You can also get free or discounted Admirals Club access with a number of American Express cards that offer airline fee credits. If American Airlines is selected as your preferred airline, then the purchase of an Admirals Club membership or day pass will qualify for the credit.

No, a standard American Express Platinum or Centurion card does not grant you access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs. While the Amex Platinum is famous for its "Global Lounge Collection," which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), it notably excludes the Admirals Club. In 2026, the only credit card that provides a full Admirals Club membership is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. If you only have an Amex, you would need to purchase a separate One-Day Pass for $79 (subject to capacity) or hold high-level AAdvantage® status while flying on a qualifying international itinerary to gain entry. Interestingly, in early 2026, American Express launched its new "Sidecar" mini-lounge concept to help with Centurion Lounge overcrowding, but these are still Amex-branded and separate from the American Airlines lounges. If you find yourself in an airport with both, your Amex gets you into the Centurion, but you’ll need a specific AA-affiliated card or a premium cabin ticket to walk through the doors of the Admirals Club.