American Airlines (AA or AAL) is the biggest airline in the world in terms of scheduled passengers served, fleet size, and revenue per passenger mile.
AA flies to more than 350 destinations worldwide with 900+ aircraft from 10 operating bases including Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas–Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, and Washington–National.
Loyal customers enjoy various benefits as they fly frequently on American Airlines, and partner airlines flights. AAdvantage Status, Frequent Flyer Program, and other amenities are offered to valuable customers.
American Airlines Admirals Club is one of the impressive benefits provided to qualifying passengers. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of the Admirals Club along with the requirements to qualify.
What is American Airlines Admirals Club?
Admirals Club is a network of AA’s luxury lounges available at various airports to enhance the travel experience. It is a membership-based service that offers access to almost 50 Admirals Club lounges, and 60+ partner lounges worldwide.
Customers accessing Admirals Club receive lots of amenities like a full-service bar, personal travel assistance, shower suites, a business center, complimentary Wi-Fi, food, drinks, five-star service, and much more.
Talking about the foods provided at the American Airlines Admirals Club, you can refer to the table below for breakfast, afternoon, premium drinks, and meals.
| MORNING FOOD MENUS | AFTERNOON FOOD MENUS | COFFEE & BEVERAGES |
| Breakfast Tacs | BBQ Slider Bar | Freshley brewed La Colombe Coffee |
| Scrambled Eggs | Taco Bar | Barista-style Espresso and Lattes |
| Hard-Boiled Eggs | Italian Hero Bar | Handcrafted artisanal teas by Tealeaves |
| Oatmeal, Cereal and Granola | Heary Soups and Crackers | Freshly Brewed Iced Tea |
| Assorted Fresh-cut fruit and whole fruit | Assorted Dips and Crudite | Complimentary House wine, beer and spirits |
| Greek Yogurt | Whole Fruit | |
| Bagels and English Muffins | Cheddar and Colby Cheese | |
| Lemon-glazed Cake | Snack Mixes | |
| Made-to-order Avocado toast compliments of Mastercard | Marshmallow treats, cookies and brownie bites. | |
| Made-to-order guacamole compliments of Mastercard |
In addition, AA offers premium drinks/cocktails and bigger meals for which passengers have to pay an extra amount.
We explored the amenities of AA Admirals Club however, you must be wondering ‘Who is eligible for American Airlines Admirals Club?’. Let’s find it below.
Who is eligible for American Airlines Admirals Club?
Admirals Club is a membership-based lounge service that requires an annual, or lifetime membership. Besides, customers can also access the Club by purchasing a one-day pass, or joining the AAdvantage Program.
Furthermore, Qualifying First & Business Class, Qualifying AAdvantage Status holders, Oneworld Emerald & Sapphire Members, Citi/AAdvantage Executive Card authorized users, and Military personnel also get access to the AA Admirals Club.
Let’s explore all the requirements in detail.
Admirals Club Membership
Membership is the most convenient option to access AA Admirals Club, and partner lounges. Passengers can purchase annual, and enjoy all the exclusive benefits. Regular customers, Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard primary cardholders, ConciergeKey members, and AirPass members with Club privileges can obtain membership in Admirals Club.
The annual membership rates depend on the AAdvantage Status of the passengers as shown in the table below.
American Airlines Admirals Club Membership Cost
Annual Rates for AAdvantage members
| MEMBERSHIP TYPE | ANNUAL RATES (USD) | ANNUAL RATES (MILES) |
| New Individual | $650 | 65,000 Miles |
| Individual (Renew) | $600 | 60,000 Miles |
| New Household | $1,250 | 125,000 Miles |
| Household (Renew) | $1,200 | 120,000 Miles |
| Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders | Complimentary | N/A |
Annual Rates for AAdvantage Status Members
| MEMBERSHIP TYPE | AAdvantage Gold | AAdvantage Platinum | AAdvantage Platinum Pro | AAdvantage Executive Platinum |
| New Individual | $625 (62,500 Miles) | $600 (60,000 Miles) | $575 (57,500 Miles) | $550 (55,000 Miles) |
| Individual (Renew) | $575 (57,500 Miles) | $550 (55,500 Miles) | $525 (52,500 Miles) | $500 (50,000 Miles) |
| New Household | $1,225 (122,500 Miles) | $1,200 (120,000 Miles) | $1,175 (111,750 Miles) | $1,150 (115,000 Miles) |
| Household (Renew) | $1,175 (117,500 Miles) | $1,150 (111,500 Miles) | $1,125 (112,500 Miles) | $1,100 (110,000 Miles) |
| Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders | Complimentary | Complimentary | Complimentary | Complimentary |
After obtaining an Admirals Club membership, customers can access the following locations.
