7 Ways to Access American Airlines Admirals Clubs

American Airlines Admirals Club lounges offer free snacks and beverages, comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi access and outlets to charge your devices. Select locations also have made-to-order food, shower suites and a business center.

To enter the Admirals Club, American Airlines requires travelers to present a same-day boarding pass on American or one of its partners. That's true for all passengers, regardless of status or flying class. In most cases, gaining entry to the Admirals Club also gets you access to more than 60 partner lounges worldwide.

Here are seven ways to access the American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

1. Buy an Admirals Club Day Pass

Admirals Club one-day passes are available for purchase at select domestic and international locations for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles. The day pass includes access for you and up to three children (under age 18). You can purchase a day pass through your AAdvantage account or through the lounge reception desk.

Day pass access may be limited or not available based on lounge capacity. They’re nontransferable and can be activated by entering an Admirals Club within 12 months of purchase. Additionally, one-day pass holders do not have access to partner lounges.

That $79 per person is a steep price for visiting a lounge. You’ll want to do the math on how much you could realistically save on food and drinks and whether you value the specific location’s amenities.

NerdWallet values American Airlines miles at 1.6 cents each. If you use your points to purchase a day pass, you’re only getting 1 cent per point. Based on the valuation, you’d be better off paying cash than using your points.

» Learn more: What's the value of American Airlines AAdvantage miles?

2. Use a credit card

Only one credit card will get you into an American Airlines Admirals Club lounge: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. That card includes an Admirals Club membership, which allows you to bring your immediate family or up to two guests. Cardholders must show their physical credit card for lounge entry.

Although the card has a steep annual fee of $595, it is still less than the cost of an annual Admirals Club membership (more on that below). If you plan to visit Admirals Club lounges often, the card's annual fee (along with all its perks) will be your best bet for getting access to the Admirals Club.

Each authorized user will cost $175 but comes with an Admirals Club membership. However, partner lounge access is a benefit solely reserved for the primary holder of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® — authorized users can’t access partner airline lounges or clubs.

I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.

I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The Platinum Card® from American Express gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.

I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.

I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The Platinum Card® from American Express gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.

» Learn more: Best credit card for Admirals Club access

3. Purchase an Admirals Club membership

Admirals Club annual membership rates vary depending on your frequent flyer status with American Airlines:

Non-elite AAdvantage members: $850 for a new individual membership, $1,650 for a new household membership.
AAdvantage Gold members: $825 for a new individual membership, $1,625 for a new household membership.
AAdvantage Platinum members: $800 for a new individual membership, $1,600 for a new household membership.
AAdvantage Platinum Pro members: $775 for a new individual membership, $1,575 for a new household membership.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members: $750 for a new individual membership, $1,550 for a new household membership.

Membership renewals will receive a $50 discount on the prices listed above. With an annual membership, you can bring your immediate family (including spouse and children) or up to two guests. The household membership includes access for you and your spouse or domestic partner even when you’re not flying together.

4. Fly on a first class or business class ticket

You can access Admirals Club lounges if you fly first or business class on certain international, transcontinental and domestic routes. Those flying on American Airlines and on Oneworld partner airlines are eligible.

Qualifying international itineraries include flights between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East and New Zealand. International first class customers can bring one guest traveling on a departing or arriving American Airlines or partner flight.

🤓Nerdy Tip

On flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Admirals Club access is not granted when flying from the U.S. to Canada, the Caribbean or Mexico.

Qualifying domestic flights with seats ticketed as Flagship for the following routes receive Admirals Club access:

New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) or Orange County (SNA).
Los Angeles (LAX) and Boston (BOS) or Miami (MIA).
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL), Kona (KOA) or Maui (OGG).
Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) and Honolulu (HNL).
Phoenix (PHX) and Honolulu (HNL).

No guest access to the Admirals Club is provided for domestic tickets.

In addition to Admirals Club and partner lounge access, qualifying first and business class tickets also gain access to American Airlines Flagship lounges, which offer more exclusive benefits including sit-down dining, shower suites and a champagne cart.

5. Earn AAdvantage elite status

AAdvantage members with Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro or Platinum status can access Admirals Club lounges when flying internationally on the routes mentioned above. The member can bring one guest (children above the age of 2 count as a guest) and the guest must be traveling on a departing or arriving Oneworld ticket.

» Learn more: Guide to American Airlines elite status

6. Earn Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status

If you have Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status, you can access Admirals Clubs and partner lounges with a qualifying itinerary for same-day travel on a Oneworld carrier. Elite status holders are allowed one guest each.

Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100k, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold elites automatically receive a status match to Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire, respectively, and can access Admirals lounges. Eligible flights include domestic and international routes mentioned above between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, New Zealand and South America.

» Learn more: Oneworld alliance: what you need to know

7. Use your military benefits

U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform, can access most domestic and international Admirals Club locations — except for the Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge in Honolulu and the Airspace Lounge in San Diego, California.

You will need to present your military ID and a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by American Airlines. Uniformed military personnel can also bring their immediate family members or up to two guests into the lounge.

» Learn more: 3 ways to score military travel discounts

Frequently asked questions

How do you get access to the American Airlines lounge?

You can access American Airlines lounges in several ways: buying a day pass or an Admirals Lounge Club membership; holding elite status with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific or British Airways; holding Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status; traveling as a member of the military in uniform; flying on a business or first class ticket; or holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

Can you buy a day pass to an American Airlines lounge?

Yes, a one-day pass to American Airlines lounges can be purchased online or at select club locations for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.

Does American Airlines first class include lounge access?

Yes, passengers flying on American Airlines first class receive access to departure lounges around the world and the arrival lounge when landing at London-Heathrow.

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7 Ways to Access American Airlines Admirals Club Lounges