Feb 16, 2017, 2:34 pm
Last edit by: seawolf
NOTE: Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining closed March 20, 2020. They will begin reopening in September of 2021, as discussed in this thread (link). This thread will reboot as the Premium facilities begin reopening and as AA announces any changes including access rules.
Beginning in spring 2017, AA began introducing their completely renovated or new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Rules for expanded access to Flagship Lounges were published June 2017.
Features
As well, Flagship Lounge access policies changed.
American Airlines has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
*Qualifying international flights are those between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) only. Qualifying transcontinental flights are defined as non-stop between New York Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). All other international destinations are excluded from this benefit. Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries (other than flights mentioned immediately above) will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
: An exception usually exists for First and Business passengers on AA Flagship (three class aircraft actually sold as three classes), such as the seasonal MIA-LAX 77W and LAX-BOS A321T.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining. Qualifying international passengers may bring one guest; qualifying domestic passengers are not allowed any guests.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class passengers traveling on 3-cabin transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO are allowed entry to the Flagship Lounge both upon departure and upon arrival (e.g. A passenger traveling business class nonstop from JFK to LAX will have access to the JFK Lounge and the LAX Lounge). However, passengers on this itinerary will not be allowed to bring in a guest if they are not also in the Flagship® cabin
Link to relevant "Flagship Lounge" aa.com page
Link to 2017 and 2018 posts archived from this thread.
Beginning in spring 2017, AA began introducing their completely renovated or new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Rules for expanded access to Flagship Lounges were published June 2017.
Features
- More room for you to spread out and relax
- Larger buffet with premium, fresh meals
- Premium beer, wine and spirits
- Updated interiors with additional power and privacy options
- More staff in each lounge for the highest level of service
As well, Flagship Lounge access policies changed.
American Airlines has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
- First and Business Class customers (on qualifying international flights or 3-class transcontinental markets*)
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum (including Concierge Key), Platinum Pro and Platinum members in any cabin (on qualifying international flights*)
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire members in any cabin (on all qualifying flights**)
Qualifying transcontinental flights
3-class non-stop flights between:
- New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
- JFK and San Francisco (SFO)
- JFK and Orange County (SNA)
- LAX and Miami (MIA)
- LAX and Boston (BOS)
Qualifying other domestic filghts
Flights with seats ticketed as Flagship® between:
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL)
- DFW and Kona (KOA)
- DFW and Maui (OGG)
- Chicago (ORD) and HNL
- Charlotte (CLT) and HNL
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
*Qualifying international flights are those between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) only. Qualifying transcontinental flights are defined as non-stop between New York Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). All other international destinations are excluded from this benefit. Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries (other than flights mentioned immediately above) will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
: An exception usually exists for First and Business passengers on AA Flagship (three class aircraft actually sold as three classes), such as the seasonal MIA-LAX 77W and LAX-BOS A321T.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining. Qualifying international passengers may bring one guest; qualifying domestic passengers are not allowed any guests.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class passengers traveling on 3-cabin transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO are allowed entry to the Flagship Lounge both upon departure and upon arrival (e.g. A passenger traveling business class nonstop from JFK to LAX will have access to the JFK Lounge and the LAX Lounge). However, passengers on this itinerary will not be allowed to bring in a guest if they are not also in the Flagship® cabin
Link to relevant "Flagship Lounge" aa.com page
Link to 2017 and 2018 posts archived from this thread.
Guide to Flagship Lounge Access
Aug 15, 2019, 9:20 am
#92
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...2019-a-11.html
Sep 4, 2019, 10:19 am
#93
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AA PRO, BA S
Posts: 189
Flying JFK-ORD then on a separate ticket ORD-DOH in J (same day). Because ORD-DOH is a separate ticket and operated by Qatar, I won't have a Qatar boarding pass until I go to check in at T5 in ORD. Do I need a printed Qatar boarding pass at JFK on departure/ORD T3 on arrival to gain access to the flagship lounges? Is there a way the front desk can look up & verify I have a separate ticket on Qatar in J (fwiw my AA# is on the Qatar ticket for crediting purposes)?
PS - does OLCI/mobile boarding pass work for Qatar in the USA? I always have issues with getting mobile boarding passes when I'm traveling internationally from the US
PS - does OLCI/mobile boarding pass work for Qatar in the USA? I always have issues with getting mobile boarding passes when I'm traveling internationally from the US
Sep 4, 2019, 10:21 am
#94
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AA PRO, BA S
Posts: 189
Sep 4, 2019, 2:04 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 13,012
Flying JFK-ORD then on a separate ticket ORD-DOH in J (same day). Because ORD-DOH is a separate ticket and operated by Qatar, I won't have a Qatar boarding pass until I go to check in at T5 in ORD. Do I need a printed Qatar boarding pass at JFK on departure/ORD T3 on arrival to gain access to the flagship lounges? Is there a way the front desk can look up & verify I have a separate ticket on Qatar in J (fwiw my AA# is on the Qatar ticket for crediting purposes)?
