Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining to start reopening September 2021
Sep 13, 2021, 6:38 pm
#182
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 540
Sep 13, 2021, 6:43 pm
#183
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM, AA Nobody, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 564
Sep 13, 2021, 6:48 pm
#184
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: ORD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,291
I believe it was Domestic US, Canada, and Mexico, with the exception of MEX, which did count as international. Now any F/J/Elite Canada/Carribean/Mexico flight counts as international, and have been given AC access (at least for the time being), but it doesn't look like FL or FFD access is listed.
Last edited by S80; Sep 13, 2021 at 6:49 pm Reason: Added F/J/Elite requirement
Sep 13, 2021, 6:49 pm
#185
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM, AA Nobody, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 564
I believe it was Domestic US, Canada, and Mexico, with the exception of MEX, which did count as international. Now any Canada/Carribean/Mexico flight counts as international, and have been given AC access (at least for the time being), but it doesn't look like FL or FFD access is listed.
Sep 13, 2021, 7:00 pm
#186
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
I believe it was Domestic US, Canada, and Mexico, with the exception of MEX, which did count as international. Now any F/J/Elite Canada/Carribean/Mexico flight counts as international, and have been given AC access (at least for the time being), but it doesn't look like FL or FFD access is listed.
Sep 13, 2021, 7:25 pm
#187
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 540
The fine print on AA website (https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp) says:
"Except on flights operated by Alaska Airlines, access is not granted when flying from the United States to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico (except Mexico City). Departing flight must be the same day or before 6 a.m. the following day. Non-revenue passengers aren’t eligible."
So my apologies, MEX seems to be an exception, but at least the rules say no AC on other Mexico flights.
"Except on flights operated by Alaska Airlines, access is not granted when flying from the United States to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico (except Mexico City). Departing flight must be the same day or before 6 a.m. the following day. Non-revenue passengers aren’t eligible."
So my apologies, MEX seems to be an exception, but at least the rules say no AC on other Mexico flights.
Sep 13, 2021, 8:29 pm
#189
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 59
lot of misinformation, you will have AC access. A couple months ago you would have gotten FL access but that changed when AA expanded AC access but took away FL access. You have access to the AC via class of service and status.
Sep 14, 2021, 12:33 am
#190
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
What are/were the actual mechanics of FFD access -- the steps and gatekeepers (assuming you're eligible)? Obviously the first step is to get into the FL.
At MIA and LAX, where the initial dragons guarded both AC and FL, they handed a special card to those allowed in the FL (then the secondary FL dragons simply took the card). Would those same initial dragons also adjudicate FFD and provide some additional credential? Likewise, at JFK where the FL was separate and the entrance dragons were checking only FL access, would they adjudicate FFD at the same time?
Now, you get to the FFD door and face the final dragon. What exactly do they need to see? Are they checking your boarding pass details from scratch, or checking some token you got at an earlier stage? If there's a physical token that they take from you, how do you reenter if your layover is long enough for two meals?
These questions can be important so you know at what point to ask for an FFD invitation if it isn't proactively offered. Hoping some folks remember how it used to work and that will be a good guess of how it works on reopening.
At MIA and LAX, where the initial dragons guarded both AC and FL, they handed a special card to those allowed in the FL (then the secondary FL dragons simply took the card). Would those same initial dragons also adjudicate FFD and provide some additional credential? Likewise, at JFK where the FL was separate and the entrance dragons were checking only FL access, would they adjudicate FFD at the same time?
Now, you get to the FFD door and face the final dragon. What exactly do they need to see? Are they checking your boarding pass details from scratch, or checking some token you got at an earlier stage? If there's a physical token that they take from you, how do you reenter if your layover is long enough for two meals?
These questions can be important so you know at what point to ask for an FFD invitation if it isn't proactively offered. Hoping some folks remember how it used to work and that will be a good guess of how it works on reopening.
I tend to dislike using the term dragon when referring to agents who staff the entrances of ACs or FLs. I have had pleasant experiences with the agents at the entrance to every AC or FL that I have visited (including MIA but only visited twice), One or two BA lounge agents might warrant that title.
Sep 14, 2021, 12:49 am
#191
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,701
I don’t recall the exact mechanics at LAX - it’s been a couple years - but the FFD entrance was near the FL entrance and I think the agent upstairs just asked if I wanted FFD and then either pointed me to or walked me to the entrance. Also, when they revamped the LAX FL and opened FFD I thought they stopped using a keycard to enter.
I tend to dislike using the term dragon when referring to agents who staff the entrances of ACs or FLs. I have had pleasant experiences with the agents at the entrance to every AC or FL that I have visited (including MIA but only visited twice), One or two BA lounge agents might warrant that title.
I tend to dislike using the term dragon when referring to agents who staff the entrances of ACs or FLs. I have had pleasant experiences with the agents at the entrance to every AC or FL that I have visited (including MIA but only visited twice), One or two BA lounge agents might warrant that title.
. I have had more friendly exchanges with AA FA's than lounge agents. I know AA has its moments with FA's acting like you are troubling them by asking for a refill or water bottle but I feel like its more the long time FA's and on international routes. I have had some really nice FA's on shorter flights and in fact dated one I met on a FLL to DFW route. Unfortunately, according to her my Foodie & Surfing life did not allow any time for her and she ended it LOLRally though I want to try to look on the positive side of things but I have to say it is an exception not the norm that I have had super friendly service by lounge agents at AA lounges
Sep 14, 2021, 1:00 am
#192
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,701
I don’t recall the exact mechanics at LAX - it’s been a couple years - but the FFD entrance was near the FL entrance and I think the agent upstairs just asked if I wanted FFD and then either pointed me to or walked me to the entrance. Also, when they revamped the LAX FL and opened FFD I thought they stopped using a keycard to enter.
I tend to dislike using the term dragon when referring to agents who staff the entrances of ACs or FLs. I have had pleasant experiences with the agents at the entrance to every AC or FL that I have visited (including MIA but only visited twice), One or two BA lounge agents might warrant that title.
I tend to dislike using the term dragon when referring to agents who staff the entrances of ACs or FLs. I have had pleasant experiences with the agents at the entrance to every AC or FL that I have visited (including MIA but only visited twice), One or two BA lounge agents might warrant that title.
Sep 14, 2021, 1:01 am
#193
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,701
Love to hear about how it is set up so hope someone will post tomorrow.
Curious if the Bridge is open?
Sep 14, 2021, 1:21 am
#194
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,552
Anyone heard any rumblings about when ORD might re-open? Will be at T3 on 15 and 26 next month. 5 of us on BA business tickets, and we'll then want to guest in my MIL (my wife and I are BA Silver - oneworld Sapphire) with no status and is just on a domestic. At this stage it's looking like the AC, but FL would be amazing given we have a fairly long layover.
Sep 14, 2021, 2:17 am
#195
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Programs: EY Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 426
Anyone heard any rumblings about when ORD might re-open? Will be at T3 on 15 and 26 next month. 5 of us on BA business tickets, and we'll then want to guest in my MIL (my wife and I are BA Silver - oneworld Sapphire) with no status and is just on a domestic. At this stage it's looking like the AC, but FL would be amazing given we have a fairly long layover.
Was planning on using OW Saphire via Qatar Airways to get in.. can anyone see any issues to access either Admirals or Flagship using that on the above ITIN in ORD?