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UPDATE: American Airlines confirms test allowing elites to purchase access to Flagship Dining
Clint Henderson
Managing editor
Clint Henderson is a managing editor at TPG who has worked in the journalism industry for more than 25 years. He is obsessed with travel and has used points and miles to explore the world.
Feb. 19, 2020
•
3 min read
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."
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
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