Conde Nast Traveler Rates Admiral's Club # 1

[SelectSys]

This month's informer (page 64) rates the 4 major US domestic airline clubs. The study isn't scientific but this is their take:

 

American Admirals Club - 4 Stars

Continental Presidents Club - 3 Stars

Delta Sky Club - 2.5 Stars

United Red Carpet Club - 2 Stars

 

Congratulations to AA for coming in #1 in the US domestic market.

[FlyerTalker]

$300 to $450 per year, plus you have a cash bar. I think I will stick with my lower-rated club that includes my "beverages" in the membership fee.

 

What will be interesting is the new relationship between the CO P-club and UA's RCC. One is open bar, the other cash bar -- which should make for some interesting reciprocity payment calculations.

[fbgd]

I like the Admirals Clubs, admittedly my only comparisons on the US carrier front are the US Clubs and United Red Carpet Clubs. The latter two are usually pretty dismal!

 

Luckily for me I don't pay an entry fee for ACs (or the Flagship Lounges) and get chits for alcoholic beverages whenever I enter. That sweetens the deal...Now if only the wi-fi at ACs was free! The one consistent thing I found about the Admirals Clubs I've been to (and I've used the majority of them stateside) are that the staff are excellent. I know that if something goes awry with delayed flights and the like they'll do everything they can to help me out. Even going to the extent of calling upon staff at LAX and arranging an escort to meet my brother-in-law who was arriving on a very delayed flight into LAX and getting him across to catch his United flight. As it happens he didn't make the flight and they sorted out a hotel for him. He wasn't even travelling with me!

[SelectSys]

...

Luckily for me I don't pay an entry fee for ACs (or the Flagship Lounges) and get chits for alcoholic beverages whenever I enter. That sweetens the deal...Now if only the wi-fi at ACs was free! The one consistent thing I found about the Admirals Clubs I've been to (and I've used the majority of them stateside) are that the staff are excellent...

 

Do you only use the Admirals Club for international travel? They are pretty good in terms of giving out drink coupons and providing free entry for elite One World fliers (Sapphire level and above?) Lots of the clubs have internet terminals which are available for use and do agree that most of the staff in the clubs are very good.

[jetwet1]

Where the heck is the link to the whole Conde Nast voting thing, seriously I lost all respect for them when Ryanair was voted into the top 5 LCC.

[Keith1010]

I use American Airlines since this is the airline that we primarily fly but I never would have guessed that it would have been rated so much higher than the other ones because IMHO the amenities provided are not as good as they once were many years back.

 

Best for me are lounges in Countries outside the USA.

 

Keith

[fbgd]

Do you only use the Admirals Club for international travel? They are pretty good in terms of giving out drink coupons and providing free entry for elite One World fliers (Sapphire level and above?) Lots of the clubs have internet terminals which are available for use and do agree that most of the staff in the clubs are very good.

 

I'm a oneworld Emerald so get free entry and the chits all the time.

 

I am aware most of the clubs have workstations but I'm always a little wary of public internet terminals when logging into email or similar, keystroke loggers and the like.

[Globaliser]

The study isn't scientific ...

Isn't it also a bit like ranking the quality of the meat at McDonalds, Burger King and the like?

 

OK, so it's a bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean! :D

[voyager70]

Isn't it also a bit like ranking the quality of the meat at McDonalds, Burger King and the like?

 

OK, so it's a bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean! :D

 

Yeah I know what you mean. Kind of like rating the quality of European hotels! :D

[SelectSys]

Where the heck is the link to the whole Conde Nast voting thing, seriously I lost all respect for them when Ryanair was voted into the top 5 LCC.

 

This wasn't a reader survey. It was simply one writer's opinion. You need to differenitate between the two. Even their surveys are not "scientific" as the respondents are self-selected.

 

All of these pop magazine surveys are simply for entertainment.

 

Isn't it also a bit like ranking the quality of the meat at McDonalds, Burger King and the like?

 

OK, so it's a bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean! :D

 

I guess so, these are key peers competing head to head in a particular market. I am basically happy with the Admirals club, especially the newer clubs where remodeling or construction has occurred. For me, I just want a comfortable place to hang out while making a connection and check e-mail.