Admirals Club Benefits - Worth it? (consolidated)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MIA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC, Delta PM, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,031
Admirals Club Benefits - Worth it? (consolidated)
Friends just want some opinions on this topic. I've finally started my own consulting business and am traveling a lot out of TPA. We don't have an Admirals Club, but I fly a lot through MIA, DFW, STL, and ORD to connect to other locations.
Is it worth the $350 or 50,000 miles to get a Membership? I just wonder because I usually don't get to the airport too early and like to walk around during layovers. I already have a wireless laptop card through Sprint as well.
Thoughts and comments please - what do you like about the AC?
Is it worth the $350 or 50,000 miles to get a Membership? I just wonder because I usually don't get to the airport too early and like to walk around during layovers. I already have a wireless laptop card through Sprint as well.
Thoughts and comments please - what do you like about the AC?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat (2MM), Hertz 5 star
Posts: 598
Friends just want some opinions on this topic. I've finally started my own consulting business and am traveling a lot out of TPA. We don't have an Admirals Club, but I fly a lot through MIA, DFW, STL, and ORD to connect to other locations.
Is it worth the $350 or 50,000 miles to get a Membership? I just wonder because I usually don't get to the airport too early and like to walk around during layovers. I already have a wireless laptop card through Sprint as well.
Thoughts and comments please - what do you like about the AC?
Is it worth the $350 or 50,000 miles to get a Membership? I just wonder because I usually don't get to the airport too early and like to walk around during layovers. I already have a wireless laptop card through Sprint as well.
Thoughts and comments please - what do you like about the AC?
#3
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: arlington, va
Programs: AA Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Plat
Posts: 660
Not worth it if you are going to use it once a month or less and that $350 is out of your pocket and can't be written off your taxes. On the other hand, if you know you'll use it at least 2-3 times a month, it may be worthwhile. Others on this board have raved about the ability of the club's agents to work miracles during irregular ops - and it would only take 1 or 2 of these a year for it to be a good return on $350. As far as facilities and services go, the AA clubs are spartan - a notch below CO and DL, though the AA clubs tend to be a bit better maintained than the UA clubs. Why not hold off until the first time you encounter a situation (long layover, cancelled flight ...) and join then?
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: AA PLT, 1.8mm
Posts: 6,988
what I like about the AC...
1. a quiet place to escape the terminal
2. dedicated desk agents to assist with upgrades, rerouting on a delay or cancellation, etc.
3. showers for int'l conxns
I'm mildly annoyed that wifi is not complimentary. the Regus complimentary membership is about as useful to me as a condo on the moon.
my employer reimburses the $ 250 AC renewal, but I'd pay that amount myself if I had to. Definitely worth the $$ if you fly a lot.
2. dedicated desk agents to assist with upgrades, rerouting on a delay or cancellation, etc.
3. showers for int'l conxns
I'm mildly annoyed that wifi is not complimentary. the Regus complimentary membership is about as useful to me as a condo on the moon.
my employer reimburses the $ 250 AC renewal, but I'd pay that amount myself if I had to. Definitely worth the $$ if you fly a lot.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
This, older thread, is actually entitled "AC Membership: Worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...orth+it%3F
But you'll also find about a dozen, comprehensive, more recent threads with a cursory search.
Edit to add: a few of them:
"AC worth the $?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Is Admirals club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Worth it to join AC?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club - Worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club (Value For Money?)"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admirals Club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
And those are only the ones that used "worth".
Many other useful, detailed and thoughtful discussions in the "lifetime AC" threads and the "QF club vs. AC club threads."
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...orth+it%3F
But you'll also find about a dozen, comprehensive, more recent threads with a cursory search.
Edit to add: a few of them:
"AC worth the $?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Is Admirals club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Worth it to join AC?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club - Worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club (Value For Money?)"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admirals Club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
And those are only the ones that used "worth".
Many other useful, detailed and thoughtful discussions in the "lifetime AC" threads and the "QF club vs. AC club threads."
Last edited by JonNYC; May 19, 2007 at 11:32 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
I joined, but wish I could get my money back.
Example:
A couple of weeks ago I was in the "famed" new JFK T9 AC. Breakfast was a stack of shrink wrapped bagel quarters. There was orange juice too.
Earlier in the week, I had been at DTW in the NW WorldClub. There my breakfast consisted of: full toasted bagel, choice of muffins, yoghurt, banana, choice of juices and I finished it off with a cappaucino while surfing FT via the free wi-fi. If I had wanted a bloody mary it would have been free too.
For those with money to spare & expense accounts, sure AC is worth it. But for folks like me it's just not worth it. Now, if they would just give me one or two drink coupons I would not be so disapointed.
Example:
A couple of weeks ago I was in the "famed" new JFK T9 AC. Breakfast was a stack of shrink wrapped bagel quarters. There was orange juice too.
Earlier in the week, I had been at DTW in the NW WorldClub. There my breakfast consisted of: full toasted bagel, choice of muffins, yoghurt, banana, choice of juices and I finished it off with a cappaucino while surfing FT via the free wi-fi. If I had wanted a bloody mary it would have been free too.
For those with money to spare & expense accounts, sure AC is worth it. But for folks like me it's just not worth it. Now, if they would just give me one or two drink coupons I would not be so disapointed.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
This, older thread, is actually entitled "AC Membership: Worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...orth+it%3F
But you'll also find about a dozen, comprehensive, more recent threads with a cursory search.
Edit to add: a few of them:
"AC worth the $?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Is Admirals club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Worth it to join AC?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club - Worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club (Value For Money?)"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admirals Club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
And those are only the ones that used "worth".
