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)
Aug 19, 2022, 6:06 am
#511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Wanted to confirm what I believe, in case I am missing something (and do a light rant).
I'm an AC "Member" and an EP. Booked award seats using AA miles on TN J from CDG-LAX (books as TN flight number not AA codeshare).
My understanding is since I am flying on TN code and TN is not a member of OW, I will not have access to the AC at CDG. TN uses a contract lounge but departs from 2A.
Anything I am missing?
I'm an AC "Member" and an EP. Booked award seats using AA miles on TN J from CDG-LAX (books as TN flight number not AA codeshare).
My understanding is since I am flying on TN code and TN is not a member of OW, I will not have access to the AC at CDG. TN uses a contract lounge but departs from 2A.
Anything I am missing?
Aug 19, 2022, 10:21 am
#512
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
AA ticket on Tahiti Nui: lounges?
Note sure where best to post, but I bought from AA a business class ticket on Air Tahiti Nui, LAX to CDG and return; what lounges should I have access to?
Tahiti Nui website references the star alliance lounge in LAX but also says
> For American Airlines passengers, please contact American Airlines for more information on lounges
Could be bad: no access. Could be good?
Does anyone know? Does anyone have strategies for lounge access if things are unclear or murky or everyone tries to turn me down?
Also I’d dearly like arrival lounge access in CDG if possible.
In lounges I'm most interested in any that have an outdoor deck and/or showers.
thanks!
Zczc
Tahiti Nui website references the star alliance lounge in LAX but also says
> For American Airlines passengers, please contact American Airlines for more information on lounges
Could be bad: no access. Could be good?
Does anyone know? Does anyone have strategies for lounge access if things are unclear or murky or everyone tries to turn me down?
Also I’d dearly like arrival lounge access in CDG if possible.
In lounges I'm most interested in any that have an outdoor deck and/or showers.
thanks!
Zczc
Aug 19, 2022, 10:50 am
#513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Note sure where best to post, but I bought from AA a business class ticket on Air Tahiti Nui, LAX to CDG and return; what lounges should I have access to?
Tahiti Nui website references the star alliance lounge in LAX but also says
> For American Airlines passengers, please contact American Airlines for more information on lounges
Could be bad: no access. Could be good?
Does anyone know? Does anyone have strategies for lounge access if things are unclear or murky or everyone tries to turn me down?
Also I’d dearly like arrival lounge access in CDG if possible.
In lounges I'm most interested in any that have an outdoor deck and/or showers.
thanks!
Zczc
Tahiti Nui website references the star alliance lounge in LAX but also says
> For American Airlines passengers, please contact American Airlines for more information on lounges
Could be bad: no access. Could be good?
Does anyone know? Does anyone have strategies for lounge access if things are unclear or murky or everyone tries to turn me down?
Also I’d dearly like arrival lounge access in CDG if possible.
In lounges I'm most interested in any that have an outdoor deck and/or showers.
thanks!
Zczc
If you're an Admirals Club member and the flights were purchased as the AA codeshare flight numbers then you could also access the AC's at LAX and CDG (I think).
When you check in they should give you a lounge invitation to the contract lounges. There is no arrivals lounge at CDG AFAIK.
Aug 20, 2022, 12:31 pm
#514
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
Nothing is murky and there's not much strategy to consider here, you can use whatever lounge TN contracts with at LAX and CDG.
If you're an Admirals Club member and the flights were purchased as the AA codeshare flight numbers then you could also access the AC's at LAX and CDG (I think).
When you check in they should give you a lounge invitation to the contract lounges. There is no arrivals lounge at CDG AFAIK.
If you're an Admirals Club member and the flights were purchased as the AA codeshare flight numbers then you could also access the AC's at LAX and CDG (I think).
When you check in they should give you a lounge invitation to the contract lounges. There is no arrivals lounge at CDG AFAIK.
Aug 21, 2022, 1:23 am
#515
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DFW or GOT or...
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott GFL
Posts: 819
Aug 21, 2022, 7:59 am
#516
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Curious of the details though as it sounds like it could just be an ill trained contract lounge agent making things up as to why your boarding pass didn't work. What do you mean you were on a list of codeshare?
