Guide to Oneworld Lounges and How To Access Them

Airport lounge access is truly a game-changer for frequent flyers. From hot meals to private shower suites, lounges are a great way to pass the time before your next flight. There are various ways to access these airport oases, including through premium credit cards and elite status.

Like other major global airline alliances, Oneworld grants select frequent flyers with elite status and those traveling in premium cabins access to a network of lounges across the globe.

In this post, we'll outline the three types of Oneworld lounges and how to access them.

What are Oneworld lounges and how can you access them? (Image by Max Prosperi / AwardWallet)

Types of Oneworld Lounges

There are three different types of Oneworld lounges:

1. Lounges operated by Oneworld member airlines
2. Oneworld-branded lounges
3. Lounges contracted by member airlines

There are just three Oneworld-branded lounges worldwide, two of which only recently opened to passengers. In addition to the three Oneworld-branded lounges, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers and passengers traveling in premium cabins have access to many other lounges worldwide, either operated by Oneworld member airlines or contract lounges. Whether or not a traveler has access to a lounge depends not only on frequent flyer status but also on the type of lounge.

Oneworld Member Airline Lounges

As of May 2024, the Oneworld Alliance has 13 member airlines. Each airline operates at least one lounge under its branding. The more well-known lounges include American Airlines' network of Admirals Clubs and British Airways' network of Galleries lounges. Lesser-known lounges include SriLankan Airlines' Serendib Lounge and Royal Air Marco's Enith I VIP Lounge.

Typically, the easiest and least confusing way to access any of these lounges is to travel in business or first class on a Oneworld carrier. However, even this isn't a guarantee, as some member airlines require passengers to travel internationally in business or first class to gain lounge access.

Before we dive too far into accessing these lounges, let's take a look at the various lounges operated by Oneworld member airlines.

*/**Status and class of service alone are not applicable for Mileage Plan or AAdvantage members when traveling solely on flights within North America.
***There are certain exceptions to typical entry requirements for American's Flagship Dining facilities and the joint AA/BA lounges at New York-JFK. This post goes into further detail on accessing these lounges at New York-JFK.

The Chelsea Lounge at New York-JFK features a champagne bar and numerous other amenities. (Image courtesy of American Airlines)

Who has access to Oneworld lounges operated by member airlines?

As a rule of thumb, here are the passengers who have access to Oneworld lounges operated by member airlines:

• Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elite frequent flyers
• Passengers traveling in Business and First Class when traveling on Oneworld airlines

Travelers with Oneworld Sapphire status will be able to access business-class lounges but will not have access to first-class lounges, unless flying in international first class. Emerald elite frequent flyers will have access to most of the first-class lounges included in the table above, plus all business-class lounges. Even then, there are some exceptions to these rules.

Related: Which Credit Cards Offer Lounge Access to Cardholders?

One major exception: U.S. Oneworld elites

The most significant exception to this rule is a result of the lounge policies of both Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. This will primarily impact U.S.-based travelers with status through Alaska Airlines or American Airlines. Here's an example of this exception:

Let's say I plan to fly on American Airlines from St. Louis (STL) to New York-LaGuardia (LGA). I hold Oneworld Sapphire status thanks to my status through the AAdvantage program. Even if I were booked into domestic first class on this flight, neither my Sapphire status nor first-class ticket would not allow me access to the Admirals Club at either airport.

Now, let's say I was planning to travel on the same route, on that same flight operated by American Airlines, but I held British Airways Executive Club Silver status. Executive Club Silver status equates to Oneworld Sapphire status. In this case, I would get Admirals Club access.

Essentially, if you are trying to get into American Airlines or Alaska Airlines lounges when traveling on a flight operated by either airline, your AAdvantage or Mileage Plan status will not be enough to grant you access when traveling solely on domestic flights. But, if you hold elite status (Sapphire or higher) through other Oneworld member airlines, you will be eligible for access.

These access requirements are frustrating, to say the least. The good news is access requirements are far less confusing once outside of the United States.

Admirals Club Newark. Credit: JT Genter/AwardWallet

Accessing Oneworld member lounges outside of the U.S.

