RobertClouse

Hi, assuming the Flagship lounges reopen, I have the following query asking if anyone has any experience or knowledge with the following scenario:

Flying international into JFK, on a ticket that terminates there (On AA), then a different ticket also on AA leaving from JFK the same day.

Would the Flagship lounge allow access in that scenario or am I better off just trying to change the ticket to be all together?

DMPHL

You should be allowed access on separate tickets, as long as they are both OneWorld, and the connecting flight is the same day (or before 6AM the next day).

donotblink

I've done this at MIA before.

JJeffrey

Yep separate tickets don't matter for lounge access purposes, but obviously hold on to your qualifying boarding pass to show for entry.

ESpen36

Absolutely fine. Just have both boarding passes ready to show, as the qualifying international segment might not pop up automatically at the front desk if all you show is the onward flight pass.

Antarius

If the arriving flight is eligible, it shouldn't matter whether the ongoing one is OW?

aamilesslave

I'd be shocked if the FLs re-open in 2021.

GlobalMatt

Regrettably I agree here, and am very cautiously optimistic....to put it very optimistically...

DMPHL

I believe for access based on class of service, you are correct. But if in economy or premium economy and gaining access based on Plat, PlatPro, or EXP status, I believe you would need to be departing on a OW flight.

Lomapaseo

I'm confused again. Don't you get access into an arrival lounge to shower etc. based on tan international flight and status?
or is this a case where only class of service qualifies you?

DMPHL

OP is talking about Flagship Lounges, which are post-security, so not really an "Arrival Lounge." If you are terminating on AA at JFK and don't have another flight, you wouldn't be able to access anyway.

What I'm saying—and this may be incorrect in the real world—is that based on the AA website, it appears that if you qualify for access based on class of service (F or J) on an arriving qualifying international flight, the language doesn't specifically bar you from access if connecting on another carrier. If that is the case (and, again, it may not be) you have to be ticketed on some carrier in order to get past security. So if you're terminating you won't be able to access it, and if you are connecting on another airline, you'd have to enter security, leave T8, and then go through security again. So, kind of moot.

If you are flying in Economy, and you are a OW Elite, you have to be connecting to another OW carrier to gain access based on status. E.g. EXP in Y on LHR-JFK would qualify for access if connecting to CVG on AA. If flying LHR-JFK on AA and connecting somewhere on B6, no dice.
...
That said, premium customers (only those flying in F or J) on the A321T (JFK-LAX/SFO/SNA, BOS-LAX) or on the 77W (MIA-LAX) have access on arrival and departure.

JJeffrey

The onward connecting flight must also be oneworld to access any lounges via status or class of service during the connection.

So if you were in F/J or had Emerald/Sapphire and flew say LHR-ORD on AA connecting to ORD-LAX on UA there would be no lounge access at ORD because the onward flight isn't on a oneworld carrier.

*the exception is any lounges designated as an arrivals lounge like LHR

Lomapaseo

DMPHL

Thanks I forgot about the damn security

DMPHL

I remember having this particular convo with someone on here before, since the language on the AA website is different for class of service vs. elite status. For class of service, it just says "qualifying same day" international flight. For elite status, it specifically says, "connecting or departing." Maybe it's a distinction without a difference, and I'm sure you would have different enforcement or allowance based on what agent you talk to or what CSR you ask.

JJeffrey

It's just one of one many things on aa.com where the language isn't clear and/or is misleading.

Oneworld lounge access is based on the departing flight, if you're not departing on a oneworld flight then no lounge access regardless of your status or class of service on the arriving flight.