AA Admiral Club in Miami
Jun 4th, 2006, 05:26 PM
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AA Admiral Club in Miami
Could anyone tell me what the Miami Admiral Club/Lounge is like and is it worth the daily fee for a one time only? I noticed a similiar question about PR, but I am interested in Miami.
Also, is there any other way to get a pass without the Platinum, etc. status? i.e. AmExp, AAA, etc. Thank you.
Also, is there any other way to get a pass without the Platinum, etc. status? i.e. AmExp, AAA, etc. Thank you.
Jun 4th, 2006, 06:06 PM
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One time use? definately not worth IMHO, unless you plan on joining within a month. The daily pass fee can be used for the yearly membership fee if you join within a month of the daily pass purchase.
Both clubs in MIA are brand new. I have not been to the A terminal club yet, but I did have a chance to hang out in the D terminal club few times and it's nice, BUT
the clubs are meant for the regular business traveler, they are not like some first class lounges where you get free cocktails, nice selection of food, etc. What you get is very comfortable seating, very clean and quiet bathrooms, great shower rooms, drinks and food is extra, wi-fi is extra although they do have internet stations set up - free of charge, so for 1 time visit, the $50 for 1 or $75 for 2 is not worth it, unless you really need a shower and a place to relax.....
Both clubs in MIA are brand new. I have not been to the A terminal club yet, but I did have a chance to hang out in the D terminal club few times and it's nice, BUT
the clubs are meant for the regular business traveler, they are not like some first class lounges where you get free cocktails, nice selection of food, etc. What you get is very comfortable seating, very clean and quiet bathrooms, great shower rooms, drinks and food is extra, wi-fi is extra although they do have internet stations set up - free of charge, so for 1 time visit, the $50 for 1 or $75 for 2 is not worth it, unless you really need a shower and a place to relax.....
Jun 4th, 2006, 08:25 PM
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Thank you. I really appreciate your comments. The only opportunity I have had to visit an AC was in London and I remember thinking how nice it was. I don't fly often enough to warrant the yearly membership, but it sure was a treat while waiting in London. Besides who isn't looking for a little pampering in a crowded airport??
We will flying to Turks and Cacios via Miami later this month using 1st class tickets. Will this entitle us access to the club in Miami?
We will flying to Turks and Cacios via Miami later this month using 1st class tickets. Will this entitle us access to the club in Miami?
Jun 4th, 2006, 09:21 PM
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According to aa.com, you can get in flying FC to: "Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Mexico City."
In another paragraph, it says: "North America is defined as U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), Bermuda, The Bahamas, and the Caribbean."
So I guess the answer is NO.
In another paragraph, it says: "North America is defined as U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), Bermuda, The Bahamas, and the Caribbean."
So I guess the answer is NO.
Jun 5th, 2006, 12:45 AM
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Rkkwan is correct. You can only get in Admiral's Clubs in N. America by buying a day pass unless you're on your way to Europe, etc. Then you can use them free. I used to be a member for years but when I stopped flying so much it wasn't worth it so I just use day passes now.
A friend was smart & years ago bought a lifetime membership for $1,000.00.
A friend was smart & years ago bought a lifetime membership for $1,000.00.
Jun 5th, 2006, 02:47 AM
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This is just my theory so take it for what it's worth.....
I have EXP status with AA so on any "true" intenational itn I'm allowed to use all the OW lounges, including the first class lounges if available, as long as I'm flyimg with or connecting to OW airline. That's about 60% of my yearly flying.
The 40% is purely domestic with AA. As an EXP my yearly renewal for AC membership is $300. I came up with an acceptable "fee" to me to get to use the clubs when I fly domestically and it's ~$10 per use. So as long as I use the clubs 30 times a year, I'm very happy, but the actual average has been around $8, so it's even better. I would never pay $50 unless it's a one time big trip and you have at least 2 connections and all the airports have the clubs. The day pass allows you to use it all day at any club, not just the one you bought the pass from. Rules state that it's suppose to be the "date" that counts, but evidence from many flyers points to a different scenario. As long as the itn is all on one ticket the AC AAngels will let you in next day if it's one of those long haul international overnight flights.
oh, a nice perk of AC membership - AC AAngels - if there are irregular ops going on for whatever reason, it's nice to know you don't have to stand in line with the "unwashed"(relax everybody, it's a joke) at the customer service desk to try to find a way to get to your destination. As a member you know that your salvation is right behind the entrance doors to the club. These agents are nothing short of miracle workers when you really need help. When a gate agent or the customer service rep says <b>no, it can't be done this way...</b>, the AC AAngels find a way to say <b>yes Mr.AAFF, here you go, have a safe trip home</b>.....
