Nov 19, 2019, 3:16 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Admirals Club access rules for members changed, membership costs increased 1 November 2019.
This is true regardless of membership type, excluding lifetime members. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® Authorized Users must fulfill the same requirements. (Lifetime Admirals Club members may access Admirals Clubs even if they’re flying non-AA partners, e.g. Southwest, United.)
Declared Business Purposes or rental of a conference facility without a same day boarding pass will not suffice to allow access.
As far as we know, authorized guests accompanying a member do not have to present a same day boarding pass.
No discount is available for a household membership, which will cost $600 regardless of the sponsoring guest’s AAdvantage status.
One Day Passes are available at $59 per person, available for purchase at all Clubs except those where Club refurbishment or construction is going on (currently, ORD and PHL). One Day Passes are not available online.
Changes to membership link to this page on aa.com
Access changes
Starting November 1, 2019
Boarding passes for same-day travel on American Airlines or partner airlines are required for entry.1
1 Any departing or arriving flight: marketed or operated by American Airlines, marketed and operated by any oneworld® partner carrier, or marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines
Access changes
Starting November 1, 2019
Boarding passes for same-day travel on American Airlines or partner airlines are required for entry.1
1 Any departing or arriving flight: marketed or operated by American Airlines, marketed and operated by any oneworld® partner carrier, or marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines
Declared Business Purposes or rental of a conference facility without a same day boarding pass will not suffice to allow access.
As far as we know, authorized guests accompanying a member do not have to present a same day boarding pass.
No discount is available for a household membership, which will cost $600 regardless of the sponsoring guest’s AAdvantage status.
One Day Passes are available at $59 per person, available for purchase at all Clubs except those where Club refurbishment or construction is going on (currently, ORD and PHL). One Day Passes are not available online.
Admirals Club rates increased, new restrictions: 1 Nov 2019
Oct 23, 2018, 8:50 am
#136
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
I do this frequently, as well, particularly if I'm heading straight from the airport to a dinner or to a meeting. I'll just grab a large snack and drink then get on my way. I don't see anything in their language that would suggest this won't be permissible after the change, so long as you've arrived on an AA flight.
I do not like that they buried this rather significant change to the membership program inside an email that has sustainability as a lead story. Glad they're doing what they need to help our planet. It does not soften my disappointment that they're stripping the membership down. Also of note: they've closed Hartford, Greensboro and Caracas (perhaps that was known to others here).
I do not like that they buried this rather significant change to the membership program inside an email that has sustainability as a lead story. Glad they're doing what they need to help our planet. It does not soften my disappointment that they're stripping the membership down. Also of note: they've closed Hartford, Greensboro and Caracas (perhaps that was known to others here).
Oct 23, 2018, 10:15 am
#137
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
This is good if it does indeed continue. If I have a checked bag coming back to AUS (due to transporting liquids), I often stop in at the AC to use the restroom, grab a drink, before heading downstairs to grab my luggage.
Oct 23, 2018, 10:37 am
#138
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,650
Typically, I use this card for AC access for me and 4 AUs. I will rally this month and spend an additional 15K as an additional 10K EQM will result in 2 more SWUs.
Oct 23, 2018, 11:15 am
#139
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
I would imagine it is a good percentage of AC members who are on those flights, who then utilize the club after arrival.
A change in that ability would be a huge blow for the business travelers who count on that benefit to freshen up before meetings in the morning.
Oct 23, 2018, 11:40 am
#140
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: AA EXP, UA, DL
Posts: 5
New restrictions on members are ridiculous
According to the rules you must have a same day boarding pass (not necessary on the arriving airport), if you arrive the next day, you are technically out of luck...
I have a paid membership which auto renewed for the past several years, I'm going to turn autorenew off today. It looks to me this is a move to push the credit card revenue stream, even if they devaluete CC holders in the process. AA figured they have current CC holders captive because of limited options and want to get new ones, with a worse deal... I already limit my AA spending after reaching EXP. Since loyalty or membership means nothing to AA, now more than ever, I'll use them as a comodity and actively look for better deals after 100K AA miles...
