Any issues entering Admirals Club with your QP Card?

[uzza]

I was reading an interesting thread on FT regarding someones problem gaining access to AC with their QP card. In the end I think its clearly resolved that QP members do get access to AC (likewise BA's terraces when on BA) when flying AA, just like what the QF website states. But I'm curious if anyones had some experience with the AC lounge dragons trying to deny access with their QP card. I'm QP NB and am finally going to try my card out at the AC's in a few months so I'm curious if anyones had any problems gaining access.

Also curious as to what the procedure is: show at check in and at lounge? Do they print something on your BP?

 

[drewbles]

I was reading an interesting thread on FT regarding someones problem gaining access to AC with their QP card. In the end I think its clearly resolved that QP members do get access to AC (likewise BA's terraces when on BA) when flying AA, just like what the QF website states. But I'm curious if anyones had some experience with the AC lounge dragons trying to deny access with their QP card. I'm QP NB and am finally going to try my card out at the AC's in a few months so I'm curious if anyones had any problems gaining access.

Also curious as to what the procedure is: show at check in and at lounge? Do they print something on your BP?

Have used SFO, LAX, DFW, ORD, MIA and various others (Those ones spring to mind) when I was QP NB and all welcomed me warmly with several drink chits upon arrival when showing my QP card and AA boarding pass. The AA dragons are coined AAngels. They are seriously good staff when you need someone to sort something out for you and they're always there with a smile on!

 

[uzza]

Have used SFO, LAX, DFW, ORD, MIA and various others (Those ones spring to mind) when I was QP NB and all welcomed me warmly with several drink chits upon arrival when showing my QP card and AA boarding pass. The AA dragons are coined AAngels. They are seriously good staff when you need someone to sort something out for you and they're always there with a smile on!

Thats awesome! Looking forward to a change from the QF ones! Last time I flew ex-HBA the dragon tried to send everyone to the gate just as the plane had touched down from the mainland, It was still on the runway!

 

[samh004]

Also curious as to what the procedure is: show at check in and at lounge? Do they print something on your BP?

Surely you’d present your card to make sure if the number isn’t on your ticket, it ends up on it?

Last time I flew ex-HBA the dragon tried to send everyone to the gate just as the plane had touched down from the mainland, It was still on the runway!

Sounds pretty terrible.

 

[thewinchester]

Thats awesome! Looking forward to a change from the QF ones! Last time I flew ex-HBA the dragon tried to send everyone to the gate just as the plane had touched down from the mainland, It was still on the runway!

I can understand that in HBA, specially depending on the time of day and number of pax in the QP. Security screening can take quite a while there specially if understaffed, so best to get everyone airside ASAP particularly if on a tight turn-around.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In the end I think its clearly resolved that QP members do get access to AC (likewise BA's terraces when on BA) when flying AA, just like what the QF website states.

Also curious as to what the procedure is: show at check in and at lounge? Do they print something on your BP?

Nothing really to 'resolve' - the rules state access is allowed.

The only issue seems to have been some agents not knowing the rules (but the rules themselves are clear without doubt.) This is a training issue that can't be solved by discussion on internet boards

No need to show the card at check-in - only at the lounge entrance (provided of course the number is already in the booking for you to earn points!)

SOme lounges are very nice. Very basic food (pretzels for most of the day, maybe a granola bar for breakfast or a bagel if you are very lucky!) but otherwise they make a refreshing change to Qantas clubs.

 

[N860CR]

While on the subject... how many drink vouchers are a member and guest entitled to in the AC?

I'm unfortunatley stuck on the LAX-AKL-MEL flight out of T4 so will have to use the AC there. We're driving from Vegas then probably checking in early so will have a few hours to kill... which will be a long few hours if the bar runs dry!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

While on the subject... how many drink vouchers are a member and guest entitled to in the AC?

I'm unfortunatley stuck on the LAX-AKL-MEL flight out of T4 so will have to use the AC there. We're driving from Vegas then probably checking in early so will have a few hours to kill... which will be a long few hours if the bar runs dry!

It varies - but usually they give you two on entry. Sometimes they have given me one and said if I need anymore to come back.

Even when they give you two I believe you are welcome to go back and ask for more.

 

[drewbles]

It varies - but usually they give you two on entry. Sometimes they have given me one and said if I need anymore to come back.

Even when they give you two I believe you are welcome to go back and ask for more.

One is all that is usually issued at entrance. Simply go and ask for more with a polite smile and they'll happily give you more.

FWIW, if you're having alcoholic beverages, it's custom to tip the bar staff a $1 bill per drink. This will also ensure you're not considered a 'tight coughd aussie' and usually leads to generous pouring of spirits

 

[VirginiaF]

Have used SFO, LAX, DFW, ORD, MIA and various others (Those ones spring to mind) when I was QP NB and all welcomed me warmly with several drink chits upon arrival when showing my QP card and AA boarding pass. The AA dragons are coined AAngels. They are seriously good staff when you need someone to sort something out for you and they're always there with a smile on!

Aprt from ORD, have accessed those lounges too and they are spacious and comfortable even if the food is not gratis. One surprising aspect about AC was the lack of one at MCO.

 

[uzza]

Sounds pretty terrible.

I can understand that in HBA, specially depending on the time of day and number of pax in the QP. Security screening can take quite a while there specially if understaffed, so best to get everyone airside ASAP particularly if on a tight turn-around.

