*whinge* about no access Admirals Club even when flying domestic First

[Dave Noble]

At the time of my particular visit, there was nobody around, just me and they could have *tried* or at least *pretended* to assist given that I was a premium passenger. And even though previous posters state it is within their right to refuse entry - that's good for them - but does *nothing* for customer service and *trying* to assist and that makes me - a paying customer - wanting to avoid flying with them in the future.

Not only were they within their right, they were right to deny access to a 1st class passenger and is a situation which would occur with most US carriers. There is nothing for them to try to do, any more than if it was a coach passenger trying to get access based on being a coach passenger

I would not expect Qantas to phone around trying to verify Admirals Club membersjops if someone turned up at a QF lounge any more than I would expect the reverse from an Admirals Club.

 

[Blackadder]

Just goes to show it pays to ask on the boards rather than just go on assumption.
There are a couple of exceptions to the no Domestic F gaining access to the AC; direct LAX or SFO to JFK and I think JFK to MIA


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

 

[Dave Noble]

Just goes to show it pays to ask on the boards rather than just go on assumption.
There are a couple of exceptions to the no Domestic F gaining access to the AC; direct LAX or SFO to JFK and I think JFK to MIA

JFK-MIA is not an exception.

The non-stop transcontinental flights get Flagship lounge/ AC lounge access for full fare and award 1st passengers ( F or Z classes ) and AC lounge for full fare and award business passengers ( J or U classes ). Being on an ATW ticket which would book into D or A class, there would be no access on a transcontinental flight

The Transcontinental routes for access are
Boston / Los Angeles
Boston / San Francisco
Boston / San Diego
Los Angeles / Miami
Miami / San Francisco
Newark / Los Angeles
New York (JFK) / Los Angeles
New York (JFK) / San Diego
New York (JFK) / San Francisco
New York (JFK) / Seattle
Washington Dulles / Los Angeles

The same would apply with most other airlines too; flying in 1st does not get access , so not as if can just throw a hissy fit and go to another carrier for it generally. ( there may be exceptions but Im pretty sure that it is the norm ).

 

[drron]

Also access if connecting to an International flight that day.
So if flying DFW-LAX-BNE then access in DFW and LAX.

 

[serfty]

This is a well known issue for American Airlines elite (class or status) travellers in regard to A/C access.

That is why there are quite a few US resident Life QP members who joined up some years ago when the exchange rate was a lot more beneficial.

While the lounge agents were quite correct in denying access without a current QP card, it is surprising they would not try to verify your current membership. I have generally found the term AAngels to quite appropriate. On another issue, I believe the AAgents refusal to verify your QP membership and allow access has cost American Airlines revenue as a charge is assessed to Qantas upon a QP members rightful entry to an A/C.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The sole right of access the OP had (indicated) was through their QP membership and this would have been the only entry right I would have promoted to the AAgents in this situation. Having been denied entry at one A/C, if there had been time I would have headed to one of the three other DFW A/C's and promoted myself for QP based entry there.

As an aside, in the last year or so, anecdotes have indicated that Qantas do grant a temporary QP membership of some months to those who had none before attaining SG.

At least alanslegal won't have this problem out of ANC as there is no A/C.

However, for the remainder of the journey I do agree with the other posters in obtaining some form of documentation from Qantas regarding ongoing QP membership or at least a screen print.

 

[Dave Noble]

There is another access method; If he had an American Express Platinum Charge Card , then could also have got access.

As far as rest of trip goes, should only matter if there are more domestic only trips since class of service will work for onward trips

I am not surprised that the lounge agents did not phone around checking for validity of Qantas Club membership. I wouldn't have gone traipsing around DFW to other terminals just for a visit to a lounge. Terminal D ( where ANC flights seem to depart ) isn't that bad of a place to wait ( especially compared to the other AA terminals at DFW )

Dave

 

[Alanslegal]

Anyway, thanks for all the replies - whether sympathetic to me or not - but the truth hurts and flying AA First and not being able to access a basic AC lounge also hurts. From what I have learnt from these replies is that *this* no lounge access has been operative for some time, and although that is good knowledge if one is a seasoned / regular traveller but for me, I am not and I would guess that any unsavvy flyer flying (and paying) First would have believed they had complimentary access to *a* lounge prior to their flight, and being rejected entry would (I believe) would diminsh their travelling experience and maybe make them reluctant to fly premium again - well that's how I feel esp. on/against AA now.

Anyway I'm *whinge*ing out. See ya.

 

[Dave Noble]

To be fair on the "reluctant to fly premium" attitude, according to the original post, it was indicated that these were sectors of an ATW ticket rather than having purchased a 1st class ticket in USA. To not fly premium again would be to fly the whole way around the world in economy

Dave

 

[tuapekastar]

So if I qualify for Gold during my trip, what happens with lounge access? I wont have a gold FF card.........:?:

I've come a little late to this thread.

