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

[verduzzo]

Thanks MEL Traveller, I imagine that's exactly where the confusion sets in. The issue is setting up family with a 30 day pass, who have no real working knowledge of these rules / relationships and expecting them to be able to argue the point with a similarly I'll-informed lounge sargeant!

 

[Azzagu]

Most recent email I received from AA last week stated that the LAX Oneworld (operated by Qantas) lounge was not part of the current agreement. I had used the 30 day membership to access this lounge in July 2015 without any issues but seems the rules have now changed again. My loungebuddy app showed access was available up until a few weeks back when it was removed so I guess there was a policy change. Can still use the AC lounge in Terminal 4 @ LAX although it is clearly not as nice as the Oneworld one at TBIT and has pretty mediocre food options when compared and coughpy wine. You can still access actual Qantas clubs if ticketed on QF or AA bot not on Domestic internal flights in Australia from what I understand. If departing Australia for a US destination you should be OK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

but not on Domestic internal flights in Australia from what I understand. If departing Australia for a US destination you should be OK.

you can use it for domestic flights. That's mainly the purpose behind Qantas CLub and AAdmirals Club memberships - domestic lounge access.

 

[vertisol]

A colleague is flying CBR-SYD-DXB-LHR-BER on QF metal (BA metal from LHR-BER)and then back again with his wife and two small kids (under 2).

I was thinking of mentioning the 30 day lounge membership as an option but wanted to check a couple of things first.

The rules say you can bring 2 guests or immediate family members. Would they bother about a baby making up a 3rd? Or is it saying any number of immediate family members are allowed (if not, why make the distinction)?

It appears that he could use the Sydney lounge but will he be able to use the LHR lounge where his onward flight is QF ticketed but on BA metal?
I couldn't see a lounge in DB was included.

 

[galah]

Hi Vertisol,


Given the lack of other help, I'll throw my two cents in:


Basically, I've found that the 30-day membership won't get you access to partner lounges when there is an AA lounge in the airport. So, in LHR for example, your colleague won't be allowed entry into the BA lounges in T5 as there is an AA lounge in T3, even if they're flying out of T5 with BA. Arriving at LHR T3 they should have access to the AA lounge on arrival, but will then need to use the shuttle to T5 to get their connection to BER. The outbound QF flight departs from T3, so that will be easier.



In DXB, they will have access to the BA lounge in T1, but given they're flying QF out of T3 they'll be stuck with a similar problem. Highly unlikely that the AA membership will grant entry to the Emirates lounge in T3, but I haven't had experience with it there.


They should have no problems accessing QF lounges in CBR and SYD.


As for the baby situation, I wouldn't put it past lounge dragons to deny them based on the AA TOC, which states the 30-day membership allows "Ability to bring up to two guests or immediate family members" where "*Immediate family refers to spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age". No mention of the baby (dis)qualification, so I'd say you should be right but there's a slight risk you might catch one on a bad day.


It's been a couple of years since I last used a 30-day membership so this may have changed - apologies in advance for any incorrect info.


HTH

 

[TahoeSkier]

Most recent email I received from AA last week stated that the LAX Oneworld (operated by Qantas) lounge was not part of the current agreement. I had used the 30 day membership to access this lounge in July 2015 without any issues but seems the rules have now changed again.

Gee that's a shame - used the 30 day m/ship to get access in early 2015.

Side note - would Qantas lounge pass+QF94 ticket get you into the LAX Oneworld lounge?

 

[Mattg]

Gee that's a shame - used the 30 day m/ship to get access in early 2015.

Side note - would Qantas lounge pass+QF94 ticket get you into the LAX Oneworld lounge?

I think I read someone that the answer to that is "no" as it's technically a oneworld lounge and not a QF lounge. Someone else might like to confirm this.

 

[mannej]

Gee that's a shame - used the 30 day m/ship to get access in early 2015.

Side note - would Qantas lounge pass+QF94 ticket get you into the LAX Oneworld lounge?

It's a no - you may find that the pass has this specifically printed on it that LAX is excluded.

 

[Mattg]

For the benefit (or otherwise!) of those following this thread, this is listed on the AA website under "30 day membership"...

This membership option will be discontinued on July 25, 2016. The last day to purchase will be July 24, 2016. Existing memberships will be honored through their expiration.