Many other useful, detailed and thoughtful discussions in the "lifetime AC" threads and the "QF club vs. AC club threads."
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...orth+it%3F
But you'll also find about a dozen, comprehensive, more recent threads with a cursory search.
Edit to add: a few of them:
"AC worth the $?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Is Admirals club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Worth it to join AC?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club - Worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admiral's Club (Value For Money?)"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
"Admirals Club worth it?"
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ip+worth+it%3F
And those are only the ones that used "worth".
Many other useful, detailed and thoughtful discussions in the "lifetime AC" threads and the "QF club vs. AC club threads."
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: MSP (and will only fly NWA in re-routes if I HAVE to)
Programs: AA EXP (4.5MM), hotel programs as needed
Posts: 5,800
Have you asked?
I would imagine various people involved with the Admirals Clubs any of these addresses would be interested in your comments.
Ralph L. Richardi
Senior Vice President – Customer Service
Physical Address
4333 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76155
American Airlines Admirals Club
Attn: Rosemary Lovejoy
New Terminal 9 - Remote Concourse C, Third Floor
JFK International Airport
Jamaica, NY 11430
You can also email Admirals Club customer service at [email protected].
I would imagine various people involved with the Admirals Clubs any of these addresses would be interested in your comments.
Ralph L. Richardi
Senior Vice President – Customer Service
Physical Address
4333 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76155
American Airlines Admirals Club
Attn: Rosemary Lovejoy
New Terminal 9 - Remote Concourse C, Third Floor
JFK International Airport
Jamaica, NY 11430
You can also email Admirals Club customer service at [email protected].
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS MVPG
Posts: 1,395
At least once a year (sometimes more), the AAngels get me home when otherwise I might have to overnight at ORD or DFW. This Tuesday my LAX-SFO flight was cancelled, and an AAngel at LAX worked her magic to get me an assigned seat on an oversold flight, which got me back up the coast in time for a critical dinner meeting. Definitely worth the money.
The miles they charge for membership are seriously undervalued compared to the cash so I wouldn't consider that unless I had millions upon millions of unspent miles and didn't know what to do with them all.
The miles they charge for membership are seriously undervalued compared to the cash so I wouldn't consider that unless I had millions upon millions of unspent miles and didn't know what to do with them all.
#10
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,319
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 392
I joined, but wish I could get my money back.
Example:
A couple of weeks ago I was in the "famed" new JFK T9 AC. Breakfast was a stack of shrink wrapped bagel quarters. There was orange juice too.
Earlier in the week, I had been at DTW in the NW WorldClub. There my breakfast consisted of: full toasted bagel, choice of muffins, yoghurt, banana, choice of juices and I finished it off with a cappaucino while surfing FT via the free wi-fi. If I had wanted a bloody mary it would have been free too.
For those with money to spare & expense accounts, sure AC is worth it. But for folks like me it's just not worth it. Now, if they would just give me one or two drink coupons I would not be so disapointed.
Example:
A couple of weeks ago I was in the "famed" new JFK T9 AC. Breakfast was a stack of shrink wrapped bagel quarters. There was orange juice too.
Earlier in the week, I had been at DTW in the NW WorldClub. There my breakfast consisted of: full toasted bagel, choice of muffins, yoghurt, banana, choice of juices and I finished it off with a cappaucino while surfing FT via the free wi-fi. If I had wanted a bloody mary it would have been free too.
For those with money to spare & expense accounts, sure AC is worth it. But for folks like me it's just not worth it. Now, if they would just give me one or two drink coupons I would not be so disapointed.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, Delta Plat
Posts: 322
The showers. Seriously. There have been times when one shower at DFW feels worth close to $350 in itself. On long trips or long runs, having a nice warm shower and a place to change makes the whole travel thing feel downright relaxing.
If you have the Tmobile wifi plan, you'll be very pleased with the AC's coverage. (If you don't, you'll be quite annoyed.)
New data point: The Regus business center benefit may be very useful to you, depending on your work. The single time I tried to use it in NYC, I was extremely underwhelmed -- they put me in a chair in a heavily trafficed area by the mail slots (...?) but I've heard anecdotally that some Regus' centers are proper lounges and pretty darn nice.
The AC is like elite status. If you use it frequently, you'll benefit greatly. If you don't, it's a waste to buy it/pursue it. I wasn't sure if I was wasting my $ last year when I bought, but I've gotten an abundance of good use out of it and will renew.
-KF
If you have the Tmobile wifi plan, you'll be very pleased with the AC's coverage. (If you don't, you'll be quite annoyed.)
New data point: The Regus business center benefit may be very useful to you, depending on your work. The single time I tried to use it in NYC, I was extremely underwhelmed -- they put me in a chair in a heavily trafficed area by the mail slots (...?) but I've heard anecdotally that some Regus' centers are proper lounges and pretty darn nice.
The AC is like elite status. If you use it frequently, you'll benefit greatly. If you don't, it's a waste to buy it/pursue it. I wasn't sure if I was wasting my $ last year when I bought, but I've gotten an abundance of good use out of it and will renew.
-KF
#14
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: AAdvantage 2 million, Marriott Gold
Posts: 960
I too fly out of TPA. When in an airport with a Club, I am so glad I have it so I don't have to wait for as many screaming children, people sleeping on floors - THE FREAKS. I can load up on beverages and get a quick snack. I used to be the type that walked off my layover. With all the travel, it may be the only time I get to check out the newspaper, or even catch the day's news between flights. And I get away from the 'average' flyer that will annoy me enough when I am on the airplane. Peace of mind is worth the price.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161