I'm in a somewhat similar (but not exactly the same) postion to alanslegal in that I'm travelling on a DONE4, with status changing during the trip (but up, not down).

I can sympathise with him as even though I have been aware of the 'F-has-no-lounge-access' policy of US carriers in the past, I still did a double take when I read the OP, then thought 'oh yeah, that's right'.

My trip commenced shortly after my membership year rolled over and status has gone from NB to PS to SG. I haven't touched the booking in any way, and BPs issued on BA, AY and AA have all correctly reflected the status changes, so clearly there is a relevant data feed to these airlines, and the lounge staffers should be able to see the current status (obviously this may not apply if the status has changed very recently), notwithstanding that they may wish to see a card as well anyway.

I think in every case I was entitled to COS access to the lounges anyway, so I cannot say if the OWS status on the BP would have counted at all. I may get a chance to test this LAX-AKL at the Flagship lounge as I should be WP by then, assuming flights post quite promptly and the status change is reflected on the BP.

Also carrying a QP card which was used on some domestic UK BA flights "outside" the DONE4, and will be able to be used for domestic AA if required (even though the 'paid' QP membership the card represents is supposedly 'on hold').

 

[Oneworldplus2]

BA has a similar tack about it re: lounge access only with necessary card, i.e. they will ignore all requests to lookup / call the other airline about a membership number for lounge access, let alone look at a BP for information (i.e. they really want the card).

Hold the phone Eddy...I was in BUD about 5 years ago, (BUD-LHR-SIN-SYD), when my QC Silver Expired (literally 2 or 3 days before my return flight). Upon greeting the dragons @LHR, they phoned up QF Help desk, and l was allowed entry to Lounge at LHR, even though my QC Corp had actually expired, l told them that l was waiting for CORP ADMIN to update it. Can't remember what Terminal it was in (maybe T3 or T4), but l also went back and forth between lounges, and each time, they called QF and verified that l was a QC Member, even though my card was expired l was allowed entry. Guess l was lucky? But, l have seen them phone "Insert Airline" - "Call Help Desk" on several occasions.

 

[Verde]

I've a great deal of sympathy because I too found it odd that I wouldn't get lounge access despite flying First while in the USA earlier this month. That said, I did discover it when planning the trip since the whole point of the upgrades were for Status Credit purposes and I was taking advantage of some specials where the flight was the same price as economy, so I didn't feel ripped off at all (extra SC, points, larger seat etc for same price as a regular seat, works for me!). The other day I even saw a special where it was cheaper to fly in First than Economy, so I can also understand that they the pricing of the ticket certainly isn't justification for lounge access (though I think it is with Qantas since it is impossible as far as I've seen to get a decent discount in business - so fair enough that they do include lounge access).

At one stage I was looking at the LAX-SFO-SEA status credit run. I'd have had to book it as an AA codeshare on Alaska Air metal which wouldn't get me lounge access. If I booked it direct with Alaska Airlines I'd have had lounge access but no status credits (if I remember correctly).

I do agree however, that if flying First, my personal expectation would be that lounge access should be included. I have been round enough though to know that what I consider ideal isn't what the world conforms to (though I still get a little burnt periodically, but that happens to everyone).

 

[dk4]

Just so we are all clear - QFF & AAdvantage use differing major hooks to garner loyalty from domestic frequent fliers. :idea:

@AA its is complimentary upgrades for elites

@QF it is lounge access for elites

Thus on AA; passengers need to pay for lounge access, on most North American Itineraries, regardless of cabin.*

And on QF; a free upgrade is almost as rare as hens' teeth.


* AA makes an exception for non-AAdvantage 1W Sapphire & Emerald, but does NOT then include them in the upgrade lottery process. As well as some other credit card (etc) holders, trans-con full fare premium class tickets & MEX.

 

[Dave Noble]

Just so we are all clear - QFF & AAdvantage use differing major hooks to garner loyalty from domestic frequent fliers. :idea:

@AA its is complimentary upgrades for elites

@QF it is lounge access for elites

Thus on AA; passengers need to pay for lounge access, on most North American Itineraries, regardless of cabin.*

And on QF; a free upgrade is almost as rare as hens' teeth.

Though these are irrelevent , I would say, to the original point in question which relates to lounge access via class of service (paid 1st class) and nothing to do with "elite" ( a horrible term ) status

Dave

 

[straitman]

Though these are irrelevent , I would say, to the original point in question which relates to lounge access via class of service (paid 1st class) and nothing to do with "elite" ( a horrible term ) status

Dave

Agreed, though when we go OT as we often do around here it is a valid comparision when comparing the value of the different programs :!:

 

[dk4]

I would say, to the original point in question which relates to lounge access via class of service (paid 1st class) and nothing to do with "elite" ( a horrible term ) status

…Thus on AA; passengers need to pay for lounge access, on most North American Itineraries, regardless of cabin.*

I feel that knowing this, aides in understanding the rationale behind the business process. i.e. "why can't I access an AA lounge with a first class ticket*?"

