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Access to American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounges has seen a price increase. American Airlines has chosen to abandon its previous pricing structure, based on customer status in the AAdvantage loyalty program, in favor of a simplified two-tiered offering. As a result, depending on the traveler’s profile, the annual bill can increase by half, or even nearly double.
Two options instead of a tiered pricing system
Previously, membership fees were directly dependent on the member’s status level: the more often you flew with American, the less you paid. This system is gone. It has been replaced by two clear options:
A full membership, with guests: This provides access to both Admirals Clubs and partner lounges worldwide, and allows you to bring up to two guests (or immediate family) on an eligible same-day flight. Its price now reaches $1,400 for a member without a special status, and $1,200 for Executive Platinum members.
An individual membership, without guests: set at a flat rate of $750 regardless of the client’s status, it covers only the cardholder and is limited to about fifty Admirals clubs, without access to partner lounges.
The former family memberships, which allowed adding a family member to an existing membership and cost between $1,550 and $1,650, have been completely removed from the catalog.
An increase of up to 75%
The extent of the increase varies depending on the client’s situation:
– For a renewal of a member without a special status, the price increases from $800 to $1,400 per year, representing a 75% increase.
– For a brand-new membership, with a slightly higher starting price ($850), the increase still reaches approximately 65%.
– For frequent travelers, an Executive Platinum member who previously renewed for $700 will now have to pay $1,200.
– One detail remains unchanged in this major overhaul: the day pass, which allows occasional access without membership, remains at $79 per person, subject to availability during peak periods.
Indeed, this price hike is not an isolated event. It coincides with the increase in the annual fees for the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, which rise from $595 to $695 on the same date. This card continues to include full Admirals Club membership, with guest privileges, at a cost significantly lower than purchasing the membership separately.
For a solo traveler who only frequents Admirals Clubs and doesn’t need to bring guests, the new individual membership at $750 remains a reasonable option, almost at the same price as the previous standard rate. However, for families or people who frequently travel with others, the cost increases significantly, and the decision now clearly favors the Citi credit card, whose $100 annual surcharge seems modest compared to the price increase of the standard membership.
A transition period does exist, however: current memberships remain valid until the end of their current cycle, and members who renew before October 3rd can still benefit from the old rates.