All The Ways To Access American Airlines' Admirals Club (2024)

If you've flown with American Airlines or through one of its many major destinations, you may have noticed the Admirals Club. These lounges provide a way to grab some food and beverages before a flight, get some work done, relax, or freshen up with a shower. While it might seem like only those in the front of the plane or high-rolling AAdvantage members can enter, there are several other ways to enter as well.

Premium tickets

Perhaps the most complicated way to enter the Admirals Club (ironically) is with a qualifying business or first class ticket. Many have been caught out by the entry requirements if you're flying in premium cabins. This is especially the case for those used to traveling in other regions - where lounge access with premium tickets is standard.

American Airlines doesn't allow domestic first class members to enter without status or a lounge membership, reserving this only for international passengers. You can enter any Admiral Club if you're flying:

• Flagship Business or Flagship First between New York JFK and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County and from Los Angeles to Boston or Miami (transcontinental routes).
• Flagship Business or First between Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago to Hawaii.
• Business or first class when flying with American or oneworld member between the US and Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, and South America.

Photo: American Airlines

AAdvantage and oneworld elite members

If you're one of American's elite flyers, you're probably familiar with the Admirals Club, and the rules to enter. You can enter if you're:

• an AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Executive Platinum member
• and flying on an international flight between the US and Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, and South America

Photo: American Airlines

It's actually better to be a non-American oneworld elite member when it comes to lounge access. You can also access the Admirals Club if you have oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status with another carrier. The rules vary for US-based programs, however:

• Alaska Airlines MVP Gold, Gold 75K, and Gold 100K can only access the lounge when flying between the US and Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, New Zealand, and South America or on Flagship-marked transcontinental flights from New York JFK and Los Angeles (in any cabin).
• All other oneworld elites can access the lounge before any flight with American or another member airline.

However, all elite members get to bring one guest (traveling on an oneworld flight) to the Admirals Club (children under two do not count as a guest).

Read more about elite status with American Airlines here!

Citi/AAdvantage Executive Cardholders

For those who don't want to necessarily spend for first class tickets or earn towards elite status, credit cards are the next best option. American Airlines offers a large range of co-branded credit cards. In particular, it has two different ranges - the Citi AAdvantage Mastercard and the AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard.

For complimentary lounge access, there is just one card that qualifies - the Citi/AAdvantage Executive credit card, the highest-end offering from the carrier. This premium card comes with a high $595 annual fee and offers:

• 70,000 bonus miles for signing up (subject to spending, and this bonus can vary)
• Annual Admirals Club membership
• Earning rate of 4 miles per $1 spent on travel with American Airlines (10 miles on hotels and car bookings with Americans), 1 mile per $1 spent on other spends, and 1 Loyalty Point toward per dollar spent.
• Free Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Travel benefits include priority check-in, security, Group 4 boarding, and two free checked bags for all companions.

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Photo: American Airlines

You can enter the lounge by showing your physical credit card, a government ID, and your same-day boarding pass for any American or oneworld flight. Guest access includes any immediate family members (spouse, partners, and children under 18) or two guests. Note that you get the same lounge access benefits as an annual member, as listed below, including Qantas Clubs.

Annual membership and one-day pass

A popular access method is to purchase an annual membership to the Admirals Club. Membership gives you access to:

• All American Airlines Admirals Clubs.
• All Alaska Airlines lounges (when flying with American or Alaska).
• Qantas Clubs (when flying with Qantas or transpacific with American).
• Select partner lounges.
• Domestic and international Admirals Club locations.

Photo: American Airlines

Membership prices increased in 2024. These vary depending on the elite status held with AAdvantage.

• Individual Membership: $700-850
• Household Membership: $1500-1650

If you just want to try out the lounge on a particularly long layover, you can buy a one-time pass for $79 (or use 7,900 AAdvantage miles). Note that the lounge has the right to turn away customers with one-time passes due to capacity restrictions.

Military members

If you're an active duty US military member traveling in uniform you may access any Admirals Club (domestic or international) along with immediate family or up to two guests. This is subject to capacity and excludes the Airspace Lounge in San Diego and the JAL Sakura Lounge in Honolulu. You'll need a military ID and same-day boarding pass to enter as well.

Accessing American Airlines Flagship Lounges

This discussion has focussed on Admirals Club access. American Airlines also provides some excellent Flagship lounges in several key airports. Visitors can enjoy chef-inspired meals, a premium wine table, personalized service, expansive seating, a full bar, shower suites, and other premium services. Flagship lounge locations include:

• Chicago O'Hare: Terminal 3 Concourse H/K
• Dallas Fort Worth: Terminal D between gates D21 and D22
• Los Angeles International: Terminal 4 near gate 40
• Miami International: Concourse D near gate D30

Photo: American Airlines

Credit cards and lounge membership will not get you access to these Flagship lounges. Access routes include:

• Flagship tickets on routes from Dallas or Chicago to Hawaii.
• International Flagship tickets to Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, or South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela).
• Members of the unpublished ConciergeKey tier can enjoy the Flagship Lounge before flying on any American or oneworld flight.
• oneworld Sapphire or Emerald members (excluding AAdvantage members) when departing, arriving, or connecting to any same-day flight on American or any oneworld airline.

For full details on access to Flagship lounges, see our guide below.