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

Looks like this is coming to an end. I believe that when you take out a 30 day membership you are able to nominate a start date up to 90 days in the future. I can't see any specific information on this, but I would take this to mean that you could take out a membership (paid for before 25 July) and get access up to September/October. After that though, I guess it's back to the drawing board for some...

 

[galah]

As a data point to Mattg's post above, Ms Galah was denied purchase of an AC 30-day membership at the AA lounge in Chicago on the weekend, and was told "we don't sell those anymore". After pointing out that you could still purchase a 30-day membership online through aa.com, the lounge dragons were unmoved. So, Ms Galah had to sit there and purchase it online before showing the confirmation code to the dragon (still unimpressed at this point), who granted access.

Also note that it appears you need a desktop/laptop computer to fill out the membership form as the "start date" selector doesn't appear to work on mobile (iPhone at least)..

 

[Mattg]

As a data point to Mattg's post above, Ms Galah was denied purchase of an AC 30-day membership at the AA lounge in Chicago on the weekend, and was told "we don't sell those anymore". After pointing out that you could still purchase a 30-day membership online through aa.com, the lounge dragons were unmoved. So, Ms Galah had to sit there and purchase it online before showing the confirmation code to the dragon (still unimpressed at this point), who granted access.

Also note that it appears you need a desktop/laptop computer to fill out the membership form as the "start date" selector doesn't appear to work on mobile (iPhone at least)..

The "start date" box seemed very clunky when I tried it on my computer. But I was eventually able to choose a start date after 25 July, as long as it was no more than 90 days in the future.

 

[andye]

For the benefit (or otherwise!) of those following this thread, this is listed on the AA website under "30 day membership"...



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

Looks like this is coming to an end. I believe that when you take out a 30 day membership you are able to nominate a start date up to 90 days in the future. I can't see any specific information on this, but I would take this to mean that you could take out a membership (paid for before 25 July) and get access up to September/October. After that though, I guess it's back to the drawing board for some...

That's a shame as it was all part of my grand plan for a family trip to the States next Easter-the immediate family rule would have suited me very well

 

[sarvowinner]

My daughter is flying MEL-SYD-LAX-JFK on QF, JFK-YYZ AA but using QF points, YYZ-JFK paid AA, JFK-LAX-MEL on QF; leaving August 25th. If she purchases the 30 day pass, which lounges can she access?

 

[Dr Ralph]

My daughter is flying MEL-SYD-LAX-JFK on QF, JFK-YYZ AA but using QF points, YYZ-JFK paid AA, JFK-LAX-MEL on QF; leaving August 25th. If she purchases the 30 day pass, which lounges can she access?

Check the link:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-membership.jsp

'30-Day membershipThis membership option will be discontinued on July 25, 2016.'

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Check the link:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-membership.jsp

'30-Day membershipThis membership option will be discontinued on July 25, 2016.'

I thought there was the option to buy now but 'start' up to 90 days from purchase date? That would include Aus/Sept.

If that's the case, the pass would get access to Qantas Clubs, Qantas international business class lounges, and all AA Admirals Clubs.

 

[Mattg]

I thought there was the option to buy now but 'start' up to 90 days from purchase date? That would include Aus/Sept.

If that's the case, the pass would get access to Qantas Clubs, Qantas international business class lounges, and all AA Admirals Clubs.

That is correct. Just make sure you've purchased the pass before 25 July, and set the start date for August.

 

[sarvowinner]

I thought there was the option to buy now but 'start' up to 90 days from purchase date? That would include Aus/Sept.

If that's the case, the pass would get access to Qantas Clubs, Qantas international business class lounges, and all AA Admirals Clubs.

But not Oneworld lounges ie. LAX?

 

[serfty]

But not Oneworld lounges ie. LAX?

There's an A/C at LAX T4 ...

FWIW you don't need to be flying any specific airline to access an Admiral's Club ...

 

[glenn.im]

I am flying MEL-LAX-JFK on Qantas JFK-BOS on AA and back to MEL in a month. 5th July out and 29th July in. If I buy this membership, do I get access to Qantas International Business lounge in MEL ?

And does it allow to bring one guest along with me ? If yes, it would be an interesting investment for me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If I buy this membership, do I get access to Qantas International Business lounge in MEL ?

Yes - as per above post - all Qantas Clubs, all Qantas International business class lounges and all AAdmirals Clubs.