American Airlines Admirals Club Lounges

[aus_flyer]

Has anyone had any experience with American Airlines Admirals Club lounges ? Are they any good? How about in comparison with Qantas Club?

 

[Anna]

They vary, from what I have seen. The one in Miami is sumptuous, the ones at Chicago O'Hare and JFK are pretty good, the one at LAX was not as good as the Qantas Club in my view (but I'm not sure if it's still the same one now as I think there has been a terminal change and I haven't been to LAX recently). I've been to others but they don't stick in my mind as significantly better or worse than Qantas. There is also an Admiral's Club in San Juan but they wouldn't let me in because the Puerto Rican staff said they had never heard of OneWorld Sapphire, but it looked nice from what I could see from the reception desk. (Wrote to complain to AA later about not being allowed in, got a nice reply and Admiral's Club entry coupons by way of apology and as insurance in case I was refused entry again anywhere). If you're going to regional US cities, check whether there is an Admiral's Club in the airport because not every airport that AA flies to has an Admiral's Club.

 

[troycot]

Made good use of American Airlines lounges last year , in Toronto, Boston, Wasington , Cancun & Dallas. The service was good, staff friendly , & they were always willing to help. Right up there with QC in my view

 

[NM]

Admirals clubs vary somewhat from what we expect in a Qantas Club lounge. The only free food/drink is pretzles/nuts and water/coffee. Some still have muffins in the mornings. You can purchase food, even conveniently packages to carry onto the uncatered AA flight if you want. Drinks are available from the bar, but unless you have a free drink voucher handed to you by the entry desk agent and stamped with the correct day's date, you will have to pay. oh yess, and even with the free vouchers it is usual to tip the bar tender, say $1 per drink/service.

The AC lounges do not make boarding announcement, so you have keep your eye on the TV screens for departure times and delays/changes.

Toilet facilities are usually very good and clean.

No free phone calls, except for 1800 numbers. Credit card phones are distributed throughout the lounge. Some have paid WiFi service such as T-Mobile. There are generally a few free internet-access PC's in most lounges.

AA now only have their Flagship Lounges at LAX, ORD and BOS. They used to have one at DFW and at MIA but they have been closed. The FL is accessible by OneWorld Emerald frequent flyers. The FL's have free self-service bar and a decent range of food on offer.

 

[redrat]

...AA now only have their Flagship Lounges at LAX, ORD and BOS. They used to have one at DFW and at MIA but they have been closed. The FL is accessible by OneWorld Emerald frequent flyers. The FL's have free self-service bar and a decent range of food on offer.

... and only one guest allowed, no matter how much you plead.

 

[Julie Williams]

Admirals, Qantas and Malaysian Airlines

Have only been to the LAX lounge.

Found it quite nice but alas had to pay for the drink / tips each time went to the bar - even for a soft drink!

Block Alert!
Bit of info for women travellers - the Lounges do offer free tampons and sanitary pads in their bathrooms via free vending machines. So if you think it may happen - stock up with a few.

Still prefer Qantas Club. Singapore lounge is very nice and have absolutely no complaints at all there. Great food, free drinks (and food), free internet access, boarding calls, plenty of seats, open and closed places - so if you have a wait - find a quite corner - short wait and need to stay alert - open area.

Malaysian Airlines - first time flyers. The Lounges are only very small in Kuching and Kota Kinabula (Borneo). Free drinks and beer and food. But very limited food types so if you aren't into Malaysian food you may be struggling to find something you like to each besides water crackers! Apparently the airports are getting an upgrade like Kuala Lumper so the airports and the lounges would be worth looking at. Unfortunately we didn't have time between flights to so the MA Lounge as it probably would have been impressive as the is the airport and inter terminal transport. (Please come to Sydney and Melbourne!!!!! and jazz up our terminals!!!! - Or go to LAX!!!!)

