Decline of Admirals clubs?
#61
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 800
must have been triggered! Good lord.
the point is that anything LUS related was, and remains an absolute dump. I'm not sure why they can't invest in those clubs and bring them up to the standards that the LAA clubs were/are.
I first joined the Admirals Clubs in 2010, and they had started offering some free alcohol drinks. Prior to that, you had to pay for any alcoholic drink. I don't remember what they offered for food, but don't think it much. The offerings are better today, but the clientele has become much more diverse. I miss the days when it was only business travelers. I don't think children under the age of 10 should be allowed. Sorry for all of you traveling with your brood who think the clubs are a day care center.
the point is that anything LUS related was, and remains an absolute dump. I'm not sure why they can't invest in those clubs and bring them up to the standards that the LAA clubs were/are.
I first joined the Admirals Clubs in 2010, and they had started offering some free alcohol drinks. Prior to that, you had to pay for any alcoholic drink. I don't remember what they offered for food, but don't think it much. The offerings are better today, but the clientele has become much more diverse. I miss the days when it was only business travelers. I don't think children under the age of 10 should be allowed. Sorry for all of you traveling with your brood who think the clubs are a day care center.
#62
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA *S, BA Fanboy
Posts: 424
They look a lot nicer, but don't worry, they're just as disappointing unless you're there for the pancake machine. I would not advise going out of your way for the Alaska lounges. I really do wonder how Alaska saw what Delta did with the SEA SkyClub and still decided they were doing enough. The Alaska lounge in the north satellite is really nice looking, but they just up and decided that hardboiled eggs, yogurt, cheese cubes, and soup are the kinds of food people really like and to not bother with anything substantial.
#63
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Globalist, BonVoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hilton Gold, BW Diamond, RR VIP
Posts: 517
Meanwhile, I have been attempting for the past week to send an actual letter--like a real letter--of commendation regarding an employee, which you would think would be welcomed, and I am battling an AI bot that insists "she" is not. I don't doubt Twitter will be too.
#64
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,766
. . . . .Meanwhile, I have been attempting for the past week to send an actual letter--like a real letter--of commendation regarding an employee, which you would think would be welcomed, and I am battling an AI bot that insists "she" is not. I don't doubt Twitter will be too.
American Airlines Customer Relations
400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Last June a crew out of Nashville did an unusual, transparent job of handling a weather delay (that could have been avoided if the passengers had acted on repeated requests to shut up, sit down, and buckle in so we could get in line and leave on time. But that is a rant for another thread).
Especially the mid-cabin flight attendant, who did an outstanding job of relaying real information and personally charming 10 rows of frustrated people, some of whom were all but drunk and could have quickly gone the other way, to remain positive and fall in love with her. When we finally got home to Texas, the same flight attendant noticed we were giving up finding a lost old iPad with my airplane music on it. So she got down on her hands and knees, and felt along between the seat and cabin wall and found it. (Who knew there is a pocket on the far side of an Airbus window seat things can fall into? She did. Said it wasn't the first time she had retrieved something there).
I am negligent in almost never sending in deserved feedback, even when very appropriate. Even if it is very positive. But this time since I couldn't adopt her, she was at least getting a written compliment. (Like you I could not find an electronic way to send it). All I had was a first name, flight number and date, where she was seated, and a mailing address I don't remember how I found.
Received a semi-personalized mailed acknowledgement back in two or three weeks. I at least hope a copy of both letters made it into her file. She earned it.
#65
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,400
I'm at CLT B now . Total zoo--the club--the concourses--everywhere. Here in the club it's families all over the place little kids at the tables eating chicken out of bags, freestyle machine inop, only one working faucet in the men's room, bags and coats on seats "saving them", listening to drunk rednecks at the bar try to flirt with the bartender...the list is long and distinguished.
The clubs in the former US Air hubs are the poor stepchildren. Small and crowded and in a seemingly permanent state of construction or improvisation. AUS is a zoo in the late afternoon before the BA flight boards. I have never been to the STL club. Otherwise I think they are fine and overall worth the price of admission. I was in the ORD club about a week ago and there was plenty of space and the food was quite good. I do agree that too many families with kids can spoil things.
Even more triggering adjectives!
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,637
They were business men not college kids. Either way your point is taken--it was spring break so families everywhere.
#68
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Globalist, BonVoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hilton Gold, BW Diamond, RR VIP
Posts: 517
I'm not sure I understand your meaning about an AI bot that is somehow frustrating the process, but, a mailing address is:
American Airlines Customer Relations
400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Last June a crew out of Nashville did an unusual, transparent job of handling a weather delay (that could have been avoided if the passengers had acted on repeated requests to shut up, sit down, and buckle in so we could get in line and leave on time. But that is a rant for another thread).
