Admirals Club is the lounge brand / access programs of American Airlines, just like the Qantas Club here – with a few differences. American Airlines sell access to Admirals Clubs, as with Qantas, but they also offer a 30 day Admirals Club access pass for $99 USD which comes with the full benefits of annual membership.
This 30 day pass is ideal for the infrequent traveller flying in Economy or Premium Economy, who wants to make use of the lounges during their travels. The pass will get you access to all domestic Qantas Clubs, International Business Class lounges, Admirals Clubs and Alaska Airlines boardrooms when flying with American Airlines or Qantas – the full list of locations is here.
I republished this one as I’d previously understood the deal to be off the table, then some commenters with experience thought it was back on along with American clarifying that it was possible to access Qantas lounges with the pass. However some other commenters think it might not be working still, so tread with caution.
If it does work the guest policy is generous, with 2 guests allowed into the lounge if they are travelling with the 30 day pass-holder, and there are no limits to the number of lounges you can use during your 30 days of ownership.
Hanging out in Qantas new Singapore lounge on the way to London with British Airways
How to order and use 30 day Admirals Club passes
First, you’ll need to be an AAdvantage member to be able to buy a pass, so if you haven’t already signed up, do so here.
You can then purchase a pass from American Airlines, here. The 30 days can commence the day of purchase or you can select a date in the future to start your 30 days, but this needs to be within 90 days of the purchase date.
You won’t be sent a physical card to use to access the lounges, but instead a receipt generated during the transaction needs to be printed and presented at the lounge to gain access for you and your guests.
I’m yet to use a 30 day pass, so don’t know what this looks like – if anyone does use one I’d love you to take a picture of it and send it in for me to add to this guide.
A note on guest access at Qantas lounges
Admirals Club 30 day passes are somewhat unique in that they permit 2 guests access along with the passholder. This is better than Qantas standard lounge access for most members, and I’m not 100% sure that this would be honoured at all Qantas lounges.
In my research though I’ve come across several people stating that Qantas do permit 2 guests – if you have any of your own personal experiences, please report back.
Summing up
This is a great way to gain access to a range of lounges over a 30 day period, especially on trips including Asia (flying with Qantas), North America (Qantas or American Airlines), or domestically/in NZ (Qantas Clubs).
Previously American Airlines had updated their terms to read that access to Qantas Clubs is only permitted when travelling on American Airlines marketed or operated flights, removing the ability to use the 30 day lounge pass for Qantas Club access when travelling with Qantas.
A commenter noticed recently (thanks ‘WGTN’!) that this requirement had again been removed, with the term explicitly stating “Select Qantas Clubs when departing on the same day on a Qantas operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas”.
American Airlines also reconfirmed this by email, saying:
If you present a ticket or boarding pass showing travel marketed on American Airlines or Qantas and operated on Qantas and your current Admirals Club membership card or 30-Day Membership receipt, you can be admitted to the Qantas lounges.
Hi – I’ve just read that this 30 day pass will be discontinued with effect from 24th July 2016. This is posted on aa.com. they will honour existing passes up to their expiry date and then that’s it.
It’s a real shame, as this is a great loophole.
Hi,
was wondering if the $99 admiral club pass can be used at Qantas lounge in the TBIT terminal. I am flying Melbourne to LAX return (in economy) and was hoping to use the pass to gain entry for myself, wife and daughter into the Qantas lounges prior to both flights. Have read conflicting reports in the comments here and was hoping someone could clarify for me. Thank you for your time.
Good question. My family and I (2 Adults and 2 kids under 18) are going to America in early Dec. 2016 and returning to Australia in late Jan. 2017.
We are flying Qantas econ. MEL to LAX, then various AA flights internal to US, then back via Qantas econ. LAX to MEL.
I am mainly interested in the LAX QC lounge for our return to Australia so I’m looking at either an AC membership or plucking a couple of QC comp. passes out of thin air.
I am hoping somebody can update this thread with some recent updates about consistent policy at the QC (oneworld) LAX lounge for admitting passengers with the AC 30 day membership.
My investigation so far indicates that we won’t. It appears we could schlep over to AC lounge in T4 but won’t be admitted to QC lounge in TBIT…not even with a comp. pass. This is weird b/c a year ago (March/April 2015) my parents walked up to the QC lounge in TBIT, flying econ. to MEL only being QFF members and the desk clerk sold them a 30 day membership as described by my dad to get access to the lounge.
Cheers,
Travis
Can I use a complimentary Qantas lounge pass at LAX Qantas lounge which I think code shared with American Airlines? some people have said I can while others say no
Cheers
No they do not accept the Qantas one lounge pas at the one world lounge in LAX. I just tried last month.
so whats the deal with using admirals club to access the QF Biz lounge in lax now? flying lax-mel QF eco and have a regular admirals club membership (citi executive card)?
