Sep 8, 2016, 6:42 am
Last edit by: serfty
For access to the Qantas First Lounge at TBIT just one of the following needs to be true:
- Non US (not AAdvantage and not Mileage Plan) oneworld Emerald departing on a oneworld Marketed and operated flight.
- AAdvantage or Mileage Plan Emerald departing on a oneworld Marketed and Operated flight NOT solely on a "North American* Itinerary".
- First Class passengers departing on a oneworld Marketed and Operated flight not solely on a "North American* Itinerary".
- Passengers in First Class on a flight longer than five hours connecting§ to/from an international or domestic short haul (five hours or less) oneworld Marketed and Operated flight and not solely on a "North American* Itinerary".
- *Recent Reports Indicate Access via the following Criteria is being Denied with patrons being sent to the Flagship Lounge in T4*: .First Class passengers^ travelling on a three class transcontinental American Airlines Marketed and Operated flight on a designated route (e.g. between Los Angeles & New York).
§ Connecting the same day or before 6am the following day. Such Lounge access is based on the class of services of the long haul flight (First or Business) regardless of the class of travel on the short haul flight.
^ Regarding AA EXP in any cabin. This is a "Class of Service" based access, so status should not be relevant. Rules indicate NO ACCESS unless in First on 3 class transcon, but there had been some contradictory experiences about this. Early on EXP based access had sometimes been granted; not so much these days. Presumably this related to confusion about the rules on behalf of the agents.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING, YOUR QUESTION MAY BE ANSWERED HEREIN
Lounge access rules
All non-AA and Non-AS Oneworld Emerald members have access to this lounge on any oneworld itinerary regardless of cabin or final destination.
AA EXP have access when traveling to all destinations outside North America and Mexico City. Includes if pax is flying LAX-DFW-LHR because you are flying internationally that day.
No Class of Service access for domestic F without non AA and non AS Emerald status unless on designated (generally 3-class) flights to JFK and MIA.
Passengers on any 3-cabin AA flight to JFK, BOS or MIA in First Class.
Emirates pax do not have access except for Qantas Platinum One. EDIT: Appears to be that Qantas removed that access criteria from their lounge access page so I wouldn't count on this working.
No access if connecting to a non-Oneworld airline or partner.
Separate tickets within oneworld do not matter other than it has to be same day . E.g. QF F to AA Y on the same day.
To walk from T4 to TBIT will take approximately 10 minutes one way so plan accordingly if visiting this lounge.
More detail here: Lounge Access | oneworld.com
Qantas.com Access Rules, with specific carve-out for transcon markets.
Los Angeles / LAX Qantas First Class Lounge [Master Thread]
Sep 27, 2016, 4:11 pm
#166
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
Had the best experience ever on QF thanks to LAX F hosts and QF12.
Escorted from kerbside by a delightful host. Got to TSA where there were hundreds of people in the queue and one of the agents recognised her then proceeded to open all of the barriers to let us straight to the front. Each TSA officer was charming, I presume because they knew we were being hosted by QF.
Taken to the F Lounge where we had reserved a table and the host said "No, no I have reserved a VIP suite for you." It's the old suites they had before the refurb which we had used before. We had our own waiter who couldn't have been more charming who served us our meals and drinks.
As I was traveling with family she decided to organise an electric cart to the gate. We were whisked to the gate, taken through prior to boarding and waited at the jetway for the Captain to give the ok to board. While we were waiting we were joined by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu and his entourage. Incredibly we were boarded before his party because we were in F.
Without doubt the best F host experience we have ever had and the flight service was equally matched. I used to think QF F was mediocre but this trip has significantly enhance my opinion of QF again.
Escorted from kerbside by a delightful host. Got to TSA where there were hundreds of people in the queue and one of the agents recognised her then proceeded to open all of the barriers to let us straight to the front. Each TSA officer was charming, I presume because they knew we were being hosted by QF.
Taken to the F Lounge where we had reserved a table and the host said "No, no I have reserved a VIP suite for you." It's the old suites they had before the refurb which we had used before. We had our own waiter who couldn't have been more charming who served us our meals and drinks.
As I was traveling with family she decided to organise an electric cart to the gate. We were whisked to the gate, taken through prior to boarding and waited at the jetway for the Captain to give the ok to board. While we were waiting we were joined by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu and his entourage. Incredibly we were boarded before his party because we were in F.
Without doubt the best F host experience we have ever had and the flight service was equally matched. I used to think QF F was mediocre but this trip has significantly enhance my opinion of QF again.
Sep 28, 2016, 12:21 am
#167
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: SPG Platinum, HH Diamond, MR/RC Plat, KLM Plat, AS MVPG75K, UA Gold
Posts: 229
Can you guys help clarify if I have access to the Qantas F lounge?
I will be traveling in F on the 77W LAX-MIA and hold no one world status.
Thanks
I will be traveling in F on the 77W LAX-MIA and hold no one world status.
Thanks
Sep 28, 2016, 12:25 pm
#168
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
I was given access to the lounge when I was flying LAX-JFK in F, so I'd think you'll get access as well.
