be any difference in our enjoyment experience?
I suppose we could even mix and match.
Would there be any difference in our enjoyment experience?
I suppose we could even mix and match.
At DFW the PP lounge 'Club at DFW' is also nothing special and more or less on par with the AC's.
If you don't have any use for the Amex AA credits then the AC's are the way to go, however if you do have a use for the AA credits then I would skip the lounge at SFO all together and just use the PP lounge at DFW.
Oct 21, 2021, 5:46 pm
#318
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
The wording is extremely unclear, and AA's intended meaning is opposite of how one might read it. That is to say, as written on AA's website, if you are flying Alaska Airlines in a premium cabin, you would get Admirals Club access when flying to Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Those flying AA would only get access flying to Mexico City.
Perhaps the intent is to allow access to ACs when flying a multi-partner itinerary when at least one segment is flown in AS F. Perhaps ANC-PHX(AS)-GDL/PVR(AA). AC access being granted in PHX on the strength of the ANC-PHX segment in F.
James
Oct 21, 2021, 7:12 pm
#319
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
It is strange since AS doesn't fly to the Caribbean or Mexico City. Other Mexican Cities are served from SAN, SJC, LAX, SFO & SEA. The last three have Alaska Lounges. Currently, Canada is only served from SEA and only on Q400 without a Premium cabin. PDX-YVR is on hiatus. Since there is no AC in SEA it wouldn't be of any use. If on a paid AS F/J flight, Alaska Lounge access is granted with the fare whether domestic or international.
Perhaps the intent is to allow access to ACs when flying a multi-partner itinerary when at least one segment is flown in AS F. Perhaps ANC-PHX(AS)-GDL/PVR(AA). AC access being granted in PHX on the strength of the ANC-PHX segment in F.
Perhaps the intent is to allow access to ACs when flying a multi-partner itinerary when at least one segment is flown in AS F. Perhaps ANC-PHX(AS)-GDL/PVR(AA). AC access being granted in PHX on the strength of the ANC-PHX segment in F.
As mentioned several times above completely disregard the astericked fine print that is causing such confusion. That is reflective of AA's old policy and they just haven't bothered updating it.
AA's new (temporary) policy allows AC access on any international business class itinerary, including Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Full stop.
If you're flying ANC-PHX-GDL in business you would have AC access in PHX due to the PHX-GDL flight in J, not the AS flight.
Oct 22, 2021, 12:03 am
#320
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
You are way way overthinking this.
As mentioned several times above completely disregard the astericked fine print that is causing such confusion. That is reflective of AA's old policy and they just haven't bothered updating it.
AA's new (temporary) policy allows AC access on any international business class itinerary, including Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Full stop.
If you're flying ANC-PHX-GDL in business you would have AC access in PHX due to the PHX-GDL flight in J, not the AS flight.
As mentioned several times above completely disregard the astericked fine print that is causing such confusion. That is reflective of AA's old policy and they just haven't bothered updating it.
AA's new (temporary) policy allows AC access on any international business class itinerary, including Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Full stop.
If you're flying ANC-PHX-GDL in business you would have AC access in PHX due to the PHX-GDL flight in J, not the AS flight.
James
Oct 22, 2021, 12:16 am
#321
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,518
There's an airside connector between T1 (AA) and Intl Terminal A (AF/KL lounge location). It's a bit of a walk between the lounge and the end of T1 where the AA gates are.
Oct 22, 2021, 5:14 pm
#322
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Oct 22, 2021, 5:21 pm
#323
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,518
Oct 22, 2021, 6:10 pm
#324
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,460
I thought I read Alaska lounge is now accepting PP at SFO, anybody tried it - anything special/convenient for AA gates?
Oct 23, 2021, 8:55 am
#325
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
At this point, for my taste, I find the AC in T1 a little better, but both are comfortable with ample space.
Oct 23, 2021, 10:45 pm
#326
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Even if it were the only eligible lounge, clearing security twice for an Alaska Lounge is not something I would typically do. The threshold is particular to the individual and circumstances of course.
Oct 24, 2021, 10:19 pm
#327
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,518
Wouldn't clear twice for the SFO AS lounge either, but I do find the quality of the food at the AL to be significantly better than the SFO AC. Not a very high bar, I realize.
Nov 9, 2021, 1:20 pm
#328
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 228
On Saturday I'm flying LAX–PVR in Y as AA Plat. Will I have AC access at LAX? My reading of the current rules is that yes, I will, but can someone please confirm?
Nov 9, 2021, 7:50 pm
#329
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
No, you must be in business class under the new/temporary rules whereby any international flight comes with AC access. AA status has no bearing on these short haul int'l flights.
Nov 9, 2021, 8:56 pm
#330
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 228
This page suggests otherwise, though.
Qualifying AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum. For a limited time: Starting April 1, 2021, qualifying international flights will include flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Includes customers on qualifying departing international flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).