PS - does OLCI/mobile boarding pass work for Qatar in the USA? I always have issues with getting mobile boarding passes when I'm traveling internationally from the US
PS - does OLCI/mobile boarding pass work for Qatar in the USA? I always have issues with getting mobile boarding passes when I'm traveling internationally from the US
As to accessing the lounges at JFK and ORD, at the very least I would have a print out of your QR itinerary (or the check-in confirmation mentioned above) to show for access, which should not be a problem. But an AA lounge agent is not going to go digging looking for your separate QR reservation, you need to have something on paper to show them.
Sep 5, 2019, 6:40 am
#96
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AA PRO, BA S
Posts: 189
I've taken QR ex-US probably a dozen times and OLCI never works to get a real boarding pass. It will ask for your passport etc. and "check you in" however you only receive a check-in confirmation (or something like that), not a real boarding pass. As you mentioned you always have to see a QR agent to get your real boarding pass.
As to accessing the lounges at JFK and ORD, at the very least I would have a print out of your QR itinerary (or the check-in confirmation mentioned above) to show for access, which should not be a problem. But an AA lounge agent is not going to go digging looking for your separate QR reservation, you need to have something on paper to show them.
As to accessing the lounges at JFK and ORD, at the very least I would have a print out of your QR itinerary (or the check-in confirmation mentioned above) to show for access, which should not be a problem. But an AA lounge agent is not going to go digging looking for your separate QR reservation, you need to have something on paper to show them.
Sep 10, 2019, 2:48 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Flying J on JFK-LAX through a complimentary "UDU" upgrade and I'm EXP.
- Will I have FL access as an upgraded passenger?
- Have a friend flying AA JFK-LHR in Y at the same time -- am I allowed to bring them in as a guest, either due to being in J or through EXP status?
Sep 10, 2019, 3:01 pm
#98
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
Flying J on JFK-LAX through a complimentary "UDU" upgrade and I'm EXP.
- Will I have FL access as an upgraded passenger?
- Have a friend flying AA JFK-LHR in Y at the same time -- am I allowed to bring them in as a guest, either due to being in J or through EXP status?
Sorry, thought you were flying internationally (didn't read full post in a rush), so I amended my initial "yes" response accordingly. The only thing that would save you is if the aircraft you are on is the A321T (3-classes of service, F cabin, J cabin, Y cabin) See below for policy:AAdvantage®Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries do not qualify for Flagship Lounge access.**
Qualifying transcontinental flights
3-class non-stop flights between:
- New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
Last edited by GlobalMatt; Sep 10, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Sep 10, 2019, 3:10 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Unfortunately, no! Sorry, thought you were flying internationally (didn't read full post in a rush), so I amended my initial "yes" response accordingly. The only thing that would save you is if the aircraft you are on is the A321T (3-classes of service, F cabin, J cabin, Y cabin) See below for policy:
AAdvantage®Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries do not qualify for Flagship Lounge access.**
Sorry, thought you were flying internationally (didn't read full post in a rush), so I amended my initial "yes" response accordingly. The only thing that would save you is if the aircraft you are on is the A321T (3-classes of service, F cabin, J cabin, Y cabin) See below for policy:AAdvantage®Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum customers traveling solely on North American itineraries do not qualify for Flagship Lounge access.**
Qualifying transcontinental flights
3-class non-stop flights between:
- New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
Although I'm thinking guesting is unlikely anyway based on status, since it's not an international itinerary for the purposes of the EXP lounge access policy, for which I would be eligible to bring 1 guest. And looking at the AA site, being in J for a transcon does not grant you guest privileges anyway...
Sep 10, 2019, 3:29 pm
#100
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA LT PLT+2MM, BA Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,142
Flying J on JFK-LAX through a complimentary "UDU" upgrade and I'm EXP.
- Will I have FL access as an upgraded passenger?
- Have a friend flying AA JFK-LHR in Y at the same time -- am I allowed to bring them in as a guest, either due to being in J or through EXP status?
Sep 10, 2019, 5:07 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Sep 11, 2019, 10:47 am
#102
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Flying CUN-MIA AA J, MIA-LAX AA F tomorrow connecting to the 1:16am Sept 13 LAX-HKG in AA F. I should have FF Dining access in MIA during my 5 hour layover correct? As I read it, access is when connecting to same day F flight or flight before 6am the following day. Yes?
Sep 11, 2019, 10:59 am
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 13,012
Flying CUN-MIA AA J, MIA-LAX AA F tomorrow connecting to the 1:16am Sept 13 LAX-HKG in AA F. I should have FF Dining access in MIA during my 5 hour layover correct? As I read it, access is when connecting to same day F flight or flight before 6am the following day. Yes?
Sep 11, 2019, 11:02 am
#104
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA LT PLT+2MM, BA Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,142
Flying CUN-MIA AA J, MIA-LAX AA F tomorrow connecting to the 1:16am Sept 13 LAX-HKG in AA F. I should have FF Dining access in MIA during my 5 hour layover correct? As I read it, access is when connecting to same day F flight or flight before 6am the following day. Yes?
.
Sep 11, 2019, 11:18 am
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Short connection at LAX not planning to visit any lounge although AA 193 is often delayed...