Thanks
Keith, we first saw the rules listed here (https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/lounge-access.jsp) ….. so we rang AC to confirm. The rules require you to be Emerald oneworld or above to get into EVERY Qantas Club …. a mere Silver (OW Ruby) member like myself will only get access to SOME international Qantas lounges. We contacted AC to verify ….. and after some runaround which confirmed it ….. they quickly agreed to give us a full refund on our new AC membership.
Thanks for that. Still calling this deal dead then!
Keith, the rules may have tightened up …..
Admirals Club now only gives you lounge access to some oneworld / Qantas lounges internationally.
The rules now?) state that you need to be Oneworld Emerald (or above) or on a Business / First fare to be sure your Admirals Club will get you into every Oneworld / Qantas lounge.
I don’t understand the logic of the ones we sampled …… eg. in Italy, you can get into Milan but not into the capital city of Rome. You can’t get into Dubai lounges etc.
Thanks CM – can you point me in the direction of where this is on the AA site? I couldn’t find it at first pass.
Flew LAS-LAX-SYD with 2 friends on 12 November flying AA and then QF metal, but both on an AA code. I arranged for my mate to get a 30day AA Admirals pass.
Went to the T4 AA lounge to shower, as I knew we would get in and access to the QF lounge at TBIT is hit and miss. Was advised at the AA reception that we could also use the Qantas lounge at TBIT.
After our showers at AA, we went over to the the Qantas lounge. The lounge agent saw the 30 day membership receipt and went about processing access without dramas…. however, said that only 1 guest was allowed in on this pass. I was able to obtain access to lounge using my Qantas Club membership (despite travelling on an AA code).
So it appears that access is being granted to the TBIT lounge, but for only the member and 1 guest.
Thanks for reporting back!
I’m looking at getting this 30 day pass to hopefully use at the DRW and BNE Qantas Clubs domestically. Is this possible?
Would like to know this too Mr David
It’s frustrating there is so much inconsistent information on this subject. I’m considering giving a 30-days pass to a friend who is travelling with his parents LAX-SYD Qantas economy. A club agent recently informed me the 30-days will allow access to the OW lounge in TBIT with 2 guests. Today on the phone a club agent contradicted that information until she actually called the T4 lounge to confirm what I had told her and she did. I was also advised to print the transaction receipt.
Hello,
Asked this on AusBT as well, thinking of purchasing the 30 day membership, will I run into problems with my QFF no. on my boarding pass with the lounge pass? I want to credit QFF, no AA miles at this stage.
Thanks.
You shouldn’t have issues – the pass is, I think, independent of your frequent flyer account. Worst case scenario they’ll make you change it and you should be able to change it back again with someone else but I doubt this would happen.
Hi Keith. I’m getting confused. I have a QF flight to LAX in economy. If purchase the 30 day pass does this mean I have access to Qantas club in Sydney on that day only and for my return flight LAX to Sydney QF flight economy I can access admiral club only and not the Qantas one ? Thanks. And I can bring a guest to either Qantas or admiral ? Thanks
This is a complete mess, and I can’t say for certainty either way. Many mixed reports on these passes working, or not. If suggest emailing AA and giving your itinerary, checking the lounges you want to access and then using that confirmation as a way to try to ensure entry when you arrive.
I am travelling STL-LAX-MEL in the next two weeks, and am trying to get access to the Qantas Club in the International Terminal at LAX, but am having lots of difficulty determining if I would be able to or not. I am travelling economy (not business class unfortunately). I just spoke to AA, and they told me that the $99 30-day pass would not get me access to ANY Qantas clubs, unless I was flying business class. Can you confirm whether this is accurate or if I am getting the run around? I feel as though the website for the Admirals Club is fairly misleading. Just trying to find a lounge in the LAX International Terminal where I can relax and have a shower before my flight to Australia.
That’s not the case – it’s not the class of travel that gives you access, it’s holding the pass.
If you want written clarification I have found [email protected] to be quite useful.
I emailed the admirals club at the address you provided. They told me that the 30 day pass does not grant access to the Qantas or any other OneWorld lounges at LAX. Not sure if I should buy it or not since I am getting mixed messages between this post and American.
That’s frustrating! Thanks for commenting back with this. Can you forward me the email they sent you to [email protected]?
Thanks.
I have called QANTAS and they said with the 30 day pass we wouldn’t be allowed into the lounge as we don’t fit any of the categories in the following link: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/lounge-locations/sydney/domestic-t3/the-qantas-club/global/en
Furthermore, they said unless you were traveling Business Class you won’t have access.
If you could look into that as well that would be great. Thanks!
Keith I can confirm that the 30 day membership only allows access into the Admiral Clubs at LAX Terminal 4.
