Recent experience
 

To let those interested know of my recent experience, I'm BA gold (OWE), and flew last week on AA domestic first class from TBIT connecting to AA business class to Central America. I was greeted warmly at the OW lounge and graciously admitted without drama. However, when I requested admittance to the first class lounge, I was first told that I was not allowed, as I was not flying internationally. When I showed my connecting ticket to Central America, I was then directed to the entrance to the Qantas GC lounge. When I asked, I was told that if you are OWE and flying AA domestic, you are only allowed into the business lounge. I wanted to point out that this was in contravention of the rules, but seeing as I didn't have a lot of time and she seemed quite sure of their rules, I did not press the issue. I also did not point out the inconsistency that I was not flying international long haul. I wa admitted into the FC lounge without incidence.

It still seems like they are making it up as they go along. For what's it's worth, I found the FC lounge quite sterile and as I did not have much time, felt the restaurant style service slow and would have preferred the usual buffet. Next time I know just to slum it in the business lounge and move on.

As a further aside, I find it a bit annoying that AA tells you on line that you are departing from TBIT but neglects to tell you that you must still check in at T4.

I'm not sure that Central American flights are considered international flights when it comes to lounge access. I've just searched for the appropriate rule, and found this:

OneWorld Lounge Rules

Connecting between oneworld marketed and operated flights:

First and Business Class customers connecting on the same day of travel, or before 6am the following day, can access the lounge when travelling between an international long haul (a oneworld international long haul flight is defined as an international flight marketed and operated by any oneworld carrier with a scheduled flight time longer than 5 hours) and an international short haul or domestic flight (and vice-versa).

How long was your international flight?

The rule for status based access in that reference is:

Enjoy exclusive access to premium airport lounges around the world with oneworld Emerald or Sapphire frequent flyer tier status. 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 (exceptions are noted below).

Emerald tier frequent flyers can use First Class, Business Class or frequent flyer lounges.

So Qantas are still making things up or have opted out of Oneworld rules for their lounges. The exceptions have to do with lounge memberships.

MadPhil is right; access for non-AA OWE does not require an international flight. What I thought odd was that they then went, incorrectly, and applied an international flight requirement, but did not follow the OW long haul requirement that SanDiego1K quotes (which while not correct, would have some logic). Policy really does seem to be rather arbitrary and leaves the passenger not knowing whether he has access to a lounge when travelling AA domestic from TBIT.

I suspect that the problem is that AA and QF have paid lounge memberships whereas Oneworld uses class of travel or elite status to govern lounge access. AA lounges seem to have no trouble handling this but it appears to be beyond QF's ability.

Have anyone tried to proactively get a written/email confirmation from Qantas regarding the access rules prior to getting to the LAX Qantas F lounge? Rather than doing it after the fact (trying your luck)?

I am OWE on AAdv, but I will be flying out of LAX T4 to NRT (SAN->LAX prior), and also will be coming into LAX T4 from PVG (then continue later LAX->SAN). One of them will be Y, and the other will be J.

As far as I can tell, with the international flights and with the OWE, I should have access to the Qantas First Class lounge, right? Will I have a problem?

Also, according to Qantas website, one should be able to bring a guest, and two kids (under 10) of your family into the lounge, right?

Until the connector opens, its still a pain to switch terminals, having to go through security twice.
Going out you should be fine,
coming back there is no entitlement to arrivals access.

I thought "the rules" (in real life may be a different story) stated that OWE should have lounge access (both biz class / first class lounge) in between international long haul and domestic connection, whether it is inbound or outbound?

If you have a connection yes theoretically.. You didn't mention that.

Oops.... sorry, my bad.... yes, I have a connection PVG->LAX then LAX->SAN

Has anyone had success entering the oneworld TBIT First Lounge recently on a domestic AA flight with no international segment as a non-aa oneworld emerald? I'd love to know as I have a domestic flight coming up soon and already had the unpleasant experience of being turned away a few times last year.

Send your question via fax to the lounge on 1(310)348 0751. Mention the fact that you have been denied access on previous occasions and keep a copy of the response when you fly.

Thanks! I'll be sure to try that and report back :-)

Thread in AA forum is now saying the T4-TBIT connector is looking at a mid-March opening.

After last year's debacle, the staff appear to have been properly educated.

To generalise, Business lounge access is available before departure for:

• Non AA oneworld Sapphire or Emerald before traveling oneworld marketed and operated same day flight.
  
• AA oneworld Sapphire or Emerald before traveling oneworld marketed and operated same day on an "international" itinerary ¹.
  
• Any PAX travelling non AA oneworld First or Business Class.
  
• Any PAX travelling on or connecting to an "International" AA First or Business class segment ¹.

First/Flagship lounge access can be available for Emerald and First passengers along the lines of the above.

There is some vagueness in the oneworld rules for AA three class transcontinental operations in relation to AA Elites or First / Business class PAX.

¹ "International" is anything other than North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.