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How to get Admirals Club lounge access and all locations

Enjoy complimentary drinks, snacks or even a chance to freshen up in between flights.

Steven Dashiell
Steven Dashiell

Updated

Fact checked

With a history stretching back to the 1930s, the American Airlines Admirals Club is well established in the industry. Enjoy dining, drinks, a business center and more — all for less with a Citi AAdvantage card.

You can use your card at corresponding lounges in nearly 50 locations worldwide. Here’s how to enjoy a stay at these American Airlines clubs.

How to get in and pricing

There are two primary ways to gain access to an Admirals Club lounge: become an Admirals Club member or purchase a day pass.

Purchasing an Admirals Club membership

After joining the AAdvantage program, you can purchase an Admirals Club membership at any Admirals Club location, online or over the phone. You can purchase a membership for yourself or a household through cash or miles. You can also receive a discount on your membership fee depending on your AAdvantage elite status.

Become a member through an eligible American Airlines credit card

Certain AAdvantage credit cards will provide complimentary Admirals Club membership simply for owning the card. As of this writing, only the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® is offering membership. That means that while the membership is technically “free,” you’ll still need to pay the card’s annual fee.

Purchase a day pass

If you’re not an Admirals Club member but want to stop by a lounge for a trip, you can purchase a one-day pass for $59. You’ll need to make your purchase in person as you can’t buy the passes online.

Required items for access

When you wish to enter the lounge, you’ll need to present a few items, including:

  • A government-issued photo ID.
  • Your Admirals Club membership card or eligible credit card.
  • Your boarding passes for same-day travel on American Airlines or partnered airlines.

Compare credit cards with lounge access

Currently, only the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® provides access to Admirals Club lounges. Here are a few other credit cards that offer complimentary lounge access.

Name Product Foreign transaction fee Welcome offer Rewards Filter values
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
None
100,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the same timeframe
10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months, 15x points on directly-booked flights or on flights and hotels on Amex Travel. 1x points on all other purchases. Starting January 1, 2021, your 15x points on flights will be capped on up to $500,000 annually (then 1x points).
One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $4,500, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
None
50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases
Get a generous $300 in annual travel credits, 3x points on travel and dining, and a 50% bonus on point redemptions with Chase's premier card.
Apply now
View details
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
None
100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus earn 25,000 after the first anniversary of card membership (offer expires 1/13/2021)
6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x at US restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2x for all other purchases
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 or more within your first 3 months, plus earn 25,000 after the first anniversary of card membership (offer expires 1/13/2021). Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™
None
N/A
1x points on all purchases with 2% point value when you redeem for airfare and 1.5% for cash back
Receive an annual $100 air travel credit toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.
Apply now
View details
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
None
130,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
12x points on Hilton Portfolio spending, 6x at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations, 3x on all other purchases
With a big welcome offer worth up to $650, up to 12x points on spending, and free Gold status, this is an upgrade from the entry Hilton card. Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
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Compare up to 4 providers

Admirals Club lounge benefits and amenities

The benefits and amenities you’ll find at an Admirals Club lounge may differ based on your lounge location. Here are a few of the most common benefits.

  • Snacks and dining opportunities
  • Drinks, including cocktails and coffee
  • Personal travel assistance
  • Shower suites
  • A business center with WiFi

Admirals Club lounge locations

American Airlines offers more than 50 clubs in over two dozen locations worldwide. Here’s where you can find them.

  • Atlanta, GA (ATL)
  • Austin, TX (AUS)
  • Boston, MA (BOS)
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
  • Charlotte, NC (CLT)
  • Chicago, IL (ORD)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
  • Denver, CO (DEN)
  • Honolulu, HA (HNL)
  • Houston, Texas (IAH)
  • London, England (LHR)
  • Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
  • Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
  • Miami, FL (MIA)
  • Nashville, TN (BNA)
  • New York J.F. Kennedy, NY (JFK)
  • New York LaGuardia, NY (LGA)
  • Newark, NJ (EWR)
  • Orange County, CA (SNA)
  • Orlando, FL (MCO)
  • Paris, France (CDG)
  • Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
  • Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
  • Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
  • Raleigh Durham, NC (RDU)
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG)
  • San Francisco, CA (SFO)
  • San Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
  • St. Louis, MO (STL)
  • Tampa, FL (TPA)
  • Tokyo Narita, Japan (NRT)
  • Toronto, Canada (YYZ)
  • Washington D.C. (DCA)

Partner lounges

If you’ve purchased your Admirals Club membership, you’ll also have access to a variety of partner lounges. Unfortunately, one-day passes and memberships gained through the AAdvantage credit card don’t allow access.

Bottom line

American Express Admirals Club lounges are a great opportunity to get some rest in between flights and are quite accessible, even for non-AAdvantage cardholders. Scout out your destination lounge ahead of time to make sure you take advantage of available amenities.

If American Airlines isn’t your bag, compare other travel cards that offer lounge access to find one that fits your travel preferences.

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