Admirals Club Benefits - Worth it? (consolidated)
May 27, 2009, 11:02 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SAN
Programs: AA EXP 4 MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 884
May 28, 2009, 6:12 am
#92
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Chattanooga TN USA
Programs: HH Gold, MR Silver, PC Platinum, CC Gold
Posts: 500
I do not fly much. My business keeps me in the car in about a 150 radius of home. The occasions that I do fly, I seldom have much time between flights. I find that next month, I will have a 5-hour layover at ORD. Is it possible to purchase a day pass to the Admiral's Club? Would I still get the free wi-fi? Anybody know how much that might cost? I've only used Delta Crown Room a couple of times and was able to get a day pass each time. Of course, I paid a bunch for wi-fi for a couple of hours. Also, what to expect in the Admiral's Club early morning? Food? Drink? I'm getting there about 7:00am and don't connect until after noon.
May 28, 2009, 6:17 am
#93
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
I do not fly much. My business keeps me in the car in about a 150 radius of home. The occasions that I do fly, I seldom have much time between flights. I find that next month, I will have a 5-hour layover at ORD. Is it possible to purchase a day pass to the Admiral's Club? Would I still get the free wi-fi? Anybody know how much that might cost? I've only used Delta Crown Room a couple of times and was able to get a day pass each time. Of course, I paid a bunch for wi-fi for a couple of hours. Also, what to expect in the Admiral's Club early morning? Food? Drink? I'm getting there about 7:00am and don't connect until after noon.
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...OneDayPass.jsp
Regards
May 28, 2009, 6:46 am
#94
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 933
After reading the rules for admissions to the AC's, I have a question for anyone who might have done this routing in the past.
Our game plan is to fly BOS to LAX, non stop, on a late afternoon flight up front. Under the rules, it would appear that my wife and I could gain access to the AC in BOS (non-stop transcon). The thing is that the next morning we would be flying from LAX to HNL, up front once again. I know that segment would not allow us to qualify for admission.
Question. With the first portion of our trip being a non stop transcon one day with the continuation the next morning, would we be able to gain admission to the AC in BOS? Thanks...
Our game plan is to fly BOS to LAX, non stop, on a late afternoon flight up front. Under the rules, it would appear that my wife and I could gain access to the AC in BOS (non-stop transcon). The thing is that the next morning we would be flying from LAX to HNL, up front once again. I know that segment would not allow us to qualify for admission.
Question. With the first portion of our trip being a non stop transcon one day with the continuation the next morning, would we be able to gain admission to the AC in BOS? Thanks...
May 28, 2009, 6:57 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
Howdy folks... I'm a AA Gold (lost Plat this year) that's getting ready for a big round of QF and AA travel in the July-August time frame (probably equivalent of 2 complete return trips, with several domestic legs on either side of the Pacific).
Had I known I had this much travel coming up I might have paid to keep my Plat status, but I didn't... so too late (at least I think it is).
Now I'm looking buying either an Admirals Club membership or a Qantas Club membership. With my AA Gold to buy the Admirals Club is $450. With a company discount and the currency conversion, the QC membership is essentially the same.
So I'm trying to work through the pros/cons of each and decide which is the best for my use. As far as I can tell both are going to allow me the same level of lounge access for the flights I'm going to be using... so the only difference is perks. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Qantas Clubs offer free wifi and free food/drink regardless of whether you're a member or a visiting Admirals Club member.
When it comes to joint AA/QF clubs (such as LAX T4)... Admirals Club will get me free wifi... Qantas Club will get me drink vouchers.
At domestic US Admirals Clubs (say ORD or DFW)... same situation I think... Admirals Club will get me wifi... QC will get me drink vouchers.
Am I not considering something? If these are the only differences then I'll probably make a choice based on which is easiest/quickest to buy. If someone can offer some anecdotal evidence why one would be better than the other, I'd sure appreciate it.
Cheers.
Had I known I had this much travel coming up I might have paid to keep my Plat status, but I didn't... so too late (at least I think it is).
Now I'm looking buying either an Admirals Club membership or a Qantas Club membership. With my AA Gold to buy the Admirals Club is $450. With a company discount and the currency conversion, the QC membership is essentially the same.
So I'm trying to work through the pros/cons of each and decide which is the best for my use. As far as I can tell both are going to allow me the same level of lounge access for the flights I'm going to be using... so the only difference is perks. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Qantas Clubs offer free wifi and free food/drink regardless of whether you're a member or a visiting Admirals Club member.
When it comes to joint AA/QF clubs (such as LAX T4)... Admirals Club will get me free wifi... Qantas Club will get me drink vouchers.
At domestic US Admirals Clubs (say ORD or DFW)... same situation I think... Admirals Club will get me wifi... QC will get me drink vouchers.
Am I not considering something? If these are the only differences then I'll probably make a choice based on which is easiest/quickest to buy. If someone can offer some anecdotal evidence why one would be better than the other, I'd sure appreciate it.
Cheers.
