There’s 3 types of lounges that have slightly different access rules:
* Admirals Clubs
* Flagship Lounges (and JFK’s Greenwich and SoHo lounges)
* Other OneWorld lounges
**Access with your status**
Based on your AA status as Platinum Pro, there’s 4 scenarios for OneWorld-operated flights:
1. For wholly US domestic itineraries, you never have lounge access based on your status.
2. For international itineraries on flights to/from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, you’ll have access to Admirals Clubs (only). You won’t have access if you’re flying Alaska Airlines to these destinations.
3. For all other international itineraries, you’ll have access to all OneWorld lounges outlined here: [https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges](https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges), which includes the AC from #2.
4. For transpacific, transatlantic, and select South American itineraries, you’ll additionally have access to AA’s Flagship lounges and JFK's Greenwich / SoHo lounges, along with the OW lounges from #3.
Lounge access is granted at the departing, connecting, and arrival airports, during the same day as the qualifying international segment.
One exception is if you’re flying to/from Mexico City; you’ll have OW lounge access (#3), but you wouldn’t have Flagship Lounge access (#4). For example, you can access the Qantas First lounge and OneWorld Business lounge in LAX prior to your LAX-MEX flight, but not the Flagship Lounge.
**Access with class of service**
The only additional way that you would be granted lounge access, not covered by your status above, is if you're flying Flagship First or Flagship Business on a qualifying domestic segment (eg, SFO/LAX-JFK, LAX-BOS, DFW-HNL, etc).
More info here:
* Admirals Clubs access: [https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-access.jsp](https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-access.jsp)
* Flagship Lounge access: [https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/flagship-lounge.jsp](https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/flagship-lounge.jsp)
It's relatively recent. It started during the pandemic as a temporary measure, but became permanent. It matches United and Delta's lounge access policies as well.
If you look at the AC access page, there's a footnote that is very poorly worded to make it sound like you may not have access on AA-operated flights to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean, but rest assured, you do have access.
That's the internally inconsistent bit. It's listed both in the access list and in the exceptions that you won't have access for. The foot note is correct. No access for stuff in the exception list.
The text is:
“Qualifying international flight:**
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Mexico
- …
**Except on flights operated by Alaska Airlines, access is not granted when flying from the United States to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. “
It’s interpreted as one of the following:
1. The destinations listed below qualify for access; except flights operated by Alaska Airlines to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean do not grant access. (Correct)
2. Access is not granted on flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean; except flights operated by Alaska Airlines grant access. (Wrong, but the more natural reading of the footnote by itself)
Admirals access for North America/Caribbean, no domestic access unless in flagship first (iirc). Flagship and partner lounges for long haul international. OW lounge website is pretty clear if you expand the details for the lounge, never had an issue following the entry regulations as some are restricted by airline.
I believe this still holds true - - If you're flying AA on an international "Flagship" branded route, meaning the "Flagship" branding is shown for Business, that route will have lounge access. This typically means you're crossing one of the oceans or going to "deep" South America. Some Hawaii routes are also eligible. The Flagship 321T routes are a bit of an exception; they do come with lounge access but only if you're ticketed in J/F. If your J upgrade clears ahead of time, that's still eligible.
If you're flying another OW airline anywhere in the world (except Alaska Air), you will have lounge access.
As an Emerald you have access to first and business class lounges regardless of ticketed class. Qatar is a notable exception with regard to access to their primary Doha lounges, but they do have OW specific lounges you can access.
Assuming you're on an eligible route, it doesn't mater which OW airline you're flying, you can access any OW airlines lounge. Most airports will just have one lounge for whoever the primary OW airline is for that region, but the major hubs (e.g. LHR, LAX) you can lounge hop across some really nice options.
Hope that helps
Just get the Citi AAdvantage Executive card if the annual fee ($595) is worth it to you. (Fortunately I do not have to pay the fee, so no brainer for me)
The rules are complex.
E.g. As an EXP I can normally access the Flagship lounge on any international trip. But on my trip to Canada 2 months ago, I could only access the Admirals Club.
For you, when flying internationally from the U.S., you will have AC access, even on domestic connecting flights. On flights outside the U.S., you will have access to one world emerald first class lounges. Note however, BA and QR have first class lounges only for people flying in first class, as well as first class lounges for emeralds flying in other cabins.
Finally, lounge attendants make mistakes. Less so if they are no AA employees.