The lounge at TBIT is Qantas operated but is a OW lounge which is why the pass won’t allow pass holders to enter.
Sad life 🙁
Frustrating. I’ll update the post accordingly.
I am looking at buying an Admirals 30 day pass for my flight in November- my first leg is on a QF flight to LA. I clicked on the link to view terms and conditions and it appears they have changed the conditions again to
“Select Qantas Clubs when departing on the same day on an American Airlines operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas”
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/lounge-access.jsp
Do you think this means I cant access the QANTAS lounge in Sydney on this pass anymore?
GROAN! Good spot. I’ve emailed admirals club again for clarity, will report back when I’ve heard from them.
OK, I got an answer back from Admirals Club – and in short, we’re all still OK to use these on Qantas operated flights. It seems that that copy is basically wrong, as if you look at this specific page to the Sydney Qantas Lounge, you’ll see it mentions “for same day travel on a Qantas operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas.”
Happy to share these emails in case anyone is concerned.
I am looking at using this 30 day lounge pass this September. I specifically booked our trip to New York through AA to ensure I had the AA flight number (also they had the best deal going).
Will have 4 opportunities to use this pass during the trip –
Sydney (Qantas Lounge)
LA (Hopefully Qantas / If not AA)
Washington DC (US Airways)
LA (Hopefully Qantas again)
I will report back on how we go gaining access to the above lounges.
Anyone travelled SYD – JFK on Qantas?
My first flight is on QF11 then QF107 (AA7363) any ideas which lounge I will be able to access and how much time I will get there?
You won’t be able to get access to the OW lounge which is operated by Qantas
but you’ll definitely get access to the Admirals Club in T4 which is where AA flights depart
if youre doing SYD-LAX-JFK with no stay in LAX then you go straight through and transit onto QF11 (B747) to JFK
no time for lounge 🙁
Thanks Dave, Im still thinking Sydney / Washington / LA lounge access is worth the $99 USD. Ive heard the LA Qantas lounge is amazing
oh most definitely! 🙂
i made use of the LAX, JFK & MIA AC while I was there
it was good to get away from everyone else esp at LAX
Showers available was a great way to freshen up before the long flight home
Has anyone had luck with domestic with guests ?
On the purchase page it state “30-Day membership: $99 per Visitor*” and then in the lounge access area it states “Immediate family or up to 2 guests**” so I am a bit confused that if I have two guests is it 99 each or 99 for all three
It’s definitely $99 per pass which includes pass holder AND guests.
It’s probably worth mentioning that it’s not just “2 guests”, it’s actually “Immediate family or up to 2 guests”. So if you’re travelling with your spouse and 2+ kids under 18 then you only need one pass, not two.
Thanks, will update!
This was still very much active when I went on my month long US trip May/June earlier this year. I had booked PE on Qantas for my entire trip so planned to use it wherever I went.
I was upgraded to Business using my QF points for most of my trip so the only opportunity I had to try it out was at the LAX oneworld business lounge on my way back to Australia as I was not upgraded for the last leg of my trip.
I explained that I had a 30 days Admirals Club membership and presented my receipt. They went into my fight booking and changed a code to a number that was on my receipt and I was welcomed into the lounge.
PS. The oneworld lounge at LAX is great!
Thanks for sharing!
This will not work, it probably worked because you were business class. Just was in LAX this week and the International Lounge will not let you in with an Admirals Pass of any kind.
I have a feeling that AA changed because of the new joint venture between AA and QF. Now AA is flying to SYD and QF is flying to SFO, with all the potential customers connecting from all over Australia that will most likely be a QF flight (rather than AA codeshared), it’s prudent to allow these passengers to have access to QC lounge.
Has anyone had any recent success with this? On the AA website today (30 July 15) it states “Select Qantas Clubs when departing on the same day on a Qantas operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas”, http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/lounge-access.jsp
“Qantas operated flight” to me indicates a QF flight with “American marketed flight operated by Qantas” meaning AA codeshare on QF metal?
You’re reading is corrected. I also can’t see how you can buy online now. I have an email in with AA asking for clarification and if it looks good to go I’ll resurface this post and update you here.
Keith,
Do you know if the policy for access has changed?
Reading both the AA and QF websites, it seems there has been a change, which is discussed on AUSBT:
http://www.ausbt.com.au/qa/i-think-aa-club-members-no-longer-have-access-to-qf-lounges
Can you please confirm?
Thanks for the link – I don’t know any more about it other than what you’ve read there too. But my reading of that is the same, that yes, this deal is pretty much dead in terms of using it for cheap access to Qantas Clubs. Bummer.
I think the wording has changed for accessing Qantas lounges, seems more restrictive than what is mentioned here:
■Select Qantas Clubs when departing on the same day on an American Airlines operated flight or an American marketed flight operated by Qantas
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/lounge-access.jsp
Bummer. Thanks for the update. Someone always has to spoil the fun.
