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

[por930]

Sorry to all parties if my tone came across abruptly or rudely... just it was getting frustrating that the answers being given (away from AFF, by AA) had nothing to do with the actual question being asked.

Based on Oneworld status, you have no access rights at all without Emerald or Sapphire status, however, there is a separate agreement between QF and AA re access, i.e. Paid QC members get access to Admirals Club lounges when the next flight is with AA or US, and for paid Admirals club members they get access to QF pubs prior to a QF or JQ flight.

The explanations are quite black and white on the QF site, just sadly the AA staff did not convey that as they should have.

It may even be an idea to respond to them with a link to the QF T&C's that state what you were advised was incorrect...

...as previously provided, link to Partner Lounge details:- The Qantas Club Benefits | Qantas

Done file51. I have emailed AA, Qantas's version of how they see access. Will report back, when replies are in. Regardless of this, Wife and I will front up to the AA lounge with our paid up QC cards and AA tickets and sort it out. Obviously, many of the AFF members have done this, so, we should be sweet.

 

[por930]

OK, I must say the AA site responds very quickly to emails. Their reply finally cuts through the legalese stuff:

" We have an agreement with Qantas that allows our members to use their lounge space when traveling in cities where we do not have a location. In order to access their lounges, you must have an Annual or 30-Day Admirals Club membership and present a boarding pass for same day travel on a Qantas-operated flight. And yes, Qantas Club members may visit the Admirals Clubs when traveling on American Airlines operated flights. Please present your Qantas card and ID. We look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

AA"

So, it all looks good. Be interesting to compare the AA lounges verse QC, which I think are very good.

 

[file51]

So, it all looks good. Be interesting to compare the AA lounges verse QC, which I think are very good.

With the exception of the Flagship lounges the QF pubs are far superior to most AA lounges.

In regards to refreshments, most have a soda and coffee machines, plus have pretzels and cookies for snacks. Some bring out Veggie trays in the afternoon, but not all.

Drinks at the bar are mostly free (remember to tip the bar man) however when you enter they should give you some bar chits/vouchers which allow you to get premium/top shelf drinks at no charge.

Compared to sitting in the terminal, it is a much better option, add to that free wi-fi, clean bathrooms and showers in most of the major airports.

If ever you find yourself in a bind with flights, or connections, the AA angels at the desk are usually great, and will go the extra mile compared to the gate agents

 

[por930]

Yeah, I have to get used to the idea of 'tipping', even in AA clubs. So, what is a "safe tip %" without getting the, "stingy #$%^ look"

 

[serfty]

Yeah, I have to get used to the idea of 'tipping', even in AA clubs. So, what is a "safe tip %" without getting the, "stingy #$%^ look"

Speak to the Bartender in your best Aussie drawl - they often seem surprised when after that I tip them a dollar a drink.

 

[grussellt]

I flew from SYD-DUB via LAX and ORD and didn't consider the need for any $US until asking for a beer in the AC. I had to admit that no tip would be forthcoming as I ordered the first of several beers but I didn't seem to generate any ill-will. Of course the bartender would have considered me to be English as I'm yet to acquire an Australian accent.

 

[shannan94]

...and denied at SYD T3. I did challenge him on this (including showing the email), he looked at his folder and also phoned someone and continued to stand firm on it. Given it was only 20 minutes to boarding I left rather than cause even more of a fuss, still a bit annoyed though.

Successful at Sydney T3 on Thursday night without hesitation, and minor hesitation (confused look when presented with the paper receipt) at Melbourne domestic today but let through without trouble.

 

[ajd]

Successful at Sydney T3 on Thursday night without hesitation, and minor hesitation (confused look when presented with the paper receipt) at Melbourne domestic today but let through without trouble.

Even with a QF number on your booking? Maybe it just depends who's on duty...

 

[shannan94]

Even with a QF number on your booking? Maybe it just depends who's on duty...

Had my Qantas FF# on the ticket, both times they just seemed to check just my name on the printed receipt against my ticket.

I basically said upon arriving ... "Hi Admirals club member, just haven't collected my card yet" and they seemed to click straight away into 'admirals club = access' mode.

 

[ajd]

Had my Qantas FF# on the ticket, both times they just seemed to check just my name on the printed receipt against my ticket.

I basically said upon arriving ... "Hi Admirals club member, just haven't collected my card yet" and they seemed to click straight away into 'admirals club = access' mode.

Excellent, good to see that it's not just a blanket issue across domestic QPs.

 

[get me outta here]

I’d like to buy my daughter a 30 day AA Admirals membership. She’s going SYD-DFW-ORD return all QF flt numbers. I am the AA member, she’s not nor QC either.

If she encounters any resistance, she’ll undoubtedly not push it not being used to these ‘perks’. Would you take the chance and invest the $100 as maybe those particular lounge angels would be experienced ad will let her in with the receipt?