I have EXP status with AA so on any "true" intenational itn I'm allowed to use all the OW lounges, including the first class lounges if available, as long as I'm flyimg with or connecting to OW airline. That's about 60% of my yearly flying.
The 40% is purely domestic with AA. As an EXP my yearly renewal for AC membership is $300. I came up with an acceptable "fee" to me to get to use the clubs when I fly domestically and it's ~$10 per use. So as long as I use the clubs 30 times a year, I'm very happy, but the actual average has been around $8, so it's even better. I would never pay $50 unless it's a one time big trip and you have at least 2 connections and all the airports have the clubs. The day pass allows you to use it all day at any club, not just the one you bought the pass from. Rules state that it's suppose to be the "date" that counts, but evidence from many flyers points to a different scenario. As long as the itn is all on one ticket the AC AAngels will let you in next day if it's one of those long haul international overnight flights.
oh, a nice perk of AC membership - AC AAngels - if there are irregular ops going on for whatever reason, it's nice to know you don't have to stand in line with the "unwashed"(relax everybody, it's a joke) at the customer service desk to try to find a way to get to your destination. As a member you know that your salvation is right behind the entrance doors to the club. These agents are nothing short of miracle workers when you really need help. When a gate agent or the customer service rep says <b>no, it can't be done this way...</b>, the AC AAngels find a way to say <b>yes Mr.AAFF, here you go, have a safe trip home</b>.....
Jun 5th, 2006, 04:58 AM
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Gosh, you all are a wealth of information but I am still confused. Will this type ticket allow amdittance? We have "F" FC tickets on the first leg into Miami, with "J" Business into PLS. For the return "A" FC into MIA, with "D" Business into DFW.(paid for tickets, no upgrades) We will have 3.5 hrs layover in MIA on both the departure and return, that is if everything go according to schedule.
So, a daily pass means "daily", guess I thought buying one was good for the entire trip. Dah!!! Thnxs everyone, I could of saved you all the trouble and asked AA myself.
So, a daily pass means "daily", guess I thought buying one was good for the entire trip. Dah!!! Thnxs everyone, I could of saved you all the trouble and asked AA myself.
Jun 5th, 2006, 05:36 AM
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no, you won't be able to use the clubs 
Domestically the only time an purchased F ticket gets you in to the clubs is during a <b>non-stop transcontinental trips</b>, i.e. New York-Los Angeles or Boston-San Francisco, or something similar, or on a truly "international" itn, as in, Europe, South America or Asia. Caribbean is considered "domestic".
Your trip is considered "domestic" but it's not a transcontinental.... so no admittance.
but if you do decide to purchase the day pass, do it during the outbound. You will be able to use both clubs, the DFW club before your flight to MIA and MIA clubs before your flight to the islands.
It's $50 for one and $25 each for up to 2 more people, so $75 total for 2 or $100 total for 3. The day pass can be purchased on-line at www.aa.com
Have a great trip!
Domestically the only time an purchased F ticket gets you in to the clubs is during a <b>non-stop transcontinental trips</b>, i.e. New York-Los Angeles or Boston-San Francisco, or something similar, or on a truly "international" itn, as in, Europe, South America or Asia. Caribbean is considered "domestic".
Your trip is considered "domestic" but it's not a transcontinental.... so no admittance.
but if you do decide to purchase the day pass, do it during the outbound. You will be able to use both clubs, the DFW club before your flight to MIA and MIA clubs before your flight to the islands.
It's $50 for one and $25 each for up to 2 more people, so $75 total for 2 or $100 total for 3. The day pass can be purchased on-line at www.aa.com
Have a great trip!
Jun 5th, 2006, 06:54 AM
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If you decide to "splurge" both ways, and if you think you may do 2-3 more trips with AA in the next 12 months, then if I were you, I would purchase a yearly pass during your return trip. I assume when you say "we" it's 2 of you, so it will be $75 one-way or $150 both ways. At that point I believe you're only another $250 away from yearly membership. The membership lasts for full 12 months so do it only if you decide to buy another daily pass for the return. Do not do it during the outbound as that will shorten your membership period. Keep the receipt from the outbound day pass as it will be needed in order to for the agent to credit the $75 towards the full membership.
DO NOT BUY 2 day passes for 2 as that will be $150 total and they will only credit up to $100 total from the previously purchased day passes up to a month after.
So once again, if you decide that it may benefit you in the future, buy the day pass for the outbound and purchase membership during your return....
Have a great trip!
