And this is with a Prestige card, and something besides and international premium boarding pass? The AA Exec card gives you membership and access, so you often don't have to present it. International first or business boarding passes grant you access. Anything besides those two should supposedly require you to present your card.

I'm in the middle of traveling, and am suddenly in a place that I'm going to end up wishing I had my card with me for access. I guess I'll give it a shot at the airport and see what happens. Worst they can say is no.