AA Business Class domestic flights - Lounge access

[MEL_Traveller]

Also consider priority pass, but you’d need to check the airports involved to see if they have one where you will be.

TBH, by the time you factor in flight delays, lounges are a nice to have, but not really essential in the states. Unless you really want to be drinking the whole time.

Most airports are wifi equipped, you can buy a coffee. Food in lounges isn’t worth the premium for entry.

 

[DC3]

I still feel awkward when lounge staff fish for tips

Just leaving $1 on the bar for your drink should help with that awkwardness.

When in Rome ........

 

[Citoyen]

I have no problem tipping for service, and of course I do all over the world - still feels weird in an airport lounge. Then in some countries there are the lounge shower attendants.....
I tried to tip an SQ flight attendant many years ago when I ripped my trousers in an unwearable way falling into my seat and she hand stitched them. She was offended

 

[serfty]

I have no problem tipping for service, and of course I do all over the world - still feels weird in an airport lounge

Yes, it feels strange topping in lounges and it is what it is.

US$1 bills are de rigour ... last month I ran out on the last day ... so I presented my best hick Aussie accent at the bar ....

 

[justinbrett]

Pretty much my experience in the Phoenix AA Club this week. Two premium drinks per one world elite, limited snacks and nibbles, non-alcoholic drinks, tea/coffee and the guacamole/Doritos stand. The limited snack included make your own salad, soup and biscuits etc.

Overall the lounge was clean and a nicer place to sit than the terminal; just don’t expect it to be the QF Pub.

PHX is a terrible lounge, especially for a hub. I transited there after an overnight flight from HNL and I was appalled - it was a glorified closet. No showers and the men’s had a single cubicle. This is not a good measure of ACs, most of them are reasonably nice.

And - it’s unlimited alcohol, just two premium drinks (we don’t get that with QF). I think the food is pretty woeful in QPS and don’t find ACs any worse.

 

[justinbrett]

I have no problem tipping for service, and of course I do all over the world - still feels weird in an airport lounge. Then in some countries there are the lounge shower attendants.....
I tried to tip an SQ flight attendant many years ago when I ripped my trousers in an unwearable way falling into my seat and she hand stitched them. She was offended

I wouldn’t tip in a non-US airline lounge (eg I don’t tip in LAX Flounge) but I find it no weirder tipping an AC bartender than a coughtail waitress in Vegas (who is also giving free drinks) or any other bar in the US.

i guess it helps that I remember when AC bars were cash bars and the fact it’s now free doesn’t mean the bartender gets paid any more.

 

[serfty]

PHX is a terrible lounge

Which one? They have 3 ...

Phoenix, AZ (PHX)

www.aa.com

The were originally US Airways Clubs.

 

[justinbrett]

Which one? They have 3 ...

Phoenix, AZ (PHX)

www.aa.com

The were originally US Airways Clubs.

So three closets then. I didn’t distinguish as they are all pretty much the same in three piers of T4. I was in the B gates.

 

[serfty]

So three closets then. I didn’t distinguish as they are all pretty much the same in three piers of T4. I was in the B gates.

Yes, the B one is pretty small.* The main one at A7 is far larger.

*I did use B in my AirNZ *G days ...

 

[ithongy]

Apply for Citibank master card elite. $450 annual fee but you can add upto 10 authorised users. So averaging $45 a year for user to have lounge access ain’t to bad so long you can trust them.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Cards

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, the B one is pretty small.* The main one at A7 is far larger.

*I did use B in my AirNZ *G days ...

I’d give you 10% larger at best - really much of a muchness. Although looks like they have more toilets. No showers in PHX though (strange for a hub).

 

[serfty]

No showers in PHX though (strange for a hub).

This was USair - never were renouned for spending much ...

 

[justinbrett]

This was USair - never were renouned for spending much ...

CLT was pretty decent

 

[serfty]

CLT was pretty decent

I think that's to do with Piedmont Airlines which was taken over by USair in 1989.

Oldtimers in the FlyerTalk Forums wistfully refer to those days.

 

[Kangol]

I was going to suggest a 30 day membership but a quick search shows they discontinued that option.

 

[flyinpod]

Also, once you have used your drink vouchers, return to the AA front desk and they will provide more, in my experience.

That's good to know. I'm off there soon, what are the food offerings like in the Admirals clubs?

 

[DC3]

That's good to know. I'm off there soon, what are the food offerings like in the Admirals clubs?

Yes, but since I posted that bit about drink vouchers, serfty’s post advises that the system has been changed.

Most locations do not have drink vouchers any more. Two are electronically tied to your boarding pass which gets scanned at the bar.

However, “well drinks” are still complimentary, it’s just that premium drinks are limited.

Edit: Content

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's good to know. I'm off there soon, what are the food offerings like in the Admirals clubs?

Look, they're not terrible. You have a choice of some veges, cheese, bagels, soup (sometimes a choice of two soups), chips or tortilla crackers, some cookies and brownies. Enough to make a snack out of. I would certainly put them as an overall equivalent to domestic Qantas Clubs.

in airports that have them. Flagship lounges - for international business/first class, and QF gold/OWS and above - are much much better.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, but since I posted that bit about drink vouchers, it seems that

Looks like the system has changed.

However, “well drinks” are still complimentary, it’s just that premium drinks are now limited.

On a trip in Jul 2019 I’d estimate around 70% of clubs were electronic. In Jan 2020 I found 100% were electronic.

You only need them for bottled water, sparkling wine or top shelf spirits. Basic beer, wine and spirits are free.

Unless it’s a flagship lounge, food is very limited. The big difference compared to QPs though is you can pay for food if you want to.

 

[serfty]

Yes, but since I posted that bit about drink vouchers, serfty’s post advises that the system has been changed.

I saw posted on FlyerTalk that bar attendants at AC's in DFW, JFK, LAX, ORD & MIA have been instructed not to recognise the Electronic ones - 'cause Flagship.