DO NOT BUY 2 day passes for 2 as that will be $150 total and they will only credit up to $100 total from the previously purchased day passes up to a month after.
So once again, if you decide that it may benefit you in the future, buy the day pass for the outbound and purchase membership during your return....
Have a great trip!
Jun 5th, 2006, 07:14 AM
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one more suggestion.....
just because the rules say no and most of the times the agents will follow the rules, you may want to play "dumb" at the DFW club during the outbound. I doubt very much that it will work, and if it doesn't you just buy the day pass then, but you never know.....
(if you decide to give it a try, don't pre-purchase the day pass online).
just because the rules say no and most of the times the agents will follow the rules, you may want to play "dumb" at the DFW club during the outbound. I doubt very much that it will work, and if it doesn't you just buy the day pass then, but you never know.....
(if you decide to give it a try, don't pre-purchase the day pass online).
Jun 5th, 2006, 07:30 AM
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forget the above suggestion....
you will need access to 2 clubs, not just 1, and there is no chance in hell that the above suggestion would work twice on the same day. Once is almost a slim to none chance, twice? it would be like winning the big lotto
you will need access to 2 clubs, not just 1, and there is no chance in hell that the above suggestion would work twice on the same day. Once is almost a slim to none chance, twice? it would be like winning the big lotto
Jun 5th, 2006, 03:47 PM
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I actually got by with that one time but it was in San Juan. Was going to London but overnighting in Boston so it was STT-SJU-BOS. I had paid for the first class ticket to Boston & was on miles in business the next day BOS-LHR.
Got to SJU & really thought I could use the AC. WRONG! Since it was a separate ticket she said it wasn't allowed but the nice lady did let me stay. I'm quite sure though that had I been in Coach or on an Upgrade that wouldn't have happened. They really are great in the AC. The next day I could use the AC in Boston & at LHR (which is a really nice one) on my return.
So as usual, AAFF is correct.
Got to SJU & really thought I could use the AC. WRONG! Since it was a separate ticket she said it wasn't allowed but the nice lady did let me stay. I'm quite sure though that had I been in Coach or on an Upgrade that wouldn't have happened. They really are great in the AC. The next day I could use the AC in Boston & at LHR (which is a really nice one) on my return.
So as usual, AAFF is correct.
Jun 5th, 2006, 05:07 PM
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I'm not so sure....
The OP specifically stated that she remembered the AC in London. Different animal altogether. Open bar, some light food.....
At the US based ACs, (and this only applies to AC members and day pass purchasers), but it's a cash bar and menu. Status holders traveling on international itn get free drinks....
At the very least at the foreign based ACs one could get some of their $50 back by drinking Grey Goose or Single Malt Scotch, some nice wines, etc.. but in this case all the day pass gets you is a nice and comfortable seating, clean bathrooms and showers..... There is a free coffee/tea/OJ/water available and there may be some pretzels/potato chips and some apples/oranges but $50 is a lot of money, at least to me...... YMMV
BTW, MIA is finally coming around. After years of depressing tunnels and temp gates and terminals, the new A terminal is looking great, open, roomy and with much light coming through the glassed roofs. Nice design with great clean look . I believe D terminal is getting close to be finished and it will have the same look. They closed C all together for now. B and E are still somewhat depressing.....
The OP specifically stated that she remembered the AC in London. Different animal altogether. Open bar, some light food.....
At the US based ACs, (and this only applies to AC members and day pass purchasers), but it's a cash bar and menu. Status holders traveling on international itn get free drinks....
At the very least at the foreign based ACs one could get some of their $50 back by drinking Grey Goose or Single Malt Scotch, some nice wines,
etc.. but in this case all the day pass gets you is a nice and comfortable seating, clean bathrooms and showers..... There is a free coffee/tea/OJ/water available and there may be some pretzels/potato chips and some apples/oranges but $50 is a lot of money, at least to me...... YMMVBTW, MIA is finally coming around. After years of depressing tunnels and temp gates and terminals, the new A terminal is looking great, open, roomy and with much light coming through the glassed roofs. Nice design with great clean look . I believe D terminal is getting close to be finished and it will have the same look. They closed C all together for now. B and E are still somewhat depressing.....
Jun 6th, 2006, 01:34 AM
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I don't even drink & I'll still pay for a day pass if it's a layover of more than 2 hours. Security alone at MIA makes me want to get away from the thundering herd but to each his own.
If I traveled as much as I used to, I'd still be a member of AC but it's cheaper now for me to buy a pass.
If I traveled as much as I used to, I'd still be a member of AC but it's cheaper now for me to buy a pass.
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