The best and the worst Admirals Clubs
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
The best and the worst Admirals Clubs
Let me start this discussion by saying that, unlike in what by my estimate is approximately 62.3% of the participants on this board, I am not here to complain. The fact that some Admirals Clubs are not as good as others doesn’t change the fact that I usually am happy that I have lounge access, but also do not feel obligated to sit in a lounge that doesn’t make me happy. (Not an Admirals Club, but when I flew MSY-DCA on Monday, I chose to sit at the gate rather than at the lounge to which I have access, where I would have sat in uncomfortable seats and ate crappy food that I didn’t really want, and instead splurged by spending $5 for my double short latte from Starbucks and took it to the gate.)
Ok, now that I got that out of my system, it seems to me that the best and worst clubs may both be at DCA, with the best being the new E club and the worst being the old C and D clubs. Agree or disagree?
(I’m certain that many of you have been to more clubs than I have, and at JFK, DFW, LAX, and LHR, I’m usually in the Flagship Lounge or, in the case of LHR, in the CX lounge, so don’t have recent memories of those ACs.)
Ok, now that I got that out of my system, it seems to me that the best and worst clubs may both be at DCA, with the best being the new E club and the worst being the old C and D clubs. Agree or disagree?
(I’m certain that many of you have been to more clubs than I have, and at JFK, DFW, LAX, and LHR, I’m usually in the Flagship Lounge or, in the case of LHR, in the CX lounge, so don’t have recent memories of those ACs.)
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
I need to take back what I said about DFW. It’s only the D club I haven’t been in recently. I spend plenty of time in the A and C clubs which, while not as good as the Flagship Lounge, are just fine.
Also, though I don’t agree, I’m gonna guess that the CLT clubs are gonna get more votes than the DCA C and D clubs as the worst.
Also, though I don’t agree, I’m gonna guess that the CLT clubs are gonna get more votes than the DCA C and D clubs as the worst.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Programs: AA EXP; United 1K, Delta, IHG Plat Amb, PE, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 751
Oddly, one of my favorites is not the fanciest and has minimal catering but it one of the calmest, has a great staff and has a nice quiet room. ORD G. Don't judge. It is like a home away from home when you are stuck flying on those dang regional flights out of G
Don't get me wrong, I love the flagship lounges for food, beverage, etc. but that little G lounge is an oasis
Don't get me wrong, I love the flagship lounges for food, beverage, etc. but that little G lounge is an oasis
#4
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: GRR (RRRRRR)
Programs: AA Exp, Hyatt Globalist, DL Silv, Hilton Dim, Marriot Gld, Amex Plat
Posts: 111
CLTs C club. Paper floors, coke machines don't work, makeshift bar, and walking tacos served for "dinner". Also, the service at this AC has been among the worst I've experienced in the system.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Programs: AA EXP; United 1K, Delta, IHG Plat Amb, PE, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 751
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,035
DFW C is also packed but much bigger so you can find space and not as chaotic.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: ORD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,302
Oddly, one of my favorites is not the fanciest and has minimal catering but it one of the calmest, has a great staff and has a nice quiet room. ORD G. Don't judge. It is like a home away from home when you are stuck flying on those dang regional flights out of G
Don't get me wrong, I love the flagship lounges for food, beverage, etc. but that little G lounge is an oasis
Don't get me wrong, I love the flagship lounges for food, beverage, etc. but that little G lounge is an oasis
I really like the new DEN C lounge, it's a vast improvement over the old one in A, but can get crowded as they bank flights there.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
The High A-gates AC at PHX is the worst one I've been to. Literally the size of a broom closet (maybe the same-ish size as LAX's eagles nest AC but for a main terminal). Oftentimes the bathrooms are out of order. And just as all the other ACs at PHX, crazy overcrowded.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 170
They have bonafide walking tacos in CLT? In most ACs a well-executed walking tacos with a quality selection of toppings would be a big step up from the Institutional Chicken with Sauce du jour.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: GRR (RRRRRR)
Programs: AA Exp, Hyatt Globalist, DL Silv, Hilton Dim, Marriot Gld, Amex Plat
Posts: 111
The last half a dozen times I have been there during normal dinner times, it is a bag of Doritos and heated taco meat if you are lucky!
#13
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AA EXP; SQ Gold
Posts: 178
Oddly, one of my favorites is not the fanciest and has minimal catering but it one of the calmest, has a great staff and has a nice quiet room. ORD G. Don't judge. It is like a home away from home when you are stuck flying on those dang regional flights out of G
Don't get me wrong, I love the flagship lounges for food, beverage, etc. but that little G lounge is an oasis
Don't get me wrong, I love the flagship lounges for food, beverage, etc. but that little G lounge is an oasis
Plus the quiet room in the back has very comfortable lounging chairs that people seem to not know about.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AA EXP; SQ Gold
Posts: 178
Of the non-hub ACs, DEN is lovely. Haven't been to EWR yet.
But I'm through PIT weekly and I love the staff, who remember their regulars by name and are quick to help with any kind of ticketing issue whether same day of travel or future travel. Excellent group of very experienced agents!
But I'm through PIT weekly and I love the staff, who remember their regulars by name and are quick to help with any kind of ticketing issue whether same day of travel or future travel. Excellent group of very experienced agents!