Admirals Club Benefits - Worth it? (consolidated)
#61
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Smellington, NZ
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, UA 2P, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 1,453
The free WiFi is FANTASTIC! It just increased the value of my membership considerably!
Agreed...showers, showers, showers! (especially for those of us who take multiple long-haul redeyes each year)
And don't forget about the free food at international clubs (and booze, if you choose to partake).
Agreed...showers, showers, showers! (especially for those of us who take multiple long-haul redeyes each year)
And don't forget about the free food at international clubs (and booze, if you choose to partake).
#62
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Primary: LAX Secondary: JFK and LHR Currently: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Admirals Club, TrueBlue, AF/KLM Flying Blue
Posts: 393
I've used the AC plenty of times on international routes, but just bought a membership the other day.
I've never used the showers before, though intend on starting! Do they have shampoo, soap, deoderant, etc?
I've never used the showers before, though intend on starting! Do they have shampoo, soap, deoderant, etc?
Last edited by unitedPSbusiness; Jan 19, 2008 at 7:20 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,966
The ACs have a dispenser on the wall with shampoo and "shower gel," which is some kind of soap. I always carry a bar of antibacterial Dial and a 2-oz bottle of shampoo, so I don't use the provided stuff.
(Showers at FLs used to provide individual bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc., but I've never showered at one, so I can't tell you for sure. I do know that the FLs will steam-press your clothes for you while you shower.)
#64
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Primary: LAX Secondary: JFK and LHR Currently: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Admirals Club, TrueBlue, AF/KLM Flying Blue
Posts: 393
You MUST try the showers at DFW, especially in A. Ask for #7! (it feels like a hotel room) A huge 2-foot-wide shower head cascading water down on you, plus jets shooting water at you from all sides! Feels amazingly wonderful after almost 10 hours on a plane!
The ACs have a dispenser on the wall with shampoo and "shower gel," which is some kind of soap. I always carry a bar of antibacterial Dial and a 2-oz bottle of shampoo, so I don't use the provided stuff.
(Showers at FLs used to provide individual bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc., but I've never showered at one, so I can't tell you for sure. I do know that the FLs will steam-press your clothes for you while you shower.)
The ACs have a dispenser on the wall with shampoo and "shower gel," which is some kind of soap. I always carry a bar of antibacterial Dial and a 2-oz bottle of shampoo, so I don't use the provided stuff.
(Showers at FLs used to provide individual bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc., but I've never showered at one, so I can't tell you for sure. I do know that the FLs will steam-press your clothes for you while you shower.)
#65
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,928
I haven't been there in a couple of years, but I'll be there in February and May.
#66
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
I was just looking over this thread, and ACs sound utterly unappealing for this longtime DL CRC (and by extension, CO & NW clubs) member. Even though lately all of my paid flying has been on AA, it sounds like the single biggest benefit of ACs is that the AAngels resemble GAs... who actually do their jobs! Seriously, it sounds as though AA elites ostensibly should be entitled to anything AAngels are able to do, no? Shouldn't I get the same results by simply calling the platinum line?
At least DL CRCs include complimentary drinks; ACs come across as just plain stingy by comparison. I guess I (and anybody else who has converted from the Skyteam world) am spoiled by DL CRCs' higher standards. It sounds like ACs are actually a step up from UA & US's offerings - which makes me wonder just how worthless those places must be!
At least DL CRCs include complimentary drinks; ACs come across as just plain stingy by comparison. I guess I (and anybody else who has converted from the Skyteam world) am spoiled by DL CRCs' higher standards. It sounds like ACs are actually a step up from UA & US's offerings - which makes me wonder just how worthless those places must be!
#67
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 413
Eric, I dunno...
When travelling TATL/TPAC, I get a few free cocktails on the ground, and then my free cocktails on the plane (J/F).
The AAngels, in fact, seem to do more than any other service can provide -- getting booked on last-minute oversolds is probably the best deal in it all. I got on a flight that a 20+ person standby list, by virtue of being PLT and asking the AAngel (even though the Plat line was no help, and wanted me to leave the next morning on UA).
For $350 a year, I get a private, quiet place in the airport to keep working, sit in a comfortable seat, enjoy complimentary soft beverages and some little snacks. CNBC or CNN are usually on, as well, so I get caught up on the day's news. It works out to a few bucks per visit over the course of the year for me.
Now... before someone accuses me of being a shill for AA, I'm not, I just put the club experience in perspective. Maybe when I make EXP later this year, and start hanging out in the FL's... then maybe I'll look at the AC as slumming
Cheers,
-Andrew
When travelling TATL/TPAC, I get a few free cocktails on the ground, and then my free cocktails on the plane (J/F).
The AAngels, in fact, seem to do more than any other service can provide -- getting booked on last-minute oversolds is probably the best deal in it all. I got on a flight that a 20+ person standby list, by virtue of being PLT and asking the AAngel (even though the Plat line was no help, and wanted me to leave the next morning on UA).
For $350 a year, I get a private, quiet place in the airport to keep working, sit in a comfortable seat, enjoy complimentary soft beverages and some little snacks. CNBC or CNN are usually on, as well, so I get caught up on the day's news. It works out to a few bucks per visit over the course of the year for me.
Now... before someone accuses me of being a shill for AA, I'm not, I just put the club experience in perspective. Maybe when I make EXP later this year, and start hanging out in the FL's... then maybe I'll look at the AC as slumming
Cheers,
-Andrew
#68
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 757
.... it sounds like the single biggest benefit of ACs is that the AAngels resemble GAs... who actually do their jobs! Seriously, it sounds as though AA elites ostensibly should be entitled to anything AAngels are able to do, no? Shouldn't I get the same results by simply calling the platinum line?....
It would be great if all GAs gave such service to elites (maybe only EXPs), but that would more man-hours. The AC allows a small agent-to-member ratio for this type of service.
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,511
I've walked into the SJC club several times to have one of my favorite AAngels hand me a boarding pass to correct a problem...one time I thought it was already fixed. She knew I was flying, knew I'd stop by, and took care of things before I arrived. I was there once and she was just finishing leaving a message for another local AC member whose flight the next day (or later that day) was delayed or canceled or something. Beats the hell out of a free drink.
Plus, it's nice to have a comfy place to sit and chill, get some water or a soda.
But the AAngels are what it's all about.
Cheers.
#70
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 27
Just curious why people are paying for AC, vs just getting AMEX plat which is around the same annual expense, but includes access to other airlines and all the other AMEX perks? unless you pay for AC w/ AA miles, I dont see how it makes sense?
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,511
Cheers.
#72
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 757
Unless one flies enough to get mid to top tier on two to three airlines, it seems a better deal to get top tier in one airline and pay the discounted rate for the club.
#73
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
one other quick question: do ACs still provide complimentary one-day t-mobile cards? I thought this was going to be a temporary CRC benefit, but CRCs still hand them out every time.
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,511
Cheers.
#75
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: 3,815
The way I view it, I'd rather pay $350 for a year of AC access than an extra $350 for one domestic trip in F instead of Y. As someone who is a) young b) travels very frequently (5 TPACs, 1 TATL, 3 domestic since Jan 1) and c) who can afford it I have bought lifetime memberships in the AC, PC and WC lounges. It really depends on your choices...but I still think that lounge memberships are among the best values around.