Especially the mid-cabin flight attendant, who did an outstanding job of relaying real information and personally charming 10 rows of frustrated people, some of whom were all but drunk and could have quickly gone the other way, to remain positive and fall in love with her. When we finally got home to Texas, the same flight attendant noticed we were giving up finding a lost old iPad with my airplane music on it. So she got down on her hands and knees, and felt along between the seat and cabin wall and found it. (Who knew there is a pocket on the far side of an Airbus window seat things can fall into? She did. Said it wasn't the first time she had retrieved something there).
I am negligent in almost never sending in deserved feedback, even when very appropriate. Even if it is very positive. But this time since I couldn't adopt her, she was at least getting a written compliment. (Like you I could not find an electronic way to send it). All I had was a first name, flight number and date, where she was seated, and a mailing address I don't remember how I found.
Received a semi-personalized mailed acknowledgement back in two or three weeks. I at least hope a copy of both letters made it into her file. She earned it.
American Airlines Customer Relations
400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Last June a crew out of Nashville did an unusual, transparent job of handling a weather delay (that could have been avoided if the passengers had acted on repeated requests to shut up, sit down, and buckle in so we could get in line and leave on time. But that is a rant for another thread).
Especially the mid-cabin flight attendant, who did an outstanding job of relaying real information and personally charming 10 rows of frustrated people, some of whom were all but drunk and could have quickly gone the other way, to remain positive and fall in love with her. When we finally got home to Texas, the same flight attendant noticed we were giving up finding a lost old iPad with my airplane music on it. So she got down on her hands and knees, and felt along between the seat and cabin wall and found it. (Who knew there is a pocket on the far side of an Airbus window seat things can fall into? She did. Said it wasn't the first time she had retrieved something there).
I am negligent in almost never sending in deserved feedback, even when very appropriate. Even if it is very positive. But this time since I couldn't adopt her, she was at least getting a written compliment. (Like you I could not find an electronic way to send it). All I had was a first name, flight number and date, where she was seated, and a mailing address I don't remember how I found.
Received a semi-personalized mailed acknowledgement back in two or three weeks. I at least hope a copy of both letters made it into her file. She earned it.
Last edited by travelingdrsuz; Apr 2, 2024 at 11:10 pm Reason: Left out quote
#69
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,013
AA also simply suffers from a lack of clubs compared to Delta. Here are some non-hub airports where I have flown recently where AA does not have a club, but Delta (for example) does. When flying from these airports back home, particularly on business, I am not considering AA because I may want to have access to a club at these locations:
New Orleans
Kansas City
Jacksonville
West Palm Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Seattle
New Orleans
Kansas City
Jacksonville
West Palm Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Seattle
AA has actual clubs in 32 cities; DL has actual clubs in 36 cities. Admirals club members can access the AS Lounge at SEA.
So there is a difference, but the difference isn't significant.
The biggest gaps in AA's club system (IMHO) are LAS and MSY and SAN (which is accessible to Admirals Club members but not authorized users). But DL doesn't have a LAS location either (they partner with the Centurion Lounge so its not a true DL Sky Club).
What I don't have via my Admirals membership is supplemented by Priority Pass and my Amex card.
#70
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,013
You've listed almost entirely a series of locations in the Southeast, where DL is strongest. The MCI club is brand new and a wonderful addition to the network, and SEA is a DL hub (or quasi-hub). AA also has a club in Nashville.
If your list was:
Charlotte
Houston
Orange County
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Toronto
You would have listed a bunch of places where AA has a club and DL does not.
If your list was:
Charlotte
Houston
Orange County
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Toronto
You would have listed a bunch of places where AA has a club and DL does not.
#71
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,013
Your situation is a bit unique - the majority of passengers flying in the US have access to the USA located clubs only through a membership. I find the AA app a weak remedy compared to the ability of the AA agents when irrops situations come up.
#72
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Some/Most/All
Posts: 263
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 11,663
I'm in the same boat as them regarding the lack of value. 10+ years of at least EXP and I've never carried an AC membership.
#74
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 628
I didn't realize that ... I knew AS was supposedly taking over the Aspire space. Does this mean AA's gates will move to T2W? If so, that would be huge news as their current gates in T2E, that they've been in forever, are some of the worst in the AA system.
#75
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Some/Most/All
Posts: 263
Does this mean AA's gates will move to T2W? If so, that would be huge news as their current gates in T2E, that they've been in forever, are some of the worst in the AA system.