American Airlines Admirals Club: Locations, Access & Membership (2026)

Overview

The Admirals Club is American Airlines' airport lounge brand, and one of the oldest airline lounge programs in the world. Originally founded in 1939, the Admirals Club network has grown to over 50 locations worldwide, making it one of the largest airline lounge networks in existence.

Admirals Clubs provide a comfortable escape from the terminal with complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a quiet atmosphere. While they may not match the premium dining of credit card lounges like the Centurion Lounge or Capital One Lounge, Admirals Clubs offer reliable, consistent quality across a vast network -- and they're accessible through several membership and credit card options.

The Admirals Club should not be confused with American Airlines' Flagship Lounges, which are a tier above and reserved for premium cabin international travellers. We cover the differences in detail below.

Admirals Club Locations

American Airlines operates Admirals Clubs at over 50 airports across the United States and internationally. Here are the key locations:

Major US Hub Locations

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) -- Multiple Admirals Clubs across terminals, the largest concentration. DFW is American's primary hub.
Charlotte (CLT) -- 2 Admirals Clubs serving American's East Coast hub.
Miami (MIA) -- 2 Admirals Clubs at American's Latin America gateway.
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) -- 2 Admirals Clubs in Terminal 3.
Philadelphia (PHL) -- Admirals Club in Terminal B/C.
Phoenix (PHX) -- Admirals Club in Terminal 4.
Washington DCA (DCA) -- Admirals Club in Terminal 2.
New York (JFK) -- Admirals Club in Terminal 8, alongside the Flagship Lounge.
New York (LGA) -- Admirals Club in Terminal B.
Los Angeles (LAX) -- Admirals Club in Terminal 4/5.

Other US Locations

Admirals Clubs are also found at airports including Austin (AUS), Boston (BOS), Denver (DEN), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Las Vegas (LAS), Minneapolis (MSP), Nashville (BNA), Newark (EWR), Orlando (MCO), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), St. Louis (STL), and Tampa (TPA).

International Locations

American Airlines operates Admirals Clubs at select international airports including London Heathrow (LHR), Tokyo Narita (NRT), and Sao Paulo (GRU), among others. At many international destinations, American partners with OneWorld alliance lounges.

Browse all airport lounges →

Access and Membership

There are several ways to access the Admirals Club. Most require you to be flying American Airlines or a OneWorld alliance partner.

Admirals Club Membership

A direct membership is the most traditional access method:

$850/year for standard AAdvantage members
$650/year for AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members
30-day trial membership available for $1,000 (one-time purchase)
Members can bring 2 guests for free
Family memberships and add-on memberships for spouses/domestic partners are also available

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard ($595/year) is the most popular way to access Admirals Clubs. The card includes:

Admirals Club membership for the cardholder
Authorized users also get Admirals Club access (a major perk)
Access when flying American Airlines or OneWorld partners
No separate membership fee required

This card is the best value for Admirals Club access because authorized users get in free -- a family of four could all have access for the single annual fee.

One-Day Pass

If you don't have a membership or qualifying card:

$65 per person at the door or via the American Airlines app
Must be flying American Airlines or a OneWorld partner that day
Passes can sometimes be purchased in advance through the app

Business / First Class Tickets

Flagship Business and First passengers on qualifying long-haul routes get complimentary Admirals Club access on the day of travel
Domestic first class passengers do NOT automatically receive Admirals Club access
Flagship First and Business passengers also have access to the premium Flagship Lounges where available

OneWorld Alliance Access

Business and first class passengers on OneWorld alliance airlines (British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, etc.) can access the Admirals Club when it is the designated partner lounge
OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire status holders may also access Admirals Clubs when flying OneWorld carriers

Learn more about lounge memberships →

Amenities

Admirals Clubs provide a reliable, consistent set of amenities. While the quality varies by location, here's what you can generally expect:

Food and Drinks

The Admirals Club food offering is complimentary but more limited than what you'll find at a Delta Sky Club or Centurion Lounge:

Snacks and light bites -- Soup, crackers, cheese, hummus, fresh fruit, and trail mix are standard
Hot food -- Available at larger locations, especially during meal times. Quality has improved in recent years with more substantial offerings
Full bar -- Complimentary beer, wine, and spirits. Some premium brands may carry a surcharge
Coffee and soft drinks -- Self-service stations with coffee, tea, juice, and sodas

American Airlines has been investing in improving the food and drink program across its Admirals Club network, and recent renovations have brought noticeable upgrades to many locations.

