American Selling Flagship Lounge Access For $150

Question is, will the Amex Incidental credit trigger here? It's purchasing lounge access, so it should, right? That might not be a bad way to use the $200/$250 credit.

Decidedly not worth $150.

But it does somehow signal to those who have access that they are getting something ostensibly worth $150, which may be the point.

No thanks. You can only use at the airport you purchase it at and not a connecting airport - and you don't get to use the flagship dining facility.

Thats a great question, i wont use my full $200 this year since i choose AA and recently qualified for platinum so there is nothing to spend it on especially since i cant buy the solid Zoe's sandwichs onboard anymore.

If you have a five+ hour layover this definitely could be worth it. Not sure about other flagship lounges but the DFW one is ten times better than the Centurion lounge across the concourse. Remember too that most people who would pay for this are most likely expensing their meals/time anyways so its not going to personally cost them the full $150.

I certainly see value in this. I have a 5.5 hr ORD layover after arriving in Premium Economy coming up. Knowing I could drop $100 on food and drink in the terminal, the extra $50 for space, peace, and a shower are totally worth it to me.

AA needs money
Not surprised at all

Purchasing one time Admiral Club access historically has triggered this credit, so I don't see why it wouldn't in this case either.

You might as well buy upgrade stickers (for companions), Admirals Club day passes, or even the mileage multipliers for booked travel rather than letting the credit expire.

FlyerTalk thread for more options:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/2002976-airline-fee-250-200-100-reimbursement-reports-aa-only-2020-21-a-2.html

This looks like a good deal to me, although at present it's a moot point as I'm QF Platinum so have access from that. Since they call it a day pass it's implicitly available for any visits on one day, not just the lounge where it's purchased. That needs to be clarified. It should also allow access to Admiral's Clubs later on the same day.

It should and would be a solid use for the occasional traveler. I know I could squeeze value out of this at the bar.

Will this include access to Flagship check-in?

I really think they should restore access they took away for EPs on Central and South American itineraries. Wish you would press them on this.

Any news about progress on the new Flagship Lounge at PHL? They started construction two years ago, although I'm sure it stopped for a while.

If you're already going to charge me a hefty premium to use this lounge, why do I still need to fly AA or Oneworld.

The $150 price point adds value to the product. I land in DFW at 5:55am from BOG in December. Had I seen this yesterday I would have opted for a 3hr layover instead of 1hr to experience this. Guaranteed I’ll be out like a light like a light for the whole flight on the 772 in business class. This would be nice to wake up to.

$100? WOW!

I think like most things, there is a value for some, and not for others.

For someone like @Scudder, yes, it makes sense for sure. Although if the admiral lounge has showers, then paying $59 is a much better value.

For others tempted to part with $59 - 150 ... purchasing a priority pass might make more sense overall, depending upon airport and future travel.

A great post on here is needed, regarding paid lounges around the world. Either through contract / PP/ Amex and others. There are always some very surprising hidden gems.

What’s the better option for the Amex $250 credit? Mileage Multiplier or two Flagship club passes?

It’s very sad that AA will be offering these $150.00 day passes for the Flagship Lounges.
I spent between $7,000.00 and $12,000.00 per ticket round ticket to Europe and the Orient a few times a year, and now I have to share the exclusive lounge that I look forward to on my travels with AA, with people that probably fly once a year and spent less than $200.00 on a ticket to NYC!!!! Very sad, I will truly consider changing my future travels to other airlines in the future. So much for peace and quiet before a long flight.
Big mistake American Airlines Flagship Lounges!!!!

I get this offering and think they have priced it correctly. I have no doubt the AA accounts did a cost/profit/breakage analysis of it. Personally, I would likely pay for it depending on the day of week I was traveling. If traveling on a weekend for sure…midweek, unlikely. I would find it more appealing if they charged $250 and included the Flagship private dining option (which was a wonderful experience @ DFW). I would definitely take advantage of private dining and probably fly more on weekends. Compare the AA offer to the pricing of Emirates FC lounge access which is $300 or discounted if you’re flying business class to $150. A big downside to me from this offering is that once you purchase and experience the AA Flagship lounge access (a premium offering) you then have to get on the plane where a domestic FC experience is anything but premium. To me, AA (and other US domestic carriers) need to bridge the gap between a premium lounge experience and a first class domestic flight experience. For that, I would pay a premium well beyond the $150 access price point.

Are you married to Endre and have a son named Maxwell Berry?

I'm sure other people in the lounge or premium cabin doesn't want to share it with a snob either.

If you are not a hypocrite liar who will truly consider changing future travels to other airlines in the future. Might I suggest an airline that fits a snob like you. Frontier is catered to people with parents that are worth at least $2M. Duct Tape included.

That being said, if someone here knows when will @Brenda be visiting the Flagship lounge, I'm happy to buy your whole family in to join @Brenda if you have either a miss behaved child, a loud baby, or an ESA.

Peace!!!

I flew in Flagship First on the MIA-LAX route a couple months ago, and the Flagship lounges were closed. Okay fine, fair enough. What really got me though was that AA didn't even offer any food/drink vouchers for F pax in the Admiral's Club. (In contrast, UA has closed its Polaris lounges but offers a full open bar to int'l J pax in the United Club.) Seems pretty consistent with American's policy to nickel and dime all their passengers in a race to the bottom.

I can totally see the extra value for this opportunity. We experienced the Flagship Lounge at JFK flying to BCN in 2017, when we decided to go the airport early. We used miles in Business and were granted access to the lounge. Lovely lounge, comfortable amenities, showers and good food/drink options. We spent a good 4 hours so we could relax, take showers before the evening flight and mentally prepare for our vacation. If flying in main cabin or main cabin plus out of JFK or DFW I would totally take advantage of this option for vacation.

I have purchased day passes for the PP lounge in PVR further down in the international terminal. They have nice amenities. The pandemic has impacted them, but probably in the next year or so it'll fully open with two levels including cocktails and I believe showers are also available as well.

I have admirals club membership. There should be an option to upgrade

Does anyone hav experience paying for access for a child? I have OW Sapphire status and will be travelling with my wife and 5yo son.

We have a 5 hour layouver in DFW. I guess techincally I'm paying $150 for 3 people but it still hurts parting with $150 for a child.

Sounds good to me. I get it free on international so being able to get it on domestic flights is well worth the money for me. I can see upgrading Admirals Clubbers would cannibalize.