You might be able to take the shuttle from TBIT to T4. Emphasis on might.

Most likely not.

Another data point: I was flying out of TBIT to LIH yesterday on AA at 09:15. I was denied access to the Oneworld lounge as BAEC Gold on the basis that I did not have an international flight. The agent cited this as a rule at that lounge. AA seems to operate several domestics out of TBIT so this is a bit of a nuisance until there is an air-side link.

They were wrong to deny you access in this case. They can deny an AA Emerald because they aren't entitled to lounge access on US domestic flights but as a oneworld Emerald, you're definitely entitled to use the lounge.

I've used numerous lounges on US domestic flights on the basis of my CX Emerald and have NEVER been denied lounge access.

I have had no trouble at AA lounges but the agent claimed that they had their own rules. She was able to convince a BAEC agent that she was right, or at least to wear her down. The BAEC agent did apologise to me. Had I been bothered I could have gone back to T4 and had I known they would be balky I could have stayed there, as we checking in there. Either the AA agent didn't expect trouble or he didn't notice the Emerald but he didn't say anything.

Oneworld's own press release on the new LAX lounge states that:

"The new Business Lounge is available to passengers booked in First or Business Class on oneworld airlines departing from the terminal, or customers holding Emerald or Sapphire status in any oneworld member airline's frequent flyer programme booked in any cabin on a oneworld member airline flight from the terminal."

So they can deny you entry if your OW flight leaves from a different terminal but not if you're on a domestic OW flight departing from that terminal....


url]https://www.oneworld.com/news-information/oneworldnews/-/asset_publisher/QtTQ7EuCzxhd/content/new-los-angeles-lounge/maximized[/url]

Thanks, I suppose one could try waving that in front of them.

If I were you, as a BA Gold who was refused entry to the lounge for no apparent reason I'd write a letter with a request for clarification to British Airways' Head of North America and Asia Pacific Customer Service and Operations Steve Clark, who is quoted in Oneworld's press release as saying that "This new lounge facility reflects British Airways' commitment to delivering customer service excellence both in the air and on the ground." ;)

Denied LAX TBIT lounge access, who to complain to?
 

I was denied access today to the oneworld lounge at LAX TBIT. I was flying on an AA domestic itinerary, but I have oneworld sapphire with airberlin gold, which should grant me access.

I have been granted access in the past (as recently as last Friday) , but I usually fly in the evenings when the dragons are trying to keep the lines down. I took the name of the dragon down, he eventually showed me some email that said all domestic itineraries have no access, but this seems contrary to oneworld rules.

Question is, who do I complain to? AA (operating carrier), AB (ffp), QF (lounge op) or oneworld? Anyone had this happen to them before? Maybe I'm in the wrong here?

Apparently theres a thread on this already... so pls merge. Though id still appreciate advice on where to direct complaints.

I want to add that I had a similar experience trying to get in this afternoon (which I posted in another thread that hopefully gets merged). Rude agent this afternoon who I'd swear whispered my race... (maybe others who are the same race as me are doing the same thing? Dunno but really wish I had a recording...). He also kept claiming he was the manager (really? The manager has to stand as a front line agent? Dont make me laugh...)...anyway, left a real bad taste in my mouth... please post if you hear back from any complaints you file...

Your experience sounds worse than mine. I have written a letter to BA and will certainly post any response I may get.

Actually, I can see this becoming more of an issue and a dedicated thread to being denied access in contravention of *O rules would be a useful reference.

Did the email have specifics on it? As in oneworld airline membership, departure terminal, etc.?

I do note from the other thread the following post:

No, it said something to the effect of: all passengers on domestic itineraries are to be denied access regardless of class of service or tier status.

It looked like an internal qf email. I tried to take a picture (stupid me, shouldnt have asked) but he took the paper away. He only begrudgingly produced the email after I showed him the oneworld website he kept referring to had no domestic flight exception of any sort...