I am traveling with my wife , a 7 year old and two 3 year olds . QF to London (Heathrow) BA to amsterdam and La . the last leg LA to melbourne on QF . Do you think the Admirals Club 30 day pass will work for me and my family ? Will both my wife and I need to members ?? Thanks to any help in advance.
You’d be able to buy one pass and access the Qantas International Business Class lounges in Sydney (before your Qantas flight), and in Los Angeles (before your LA to Melbourne flight). Your ticket will need to show, QF flight numbers, i.e. can’t be a codeshare with Emirates. You can’t use it with the BA flights.
In theory each pass permits access to 3 people (pass-holder plus two guests), so you should be set with two passes.
As to how much use you’ll get – depends on the time of your flight and how much use you’ll get out of the lounge benefits in terms food, space, alcohol, bathrooms/showers etc. It may not be worth it for $198 USD all up, but that’s up to you to figure out!
I purchased the 30 day admirals club membership in january and used it for access for myself and my partner in SYD, HNL and LAX flying with QF and AA.
The only issue we had was in LAX where a check in staff member was adamant that I would not be able to use my pass for lounge access because i was flying economy( causing my partner a some stress with a 6 hr layover ahead). However the lounge staff were lovely,we were admitted straight away, and on finding out we were on the last leg of our honeymoon they organized a champagne toast !!
The only problem i have now is that the wife has seen what business travel is like !!!
Nice! Thanks for sharing!
I was denied access with this pass is LAX. The International Lounge is a One World Lounge, not an American or Qantas lounge, so there is no access from this pass. It’s possible to go over to the domestic lounge in the main terminal, but you have to go back through security to get back to that area and then back to the lounge. That’s only good for a really long layover, as it takes 2 hours to get through and back again. So, if you want to use it, go really really early at LAX. They also don’t honor the Qantas lounge pass either at that location, so to me it’s a really crappy lounge. You can really only get it if you are on a business flight or you have Emerald and Sapphire status. So, in my case,I could get in, but I could not bring in the whole family. I hate lounges like that, they don’t sell day passes either.
Keith,
Just checking on this. Is this simply a Lounge pass, or does it provide other Admiral Club/QC benefits such as priority checkin for International flights?
Just lounge access only AFAIK.
Why no MH lounges listed
Malaysia Airlines are not an Admirals Club partner from what I can see…
Keith – Interesting option. Checked through the AA site and could figure out whether it works for other Oneworld airlines, or at least it isn’t explicit. So for example if I’m flying with Cathay SIN-HKG would I get access to the QF lounge using this?
Similarly interested in whether JL (SYD-NRT) can access.
Nope, AA / US flights mainly internationally and Qantas operated in Australia. Check the list from the link above.
Which other airlines lounges can you get into. if i’m doing a round trip MEL-JNB-TLV with SAA and ElAL can i get into ELAL lounges?
Nope, this is specific to AA, Qantas and a handful of other lounges on AA and Qantas flights. Not a general lounge access option.
Hi,
Struggling with the varying guidelines on the AA website.
Flying Cathay from LHR > HKG > SYD and then returning within 30 days on the same route, would the pass allow access to lounges at all these locations (LHR and HKG make no reference to the 30-day pass whereas it is mentioned when looking at SYD)?
Thanks
No, you’d need to flying on Qantas or AA/US Airways from what I understand.
Does anyone know or have any experience if this pass would work when flying on a Jetstar international flight ?
Hi Jamie
Jetstar is not a Star Alliance airline, and as such you would not be eligible to enter the Qantas Club if you are an AC member flying on JQ.
I think you mean oneworld, but that’s cool, you are 100% right – no JQ access. This is because Admirals Club is like Qantas Club in the sense that there are only a handful of negotiated lounge partners, it’s not an alliance-wide agreement.
Thanks Keith
When you purchase one of these memberships you get an A4 PDF that you print out and bring with you to the Qantas Club and present alongside your boarding pass.
See here: http://imgur.com/FGky0XM
I have used this in Canberra and Melbourne, however in Canberra it can be problematic depending on who is at the front door. If you are prompted to change your linked frequent flyer account, you can do so and then bring up the Royal Jordanian Airline website and change it back using the PNR.
Follow from here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/american-airlines-aadvantage/aas-admirals-club-30-day-37926-21.html#post1201203
I used this two years ago on a trip around the US, just taking the printed receipt everywhere. I had no guests with me, but got into the BNE QC, Syd Intl J lounge, and the few AA lounges in the US I passed though.
Admiral’s Club lounges don’t offer as much as Qantas lounges in the way of food and drinks for free, but I think it’s still worth it if you have a trip to and around the US on QF/AA and don’t have lounge access another way.