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Emily: We met my mom looking around for the American Airlines lounge, and we went together to the American Airlines Flagship lounge by gate K19 at Chicago O’hare. Since we had an international First Class award ticket, we got access to the lounge and the food and drinks for free. It was her first time in a lounge, and she was really impressed by the food and drink offerings and the comfortable seating.
In the American Airlines Flagship Lounge
It is easy to get jaded that lounges in the US aren’t as nice as those abroad, but we are still so lucky to be able to use miles to have Big Travel with Small Money and have these nice expereinces!
Trip Report Index
- Introduction & Planning
- Kansas City to Chicago
- American Airlines Flagship Lounge
- American Airlines Flagship Service From Chicago To London
- British Airways First Class from London to Mumbai
- Shopping in Bombay
- Eating in Bombay
- Sights in Bombay
- Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa
- Park Hyatt Goa, Park Suite
- Park Hyatt Goa, Park King
- Park Hyatt Goa, Park Hyatt Goa Activities
- Eating In & Around the Park Hyatt Goa
- Radisson Blu, Agra
- A Day in Agra
- Hyatt Regency Delhi
- 2 Days in Delhi
- Eating in Delhi
- United Business Class Back to the US
- Conclusion and Blog Giveaway
Emily & Connie in the Flagship Lounge in Chicago
There was a decent spread for lunch: Italian wedding soup, salad, bacon wrapped scallops, and other snacks. The drink offerings included a full self-service bar, coffee drinks and tea.
The Spread
There was a self service coffee machine…
Coffee Machine
…and drinks.
Self Service Drinks
My mom had fruit and cheese as a snack…
Connie Having a Snack
…but passed on the sushi rolls.
Cheese, Crackers & Sushi
There were salad and vegetables which Daraius pretended to not see…
Salad
…and he went for the bacon wrapped scallops and chicken on a stick. This was despite having 2 sandwiches from Tortas Frontera!
Daraius’ Snack
The wireless internet worked great so I logged on and got some worked done before our flight. There was also a business center with five or six workstations and office chairs. Daraius took his laptop over and worked there.
Soon enough, we received a call from my Aunt Judi, letting us know that she landed in Chicago. We told her to walk to K-19 and come to the lounge. My mom and I decided to meet her outside, since the Flagship Lounge is discreetly marked. And we saw her walking towards the gate in the walkway. It was such a relief to finally all be together.
Once inside, she loved the lounge (it was her first time too!). She went for Baileys on the rocks. But I thought she’d like a Kahlua as well, so I made her one with half and half, and topped it off with whipped cream. It looked so good I made another one for myself, and it was delicious! All Kahlua should be served with whipped cream.
Emily in the Flagship Lounge
Daraius had a look at her boarding passes and realized that she was routed on a separate United flight to London which connected to a different British Airways flight to India! This happened because of the schedule change in Alabama where she missed her original American Airlines flight!
So Daraius talked to the agents in the lounge and they were able to switch her back to her original flights! It’s a good thing Daraius checked, otherwise she’d be on different flights traveling alone!
In the meantime, the “light supper” was brought out which consisted of salmon served with capers, onions, and more. Not long after we finished eating, it was time to board the plane and get on our way to India!
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I have earned and redeemed millions of airline miles and hotel points to travel the world for free. Now I'm blogging to help more people do the same! 
Everything looks fantastic! (And I love happy endings.)
Since Emily likes Kahlua and Baileys, she’d love a mudslide.
Baileys, Kahlua, vodka, and milk – can be on the rocks or blended. I prefer on the rocks. 
Daraius, I wouldn’t have seen those vegetables either!
So if I’m traveling on a First Class Award ticket to Italy, do I get access to the Flagship Lounge for free?
You all have such a great trip! Thanks for sharing!
@Lively – Thanks!
@Traveling Well For Less - I should be able to make this for her.
@Bill –
@Pat - If you have an American Airlines award ticket in First class (and are flying American Airlines), you should be able to access the Flagship Lounge.
@Kira – Thanks for reading!
I am glad that the “but” alluded to before wasn’t so terrible. Great report!
Is emily the one in green or blue? Cant be certain as the one in green looks older than the lady in blue. Sorry for the question, just wanted to know who we were referring to.
@ Traveling Well For Less- Thanks for the tip! I will have to remember that one. I also like combining Kahlua with the vanilla 1/2 and 1/2′s. It’s delicious!
@Ramprasadji- I am the one wearing the silver necklace is the green sweater. I agree my mother looks very young for her age!
Emily,
Why is your mom taller than you? Did she purposely stunt your growth? What’s going on here?
I love your blog. Grat to see pix of the O’Hare Longe–brings back happy memories. I was exactly like your Mum and Aunt the first time in that lounge ( las summer) and then flew First Class on miles. Every little thing is such a big deal!!
Did you also get to use the Concorde Lounge at LHR?
Great news about the possible resumption of the ORD-DEL flight on AA. The one time I took it, the worlds’s rudest flight attendants were on board. Hopefully, there will be more than a changed aircraft from AA on that long route!
@Rebecca – Thanks for reading! We didn’t get to use the lounge in London because we were running late, but we have been there on previous flights. But it would have been nice to have show Connie and Judi the lounge.
Darius,
You can really eat! I don’t know how you can remain so slim. I respect the fact that you dressed up to travel. As for me, I would rather be comfortable and will opt for khakis. Your mom’s friend looks great for being 55 plus. I am sure this is a trip of a lifetime for both of them.
@Kira and Heather @ pass the dressing- Glad you both enjoyed it. There will be lots more in the series.
@Rebecca- Thank you! Unfortunately, we did not get to use the lounge, but my mom is already asking when she can return to India with us. I’m sure we will have the chance again another time!
@Jonathan- Yes, he can really eat! and yes, I think they both enjoyed the trip.
Would I be able to use the BA Miles to fly the AA to LHR and then to India ( HYD)? Thnx
@Sandhya – You can, but expect to pay high fuel surcharges which doesn’t make this worth doing in coach.
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