Admittedly it was the last JQ flight out, but wheels had just hit the ground and no lines at security and still the announcement went out to go to the gate. I went about 5-10mins after the announcement and still sat at the gate for at least 15mins. Though aparently they've been only having one of the two security lanes open which is pretty horrible, would be quite slow for sure now!

Nothing really to 'resolve' - the rules state access is allowed.

The only issue seems to have been some agents not knowing the rules (but the rules themselves are clear without doubt.) This is a training issue that can't be solved by discussion on internet boards

Resolve was a bad choice of words, but you're right - boards can't help bad training

Aprt from ORD, have accessed those lounges too and they are spacious and comfortable even if the food is not gratis. One surprising aspect about AC was the lack of one at MCO.

I have noticed the lack of them in some places looking at the list, MCO's a bugger because I have a MCO-DFW-AMA coming up and would have liked a bit of lounge access at the start, the connection at DFW isn't too long.

 

[serfty]

Aprt from ORD, have accessed those lounges too and they are spacious and comfortable even if the food is not gratis. One surprising aspect about AC was the lack of one at MCO.

... I have noticed the lack of them in some places looking at the list, MCO's a bugger because I have a MCO-DFW-AMA coming up and would have liked a bit of lounge access at the start, the connection at DFW isn't too long.

SEA is another airport sans AC - they did have a nice one there by all reports, but apparently the rent became too much.

 

[uzza]

SEA is another airport sans AC - they did have a nice one there by all reports, but apparently the rent became too much.

I saw that also missing from the list, I was meant to have SEA-ORD on my trip but due to some re-organising because flying QF73 is the cheapest option to the USA ex-HBA (Via SYD obviously) during April on the date I'm hoping to fly I'll be in and out of SEA on VX (I have a fair bit of credit with them from a cancelled trip).

Slightly OT: The AC featured in one scene in "Up in the Air" looked quite nice, probably a set or a Flagship lounge, looked very nice.

 

[serfty]

...

Slightly OT: The AC featured in one scene in "Up in the Air" looked quite nice, probably a set or a Flagship lounge, looked very nice.

You'll probably find reference in this thread from the FlyerTalk AAdvantage forum:

OT: "Up In The Air" George Clooney Movie with Heavy AA presence *SPOILERS* - FlyerTalk Forums

I have not yet seen the movie and am avoiding reading any such thread until I do.

 

[uzza]

You'll probably find reference in this thread from the FlyerTalk AAdvantage forum:

OT: "Up In The Air" George Clooney Movie with Heavy AA presence *SPOILERS* - FlyerTalk Forums

I have not yet seen the movie and am avoiding reading any such thread until I do.

Thanks for the link! The movie is fantastic, even FF references aside!

 

[N860CR]

FWIW, if you're having alcoholic beverages, it's custom to tip the bar staff a $1 bill per drink. This will also ensure you're not considered a 'tight coughd aussie' and usually leads to generous pouring of spirits

Hmm yes I know. When I was in the SEA CO Presidents Club I think I tipped the waitress a whole weeks pay! That bar was very open though!

 

[11sjw]

Have used SFO, LAX, DFW, ORD, MIA and various others (Those ones spring to mind) when I was QP NB and all welcomed me warmly with several drink chits upon arrival when showing my QP card and AA boarding pass. The AA dragons are coined AAngels. They are seriously good staff when you need someone to sort something out for you and they're always there with a smile on!

Never had a drama switching to AA and accessing the lounge after the QF hop across the pond (or BA for that matter when going the other way).

A +ve story I have was set in April 2008. AA were cancelling MD80 flights left right and centre due to a maintenance/paperwork issue with the regulators. Anyone with any type of access went straight to the lounges (DFW) and these attendants just plowed through everyone and got them on alternate flights as best they could. We were heading to Augusta for the Masters and asked if they could get us anywhere in Georgia. They held a flight to Savannah up for us as we had to catch the train to another terminal. Off we go, crash the night in Savannah, drive for 3 hours the next day and get there to see Tiger and Co do their thing for the last 2.5 days.

The bags only took 36 hours to catch up. Thankfully I had heeded two pieces of advice, that being pack a change in carry on and make the report to the airline re luggage missing at the airport straight away as it set the clock on the "missing for 24 hours" to enable a travel insurance claim.

 

[Katie]

When flying QF (departing to BNE from LAX T4) or AA in the US, I've had access to Admiral's club in LAX, DEN, DFW, Atlanta without issues.
On my flights from Atlanta in May last year, I got the AAngels to check that my QFF number was correctly in the tickets, as when my AA boarding passes to ATL were re-issued in T4 after arrival, they were 'lost'. Something magic happened with my status credits, and my ATL-DFW-LAX flights were credited at full Y rates, but LAX-DFW-ATL at el-cheapo Y rates and had to be claimed with copies of the boarding passes. When I queried QF about the discrepancy, the service centre staff member looked into it, and pretty much suggested that I be quiet about the discrepancy, lest I lose the extra status credits that I'd earned that I shouldn't have. I was on a discount Y ticket.

 

[straitman]

One surprising aspect about AC was the lack of one at MCO.

AA only has a limited presence at MCO though which would explain that.

 

[holdenvxman]

They didnt have one in LAS when I was there in 2006