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UPDATE: American Airlines confirms test allowing elites to purchase access to Flagship Dining

Feb. 19, 2020
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3 min read
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UPDATE: American Airlines confirms test allowing elites to purchase access to Flagship Dining
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Editor's Note

This post has been updated to reflect a new test price for Flagship lounge access.

American Airlines has apparently lowered the price in a test it's conducting that allows some elites to purchase access to the Flagship lounge in Dallas. It's now going for $100 instead of $150.

The news was first reported on Flyertalk and Andy's Travel Blog.

American Airlines previously confirmed to The Points Guy it is testing a plan that would allow Executive Platinum and Concierge Key members of its AAdvantage loyalty program to purchase access to the Flagship First Dining area of its Admirals Club at DFW.

American spokeswoman Gianna Urgo said:



"..we are testing an option to expand access to a broader audience of customers who are eligible for Flagship Lounge access but not Flagship First Dining. ConciergeKey and Executive Platinum customers traveling on American on long-haul international and eligible transcontinental flights will have the option to purchase access to the DFW Flagship First Dining facility ... We will determine future plans upon completion of the test, which will last approximately three months."

Related: Consistently delicious: A review of AA’s Flagship First Dining at LAX

Traditionally, Flagship First dining rooms were only open to passengers flying first class on one of America's few routes that offer both first- and business-class cabins. Those flights include 15 long-haul international and transcontinental flights with Flagship First cabins, including flights from New York (JFK) to London and São Paulo (GRU); JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO); Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) to Hong Kong (HKG); and LAX to Tokyo Haneda (HND) among others. See our complete guide to Flagship First here.

At $100 bucks it's a big splurge, but it might make sense if you have a long layover or feel like living like a prince for a day. Inside, you'll get table service with several courses and a menu that offers something for everyone. American describes it as "elevated sit-down service, chef-inspired dishes, locally sourced ingredients and signature wines."

Entrance to the Flagship First dining room at JFK Terminal 8. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Related: What is American Airlines elite status worth?

TPG loves the restaurant-style Flagship First Dining experience in special reserved areas of several recently remodeled lounges — which at one point included Krug Grande Cuvée at all locations.

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Take a look at what it was like for The Points Guy when he tried it in early 2019:

News of the test program appears to have been first reported on Twitter by @JonNYC.

Related: Choosing the best credit card for AA flyers

Flagship First dining room at DFW. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.