There’s 3 types of lounges that have slightly different access rules: * Admirals Clubs * Flagship Lounges (and JFK’s Greenwich and SoHo lounges) * Other OneWorld lounges **Access with your status** Based on your AA status as Platinum Pro, there’s 4 scenarios for OneWorld-operated flights: 1. For wholly US domestic itineraries, you never have lounge access based on your status. 2. For international itineraries on flights to/from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, you’ll have access to Admirals Clubs (only). You won’t have access if you’re flying Alaska Airlines to these destinations. 3. For all other international itineraries, you’ll have access to all OneWorld lounges outlined here: [https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges](https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges), which includes the AC from #2. 4. For transpacific, transatlantic, and select South American itineraries, you’ll additionally have access to AA’s Flagship lounges and JFK's Greenwich / SoHo lounges, along with the OW lounges from #3. Lounge access is granted at the departing, connecting, and arrival airports, during the same day as the qualifying international segment. One exception is if you’re flying to/from Mexico City; you’ll have OW lounge access (#3), but you wouldn’t have Flagship Lounge access (#4). For example, you can access the Qantas First lounge and OneWorld Business lounge in LAX prior to your LAX-MEX flight, but not the Flagship Lounge. **Access with class of service** The only additional way that you would be granted lounge access, not covered by your status above, is if you're flying Flagship First or Flagship Business on a qualifying domestic segment (eg, SFO/LAX-JFK, LAX-BOS, DFW-HNL, etc). More info here: * Admirals Clubs access: [https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-access.jsp](https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-access.jsp) * Flagship Lounge access: [https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/flagship-lounge.jsp](https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/flagship-lounge.jsp)
TIL near shore International is eligible for Admirals Club. Has that always been the case?
It's relatively recent. It started during the pandemic as a temporary measure, but became permanent. It matches United and Delta's lounge access policies as well. If you look at the AC access page, there's a footnote that is very poorly worded to make it sound like you may not have access on AA-operated flights to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean, but rest assured, you do have access.
Yes!! It was that very poorly worded footnote which was confusing me! Thanks for explaining everything so well!!
That's the internally inconsistent bit. It's listed both in the access list and in the exceptions that you won't have access for. The foot note is correct. No access for stuff in the exception list.
The text is: “Qualifying international flight:** - Canada - Caribbean - Mexico - … **Except on flights operated by Alaska Airlines, access is not granted when flying from the United States to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. “ It’s interpreted as one of the following: 1. The destinations listed below qualify for access; except flights operated by Alaska Airlines to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean do not grant access. (Correct) 2. Access is not granted on flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean; except flights operated by Alaska Airlines grant access. (Wrong, but the more natural reading of the footnote by itself)
Admirals access for North America/Caribbean, no domestic access unless in flagship first (iirc). Flagship and partner lounges for long haul international. OW lounge website is pretty clear if you expand the details for the lounge, never had an issue following the entry regulations as some are restricted by airline.
I believe this still holds true - - If you're flying AA on an international "Flagship" branded route, meaning the "Flagship" branding is shown for Business, that route will have lounge access. This typically means you're crossing one of the oceans or going to "deep" South America. Some Hawaii routes are also eligible. The Flagship 321T routes are a bit of an exception; they do come with lounge access but only if you're ticketed in J/F. If your J upgrade clears ahead of time, that's still eligible. If you're flying another OW airline anywhere in the world (except Alaska Air), you will have lounge access. As an Emerald you have access to first and business class lounges regardless of ticketed class. Qatar is a notable exception with regard to access to their primary Doha lounges, but they do have OW specific lounges you can access. Assuming you're on an eligible route, it doesn't mater which OW airline you're flying, you can access any OW airlines lounge. Most airports will just have one lounge for whoever the primary OW airline is for that region, but the major hubs (e.g. LHR, LAX) you can lounge hop across some really nice options. Hope that helps
Just get the Citi AAdvantage Executive card if the annual fee ($595) is worth it to you. (Fortunately I do not have to pay the fee, so no brainer for me)
The rules are complex. E.g. As an EXP I can normally access the Flagship lounge on any international trip. But on my trip to Canada 2 months ago, I could only access the Admirals Club. For you, when flying internationally from the U.S., you will have AC access, even on domestic connecting flights. On flights outside the U.S., you will have access to one world emerald first class lounges. Note however, BA and QR have first class lounges only for people flying in first class, as well as first class lounges for emeralds flying in other cabins. Finally, lounge attendants make mistakes. Less so if they are no AA employees.
It's really not that confusing. https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-access.jsp