I agree that "elite" is a quite horid term.

 

[Dave Noble]

You did say

Just so we are all clear - QFF & AAdvantage use differing major hooks to garner loyalty from domestic frequent fliers.

at the start; someone buying 1st class tickets may well have no loyalty to any pretty coloured airline card and pick flights based solely on which flights are the best for any particular trip.

The lack of lounge access does make the USD350 for a AMEX Platinum Charge card pretty decent value for those travelling in the US wanting lounge access. A lot cheaper than paying for several airlines' lounge membership and , if taking more than about domestic trips, cheaper than day memberships

 

[dk4]

...someone buying 1st class tickets may well have no loyalty to any pretty coloured airline card and pick flights based solely on which flights are the best for any particular trip.

Why should a business move to extract loyalty from someone, who will (by that definition) not show it. [i.e. their purchasing decision is based solely on “which flights are best” for any particular trip purpose. In this instance I would argue that a savvy business would offer network & frequency as the primary lure, and cut back on all other costs, e.g. quality of premium cabin, force the customer to pay for ancillary services (like lounges) by another method. Just as AA does!]

In the OPs case, they have locked into the DONE 1W product, and AA bares the cost of this discount and being part of the 1W network, which was used to entice the customer (and was sufficient to garner the initial sale), so why offer more to the PAX at no charge?

The lack of lounge access does make the USD350 for a AMEX Platinum Charge card pretty decent value for those travelling in the US wanting lounge access. A lot cheaper than paying for several airlines' lounge membership and , if taking more than about domestic trips, cheaper than day memberships

I would agree.

 

[Dave Noble]

Why should a business move to extract loyalty from someone, who will (by that definition) not show it. [i.e. their purchasing decision is based solely on “which flights are best” for any particular trip purpose. In this instance I would argue that a savvy business would offer network & frequency as the primary lure, and cut back on all other costs, e.g. quality of premium cabin, force the customer to pay for ancillary services (like lounges) by another method. Just as AA does!]

I didn't say I was looking for the cheapest fare, but the best flight options.

That which is best includes consideration of ancilliary aspects such as access to lounges as well as onboard product and other ground services . AA is not an airline that I would tend to choose other than for ORD-LHR ( since daytime service there wins despite the poor quality )

Same with flights from Europe-Australia ; when booking 1st class trips, price is a factor that I consider, but mainly looking for the best airline that I can get within contstraints; an airline that provides chauffeur services etc as well as a good cabin is more likely to get my business than one that just offers airport-airport service with a similar cabin.

Dave

 

[Alanslegal]

......... Despite attempts to ask them to re/consider 1) swiping the expired card 2) ringing Qantas to confirm I am eligible to enter the AC or 3) showing me the T&C's on AA.com that a First Class passenger has no access to the basic Admirals Club - they refused all tat because their reply to the effect was "i do this everyday, i know what the rules are".

I'm back online.

Just to report back that I presented myself at the Admirals Club at ORD. As I couldn't access the lounge because my flight to YVR doesn't satisfy to AA as an 'international' flight, I had to present my 'expired SG card' (expiry end June 10) which still have QP membership partner lounge access. The AAgent looked at it, and without any question, scanned it, the machine beeped, and I was allowed in.

To be fair on the "reluctant to fly premium" attitude, according to the original post, it was indicated that these were sectors of an ATW ticket rather than having purchased a 1st class ticket in USA. To not fly premium again would be to fly the whole way around the world in economy

Dave

Yep I have flown in economy many times and would be prepared to do so in the future. As I pay out of my own pocket and for leisure purposes only, flight comfort is of secondary importance esp. when I am able to add extra time to my travel if necessary. My partner who purchased and flew with me on this RTW ticket, also expected that paying D/J gave access to respective J lounges, and she was very disappointed by the refusal to entry, and learning of this AA non-entry policy.

 

[notzac]

At one stage I was looking at the LAX-SFO-SEA status credit run. I'd have had to book it as an AA codeshare on Alaska Air metal which wouldn't get me lounge access. If I booked it direct with Alaska Airlines I'd have had lounge access but no status credits (if I remember correctly).

As an aside, if you book a First fare on the AA code for these flights, you most certainly do get access to the AS boardroom lounges - AS grant COS access to their lounges if you have a full fat F ticket (discounted F isn't allowed access) - and codeshares are perfectly acceptable