It gets back to the history of airline lounges in the US. They were invented as "clubs" - i.e. you needed to be a member. It's the Admirals Club, just like the Qantas Club. The very names denote the need for membership. In Australia, if you are Gold or Platinum, you are actually given membership of the Qantas Club for the duration of your time at that status level - so it's the membership that is the driver.
Now, in Australia, Asia and Europe, airlines also decided to give access to lounges to those travelling in First or Business - and in some cases, actually named their lounges like that. But this never occurred in America, where the notion of club membership has remained as the criterion for entry. There are some exceptions in the US, as a nod to the situation internationally, so that if you are flying international - or, much more recently, transcontinental - then you are also granted lounge access in F or J. But those are small exceptions to the general rule - you need to be a member of the club to gain entry to it.
From my flying with United, Delta and AA, despite business class (or even economy for that matter) being generally a whole lot cheaper than domestic travel in Australia. However you do get what you pay for with the exception being transcontinental flights where it’s more of an international standard.
For lounge access as pgcnewyork mentioned AMEX have some great lounges throughout the US and AMEX platinum cards also have access to Delta Sky Clubs but only when flying Delta.
Just not true. Even when flying across from Miami to Houston last October, on AA, and not associated with any QF flight, we were readily welcomed into Admirals Lounges at both Miami and Dallas with our Q Gold status, flying economy.
Not sure about AA, but I know that United Gold Star Alliance card members can't access the Red Carpet loungers, where as other Alliance Gold Cards can, I was Gold with United and AirNZ and only the NZ card opened the doors. Along with what everyone else has cleared up, flying Bus/First Dometically gains no access on the Alliance side either.
Try flying to the US with Virgin next time and then use Delta for the domestics. You'll generally get a better US domestic experience, plus if you have Gold/Platinum with Virgin, Delta treat you like a king :)
Respectfully, absolute nonsense. Delta is no better than AA. You’re dreaming if you think otherwise.
Be thankful you are not with Star Alliance, they dont even allow Same Day access {Like OneWorld] I was recently on a United First Class Houston to Los Angeles connecting to ANA First Class and was refused at United Club in IAH.
However something OneWorld need to do change is, from Same Day to 24 Hours . I often fly the afternoon day before especially when connecting through New York in Winter.
Just not true. Even when flying across from Miami to Houston last October, on AA, and not associated with any QF flight, we were readily welcomed into Admirals Lounges at both Miami and Dallas with our Q Gold status, flying economy.
Incorrect - you were granted entry by your level of status. The OP without the appropriate status won't have access as class of service isn't sufficient to gain entry here.
Worth mentioning that at larger airports an airline may have more than one lounge. They can vary quite a lot in quality and how busy they are. Generally I’ll choose the one closest to my connection.
But, yes access is based on status unless your trip includes an international leg on the same day. It’s a standard rule across the carriers afaik.
Yup we had this happen when flying Virgin America business domestic. The ONLY time we had lounge access was when flying coast to coast. They have a completely different view on lounges. As others have mentioned perhaps it's not so bad here.
Lets face it travel in US is like getting a bus, every ordinary experience! Once off the Virgin Australia flight in LA or Qantas flight in Dallas, is just a pathetic experience & makes one more than appreciate flying in Australia & 'across the ditch'.
Just not true. Even when flying across from Miami to Houston last October, on AA, and not associated with any QF flight, we were readily welcomed into Admirals Lounges at both Miami and Dallas with our Q Gold status, flying economy.
That is exactly what I said - our access was granted on our Gold/Sapphire status. I don't understand what you mean by "just not true"?
Just not true. Even when flying across from Miami to Houston last October, on AA, and not associated with any QF flight, we were readily welcomed into Admirals Lounges at both Miami and Dallas with our Q Gold status, flying economy.
That is exactly what I said - our access was granted on our Gold/Sapphire status. I don't understand what you mean by "just not true"?
Hi BJ,
YOU said 'Just not true' and Manneje replied 'Incorrect'. Using the 'Reply with Quote' arrow option helps us know just which part of the thread you are responding to.
pgcnewyork
pgcnewyork
Member since 30 Mar 2016
Total posts 6
Amex platinum lounge access is reasonable in the US and there are good Centurion lounges at both DFW and LGA.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Unfortunately the 30-day pass was discontinued a little while back. It was a great way to access Qantas lounges too, while it lasted... ;)
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
It gets back to the history of airline lounges in the US. They were invented as "clubs" - i.e. you needed to be a member. It's the Admirals Club, just like the Qantas Club. The very names denote the need for membership. In Australia, if you are Gold or Platinum, you are actually given membership of the Qantas Club for the duration of your time at that status level - so it's the membership that is the driver.
deegee93
deegee93
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 27 Jan 2017
Total posts 37
From my flying with United, Delta and AA, despite business class (or even economy for that matter) being generally a whole lot cheaper than domestic travel in Australia. However you do get what you pay for with the exception being transcontinental flights where it’s more of an international standard.
BJVincent
BJVincent
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 May 2016
Total posts 14
Just not true. Even when flying across from Miami to Houston last October, on AA, and not associated with any QF flight, we were readily welcomed into Admirals Lounges at both Miami and Dallas with our Q Gold status, flying economy.
GMG
GMG
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 06 Jul 2015
Total posts 8
Not sure about AA, but I know that United Gold Star Alliance card members can't access the Red Carpet loungers, where as other Alliance Gold Cards can, I was Gold with United and AirNZ and only the NZ card opened the doors. Along with what everyone else has cleared up, flying Bus/First Dometically gains no access on the Alliance side either.
Covvers
Covvers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jan 2018
Total posts 64
Respectfully, absolute nonsense. Delta is no better than AA. You’re dreaming if you think otherwise.
Kentown45
Kentown45
Member since 25 Feb 2017
Total posts 12
Be thankful you are not with Star Alliance, they dont even allow Same Day access {Like OneWorld] I was recently on a United First Class Houston to Los Angeles connecting to ANA First Class and was refused at United Club in IAH.
mannej
mannej
QF
Member since 21 May 2014
Total posts 176
Incorrect - you were granted entry by your level of status. The OP without the appropriate status won't have access as class of service isn't sufficient to gain entry here.
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
Worth mentioning that at larger airports an airline may have more than one lounge. They can vary quite a lot in quality and how busy they are. Generally I’ll choose the one closest to my connection.
Gazza129
Gazza129
Member since 11 Nov 2017
Total posts 13
Yup we had this happen when flying Virgin America business domestic. The ONLY time we had lounge access was when flying coast to coast. They have a completely different view on lounges. As others have mentioned perhaps it's not so bad here.
smit0847
smit0847
Member since 30 Aug 2013
Total posts 148
Welcome to the most non-sensical nation in the world
GigiPk
GigiPk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Mar 2016
Total posts 17
Lets face it travel in US is like getting a bus, every ordinary experience! Once off the Virgin Australia flight in LA or Qantas flight in Dallas, is just a pathetic experience & makes one more than appreciate flying in Australia & 'across the ditch'.
BJVincent
BJVincent
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 May 2016
Total posts 14
That is exactly what I said - our access was granted on our Gold/Sapphire status. I don't understand what you mean by "just not true"?
kanga9999
kanga9999
Member since 09 Apr 2017
Total posts 61
That is exactly what I said - our access was granted on our Gold/Sapphire status. I don't understand what you mean by "just not true"?
Hi BJ,
YOU said 'Just not true' and Manneje replied 'Incorrect'. Using the 'Reply with Quote' arrow option helps us know just which part of the thread you are responding to.