Through Oct. 17, Qantas is offering a 50% discount when you purchase a one-year subscription to the Qantas Club.
A Qantas Club subscription could appeal to U.S.-based travelers because a Qantas Club membership includes access to the American Airlines Admirals Club — even for those traveling on domestic American Airlines-marketed and -operated flights with an AAdvantage number attached. Executive Traveller first reported this news.
As the information online regarding the Admirals Club lounge access policy for Qantas Club members was unclear, TPG reached out to American Airlines for a comment. In a statement, representatives from American said:
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… we allow QF Club Card holders to access the Admirals Club when travelling on AA or QF-operated flights.
How do you buy a Qantas Club membership?
To purchase a Qantas Club membership online, visit this webpage. Normally, there’s an activation fee of 99 Australian dollars (about $62); however, I did not previously have a frequent flyer account with Qantas, and the airline did not collect the activation fee during enrollment. Instead, I was prompted to pay a total of AU$324 (about $203) for my one-year subscription to the Qantas Club.
Qantas will deliver your membership kit within three weeks if you have a U.S. address. Alternatively, you can pay AU$40 (about $25) for express delivery. You’ll receive your kit in three to seven business days with express delivery.
In addition to the ability to access the Admirals and Qantas clubs, a Qantas Club membership provides the following benefits when traveling on Qantas:
- Bring a guest each time you travel (terms apply).
- Complimentary food, beverages and Wi-Fi.
- Additional checked baggage allowance (only on Qantas flights with a QF flight number).
- Upgrades to business at the airport for domestic flights in Australia when you use your points (terms apply).
- Earn 3 Qantas Points per $1 spent on your membership (terms apply).
- Dedicated service and check-in desks.
Related: American Airlines previews new eye-catching lounge design debuting this fall
Other ways to access the Admirals Club on domestic itineraries
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard comes with a complimentary Admirals Club membership.
If you apply now, the card comes with a generous 80,000-mile sign-up bonus after you make $5,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. This bonus is worth $1,416 based on TPG’s most recent valuations.
The card has a $450 annual fee and comes with a variety of other benefits. In my opinion, the best benefit of this card is the ability to add up to 10 authorized users to your account for no additional cost. Each authorized user receives Admirals Club access for themselves and up to two traveling companions. Just be aware that authorized users only get Admirals Club access instead of a full Admirals Club membership.
A paid membership
You can also pay annually for an Admirals Club membership. New-membership prices range between $550 and $650 or 55,000 to 65,000 miles based on your AAdvantage status.
One-time passes
You can purchase one-time Admirals Club passes for $59 or 5,900 miles.
Loyalty Choice Rewards
Earlier this year, American unveiled Loyalty Choice Rewards. Depending on the Loyalty Choice Reward tier you achieve, you may be able to opt for Admirals Club one-time passes or annual membership.
Elite status from a foreign Oneworld carrier
If you hold Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status with an airline other than American or Alaska, you can access the Admirals Club when you travel on domestic American flights.
Related: Act fast: How to earn Oneworld Emerald status for under $3,000 this year
Bottom line
This recent Qantas Club sale is a great way to gain access to the Admirals Club for a fraction of the price that American Airlines charges. In fairness, however, it’s possible that Admirals Club agents won’t know about the ability to gain access with a Qantas Club membership, so you should be ready to prove eligibility if agents assume your Qantas Club membership doesn’t provide access to the Admirals Club.
If you’re interested in accessing the Admirals Club hassle-free, it’s hard to pass up the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard for $450 per year. Again, you can add up to 10 authorized users for free, and each authorized user receives Admirals Club access for themselves and up to two traveling companions.
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