I have a paid membership which auto renewed for the past several years, I'm going to turn autorenew off today. It looks to me this is a move to push the credit card revenue stream, even if they devaluete CC holders in the process. AA figured they have current CC holders captive because of limited options and want to get new ones, with a worse deal... I already limit my AA spending after reaching EXP. Since loyalty or membership means nothing to AA, now more than ever, I'll use them as a comodity and actively look for better deals after 100K AA miles...
Last edited by DBOS; Oct 23, 2018 at 12:07 pm Reason: Used quick reply and was not linked to the original text
Oct 23, 2018, 12:18 pm
#141
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
These new restrictions hurt me a lot. I'm based at RDU and fly a lot of United (who has no lounge at RDU) and occasionally Frontier. I have the Citi Executive card so I always have a lounge at my home airport. I don't mind access restrictions but if you're paying for a lounge membership you shouldn't be limited on what airline you're flying to use the lounge you're paying for. Consolidation sucks.
Oct 23, 2018, 12:39 pm
#142
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Just a heads up, if you have a Citi AAdvantage card of any type, you can in most cases switch the type to the executive card which will grant you access to the Admirals Club for $450 without needing to apply for a new CC. If you already have an AC membership, they will give you a pro-rated refund. Also, Citi will give you a pro-rated refund of the existing card type's annual fee.
Oct 23, 2018, 5:32 pm
#143
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
[QUOTE=AAdamE;30347531] If you already have an AC membership, they will give you a pro-rated refund. /QUOTE]
The will not give lifetime members a pro-rated refund, nor a discount on the credit card fee.
The will not give lifetime members a pro-rated refund, nor a discount on the credit card fee.
Oct 23, 2018, 8:17 pm
#144
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: IL
Programs: UA-SIL MR-TIT HYT-GBL IHG-PLT HH-DIA WYN-PLT AMEX-PLT
Posts: 150
In the fine print, in regard to same day flight (or flight the next day before 6am), it says, "non-revenue passengers aren't eligible."
Does that mean that an employee who paid for an AC membership, can never utilize the lounge if they are flying non-rev? If so, that sucks.
Does that mean that an employee who paid for an AC membership, can never utilize the lounge if they are flying non-rev? If so, that sucks.
Oct 24, 2018, 10:15 am
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,040
While likely a copy of DL, the DL policy does not actually go into effect until Jan 1. Currently, members can enter SC's with same-day ticket on any airline. You are perhaps confusing SC member entry rules with the Amex Plat/DL Reserve Amex entry rules.
Oct 24, 2018, 11:11 am
#147
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charlotte
Programs: AA EX PLAT
Posts: 89
In the fine print, in regard to same day flight (or flight the next day before 6am), it says, "non-revenue passengers aren't eligible."
Does that mean that an employee who paid for an AC membership, can never utilize the lounge if they are flying non-rev? If so, that sucks.
Does that mean that an employee who paid for an AC membership, can never utilize the lounge if they are flying non-rev? If so, that sucks.
Oct 24, 2018, 2:36 pm
#148
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 165
I also received a response from Admirals Club customer service indicating that arrival access would be permitted, including when it is a red eye and the boarding pass would technically be from the previous day.
Oct 24, 2018, 2:44 pm
#149
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
Interesting. Chase gives the UA lifetime club members their Presidential Plus Card for $100/year. At least they did under CO and I'm still getting it for that price, many years later. I find it well worth it for the travel insurance/benefits the card provides.
Oct 24, 2018, 8:30 pm
#150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
"Same day boarding pass" and "same day travel" technically are different; if I depart on a redeye on 11/1 (say) and arrive on 11/2 and want to enter an AC on 11/2 I do NOT have a bp dated 11/2 even though I FLEW on 11/2--or am I getting too technical re the new rules?