AC Access on Transcon Flights in F/J Limited to JFK-SFO, JFK-LAX, MIA-LAX Starting 9/1

Per threads on FT and TB, it appears AA will be changing its lounge access policy for premium passengers on transcon flights effective 9/1.

New policy seems pretty straight forward - All F and J passengers on transcon flights between JFK-SFO, JFK-LAX, and MIA-LAX will receive AC/FL access. Transcon passengers on any other flight will receive no access to the AC.

While the change is not published and is only being leaked on FF message boards, AA has already added a caveat under the "Definitions" tab on the AC page that states:

Note: Customers who purchased a transcontinental ticket prior to August 1, 2012, may still access the Flagship Lounge or Admirals Club on their day of travel based on the previous policy and transcon eligible flights.

A list of AA's trancon flights is provided below:

• Boston / Los Angeles
• New York (JFK) / San Diego
• Los Angeles / Miami
• New York (JFK)/ San Francisco
• Miami / San Francisco
• New York (JFK)/ Seattle
• Newark / Los Angeles
• Washington Dulles / Los Angeles
• New York (JFK) / Los Angeles
• Washington Reagan / Los Angeles

 

Why don't they count the new MIA-SEA as a tcon since it's one of the longest domestic routes?

 

Because they use the 757 ghetto bird to fly this route ...

(kidding!)

 

They might not have added it to the list yet. AA's not always the best at updating information on AA.com immediately.

Regardless, even if it's added to the transcon list, it won't qualify for access under this new policy.

 

So AC access is now permitted for F/Z/J/U fares on AA domestic itineraries (irrespective of status) between these city pairs:

Boston / Los Angeles
New York (JFK) / San Diego
Los Angeles / Miami
New York (JFK)/ San Francisco
Miami / San Francisco
New York (JFK)/ Seattle
Newark / Los Angeles
Washington Dulles / Los Angeles
New York (JFK) / Los Angeles
Washington Reagan / Los Angeles (effective June 14, 2012)

This is set out at the bottom of https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AdmiralsLocations.jsp by selecting "Definitions" until you reach (again, nearly at the very end) the section titled "Transcontinental Premium Class".

 

These are the current rules for AC access for premium domestic itineraries.

So are you trying to say that the leaked information from AA is incorrect and no changes will be made on 9/1, or are you just quoting the current rules for the benefit of readers?

It's interesting to note that the caveat added to the Definitions section quoted in the original post has now been removed by AA.

 

AA has updated webpage now to reflect changes: LINK.

 

Amex plat....just sayin'.

 

An Admiral Club agent mentioned that to make room for allowing Transcon to have access to the club, oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members traveling on an international ticket are no longer allowed any guests in the lounge (effective Sept 1). I was shocked to hear this, but the other desk agent confirmed no more guests, "to make room for now allowing transcon into the lounge" and that that a day pass had to be purchased.

Checking the website it looks like oneworld Emerald and Sapphire 1 guest are still allowed one guests:

Guest Access Information

Customer Classification ​

Number of Guests​

Admirals Club Member

2 Guests or immediate family*​

AAirpass Member

2 Guests or immediate family*​

Citi Executive AAdvantage Primary cardmember

2 Guests or immediate family*​

30-Day Membership

2 Guests or immediate family*​

American Express Centurion and / or select Platinum**
**not all American Express Platinum cards are eligible for Club access

2 Guests or immediate family*​

AA International Premium Class, oneworld First and Business Class

1 guest (First Class passengers only)​

oneworld Emerald and Sapphire

1 guest​

One-Day Pass, Transcontinental Premium Class, Military

None​

Are these agents (plural) misinformed or is this possibly forthcoming in 2013?