Oneworld Emerald benefit questions
Mar 14, 2018, 11:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: MFE
Programs: United 1K; Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 83
Oneworld Emerald benefit questions
Hello, apologies if this is the incorrect place or way to ask these questions.
I just flew from LAX to DFW, and am continuing onwards to another city, all on AA. Currently sitting in the Admirals Club at Terminal D with the following questions.
I have LATAM Black, which is emerald. I read that OW Emeralds could utilize the Flagship First Checkin at LAX. When I went to go utilize it, I was told no because it was only for AA international first class and JFK bound first class, even though the AA website says Emeralds can use it when flying on any AA flight, not solely international.
Now at DFW, I've gotten access to the international first dining room on multiple occasions thanks to Emerald, including on flights that were <30 min or less. Now I'm being told it's only for international bound Emeralds, although I cannot find such a policy change anywhere.
Should I have been able to use these benefits? Or is this regular procedure for Emeralds traveling on AA?
I just flew from LAX to DFW, and am continuing onwards to another city, all on AA. Currently sitting in the Admirals Club at Terminal D with the following questions.
I have LATAM Black, which is emerald. I read that OW Emeralds could utilize the Flagship First Checkin at LAX. When I went to go utilize it, I was told no because it was only for AA international first class and JFK bound first class, even though the AA website says Emeralds can use it when flying on any AA flight, not solely international.
Now at DFW, I've gotten access to the international first dining room on multiple occasions thanks to Emerald, including on flights that were <30 min or less. Now I'm being told it's only for international bound Emeralds, although I cannot find such a policy change anywhere.
Should I have been able to use these benefits? Or is this regular procedure for Emeralds traveling on AA?
Mar 14, 2018, 11:42 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
My understanding is that as a OW Emerald (not AA EXP) you are entitled to use first class options when flying anywhere on oneworld, including domestic America. I'm not aware that anything has changed.
Mar 14, 2018, 6:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
You were denied wrongly both times.
I'm QF Platinum and regularly use AA Flagship Checkin at LAX since it's my home airport. Access rules are clearly stated on aa.com. Never have been denied or questioned for my domestic flights. They usually look on their list, not find me on it, and I just tell them I'm Qantas Emerald (yes, I've found that's easier for them than Platinum, Black, Gold, etc) and they let you right through.
Never any problem in Dallas either (though the food in there is nothing spectacular).
I'm QF Platinum and regularly use AA Flagship Checkin at LAX since it's my home airport. Access rules are clearly stated on aa.com. Never have been denied or questioned for my domestic flights. They usually look on their list, not find me on it, and I just tell them I'm Qantas Emerald (yes, I've found that's easier for them than Platinum, Black, Gold, etc) and they let you right through.
Never any problem in Dallas either (though the food in there is nothing spectacular).
Mar 15, 2018, 12:11 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
Hello, apologies if this is the incorrect place or way to ask these questions.
I just flew from LAX to DFW, and am continuing onwards to another city, all on AA. Currently sitting in the Admirals Club at Terminal D with the following questions.
I have LATAM Black, which is emerald. I read that OW Emeralds could utilize the Flagship First Checkin at LAX. When I went to go utilize it, I was told no because it was only for AA international first class and JFK bound first class, even though the AA website says Emeralds can use it when flying on any AA flight, not solely international.
I just flew from LAX to DFW, and am continuing onwards to another city, all on AA. Currently sitting in the Admirals Club at Terminal D with the following questions.
I have LATAM Black, which is emerald. I read that OW Emeralds could utilize the Flagship First Checkin at LAX. When I went to go utilize it, I was told no because it was only for AA international first class and JFK bound first class, even though the AA website says Emeralds can use it when flying on any AA flight, not solely international.
Now at DFW, I've gotten access to the international first dining room on multiple occasions thanks to Emerald, including on flights that were <30 min or less. Now I'm being told it's only for international bound Emeralds, although I cannot find such a policy change anywhere.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...rst-dining.jsp Same rules as the BA Concorde Room/Bar.
At LAX, you would have been better off heading through the T4-TBIT connector and using the QF F lounge.
Mar 16, 2018, 1:55 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927
Not at the new LAX lounge.
Emerald has previously had access to the small (ex smokers room) at DFW which had an ok buffet and real champagne, rather than the rest of the Admirals Club
Emerald has previously had access to the small (ex smokers room) at DFW which had an ok buffet and real champagne, rather than the rest of the Admirals Club
Mar 16, 2018, 11:27 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
Correct. First Class Dining at DFW D is still considered by AA to be an International First Class lounge, and thus Emerald eligible. Please see the bottom of: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp
Mar 17, 2018, 10:22 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,992
"Flagship Dining" is a Class of service facility with no status based access.
Interestingly, It looks like an area was designed for this at the new ORD Flagship lounge, but AA did not implement it.
Mar 17, 2018, 10:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
It was included in the design when there was still F on some AA international flights out of ORD. They didn't bother changing it when they dropped the F cabins. It is nice and quiet, but gets a bit hot in the sun.
Mar 18, 2018, 9:40 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
Mar 19, 2018, 5:44 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cayman, San Diego, London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, AA 4MM Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,054
Have just flown on AA SAN-MIA-GCM with a five hour layover in MIA at 5am. As Emerald (BA Gold) I was pleasantly surprised to be invited into the new Flagship Lounge in MIA. In my experience, on past occasions MIA-GCM had not been considered a true "international" flight for purposes of using the Flagship Lounge; this time, even though I was flying Economy out of MIA, I used it - and very pleasant it was, even having had no sleep.
Mar 19, 2018, 6:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Now dirt, BA Silver soon dirt EX NW IGE. EX BA Gold EX AA EXP x9. SQ Gold
Posts: 577
DFW Dining
I was flying to Mexico as a EXP and got an invite. The lounge said her scan of my boarding pass said I was eligible.
Mar 19, 2018, 9:43 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
Have just flown on AA SAN-MIA-GCM with a five hour layover in MIA at 5am. As Emerald (BA Gold) I was pleasantly surprised to be invited into the new Flagship Lounge in MIA. In my experience, on past occasions MIA-GCM had not been considered a true "international" flight for purposes of using the Flagship Lounge; this time, even though I was flying Economy out of MIA, I used it - and very pleasant it was, even having had no sleep.