 

[Coley]

I’d like to buy my daughter a 30 day AA Admirals membership. She’s going SYD-DFW-ORD return all QF flt numbers. I am the AA member, she’s not nor QC either.

If she encounters any resistance, she’ll undoubtedly not push it not being used to these ‘perks’. Would you take the chance and invest the $100 as maybe those particular lounge angels would be experienced ad will let her in with the receipt?

For US based travel on QF flights I would definitely take the chance. Recently the only problems I have seen have been with travel not to the US. Earlier issues in regards to not having access to QP etc seem to have gone away as more people use them and staff are educated. Just make sure you say that you are an "Admirals Club Member", don't whatever you do say "pass". It will confuse them.


I just got back from a 4 week holiday to the states and my experiences at the lounges we visited are detailed below. I had a 1 x 30 day membership and also took in my partner as a guest each time. We both flew the same QF flights.

BNE - Qantas International Business Lounge - Male attendant was fine. I handed over my membership receipt and boarding passes, he checked dates on the receipt, names on the boarding passes, scanned the boarding passes, made quick notes in the computer and let us in with no worries. Unlike others on here, the "notes" in the computer did not include changing our QFF number to the AA number as I checked it was left untouched once we were in the lounge.

LAX, SFO, BOS - AA Club - Obviously no issues getting in here.

LAX - Qantas/Oneworld International Business Lounge - Male attendant was fine, scanned our boarding passes and let us straight in. this was probably the easiest of them all.

SYD - Domestic QP - Female attendant looked slightly confused, but let us in straight away without checking any documentation.

 

[ajd]

I’d like to buy my daughter a 30 day AA Admirals membership. She’s going SYD-DFW-ORD return all QF flt numbers. I am the AA member, she’s not nor QC either.

If she encounters any resistance, she’ll undoubtedly not push it not being used to these ‘perks’. Would you take the chance and invest the $100 as maybe those particular lounge angels would be experienced ad will let her in with the receipt?

I'd probably do it - SYD T1 worked fine for me. At the very least she should be able to get into ORD? (If she does run into any issues, it's worth raising a complaint about it and seeing if customer service can do anything to help.)

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks Coley and ajd, for the advice and experience. She'd have time for SYD J and ORD, the other connections seem to be quite tight.

 

[por930]

We have just spent 3 weeks traveling about the States using mostly AA in First(really our J). We have QC membership. As long as you have your Qantas Club membership card of any level, and you are flying on an American flight that day, you get access to any of the Admirals clubs. When we tried the first flight from DFW to DCA, the next day after landing in DFW, even with a First ticket, we did not show our Qantas Club card, and the lounge keeper, said Nah....Then I produced the QC card, and no worries, rewgardless of what class you are flying.... here are some drinks cards, (otherwise you pay for drinks, other than basic soft drinks and coffee, and very limited food offerings) enjoy. At all sites we used, DFW, LGA, ORD, SFO we had no problems. In most instances, the lounges 'comforts' (magazines and food), are not has good as the Qantas Clubs, though the lounges still much more preferable than sitting about in the main concourse waiting for late connections. One flight was some 2.5 hours late. On a few short flights, we flew Y...Ummm, very very squeezy compared with Qantas. They also have a cabin option where you can buy more space for $25 or so. (more like our usual Y seating)

Overall, travel about the states was pretty easy, just allow a bit more time for the security checks.

 

[serfty]

.... here are some drinks cards, (otherwise you pay for drinks, other than basic soft drinks and coffee, and very limited food offerings) enjoy. ...

Thanks for the information.

Note that Admirals Club do provide complimentary basic alcoholic (well) drinks as well - the chits are for 'premium' offerings. If you use up your chits you can generally go back for more.

Note the chits are provided when accessing using QP membership - it's a different story with an Admirals Club Membership (as per the subject of this thread) where no chits are ordinarily provided.

 

[por930]

Thanks for the information.

Note that Admirals Club do provide complimentary basic alcoholic (well) drinks as well - the chits are for 'premium' offerings. If you use up your chits you can generally go back for more.

Note the chits are provided when accessing using QP membership - it's a different story with an Admirals Club Membership (as per the subject of this thread) where no chits are ordinarily provided.

Now you say this, I do recall reading the comment on the chits talking about 'premium offerings'..I only ever used them for getting bottles of water..I did notice though, the bars in some lounges looked very well stocked.

 

[audiologynow]

Re: 30 Days Admirals Club Membership

I think that the real acid test for AC 30 day pass would be getting past the BA staff at one of their lounges where this pass is supposed to let you in!!

How did you get on, I am wondering whether to purchase one to use on my round the world ticket booked on Qantas points and wonder if it will work with BA and other airlines on this eg Malasian etc

 

[serfty]

This membership is only useful at Qantas clubs before travel on QF or AA, any Admirals Club and some very few other lounges before travel on AA.

 

[grussellt]

The list of available lounges is here:
Admirals Club, etc

There are shared lounges with JL (and QF if travelling on that airline) but none shared with BA or MH.