- Domestic and international Admirals Club locations
- All Alaska Airlines Lounges (when departing or arriving on flights marketed and operated by American or Alaska Airlines)
- All Qantas Clubs (when departing or arriving on same-day flights operated by Qantas, or operated by American out of Auckland, New Zealand or Sydney, Australia)
- Select partner lounges operated by third parties (on same-day flights operated by American)
Admirals Club One-Day Pass
AA customers can also purchase a One-day pass, and get access to domestic, and international Admirals Club locations. With a one-day pass, they get comfortable chairs to relax, complimentary Wi-Fi, Power ports, Chef-inspired food & drinks, shower suites at select locations, and personal travel assistance.
American Airlines Admirals Club Day Pass Cost
Talking about the cost, customers can purchase Admirals Club One Day Pass online at a rate of $59 or 5,900 AAdvantage miles. Customers must activate the purchased One-day pass within 12 months of purchase.
With each purchase, Customers can bring up to 3 children under 18 years of age.
The One-Day Pass holder must show a boarding pass for same-day travel on any departing or arriving flight that is marketed or operated by American; marketed and operated by any oneworld® airline, or marketed and operated by JetBlue Airways (excluding JetBlue Airways flights operating to and from Europe).
Qualifying First and Business
Customers flying First or Business class on international, transcontinental, or other domestic flights marketed, and operated by American Airlines, a Oneworld airline, or marketed by JetBlue, and operated by AA get access to Admirals Club.
Passengers must be flying on Qualifying International, transcontinental, or select domestic flights to access Admirals Club locations. They can also bring one guest who must be accompanied by the eligible passenger, and must be traveling on a departing or arriving Oneworld flight.
The qualifying flights are listed below.
- Qualifying international flights between the United States, and Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, New Zealand, or South America.
- Qualifying Transcontinental flights with seats ticketed as Flagship between New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX), JFK – San Francisco (SFO), JFK – Orange County (SNA), LAX – Miami (MIA), and LAX – Boston (BOS).
- Qualifying Domestic flights with seats ticketed as Flagship between Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Honolulu (HNL), DFW – Kona (KOA), DFW – Maui (OGG), Chicago (ORD) – HNL, and Charlotte (CLT) – HNL.
Qualifying AAdvantage Status holders
American Airlines AAdvantage Status members inducing Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum gets access to Admirals Club on qualifying international flights between the United States, and the following destinations.
- Asia
- Australia
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Central America
- Europe
- Mexico
- Middle East
- New Zealand
- South America
Oneworld Emerald, and Sapphire members
Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald, and Sapphire members departing or arriving flights marketed, and operated by American Airlines, or a Oneworld airline can access Admirals Club.
Members can also bring one guest who must be accompanied and must be traveling on a departing or arriving Oneworld flight.
The access is granted on qualifying international flights between the United States, and: Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, New Zealand, or South America. Besides, passengers on qualifying transcontinental flights with seats ticketed as Flagship on routes including JFK – LAX, JFK – SFO, JFK – SNA, LAX – MIA, and LAX – BOS get access to AA Admirals Club.
Citi/AAdvantage Executive Card authorized users
Passengers holding a valid Citi/AAdvantage Executive Credit Card get access to American Airlines Admirals Club. Besides, their immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, and/or children under 18) or up to 2 guests get access.
Guests must be accompanied by the eligible authorized user and present the boarding pass for same-day travel on American or a partner airline.
Military
United States military personnel traveling in uniform on a same-day flight operated by American Airlines are eligible for AA Admirals Club. They can access domestic, and international Admirals Club locations except for Airspace Lounge in San Diego (SAN), and JAL Sakura Lounge in Honolulu (HNL).