Keep in touch

 

[Bob]

One that I get to is at Toronto. It is fairly small and yes you have to pay for drinks after you use your one voucher. (plus tips). Otherwise equivalent to the QP.

The AA shared lounge at Tom Bradley at LAX is a disaster area.

Best for internet is the free service in the AC maple Leaf lounges in Canada.

 

[NM]

The AA shared lounge at Tom Bradley at LAX is a disaster area.

I think that would be the BA/QF shafred lounge at TBI. AA don't use TBI. The joint AA/QF lounge is at T4 and the First Class (AA Flagship Lounge) is excellent. That is why I will no longer depart from TBI and always route out of T4. These days I mostly fly OneWorld Explorer or Circle Pacific and cross the south Pacific eastbound so am arriving into LAX from Australia, connecting to AA or QF flight at T4 (use the F lounge there) and departing the US out of some other point either to Europe (on BA) or Asia (AA to NRT or CX to HKG of I can fit it into the DCIR22 mileage restrictions). I also try to route through ORD rather than DFW becuase the AA FL at ORD is so much better than the AA AC at DFW.

 

[wleong]

I have used the Narita and San Jose's AA lounge recently and was satisfied. In my opinion, I find the Qantas Club facilities are much cleaner and spacious.

At San Jose (SJC), they give out one drink voucher per person and then fill your glass up with heaps of ice. :roll:

 

[NM]

At San Jose (SJC), they give out one drink voucher per person and then fill your glass up with heaps of ice. :roll:

I actually like lots of ice with my scotch 8) .

 

[jlou]

I have just come back from a trip which took me to 5 different US airports. Only two had an Admiral's Club. The one we were able to use was basically the same level as QC Domestic but needed our drink voucher, no computer access, but they did allow us to bring in food from the food court downstairs (even though there were signs saying you couldn't). I believe that was in Dallas, Fort Worth. The other airport which had a club listed 2 different lounges but the one near our gate was closed down (no signs to tell us that until we got to it of course!). No other airport had a club and some didn't have dedicated check in for Admiral's Club (which QC can use) or One World.

That said, we used the Admiral's Club at London, Heathrow as BA didn't have a lounge in our terminal. We found it to be the best of any lounge (apart from the swanky new QC in Singapore - pity about the lack of air con though...). The bar was self serve, no vouchers required, and the bonus was a special area which was a quiet zone with leather recliners. As my fiance had a migraine (not good before a 9 hour flight..) it was an absolute god send. The downside was that the other areas of the lounge were playing the royal wedding :roll:

The combined BA/QC at London Gatwick isn't too bad - it is multi level. The BA lounge in Venice was nice - I savoured my last real cappuccino which was actually made for me, rather than the self-serve QC machines. Be warned though, the person on the desk didn't want to accept my QC card - thought it was bronze FF but I insisted and she called BA to confirm.

As for the worst lounge - that absolutely has to go to the JAL lounge at Tom Bradley in LAX which is the one you will have to use if you fly out of that terminal. What a joke! It was absolutely tiny, no phones, no computers, no toilets in the lounge!! Food was chips or some stale rolls in the fridge (or for the very brave, some American "cheese"), but at least the drinks were all free. We were told that the new QC lounge in Terminal 4 was much nicer but weren't prepared for that. Next time we will go via Sydney. Didn't have a choice this time as we had upgraded on points. Alas, all about to end soon..... :evil:

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

Very inconsistent is the overall impression.

NRT – very small for the number of people wanting to use it of an afternoon when all the AA flights depart (7 flights within 2 hours!). Staff are great. Free alcohol – tap beer but minimal spirits and mixers. Smoking lounge closed from June 05.

JFK Domestic: large, clean and great staff. Limited internet/business facilities. No free booze, although they have a fully stocked bar.

RDU: small lounge but just enough to get away from the terminal. Krispy Kremes in the morning (pass!) with coffe and tea.

