Admiral's Club Q-Lounge access

[Cyclogenesis]

After recently completing a plat challenge I am AA plat and earning some nice miles thanks to the 100% bonus... This, plus the fact Admirals club is discounted for plat members has me considering buying a membership when my QC membership expires next June (assuming my employer does not remove it sooner as I am leaving soon!). I am covered for international lounges until my AA plat expires feb 2011, I may requal, I would say a 50/50 chance.

I have found some information on the web but nothing particularly definitive. Does A/C grant access to:
Aussie Dom QP? (I'm pretty sure it does)
O/W J lounge when flying AA? (ie the TBIT Q operated J lounge)

It's either that or renew my QC membership (not sure how that works given I have a corporate membership) so I continue to get A/C access when flying domestically in the US...

 

[serfty]

No need to purchase A/C membership until you are to travel domestically within the USA - even then it depends upon how often you would fly so. (Maybe a day pass or three would be cost effective.)

As an AA PLAT you get QP(/International Business lounge) access whenever you fly Qantas (or oneworld).

Note QP membership gives A/C access whenever flying AA.

Have you checked the cost of renewing QP membership via the AFF corporate scheme?

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Yep yep... It is domestic travel I am considering...

The question is do I get A/C or renew QC...

AFF gold is a good idea.. how long after QC expiry can you "renew"?
(ie not pay joining fee)

 

[tuapekastar]

AFF gold is a good idea.. how long after QC expiry can you "renew"?
(ie not pay joining fee)

I seemed to recall there was a grace period (~1 month?) but looking at the T&C's on the QF website:

5.5 If you do not renew your Qantas Club membership before the expiry date of your current membership and you apply for renewal after the expiry date, a Qantas Club Joining Fee will apply.

I'll have to check at home to see if I got any grace period offered at last renewal.

 

[samh004]

Wouldn't QC be more cost effective as you get free drinks vouchers, whereas with AC membership you wouldn't?

 

[Cyclogenesis]

As a Plat AA member A/C will cost me 55,000 miles to join...
As a Plat AA member I earn about 40,000 miles for a MEL-ORD-MEL trip (like the one I have up coming in december...)

So the cost in miles is very low... QC on the other hand is ~75000 Q points, As QP Silver I only earn about 25,000 for MEL-ORD-MEL

So for that kind of difference I think I would be happy to pay for my own drinks (plus A/C members get free wifi in the A/C lounge.... QC have to pay in the A/C lounge)

 

[samh004]

Forgive my ignorance, but you can't use a QC membership to gain access and get drinks, but credit to AA?

Looks like Plat AA and AC is a better deal though.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Forgive my ignorance, but you can't use a QC membership to gain access and get drinks, but credit to AA?

Looks like Plat AA and AC is a better deal though.

Yes you can.... This is about when my QC expires... until that time I will take full advantage of QC!

 

[Dave Noble]

Forgive my ignorance, but you can't use a QC membership to gain access and get drinks, but credit to AA?

Looks like Plat AA and AC is a better deal though.

Of course you can. if a Qantas Club member, then just show the card to gain admittance to the AC. Where miles are being credited is irrelevent

Dave

 

[NM]

O/W J lounge when flying AA? (ie the TBIT Q operated J lounge)

Note that there are no AA flights departing from TBIT (only a few codeshares). As a OneWorld Sapphire (AA Plat) you have access to the TBIT J lounge whenever flying on a OneWorld flight (or AA international) so no problems there.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Yep... But the issue is I may not make AA plat again this qualification year..

I had it in the bag no probs when a trip (MEL-LAX-IAD-LAX-MEL) was canceled by my boss (I just accepted a job offer in Chicago... Just after I was told my current travel plans could not be supported.. not happy jan).

That said after my last transit going west through TBIT I must say the lounge was a bit of a nightmare... WAY overcrowded...

 

[drron]

My thoughts would be that 55000 miles is a third of a 25000 mile J AAward so worth a lot more to me than AC membership.When it comes to cash costs the AFF QP rate is lower than the discounted plat AC rate I believe so that is the way I would go personally.However you give up the free wifi.Will that be such a major thing?
As for requalifying plat just pray for another year of DEQM promos.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Wow... that is good value... (for the J RTW award...).. Although I would be in trouble for not taking +1

But yes, something to consider... Loving the +100% miles that AA Plat gives!

Oh and I hear you about DEQM

 

[BVT]

As a QFF Gold do I get access to Admirals Club when flying in V class on American Eagle?

 

[serfty]

As a QFF Gold do I get access to Admirals Club when flying in V class on American Eagle?

If there is an A/C in the terminal you are departing from then you get access (when flying any AeAgle class and metal.

They should also provide you with chits for drinks. Normally one or two - if you use them up go back and ask for another ...

 

[BVT]

If there is an A/C in the terminal you are departing from then you get access (when flying any AeAgle class and metal.

They should also provide you with chits for drinks. Normally one or two - if you use them up go back and ask for another ...

Thanks for the response and the drinx tip!