Something odd in the Lounge Access Policy
 

This was pointed out in the CX forum about oneworld lounge access via Class of Travel (J or F). OP in that thread otherwise had Ruby status. From the oneworld website (emphasis added):

Lounge Access by Tier Status
Emerald: When travelling on any of the oneworld member airlines, any customer who has earned Emerald tier status, is welcome (with one guest travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld airline) at any oneworld airlines' pre-flight lounges, including First Class, Business Class and frequent flyer lounges regardless of the class they are travelling in.

Sapphire: When travelling on any oneworld member airline, any customer with Sapphire tier status is welcome (with one guest travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld airline) at any oneworld airlines' pre-flight Business Class and frequent flyer lounges regardless of class of travel.

Lounge Access by Class of Travel
Customers flying First or Business Class have access to the equivalent class of lounge regardless of their frequent flyer status. (First Class passengers may be accompanied by one guest travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld airline).

Anyone else notice? Was this always how it was? Because I could have sworn that holders of a J or F boarding pass would have been welcome at ANY oneworld lounge (not just their carrier's lounge), because it clearly states that Sapphire or Emerald Tier members are welcome at any of the J or F class lounges, respectively. The OP in the other thread had asked because OP's onward connection in J was much later on in the day and the lounge wouldn't have been open, while partner carrier's lounges would be open.

If you don't have status then you can only use the carrier's assigned lounge when flying J or F. Is that your question?

Don't see anything wrong here.
If you have a QF J ticket, no OW status or anything, why should you be able to use say the CX lounge.

Actually, for a short time, the oneworld.com site indicated ANY lounge based on COT (class of travel). This was changed to be unclear as you now see.

It doesn't say that they are not entitled to use any OW carrier's lounge only that they have access to the equivalent lounge as to their class of travel. It doesn't state that they have to use the lounge of the carrier with which they are flying

In the lounge access rules in the OW timetable it does go on to say after the sentence regarding Class of travel

"Access is available on the day of departure when your next onward flight is with a oneworld member airline. Access may be restricted at a limited number of third-party-operated lounges or due to capacity constraints. Arrivals Lounges are not part of the oneworld lounge policy."

which to me implies that all OW lounges are accessible still

Dave

Yup, that's my question. As serfty pointed out, I was also sure that under CoT it had indicated any OW lounge as well. To moa999, it didn't make sense to me either, but it was what I remember seeing written, hence the question. I was wondering if I was seeing things earlier because it's no longer written that way on the website.

So does anyone here have any definite answer to the question?
Inbound LHR UA920 arr at 7am
Outbound LHR CX252 dep at noon
I'm in J for both flights.

I did a quick check on the AA Admirals Club site (the only other OW lounge open at 7am in T3 LHR), and they said that access is granted for ALL OW J passengers.

Passenger Type Admirals Club Lounge Flagship Lounge London Heathrow Arrivals Lounge
oneworldTM Customers
International First Class# Yes Yes No
Guests^ Yes, 1 Guest Yes, 1 Guest Not Applicable
International Business Class # Yes No No
Guests^ No guests Not Applicable Not Applicable
International Economy Class No No No
Guests^ Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable

That said, some lounges won't allow you in. When I was flying BKK-SYD in F on BA, I tried to get into the CX lounge and they said no, go to the BA/QF one. A shame!

OT: CX lounge at LHR T3 is vastly nicer than AA's....
 

It provides very nice noodles, drink, and quiet, calm seating areas ---- and opens at 8:30 am.

Whether or not the OW policy has changed (I recall using the CX LHR lounge several times when travelling on AA J or F without OW elite status in prior years), you'll be well-off at the CX lounge beginning shortly after your arrival.

I said the same thing for the same flight and I was let in. Indeed, I also said to the entrance staff that I have previously enjoyed the CX lounge as it was nice and quiet compared to that "noisy& crowded" QF/BA lounge over there ;)

You know, now that I'm thinking about it, it does make sense. For instance, in HKG there are the 2 CX lounges as well as a QF/BA Lounge. If J or F bp were all that were required to enter any oneworld lounge, then what's keeping that QF/BA passenger from using the nicer CX lounge at HKG? I suppose by limiting cross-use of lounges to those with status, it's a form of capacity control. Nothing's more irritating then a full lounge.

I agree, but I also feel that if we use the same argument, passengers admitted by tier status should also be limited to lounges operated by the departing carriers, the lounges where they have the tier status, or the designated lounges.

I've never had trouble gaining access to partner airlines' lounges on class of travel alone (ie when lucky enough to fly in F ;)). I don't see the issue here at all, because to me the oneworld blurb reads exactly that: "equivalent class of lounge." It doesn't indicate that you're only allowed to get into the lounge operated by the airline you're traveling on, it reads exactly as practised - OW F bp gets you into any OW Flounges, J bp gets you into any OW J lounges. The only extra perk derived from having Emerald status is the ability to 'upgrade' your access to a Flounge regardless of your COT.

At some airports I'd be reminded that the airline I'm traveling on operates its own lounge, but the dragons would nonetheless grant access upon presentation of a OW bp in the appropriate COT.

It is an alliance benefit I highly value, by allowing cross-use of lounges in airports where the operating carrier might not have the best lounge, eg Cathay in SIN/BKK, QF/BA in HKG, AA in LHR T3.

Agree wholeheartedly with jbalmuth - I flew AA F out of LHR earlier this year but enjoyed the use of the far superior CX FLounge with yummy noodles, snacks and Veuve. There was also hardly anyone there and for 20 minutes I was the only person around after the CX flight boarded. :D I hear the JL lounge is nicer but its only open when the JL flights leave, ie after midday or so.

I flew CX F HKG-SYD and was able to use the QF/BA lounge at HKG based on class of service alone.

The only thing is that upon entering the QF/BA lounge, the lounge agent said "please be aware that we will not be announcing boarding for CX flights so you will need to keep track of the time".

When I flew CX F JFK-YVR, I was able to use the AA Admirals Club at JFK (after arriving from a US domestic flight). Same thing, the agent just made it clear that they "will not be announcing boarding".