[VS6525]

My wife and I flew last November on AA using their 3-class premium transcontinental service from JFK to LAX and connecting to LAS. Since it was my wife's birthday, I booked first class tickets for the best available fare (approximately $2,500 each). The flight itself was good (probably as good as Domestic first class travel ever gets)...however when we arrived to LAX we had a 2hr scheduled layover before our connecting flight to Las Vegas. In addition to the scheduled layover time, the flight was further delayed for approximately an hour. We headed for the lounge but to my shock we were denied access! The reason? We booked a "discounted" first class ticket... I really couldn't believe my ears when I heard that! Upon returning home, I wrote to AA and complained about this only to hear the same response...wrong fare class. Now put yourself in my shoes - you just spent $5K for tickets and you are denied a lounge access after a 6hr flight. Does this make ANY sense? I frequently fly on Asian carriers between various cities in Southeast Asia (Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore etc...) If I fly in business class on a 2hr flight from Bangkok to Singapore I have automatic access to the business class lounge with hot meals, massage chairs and shower rooms. I have visited AA lounges (Admiral clubs as they call it) and if you want a meal there, you have to pay for it...even the internet access is not free unless you have a special account! Furthermore...we flew several times on AA from New York to Santo Domingo (again in business class) and were again denied the free access to the lounge. This time because Dominican Republic (according to AA) is not a "qualified international destination" where free lounge access to business class passengers is permitted... If I fly to Mexico City (3.5hrs) I'm welcome to the lounge, but if I go to Santo Domingo (same 3.5hrs flight) I'm not allowed...where is the logic???

I think that AA has no idea of what the premium travel should be... Since I received this response from AA about our lounge denial I've decided to never fly AA again... I will donate all my miles to someone else or to a charity, but I will not be humiliated like this again. Farewell AA!