2. AFAIK, there is no difference in the food available in Admirals Clubs based on the card you used to get in.
If they are the same cost, I would go with Admirals Club membership, as you can get in even when not flying AA.
May 28, 2009, 7:19 am
#96
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
After reading the rules for admissions to the AC's, I have a question for anyone who might have done this routing in the past.
Our game plan is to fly BOS to LAX, non stop, on a late afternoon flight up front. Under the rules, it would appear that my wife and I could gain access to the AC in BOS (non-stop transcon). The thing is that the next morning we would be flying from LAX to HNL, up front once again. I know that segment would not allow us to qualify for admission.
Question. With the first portion of our trip being a non stop transcon one day with the continuation the next morning, would we be able to gain admission to the AC in BOS? Thanks...
Our game plan is to fly BOS to LAX, non stop, on a late afternoon flight up front. Under the rules, it would appear that my wife and I could gain access to the AC in BOS (non-stop transcon). The thing is that the next morning we would be flying from LAX to HNL, up front once again. I know that segment would not allow us to qualify for admission.
Question. With the first portion of our trip being a non stop transcon one day with the continuation the next morning, would we be able to gain admission to the AC in BOS? Thanks...
May 28, 2009, 10:03 am
#97
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP/DFW
Programs: Priority Club PLT, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP
Posts: 480
After reading the rules for admissions to the AC's, I have a question for anyone who might have done this routing in the past.
Our game plan is to fly BOS to LAX, non stop, on a late afternoon flight up front. Under the rules, it would appear that my wife and I could gain access to the AC in BOS (non-stop transcon). The thing is that the next morning we would be flying from LAX to HNL, up front once again. I know that segment would not allow us to qualify for admission.
Question. With the first portion of our trip being a non stop transcon one day with the continuation the next morning, would we be able to gain admission to the AC in BOS? Thanks...
Our game plan is to fly BOS to LAX, non stop, on a late afternoon flight up front. Under the rules, it would appear that my wife and I could gain access to the AC in BOS (non-stop transcon). The thing is that the next morning we would be flying from LAX to HNL, up front once again. I know that segment would not allow us to qualify for admission.
Question. With the first portion of our trip being a non stop transcon one day with the continuation the next morning, would we be able to gain admission to the AC in BOS? Thanks...
May 28, 2009, 11:00 am
#98
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAT, AUS, HNL
Programs: NW Plat, DL 2 MM Flying Colonel, AA EXP MM, CO,NW,UA, MM, Hilton, Hyatt Diamond, QF Club Lifetime
Posts: 250
1. Qantas Club seems to be phasing out the free drinks in domestic Admirals Clubs. There is a footnote on their website about free drinks not being available in some locations. Qantas Club members have reported different experiences - sometimes don't get drink chits, sometimes do.
2. AFAIK, there is no difference in the food available in Admirals Clubs based on the card you used to get in.
If they are the same cost, I would go with Admirals Club membership, as you can get in even when not flying AA.
2. AFAIK, there is no difference in the food available in Admirals Clubs based on the card you used to get in.
If they are the same cost, I would go with Admirals Club membership, as you can get in even when not flying AA.
Every US AC that I've been to gives two drink chits to QF Club members.
My QF Lifetime card has beeen a real winner.
May 28, 2009, 1:54 pm
#99
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 933
Thanks JY1024 and Genotonda for the replies regarding my admission question. As I re-read my question, it does look like I asked the question twice. Sorry about that. Maybe I should have stated my question differently.
My question was answered. Admission to BOS and LAX lounges on the BOS/LAX transcon (correct fare code applied) but no admission to the LAX or HNL lounges for the LAX/HNL flight.
My question was answered. Admission to BOS and LAX lounges on the BOS/LAX transcon (correct fare code applied) but no admission to the LAX or HNL lounges for the LAX/HNL flight.
May 28, 2009, 7:01 pm
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
"Self-serve hot coffee and tea, juices and snacks are available. A complimentary bar service also operates around the clock in international lounges, and from mid-afternoon in our domestic Australian and New Zealand lounges.*"
"* May not be available in some USA partner lounges. Lounge opening times may vary."
Who do you think they mean by "USA partner lounges"?
I have heard of Qantas Club members being turned down for drink chits. I've also heard of others who haven't been turned down. Glad it hasn't happened to you yet.
Last edited by gemac; May 28, 2009 at 7:14 pm
May 6, 2010, 7:44 pm
#102
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
May 6, 2010, 9:24 pm
#103
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
May 7, 2010, 9:59 am
#104
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,293
Some personal experience. Twice in the last month the SNA AC has called me to warn me of delays which even the EXP desk was not aware of. Apparently airport agents can be behind in putting in the information on the delay. Rebooking me on earlier flights meant not having to land at 2AM at my destination and then waking up to meet the client at 9AM. Priceless IMHO.
May 7, 2010, 12:51 pm
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Also, at least the JFK/MIA/DFW clubs have some additional items (toothpaste, shaving cream, razor) if you ask at the front desk or the attendant when requesting a shower.