Sep 28, 2016, 12:28 pm
#169
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
Yes, JFK and MIA are considered "international"
Oct 15, 2016, 9:40 pm
#170
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 118
3rd trip to this lounge. Absolutely the best experience - very full (am guessing a lot of people going to Oz on QF).
Sat at the bar, the barman was wonderfully helpful - defined service with a smile. Food was enjoyable (tuna tartare, chicken salad followed by an indulgent sundae). Skipped the booze.
Sat at the bar, the barman was wonderfully helpful - defined service with a smile. Food was enjoyable (tuna tartare, chicken salad followed by an indulgent sundae). Skipped the booze.
Nov 22, 2016, 12:58 pm
#172
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
Yes you do have access, might take a fight with the staff but printout of the OW rules should work well enough
Nov 23, 2016, 3:04 pm
#174
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Getting to know the many of the staff by now, and really enjoy this lounge, much due to their great service and attitude.
Can count on the minute steak for dinner along with some rose champagne. The croque monsieur is also very nice.
This past visit saw Leonardo DiCaprio with entourage..
Can count on the minute steak for dinner along with some rose champagne. The croque monsieur is also very nice.
This past visit saw Leonardo DiCaprio with entourage..
Dec 27, 2016, 11:13 am
#175
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
I've only been to the First Lounge previously when departing LAX on an international leg; I've read through most of this thread but, not trusting myself to read the truth rather than what I want to see, I'm going to ask for experienced help. I'm EXP - will I be granted access based on arriving into the US on an international flight in a different airport, connecting to LAX, and then connecting to another AA flight (Int'l-Domestic-QF First Lounge-Domestic)?
Based on an ABT article from November 2015: "AA’s long-haul business and first class passengers 'travelling on a domestic flight to connect to or from an international long-haul flight in a premium cabin as part of single itinerary … too should have (lounge) access.'" That makes it pretty clear, but then there are always reports to the contrary.
Here's my itinerary:
AA SCL-MIA J
AA MIA-LAX F
AA LAX-DEN F
Thanks for any clarification to my understanding.
Based on an ABT article from November 2015: "AA’s long-haul business and first class passengers 'travelling on a domestic flight to connect to or from an international long-haul flight in a premium cabin as part of single itinerary … too should have (lounge) access.'" That makes it pretty clear, but then there are always reports to the contrary.
Here's my itinerary:
AA SCL-MIA J
AA MIA-LAX F
AA LAX-DEN F
Thanks for any clarification to my understanding.
Last edited by zpaul; Dec 27, 2016 at 11:52 am
Dec 27, 2016, 12:18 pm
#176
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
I've only been to the First Lounge previously when departing LAX on an international leg; I've read through most of this thread but, not trusting myself to read the truth rather than what I want to see, I'm going to ask for experienced help. I'm EXP - will I be granted access based on arriving into the US on an international flight in a different airport, connecting to LAX, and then connecting to another AA flight (Int'l-Domestic-QF First Lounge-Domestic)?
Based on an ABT article from November 2015: "AAs long-haul business and first class passengers 'travelling on a domestic flight to connect to or from an international long-haul flight in a premium cabin as part of single itinerary too should have (lounge) access.'" That makes it pretty clear, but then there are always reports to the contrary.
Here's my itinerary:
AA SCL-MIA J
AA MIA-LAX F
AA LAX-DEN F
Thanks for any clarification to my understanding.
Based on an ABT article from November 2015: "AAs long-haul business and first class passengers 'travelling on a domestic flight to connect to or from an international long-haul flight in a premium cabin as part of single itinerary too should have (lounge) access.'" That makes it pretty clear, but then there are always reports to the contrary.
Here's my itinerary:
AA SCL-MIA J
AA MIA-LAX F
AA LAX-DEN F
Thanks for any clarification to my understanding.
Dec 27, 2016, 12:21 pm
#177
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
That's exactly what I was worried about. I searched ABT again because I thought that there was another more recent article clarifying access in this case, and there is - 7 Dec 2016 - so I saved it to my phone just in case.
Dec 27, 2016, 12:24 pm
#178
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
Dec 27, 2016, 2:00 pm
#179
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
In the past policy was access for international arrival at LAX and not for domestic connections, so I'd expect you will not have access. Be charming and they could make an exception for you. Many years ago I decided to get QF status to avoid this EXP limitation 
Has worked out well.
Has worked out well.
Dec 27, 2016, 4:17 pm
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
The rule is: ( www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access )
Travelling SCL-xMIA-xLAX-DEN is not "solely on North American Flights ...", so access should be available.
As noted this is often misinterpreted.
oneworld lounge access for frequent flyers by tier status
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).
.
...
The following exceptions apply:
.
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.
...
The following exceptions apply:
.
- American Airlines AAdvantageŽ members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean. For more information, visit, http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...miralsClub.jsp
As noted this is often misinterpreted.
Last edited by serfty; Dec 27, 2016 at 4:41 pm