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American Airlines is increasing the cost of its Admirals Club® with a heftier price tag for everyone, but especially travelers who want to bring guests into its airport lounges. The updated pricing and membership options take effect August 23rd.
Under the new model, American will discontinue its Household Membership and replace it with a Single Membership that provides lounge access only for the individual member. Travelers who regularly visit Admirals Clubs® with family members or companions will now need to purchase the airline’s higher-tier membership.
The biggest change is the cost of that standard membership, which continues to include admission for the member plus either two guests or immediate family members. Depending on a customer’s AAdvantage® elite status, the annual price will increase to between $1,200 and $1,400, up from the previous range of $700 to $850.
American is also eliminating discounted renewal pricing. Beginning August 23rd, new members and renewing members will pay the same annual rate. The changes do not affect lounge access provided through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Cardholders will continue to receive Admirals Club® access with guest privileges, which makes the credit card one of the most cost-effective ways to obtain the airline’s premium lounge benefits. Authorized users on the card will also retain their existing lounge access privileges.
While the membership structure is changing, American is not modifying its lounge entry rules. Unlike some competing airlines, Admirals Club® members will continue to have access without a restriction limiting entry to only a few hours before departure. American says the pricing changes coincide with continued investments in its lounge network that include upgraded food and beverage offerings, renovated lounge spaces, and a refreshed design that is gradually being introduced across the system.
Anthony’s Take: It was only a matter of time before American’s pricing moved closer to what United and Delta offer. The revised program places a much higher value on memberships that include guest access while making the airline’s premium co-branded credit card an increasingly attractive alternative for frequent travelers seeking Admirals Club® privileges.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
