The best and the worst Admirals Clubs
Mar 28, 2024, 4:55 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Charlottesville, Va. USA
Posts: 1,752
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.)
YMMV
Mar 28, 2024, 5:01 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
Mar 28, 2024, 5:09 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 142
PHX low A, with only ONE bathroom stall for 200 people is crazy. At a minimum I would at least like to be able to use the bathroom in the Admirals Club.
The high A shouldn’t be considered a club at all. More like a gathering in a living room.
The high A shouldn’t be considered a club at all. More like a gathering in a living room.
Mar 28, 2024, 5:13 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
I think a good “honorable mention “ is DFW-E
It’s quiet , laid-back, and friendly, plus there is a Whataburger nearby to grab and eat in the lounge.
My biggest complaint is that the AS gate isn’t closer, but that’s not AA’s problem
It’s quiet , laid-back, and friendly, plus there is a Whataburger nearby to grab and eat in the lounge.
My biggest complaint is that the AS gate isn’t closer, but that’s not AA’s problem
Mar 28, 2024, 7:33 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 160
I agree with many upthread, so throwing in some with limited mentions:
Best: MEX (best drinks in the entire AA system, decor from the 1990's but it is never crowded)
Worst: MCO (newer decor but dreadfully, dreadfully overcrowded and a terrible two-story layout)
That said, I've found lovely staff at almost all AC locations!
Will be visiting the AUS and IAH clubs for the first time shortly.
Best: MEX (best drinks in the entire AA system, decor from the 1990's but it is never crowded)
Worst: MCO (newer decor but dreadfully, dreadfully overcrowded and a terrible two-story layout)
That said, I've found lovely staff at almost all AC locations!
Will be visiting the AUS and IAH clubs for the first time shortly.
Mar 28, 2024, 7:43 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: GRR (RRRRRR)
Programs: AA Exp, Hyatt Globalist, DL Silv, Hilton Dim, Marriot Gld, Amex Plat
Posts: 111
Mar 28, 2024, 8:07 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,377
Mar 28, 2024, 8:48 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,590
I'll second this for the frumpy, dumpy, tired, crowded, dank ATL AC. Maybe not the best staff but as my home airport for now, they've always gotten me out of a bad travel day when needed.
Mar 29, 2024, 3:43 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA ExPlat, United Gold, IHG Amb Plat, HHonors Diamond(Aspire), Bonvoy LT Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 455
On the good side, as was mentioned above, I also like the MEX lounge. Rarely any people in there, service is friendly, and several times I've had the pleasure of the electric cart waiting for me outside the club to take me on the long haul to the AA gates. Also, while GRU is something of an unpleasant airport, the club there is quite nice... very spacious with pretty decent food choices. Domestically, I like TPA quite a bit... the whole airport is a pleasure to deal with an the AC is nice as well.
Mar 29, 2024, 7:44 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
TPA has a great location and view going for it along with friendly staff, but, OOFF. Seriously dated. And weak and awkward food and self-serve drink set-up. Definitely going back to the 90s and USAirways (even USAir?) days. Like a bad bank branch. No semblance of anything related to current branding or "look" of hub ACs.
I believe AUS getting new club, but current one is dirty, waaaaaaay beat up and dark as heck. The bat cave.
I believe AUS getting new club, but current one is dirty, waaaaaaay beat up and dark as heck. The bat cave.
Mar 29, 2024, 7:53 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,038
TPA has a great location and view going for it along with friendly staff, but, OOFF. Seriously dated. And weak and awkward food and self-serve drink set-up. Definitely going back to the 90s and USAirways (even USAir?) days. Like a bad bank branch. No semblance of anything related to current branding or "look" of hub ACs.
I believe AUS getting new club, but current one is dirty, waaaaaaay beat up and dark as heck. The bat cave.
I believe AUS getting new club, but current one is dirty, waaaaaaay beat up and dark as heck. The bat cave.