Wi-Fi and Work Facilities

Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi across all locations
Power outlets and USB ports at most seating areas
Business centres with printing and copying at select locations
Quiet work areas in larger clubs

Shower Facilities

Available at many major locations but not all
Shower suites include towels, basic toiletries, and a hair dryer
First-come, first-served -- ask at reception upon arrival
Flagship Lounges always have showers with premium amenities

Other Amenities

Flight monitors with real-time departure information
Dedicated customer service agents for rebooking and flight changes
Children's areas at some larger locations
Newspaper and magazine access

Flagship Lounge vs Admirals Club

American Airlines operates two tiers of lounges, and it's important to understand the difference:

Feature	Admirals Club	Flagship Lounge
Locations	50+ worldwide	6 locations (JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD, DFW, PHL)
Food	Snacks, light meals	Restaurant-quality dining
Drinks	Full bar, some premium surcharges	Premium open bar, no surcharges
Showers	Many locations	All locations, premium amenities
Spa Services	No	Select locations
Access	Membership, Citi card, day pass	Flagship Business/First on qualifying routes
Atmosphere	Good, business-focused	Premium, luxury-oriented

What Is a Flagship Lounge?

Flagship Lounges are American Airlines' premium tier lounges, designed to compete with international first class lounges. They feature:

Chef-curated dining with a la carte menus and premium ingredients
Premium bar with top-shelf spirits, craft cocktails, and sommelier-selected wines
Spa-like shower suites with luxury amenities
Flagship First Dining -- a dedicated restaurant within the lounge for Flagship First passengers at JFK and MIA
Beautiful design with high-end finishes and artwork

Who Can Access Flagship Lounges?

Access is much more restricted than the Admirals Club:

Passengers flying Flagship First on qualifying routes
Passengers flying Flagship Business on qualifying long-haul routes
OneWorld Emerald members flying same-day international OneWorld flights
ConciergeKey members (American Airlines' invite-only top tier)

Admirals Club membership alone does NOT grant access to Flagship Lounges.

Tips

Consider the Citi AAdvantage Executive card -- At $595/year with Admirals Club access for you and authorized users, it's often a better deal than a direct membership ($850/year) if your family members also travel.
Check for renovated locations -- American has been renovating Admirals Clubs across the network. Newer locations (like the DFW clubs) offer a significantly better experience than older ones.
Arrive early for showers -- Shower suites are limited and popular. Request one as soon as you arrive at the club.
Use the AA app -- The American Airlines app shows which Admirals Clubs are open and their hours. You can also purchase day passes in advance through the app.
Know the rebooking advantage -- Admirals Club agents can help rebook flights during disruptions, often with shorter wait times than the general customer service line. This alone can be worth the visit during travel chaos.
Visit Flagship Lounges when eligible -- If you're flying Flagship Business or First, skip the Admirals Club and head to the Flagship Lounge instead. The experience is dramatically better.
Combine with OneWorld status -- If you have OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald status through any alliance airline, you can access Admirals Clubs when flying OneWorld carriers internationally.
Note the Amex Platinum limitation -- Unlike Delta Sky Clubs, the Amex Platinum Card does NOT include Admirals Club access. You need the Citi AAdvantage Executive card specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is an Admirals Club membership?

Admirals Club memberships cost $850/year (or $650/year for AAdvantage elite members). You can also pay $1,000 for a one-time 30-day trial membership. For most travellers, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card ($595/year) is a better value since it includes membership plus access for authorized users.

Can I buy a one-day pass for the Admirals Club?

Yes. One-day Admirals Club passes cost $65 and can be purchased at the door or through the American Airlines app. You must be flying American Airlines or a OneWorld partner that day.

What credit cards give you Admirals Club access?

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard ($595/year) includes Admirals Club membership. The Amex Platinum Card does NOT include Admirals Club access -- a common misconception. For broader lounge access with an Amex Platinum, see our Amex Platinum lounge access guide.

Do Admirals Clubs have showers?

Many major Admirals Club locations have shower facilities, but not all. Check the specific location's amenities on the American Airlines website or app before your visit. Flagship Lounges always have premium shower suites.

What is the difference between Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge?

Flagship Lounges are American Airlines' premium lounges, a step above the Admirals Club. They feature higher-end dining, premium spirits, and spa-like amenities. Access is limited to long-haul Flagship Business/First class passengers and OneWorld Emerald members, not general Admirals Club members.

Can OneWorld partners use the Admirals Club?

Yes. Business and first class passengers on OneWorld alliance airlines (British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, etc.) can access the Admirals Club when the Admirals Club is the designated partner lounge at that airport. OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire status holders also qualify when flying OneWorld carriers.

American Airlines Admirals Club: Complete Guide to Locations, Access & Membership