Drinks/food situation in US/AA lounges

[Rebekkap]

Hi everyone, I'm off to the US in March/April, and doing a fair bit of flying while I'm there (some to visit theme parks, some purely for SCs!) - just wondered if anyone knows how many drink vouchers I can currently expect to be given in the lounges, whether I can go back for more, and whether there's any possibility of food vouchers in the lounges (like DFW) where you have to buy food? (All my flights are in F, but some are with US Airways, and it's a well-known fact they try to starve their passengers (no food on flights under three and a bit hours, and when you have three of them in a row with lounges with bugger all food in between, you can end up very hungry!))

I searched but could only find relatively old threads.

Thanks in advance for any knowledge

 

[Danger]

Only very basic food is provided complimentary in Admirals Clubs but there are menus at reasonable prices.

Basic "well" alcoholic drinks are complimentary but Qantas FFs are entitled to drink chits for the better stuff. Usually you'll get one or two on arrival but everyone says to go back for more and no one seems to have an issue with this. The chits are date and lounge specific by way of a stamp; however, nine times out of 10 I've been successful with using an otherwise ineligible chit at another lounge on another day simply by placing a dollar bill over the top of the chit. And on the subject of money, tipping is still expecting even for the free drinks.

 

[Kangol]

Only very basic food is provided complimentary in Admirals Clubs but there are menus at reasonable prices.

Unless something has changed, I'd define "very basic food" to be things like pretzels, salted crackers and apples. Certainly not the kind of "comfort food" you see in QPs.

The F/Ls that I've been to (LAX and ORD) have proper hot food and self pour drinks. So as a WP if you are going through those ports you will have access to that. You can also use your drink chits to get things like bottles of water or juice if you are looking at getting one for the road. Otherwise if it's a plain A/C then you will have to pay..

 

[aaflyer]

Unless something has changed, I'd define "very basic food" to be things like pretzels, salted crackers and apples. Certainly not the kind of "comfort food" you see in QPs.

The F/Ls that I've been to (LAX and ORD) have proper hot food and self pour drinks. So as a WP if you are going through those ports you will have access to that. You can also use your drink chits to get things like bottles of water or juice if you are looking at getting one for the road. Otherwise if it's a plain A/C then you will have to pay..

Unlike Delta and United, American are quite happy for you to BYO food though (I've been turned away from a dozen or so SkyClubs and United Lounges with a sandwich in hand 'You can bring in a packet of lays but that's all!'). A lot of airports these days have very decent food offerings, even if it's overpriced.

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

Flying DEN-LAX-MEL next Wednesday so I'll let you know how I go at the Admirals Club at DEN.

Also looking forward to finally trying out the new(ish) LAX lounge.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi everyone, I'm off to the US in March/April, and doing a fair bit of flying while I'm there (some to visit theme parks, some purely for SCs!) - just wondered if anyone knows how many drink vouchers I can currently expect to be given in the lounges, whether I can go back for more, and whether there's any possibility of food vouchers in the lounges (like DFW) where you have to buy food? (All my flights are in F, but some are with US Airways, and it's a well-known fact they try to starve their passengers (no food on flights under three and a bit hours, and when you have three of them in a row with lounges with bugger all food in between, you can end up very hungry!))

I searched but could only find relatively old threads.

Thanks in advance for any knowledge

the food policy has now changed for US Airways domestic flights.

Full meals are now available on flights longer than 2.5 hours, and sandwiches on flights 2-2.5 hours.

Details here: US Airways | First Class

I'm fairly relaxed about the AA club food offerings. A couple of good stiff drinks and some (spicy) trail mix (even at 8am) and I'm a happy camper.

IIRC they also had bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, and it looks like they have slightly expanded their other (free) snack range as per the blurb below:

Along with complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, we have expanded our refreshments to include bagels with cream cheese, mini muffins, olives, cheese and crackers, cookies, vegetable crudité and snack mixes. There is something for everyone with a wide array of food and beverage selection for purchase. Offerings vary by location.

 

[Rebekkap]

the food policy has now changed for US Airways domestic flights.

Full meals are now available on flights longer than 2.5 hours, and sandwiches on flights 2-2.5 hours.

Details here: US Airways | First Class

I'm fairly relaxed about the AA club food offerings. A couple of good stiff drinks and some (spicy) trail mix (even at 8am) and I'm a happy camper.

IIRC they also had bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, and it looks like they have slightly expanded their other (free) snack range as per the blurb below:

Thanks - bagels are an excellent addition. Sounds like I may not starve!

I still think no food in first on flights under 2 hours stinks. If you have two of those flights in a row, as I have on one leg, you can get very hungry if there's nothing on offer - particularly if you don't have much transit time in between.

I've done a fair bit of flying around the US previously, so this isn't my first time using AA lounges. I was really just wondering if there was something I'm missing.

 

[serfty]

Note that since September the quality of the AA first meals now on flights over 2.5 hours has shockingly deteriorated.

Earlier this month I actually handed my tray back with the main part uneaten.

[-]Chicken[/-] Old boiler with [-] mashed potato[/-] Deb ...

 

[Rebekkap]

Note that since September the quality of the AA first meals now on flights over 2.5 hours has shockingly deteriorated.

Earlier this month I actually handed my tray back with the main part uneaten.

[-]Chicken[/-] Old boiler with [-] mashed potato[/-] Deb ...

View attachment 40906

Oh dear, that's disappointing to hear - I enjoyed the food on AA last time.