American Airlines raises rates, supplements services for Admirals Clubs

Passengers looking to escape the terminal in an American Airlines Admirals Club lounge will soon be asked to pay a bit more for the privilege, though the carrier is also adding some amenities inside to help soften the blow. The changes also affect the carrier’s premier Executive World Elite co-branded credit card, which will see the annual fee jump more than 30%.

Raising rates

From July 23, 2023 American will charge $850 or 85,000 miles for an annual membership. A One Day Pass will be $79 or 7,900 miles.

Similarly, the co-branded Mastercard that provides access will increase from $450 to $595 for the annual fee. The card also offers up to three additional cardmembers as a complimentary benefit (and they all get lounge access, too). In two weeks the additional cardmembers will cost $175 for up to three, and then an additional $175 for each further additional member.

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Improved amenities inside

On the plus side, American is boosting the food and beverage options inside the clubs. Select lounges will offer a heartier variety of complimentary premium food with new hot and cold breakfast and all-day menus.

The menus will be regionally inspired including Cuban pork sliders in Miami and mini crab cakes in Washington, D.C. American will also begin offering grab-and-go snacks for those with limited lounge time.

The enhanced food offerings are expected to roll out at all domestic Admirals Club lounges by early 2024.

All domestic lounges will also offer complimentary sparkling wine, craft beer that celebrates local favorites, and spirits like scotch and tequila. The complimentary liquor selection will also extend to cocktails like mimosas, Bloody Marys and signature cocktails created with local flavors.

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In the coming months, American will open new, redesigned lounges at Denver International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Co-Brand benefits shift, too

In addition to the higher annual fee, the benefits on the co-brand credit card will shift. These include credits for other travel-related services:

• Up to $120 back on eligible Avis® or Budget car rentals every calendar year.
• Up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases (up to $10 statement credit on each monthly billing statement).
• Up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 credit each month after taking three eligible rides).

Cardholders will also earn 4x on spend with American, and 5x for anything over $150,000 at American in a calendar year. That’s a big bonus, but also an incredibly high spend threshold to get there.