In some airports where there is no "real" AC, AA has agreements with another airline to let its lounge(s) be used for the purpose. For example, anything that gets you AC access will let you into JAL's Sakura lounges at NRT. (The last time I was there the desk was staffed by a trainee who was a bit unfamiliar with the concept, but she called her supervisor over and had a short lesson in the varieties of American Airlines cards she might be shown. She was also, as one might expect, both courteous and apologetic throughout.)