AA's Admirals Club 30-day Membership: QF lounge access?

[grussellt]

Comparing the post by Kangarucci and the "reciprocal" benefits on the QF website it looks like a bit of a mismatch:
"When travelling with American Airlines, as a Qantas Club member you and a guest are welcome at American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. Simply present your Qantas Club card together with your boarding pass at the lounge reception. Both you and your guest need to be travelling together further that day on a flight marketed^ and operated by the partner airline whose lounge you wish to visit."
^ Includes American Airlines operated flights with a QF flight number on your ticket.

So QF travellers on a QF code or AA code can access an Admirals Club but Admirals Club members must be on an AA code to access Qantas Club. I had a feeling that QF realised that this was wrong and changed the terminology but I could be wrong.

 

[serfty]

I am thinking [-]USair[/-]AA didn't want to pay what Qantas were asking any more.

 

[Danger]

I would start a chargeback with the credit card company. This would be a bigger impetus for AA to act.

 

[Mattg]

I spoke with the staff in the Brisbane Qantas Club about this last night.

They agreed that the correct policy is the one currently advertised on the AA website. In other words, that Qantas Club access is granted to Admirals Club members (including 30 day passholders) and up to 2 guests, when travelling on either an AA or QF marketed Qantas flight.

When I queried them about the member that was denied access in Melbourne, they said that this must have been an (incorrect) interpretation of the old policy introduced last April/May, which said that Admirals Club members had to be on an AA marketed flight. The lounge access policy changed again in recent months following the announcement of the QF/AA tie-up, to that described above. These changes were reflected on the AA website but it seems the news had not been passed on to the Qantas Club staff.

The QP staff member thanked me for bringing it to their attention and promised to send out an internal email advising other Qantas Club staff members of the changes. Let's hope that access is granted as per the advertised policy from now on.

 

[grussellt]

It's nice to see QP staff in Brisbane being pro-active. I'm pleased to say that I was allowed three guests (one extra) in the Brisbane domestic QC last year when travelling with an Admirals Club 30-day membership. I think they took pity when they saw I was travelling from MIA-SYD via LAX and NAN. Even so there were no celebratory drinks before midday.
Perhaps Brisbane QC staff could now help out with rules interpretation for entry into the TBIT (LAX) Business Lounge. Now that would be an enhancement.

 

[serfty]

The date on Kangarucci's image is 7th October, some six weeks ago.

Implications are various, but one is it's a MEL internal document?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Mattg for raising the issue in BNE.

I seem to recall the position was reversed, as you confirmed. With so many changes back and forth its confusing.

Pity MEL seems to be going it alone.

 

[grussellt]

I think MEL may have had a staff member seconded from LAX-TBIT.

 

[Adam Meyer]

Back in early November, I flew on holidays from BNE to SYD, then SYD to CBR and back to BNE. I had no issues gaining access to any of the lounges in BNE, SYD, and CBR with my 30 day Admirals Club Membership. It wasn't even mentioned by any of the Qantas Club staff at the desk. Actually in Brisbane the staff member didn't even look at any of my documents to prove eligibility even though I wanted to, he just waved me through! Funny how some staff insist on checking every detail for access and others are like the guy in BNE who are just like "whatever, I'll let him in, can't be bothered!"

 

[Gogo65]

Ok I'm a little confused..
I'm flying on an AA ticketed flight, on AA metal, Syd-LAX will I be able to use the 30 day membership in Syd? If so, I see value in buying it, as we also have 4 domestic flights (all AA metal on AA tickets)and the return flight LAX-SYD. Thanks!

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Ok I'm a little confused..
I'm flying on an AA ticketed flight, on AA metal, Syd-LAX will I be able to use the 30 day membership in Syd? If so, I see value in buying it, as we also have 4 domestic flights (all AA metal on AA tickets)and the return flight LAX-SYD. Thanks!

Yep. You should be fine at SYD/LAX and your domestic ACs. Your entitled to use the QF J lounge at SYD and LAX.

 

[intercaetera]

Does anyone have any recent experience using a 30-day AC membership at the QF Int'l J lounge at MEL? I'm tempted to get one to treat my partner and myself as we are flying out on the 14th but figured I would ask if anyone has been recently successful in actually using one before I buy it.

 

[Mattg]

Does anyone have any recent experience using a 30-day AC membership at the QF Int'l J lounge at MEL? I'm tempted to get one to treat my partner and myself as we are flying out on the 14th but figured I would ask if anyone has been recently successful in actually using one before I buy it.

I don't have any personal experience with this, but as long as you're departing on a Qantas flight with either a QF or AA flight number then I don't see any problems.

If you're worried about being denied access, take with you a copy of your receipt and a printout of AA's lounge access rules from their website just in case.

 

[intercaetera]

If you're worried about being denied access, take with you a copy of your receipt and a printout of AA's lounge access rules from their website just in case.

For some reason that tip eluded my mind, but you're right. Thanks for the reminder—hopefully that policy change sheet they had a few months back has been long gone!

 

[hammertym]

So does that mean technically it's not allowed but they let you in anyway....

I'm just looking potentially getting a 30 day pass for access to the lounges in LAX when flying on Qantas metal/ Qantas ticketed flights.

I may also be interested in going into the MEL lounge as well on the way out to LAX...

 

[Mattg]

So does that mean technically it's not allowed but they let you in anyway....

I'm just looking potentially getting a 30 day pass for access to the lounges in LAX when flying on Qantas metal/ Qantas ticketed flights.

I may also be interested in going into the MEL lounge as well on the way out to LAX...

No. It means that access is technically allowed, but that some QF lounge dragons are not familiar with the rules and may interpret them incorrectly.

You should have Qantas Club access with a 30 day Admirals Club membership, as per the AA website, when flying on a Qantas or American flight with either a QF or AA flight number.

 

[hammertym]

No. It means that access is technically allowed, but that some QF lounge dragons are not familiar with the rules and may interpret them incorrectly.

You should have Qantas Club access with a 30 day Admirals Club membership, as per the AA website, when flying on a Qantas or American flight with either a QF or AA flight number.

Cheers Mattg. Very clear.

What is the LAX lounge like? Which one would be accessible if you're landing and then going onto a domestic flight AA flight (QF codeshare)

 

[Mattg]

Cheers Mattg. Very clear.

What is the LAX lounge like? Which one would be accessible if you're landing and then going onto a domestic flight AA flight (QF codeshare)

Sorry, it's been a while since I've been to LAX, and I think they have new lounges since my last visit. So I'm not sure I can help you there. Perhaps try asking here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-questions/lounge-access-help-desk-59405.html

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Hi guys
I've been trying to find this out but keep getting confused. I'm flying with my uncle and his kid - 13 yr old. If one of us buys AA club 30 day membership where can we use it? And can all of us have access using the 1 pass?

Travel is all in economy MEL to LAX to DEN to LGA and then return JFK to LAX to MEL

Flights are QF and AA (LAX to DEN)
Can I use it at QF lounges or only AA lounge (AA lounges do not look very appealing?)

 

[grussellt]

Hi guys
I've been trying to find this out but keep getting confused. I'm flying with my uncle and his kid - 13 yr old. If one of us buys AA club 30 day membership where can we use it? And can all of us have access using the 1 pass?

Travel is all in economy MEL to LAX to DEN to LGA and then return JFK to LAX to MEL

Flights are QF and AA (LAX to DEN)
Can I use it at QF lounges or only AA lounge (AA lounges do not look very appealing?)

Here are the details of lounges that can be accessed:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AdmiralsLocations.jsp