Which lounge does TN use at LAX, btw?
Aug 21, 2022, 10:46 am
#517
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Chase, United
Posts: 403
Tn uses star alliance lounge at lax at the moment. Agent was pretty sure. Pointed to paper but I didn’t look too close. But said my name was on there as code share, no access to lounge. I guess I should have looked more closely at the sheet. But then again there is that note on tn website, above, that suggested as much.
Aug 23, 2022, 11:27 am
#518
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: One World
Posts: 130
OW lounge on arrival LHR
It is possible to use a one world lounge on arrival at LHR if I'm not flying one world airline on the way out?
For instance I arrive on Iberia from MAD before leaving on Virgin to JFK. I know theres a ton of good lounges in T3 and I have Emerald status.
I was recently able to use the Cathay First lounge in T3 and found it to be amazing. Can anyone confirm the rules or have had this experience?
For instance I arrive on Iberia from MAD before leaving on Virgin to JFK. I know theres a ton of good lounges in T3 and I have Emerald status.
I was recently able to use the Cathay First lounge in T3 and found it to be amazing. Can anyone confirm the rules or have had this experience?
Aug 23, 2022, 12:11 pm
#519
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,067
I don't believe an IB MAD-LHR intra-europe flight is valid for access to one of the OW partner arrival lounges. What options does Virgin have for lounging on your ticket?
Aug 23, 2022, 12:13 pm
#520
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,815
It is possible to use a one world lounge on arrival at LHR if I'm not flying one world airline on the way out?
For instance I arrive on Iberia from MAD before leaving on Virgin to JFK. I know theres a ton of good lounges in T3 and I have Emerald status.
I was recently able to use the Cathay First lounge in T3 and found it to be amazing. Can anyone confirm the rules or have had this experience?
For instance I arrive on Iberia from MAD before leaving on Virgin to JFK. I know theres a ton of good lounges in T3 and I have Emerald status.
I was recently able to use the Cathay First lounge in T3 and found it to be amazing. Can anyone confirm the rules or have had this experience?
From oneworld.com:
Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with the equivalent of oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by any oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class being flown
Aug 23, 2022, 12:24 pm
#521
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
It is possible to use a one world lounge on arrival at LHR if I'm not flying one world airline on the way out?
For instance I arrive on Iberia from MAD before leaving on Virgin to JFK. I know theres a ton of good lounges in T3 and I have Emerald status.
I was recently able to use the Cathay First lounge in T3 and found it to be amazing. Can anyone confirm the rules or have had this experience?
For instance I arrive on Iberia from MAD before leaving on Virgin to JFK. I know theres a ton of good lounges in T3 and I have Emerald status.
I was recently able to use the Cathay First lounge in T3 and found it to be amazing. Can anyone confirm the rules or have had this experience?
There is a actually a landside Arrivals Lounge operated by AA at LHR T3. But it requires a long-haul arrival. An Iberia flight from MAD would not qualify.
Aug 23, 2022, 3:25 pm
#522
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum; HHonors Diamond;Emerald Club Executive Elite
Posts: 285
Madrid Lounge
Are there any lounges in Madrid for business class? I'm not seeing anything on aa.
Aug 23, 2022, 6:45 pm
#524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
Access by status or class of travel
Aug 24, 2022, 2:39 pm
#525
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: OW Emerald / BAEC Gold
Posts: 472
Sorry for dumb question, I think I know the answer but I just want to be 100% sure.
In September I will be flying from LAX to SFO with American Eagle (operated by Skywest) in coach, but I have Oneworld Sapphire status (through British Airways Executive Silver). Will I have access to the Flagship lounge in LAX or only to Admirals club? Actually did they already separated those two lounges at LAX? Back in January when I was flying TATL in C (without status back then) the Admirals club and Flagship lounge were somehow merged together.
In September I will be flying from LAX to SFO with American Eagle (operated by Skywest) in coach, but I have Oneworld Sapphire status (through British Airways Executive Silver). Will I have access to the Flagship lounge in LAX or only to Admirals club? Actually did they already separated those two lounges at LAX? Back in January when I was flying TATL in C (without status back then) the Admirals club and Flagship lounge were somehow merged together.