DFW: Large but limited F&B. Small rolls etc for purchase, but for value, better off walking into the terminal of you want to eat. Business facilities always under heavy demand.

All better than the alternative!

No problem with access when showing the QC card.

 

[ANDREWCX]

A Question + My Experiences.

OK - probably stupid question - I have only used the Admiral's club once (here in Austin, Texas where I currently live) with my lifetime Qantas Club membership (I usually fly Continental / Northwest from here for the free domestic upgrades for elite and use the Continental Presidents Club with its free WiFi).

Question is: If you get an Admiral's Club drink coupon does it cover unlimited drinks or just one? I had a coupon but wasn't sure if it only covered one drink or more.

The only other lounges I have experience with (that are still in business that is - thanks AN) apart from QF are:

Northwest Worldclubs - generally nice (DCA is a bit of a dump) with self service bar (allowing me to make my own G&T's ) and snacks of the pretzel, cookie, and maybe an apple variety. No free WiFi. Nicest domestic club I have been to so far is MEM, MSP is pretty ordinary.

Continental Presidents Clubs - same standard as Northwest generally except the Bar is staffed (still free but you have to ask the barman for your drink and deal with tipping as well - although I notice many people don't tip or just tip on the first drink) and there is free WiFi.

KLM Lounge in AMS - nice (huge) with a limited range of drinks (all free) but more to eat. Far closer to QF clubs than many other airlines.

United Red Carpet Club - in SYD really nice, with a range of free alcohol and some snacks. In contrast US based clubs have paid bars, and limited snacks from memory, it has been a while since I have been in a strictly domestic RCC.

 

[QF WP]

Question is: If you get an Admiral's Club drink coupon does it cover unlimited drinks or just one? I had a coupon but wasn't sure if it only covered one drink or more.

Only one per coupon and only once you've tipped the barman :wink: :shock:

 

[Alan in CBR]

Question is: If you get an Admiral's Club drink coupon does it cover unlimited drinks or just one? I had a coupon but wasn't sure if it only covered one drink or more.

Only one per coupon and only once you've tipped the barman :wink: :shock:

It's been reported that Qantas Club members are entitled to extra coupons if they ask for them. It's also been reported that the success rate at doing this is less than 100%. Haven't tried it myself, but I have a couple of lengthy US layovers soon, so I may be forced to give it a go.

 

[luckydog]

Showers

The showers at the Admirals Club in Terminal 4 are really nice.
After landing at LA from Australia, there is nothing nicer than a good hot shower in a clean modern bathroom.

I was really impressed with the quality.

 

[straitman]

Re: Showers

The showers at the Admirals Club in Terminal 4 are really nice.
After landing at LA from Australia, there is nothing nicer than a good hot shower in a clean modern bathroom.

I was really impressed with the quality.

Agreed and we were given several drink vouchers each without asking. Bit of a waste in the early AM though :!:

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

Forgot to mention in my previous post - AA's LHR lounge is great - especially when used as an arrivals lounge! Trans Atlantic flight with an early arrival - into the arrivals lounge for a shower before heading downtown. Great time and money saver

I think this is their only "Arrivals" facility and only to compete with Virgin...

 

[HardieBoys]

I just used the Admiral´s club in JFK Terminal 8 (American Airlines international flights). Two PC terminals that had internet access, though didn´t accept cookies, so couldn´t log onto anything that required a password. Bathrooms neat and spacious. Didn´t have a shower, so couldn´t comment. No magazines other than AA magazines that I was going to read in the plane, no newspapers other than a handful of foreign newspapers (this was at 7 pm). No food other than pretzels. No free phone use, even for local calls. Two drink vouchers, after which mixed spirits cost $US5 plus tip.

Have used Cathay´s lounges in HK this trip: range of English-language and other newspapers and magazines, open bar, real food, chef cooking noodle dishes to order, spotless marble shower rooms, internet access. Both the Business and First sections of Cathay beat the JFK lounge hands down.