For example, let's say that I was going to fly with British Airways from London Heathrow (LHR) to Frankfurt (FRA) in economy class. Thanks to my Sapphire status in the AAdvantage program, I would have access to numerous lounges when departing from London. These lounges include:

• The Qantas London Lounge
• Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge
• British Airways Galleries Club Lounges

If I held Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status, this would move me up to Emerald status. In this case, I could also access the following lounges:

• Cathay Pacific First Lounge
• British Airways Galleries First Class Lounges

Oneworld Sapphire frequent flyers can access the Qantas International Lounge at London Heathrow (LHR). (Image via Qantas)

Oneworld-Branded Lounges

Like the two other major airline alliances — SkyTeam and Star Alliance — Oneworld also operates a small network of lounges under its branding. Previously, the only lounge operating under the Oneworld brand was The Business Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Recently, Oneworld added two additional lounges at Amsterdam Schipol (AMS) and Seoul Incheon (ICN).

Here is a list of the Oneworld-branded lounges:

The Business Lounge Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)
• After security on Level 5
• Opens at 6:30 AM and closes following the last departure

Oneworld Lounge Seoul Incheon (ICN)

• Terminal 1
• Near Gate 28 on the Level 4
• 7:30 AM to 11:45 PM

Oneworld Lounge (Lounge No. 40) Amsterdam Schipol (AMS)

• Non-Schengen Departure Area
• Between D and E Gates on Level 3
• 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Oneworld now operates 3 lounges under its own branding. (Image via Oneworld.com)

Who has access to Oneworld branded lounges?

Generally speaking, the following travelers have access to Oneworld-branded lounges:

• Travelers with Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status
• Business- and First-class passengers traveling on Oneworld member airlines

Almost all of the exceptions to this rule concern how AAdvantage and Mileage Plan elite frequent flyers access lounges in the Americas. For an AAdvantage or Mileage Plan member with Sapphire or Emerald to access The Business Class Lounge at LAX, they must be flying on an eligible international itinerary.

Oneworld Contracted Lounges

Contracted lounges are not directly affiliated with Oneworld or its member airlines. These lounges are contracted out by specific member airlines to provide their premium passengers with lounge access at airports that do not already have a lounge operated by Oneworld member airlines. Access requirements vary depending on the airline you're flying, the cabin you're in, and the status you hold.

Contract lounges comprise most of the 600 lounges in the Oneworld lounge portfolio. You may also be surprised to find a number of lounges operated by non-Oneworld member airlines on the long list of contracted lounges.

For example, at New York-JFK, Japan Airlines frequent flyers and passengers booked in business and first class can access the Lufthansa Business Lounge in Terminal 1. At Boston Logan (BOS), both Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific contract out the Air France Lounge. However, American Airlines Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers would not be able to visit either lounge — even on eligible international itineraries.

The Air France Lounge at Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS) is only available when traveling on Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, or Cathay Pacific. (Image via Oneworld.com)

So, while determining access to member lounges and Oneworld-branded lounges is rather straightforward, accessing these contracted lounges is quite confusing. Luckily, there are two tools that make determining access to contract lounges much easier.

Who has access to Oneworld contract lounges?

Because contract lounge access requirements vary, there are two ways to determine whether or not you have access to a contract lounge.

LoungeBuddy

One of the best tools for frequent flyers is LoungeBuddy. LoungeBuddy is a mobile app that allows travelers to provide itinerary information as well as the credit cards they hold, lounge memberships, and frequent flyer status to determine which lounges they can access.

As an example, I created a trip within the app from Boston (BOS) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) via Hong Kong (HKG). I was able to select both of my Cathay Pacific flights and select that I would be flying economy class on both legs.

The LoungeBuddy app took into account my AAdvantage Platinum status (Oneworld Sapphire) and provided me with a list of lounges at all three airports. The app even noted that I would have access to the Air France Lounge in Boston since I am traveling on a flight operated by Cathay Pacific.

LoungeBuddy is an amazing tool to see personalized lounge suggestions. (Image via LoungeBuddy.com)

Oneworld website

The official Oneworld alliance website also features a lounge finder tool. Albeit, it is not as detailed as LoungeBuddy. For example, the Oneworld lounge finder tool will show that the Air France Lounge at Boston Logan is available to Cathay Pacific passengers. However, it is not explicitly stated that this lounge is contracted, so British Airways passengers will not have access.

