How to Gain Access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs

Curtis SprungSeptember 8, 2020
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Navigating the airport can be one of the most stressful parts of any trip. Everyone is worried about getting to the gate on time, and the crowds can be endless.

The best way to escape the airport madness — besides traveling by train or car — is by gaining access to an airport lounge. These premium spaces are limited to eligible travelers and often include amenities like showers, free snacks and premium dining options.

With more than 50 locations worldwide, the American Airlines Admirals Club is an attractive place to relax before a flight. Here's how to gain access.

Carry the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the only credit card that offers membership to the Admirals Club just for carrying the card.

The annual fee for this credit card is $450, while standalone registration to the Admirals Club is between $500 and $650 depending on your AAdvantage membership level.

» Learn more: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® review: Worth the fee for airline loyalists

Single day access to an Admirals Club lounge is available at certain locations for $59. To get the full value of the annual fee from just lounge access, you would have to visit an Admirals Club lounge eight times during the year.

Free access for authorized users

Maximize the value of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® when you add authorized users. All users get their own card, and their purchases will earn you miles. Authorized users also get access to Admirals Club lounges, and the primary cardholder doesn’t need to be present. This is a unique perk that allows you to share lounge access with trusted family members.

The one downside to this is that authorized users don’t have full Admiral’s Club membership — just access. That means authorized users can’t visit partner lounges or get special pricing on conference rooms, for example.

Other travel perks

Beyond lounge access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with a few other perks to make traveling that much easier. Cardholders receive a credit of up to $100 every five years for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees.

» Learn more: TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry: Which is right for you?

Additionally, the first checked bag on domestic American Airline flights for you and up to eight guests is free, and you receive priority boarding on American Airlines flights.

Other ways to access the Admirals Club

As mentioned above, travelers can pay $59 to access Admirals Club lounges at certain locations. As of Nov. 1, 2019, you must be traveling on an American Airlines or partner flight to be eligible to purchase a pass.

U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform on an American Airlines-operated flight get complimentary access by presenting a boarding pass and military ID.

American Airlines is a member of the Oneworld alliance, along with 12 other global airlines. As a part of this program, elite members of any of their partner frequent flyer programs gain perks like lounge access when flying internationally. The Oneworld alliance includes the following carriers:

  • British Airways.

  • Cathay Pacific.

  • Finnair.

  • Iberia.

  • Japan Airlines.

  • Malaysia Airlines.

  • Qantas.

  • Qatar Airways.

  • Royal Air Maroc.

  • Royal Jordanian.

  • S7 Airlines.

  • SriLankan Airlines.

Alaska Airlines is expected to officially join Oneworld in the summer of 2021.

Admirals Club access for Oneworld elites

If you are a member of any of these airlines' frequent flyer programs and have achieved elite status, you may have access to Admirals Club lounges. Each rewards program is unique, so visit this page to find yours and see if your status equates to Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status

AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum members receive lounge access when departing on a Oneworld or American-operated flight, excluding North American flights.

Even without status, flying first- or business-class on American or its Oneworld partners generally entitles you to lounge access before your flight as well.

The bottom line

Access to Admirals Club lounges can go a long way to minimizing the frustrations of travel. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is an easy way to gain membership and share access with trusted family members.

How to Maximize Your Rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for:

Planning a trip? Check out these articles for more inspiration and advice: Find the best airline credit card for you Earn more points and miles with these 6 strategies 6 tips to save on baggage fees

We want to hear from you and encourage a lively discussion among our users. Please help us keep our site clean and safe by following our posting guidelines, and avoid disclosing personal or sensitive information such as bank account or phone numbers. Any comments posted under NerdWallet’s official account are not reviewed or endorsed by representatives of financial institutions affiliated with the reviewed products, unless explicitly stated otherwise.