Military Personnel gets up to 2 guests access or access for immediate family members including spouse, domestic partner, and/or children under 18.
American Airlines Admirals Club Locations
The following table shows the list of airports where you can find AA Admirals Club.
| AIRPORTS | ADMIRALS CLUB LOCATION |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | Past security on the left, across from gate T11 |
| Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Inside security, across from Gate 22 |
| Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) | Terminal B, upper-level past security by gate B4 |
| Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) | Terminal B across from Gate 9 on the upper level, inside the International departure lounge |
| Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) | Through security, between gates 3 and 5 |
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | After security, across from gate G8 |
| Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | After security, across from gate A24 |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | North end of the A gates bridge from Jeppesen Terminal |
| Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) | Located on the third level of Terminal 2 above The Local @HNL restaurant – in the central lobby of the Overseas Terminal, across from Central Security Checkpoint #3. (Shared lounge with Japan Airlines) |
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | After security, near gates A25 and A26 |
| London Heathrow, UK (LHR) | Departure level, beyond Passport Control in lounge area H |
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Concourse level across from gate 40 |
| Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City (MEX) | Concourse H, Terminal 1 |
| Miami International Airport (MIA) | After security, across from gate D30 |
| Nashville International Airport (BNA) | After security on Concourse C, Mezzanine level, across from gate C 10 |
| John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK) | On the mezzanine level after the Concourse B security checkpoint |
| LaGuardia International Airport, New York (LGA) | Concourse A, near gates 30 and 31 |
| Newark International Airport (EWR) | Terminal A, after security, toward gates 30 through 39 |
| John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) | Mezzanine level, after security, adjacent to gate 8 |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Near Gate 55 |
| Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Paris (CDG) | Connector building between 2A and 2C |
| Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | In A East terminal, between gates A4 and A6A. |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) | Above gates A7 – A9 |
| Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) | Main lobby past security, mezzanine level |
| Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) | After security, across from gates C1 and C3 |
| Rio de Janeiro International Airport, Brazil (GIG) | South Pier (third floor) |
| San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | After security, Terminal 1, near Gate B13 |
| Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU) | Terminal 3, mezzanine level (3rd floor) above the Duty-Free shopping area |
| Lambert International Airport, St. Louis (STL) | Beyond the security checkpoint, to your left at the entrance of Concourse C |
| Tampa International Airport, Tampa (TPA) | Airside F, adjacent to Gate 85 |
| Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada (YYZ) | Terminal 3 Transfer Level near the duty-free stores |
| Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) | Mezzanine level, near gate C24 |
Furthermore, there are over 60 partner lounges in select domestic, and international destinations that Admirals Club members can access. One-day pass holders and Citi/AAdvantage Executive Card authorized users don’t get access to partner lounges.
Partner Lounges are located in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, South Pacific, and the United States.
How can I get free Admirals Club membership?
Free American Airlines Admirals Club is available for Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard members who earn 80,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after $5,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Members enjoy a complimentary Admirals Club membership (a value of up to $650).
Conclusion on American Airlines Admirals Club
AA Admirals Club is one of the fantastic services offered to valuable AA customers. As discussed above, you need to obtain membership, purchase a one-day pass, achieve AAdvantage status, or fly on qualifying flights to access Admirals Club.
There are 50 Admirals Club locations at various airports, and more than 60 partner lounges across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, South Pacific, and the United States. Qualifying customers can access all the Admirals Club locations.
FAQs on American Airlines Admirals Club
What American status gets you into Admirals Club?
American Airlines AAdvantage Status including Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum get access to Admirals Club.
Is American Admirals Club free?
AA Admirals Club is not free as it requires annual membership or a one-day pass. Passengers flying on qualifying first, and business-class flights also get access. Besides, Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard members receive complimentary Admirals Club access.
How do I get a free Admirals Club membership?
AA Admirals Club doesn’t offer free membership. However, you will get complimentary access if you are a Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard member, and have earned 80,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after $5,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Can First Class use Admirals Club?
Passengers flying First or Business class on international, transcontinental, or other domestic flights marketed, and operated by American Airlines, a Oneworld airline, or marketed by JetBlue, and operated by AA can use Admirals Club.