The tool is accessible via Oneworld's website and is quite useful, allowing you to see all lounges affiliated with the Oneworld Alliance.

The Oneworld website features a tool allowing you to view all Oneworld-affiliated lounges. (Image via Oneworld.com)

Other Ways to Access Select Oneworld Lounges

There are a few additional ways to access select Oneworld-affiliated lounges. These include paid lounge memberships, day passes, and co-branded credit cards. The most premium and luxe lounges are, understandably, only accessible to premium passengers and travelers that hold Sapphire or Emerald status.

Oneworld airlines that offer paid lounge memberships

Three Oneworld member airlines offer paid lounge memberships. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Qantas are the only three airlines that sell an annual lounge membership. These three airlines also offer reciprocal lounge access. For example, an Admirals Club membership also allows you to access Alaska Lounges and Qantas Clubs.

Alaska Airlines Alaska Lounge membership

Alaska Airlines offers travelers two options for membership to its lounges. The first is an Alaska Lounge membership, the airline's standard membership which grants members access to all Alaska Lounges. The standard membership does not include any partner lounges like Admirals Clubs and Qantas Clubs. The second is Alaska Lounge+ which includes access to all Alaska Lounges, Admirals Clubs, and Qantas Clubs.

The basic Alaska Lounge membership is available for $550 a year or $450 for travelers with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status. Alaska Lounge+ membership starts at $750 a year or $650 for travelers with elite status.

It's also worth noting that both the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business card offer cardholders $100 off an Alaska Lounge+ membership when they use their card to pay for their membership. The Alaska Visa Card charges a $95 annual fee while the Alaska Business Card charges an annual fee of $70 for the company and $25 per card.

American Airlines Admirals Club membership

Admirals Club memberships are available starting at $850 a year. Discounts are available to AAdvantage members with elite status. Household or family memberships are also available. For a complete breakdown of membership types and pricing, check out our full guide to how to access American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

American Airlines Admirals Club memberships include access to all Admirals Clubs, Alaska Lounges, and Qantas Clubs. It's important to note that the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® also comes with an Admirals Club membership for an annual fee of $595.

Qantas Club membership

The only non-US carrier in the Oneworld alliance, Qantas offers an annual membership to its network of Qantas Clubs. Like with an Admirals Club and Alaska Lounge+ membership, a Qantas Club membership grants members reciprocal access to these clubs.

A Qantas Club membership starts at A$699 plus a one-time A$129 fee. Discounts are available for 2 and 4-year memberships. Qantas Club membership renews at A$629 a year.

Oneworld lounges that offer day passes

A number of Oneworld lounges offer travelers one-day passes. The price of these passes varies by airline and lounge but all fall within the same range. On average, expect a day pass to Oneworld affiliate lounges to cost around $70 USD. Here is a list of some of the lounges that offer day passes:

• Alaska Airlines' Alaska Lounge: $60 — valid only at the location purchased
• American Airlines' Admirals Club: $79 — valid for 24 hours at all Admirals Club locations
• Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounges: $75 — valid only at the location purchased
• Japan Airlines Sakura Lounges: $35 to $49.50 — valid only at the location purchased
• Qatar Airways Oryx Lounge: ~$60 — valid only at Oryx Lounge

The Bottom Line

With over 600 lounges in Oneworld's global lounge portfolio, there is rarely a major airport without a lounge available to Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers. There are three types of Oneworld lounges, each with slightly different access requirements. Access requirements are straightforward when visiting lounges operated by a Oneworld member airline or a Oneworld-branded lounge. However, each specific contract lounge has a different policy.

Generally, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elite frequent flyers will have access to Oneworld lounges. Travelers booked in business and first class will typically have access to these lounges as well. There are some exceptions to this rule of thumb.

Luckily, two tools make determining your Oneworld lounge access simple. Both LoungeBuddy and the Oneworld website allow you to view individual airports to determine which lounges you can access.

Additionally, some Oneworld member airlines allow travelers to purchase an annual membership to its lounges. Some lounges even offer passengers the option of purchasing a day pass for single-use access.

How do you typically access Oneworld lounges? What is your favorite Oneworld lounge?

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