I have not been paid by any entity in any way (financially, benefits) to write this Admirals Club ORD review. Take precautions when traveling; please stay safe and consult local, state, and national authorities for guidance on traveling.
The American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Chicago is located in Terminal 3, between Concourses H and K. After visiting the premium lounge for a couple hours, I decided to take some time to visit the Admirals Club, located one floor up and see how that lounge measures up.
Quick Take: Admirals Club ORD Review
| Category | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere & Design | ✅ 8/10 |
| Food & Beverage | 😐 6/10 |
| Seating & Layout | ✅ 8/10 |
| Wi-Fi & Connectivity | ✅ 10/10 |
| Cleanliness & Comfort | ✅ 7/10 |
The Admirals Club ORD is a spacious lounge that offers guests space to sit back and relax before a flight.
Lounge Info
- Lounge Name: Admirals Club ORD
- Location: Terminal 3, Between Concourse H and K, Level 3
- Operating Hours: Daily; 5:00AM-11:15PM
Access Policy
- Entry process: You must present an eligible boarding pass and access method to enter.
- Who can enter: American Airlines Flagship First and Business Class passengers, oneworld First and Business Class passengers, Aer Lingus Business Class passengers, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members on a qualifying flight, Alaska Airlines Atmos Titanium, Platinum, and Gold members on a qualifying flight, oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members on a qualifying flight, Admirals Club One-Day Pass holders, U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform on an American flight
- Guest policy: Guest access varies according to your status, ticketed cabin, and access method.
- Credit cards or memberships accepted: Citi AAdvantage Executive cardholders, Citi Strata Elite cardholders (four passes annually)
I accessed the American Airlines Admirals Club ORD with my Flagship Business Class boarding pass from Chicago to London, which provides entry to any Flagship Lounge or Admirals Club along the journey.
Atmosphere & Seating
Upon arriving to the Admirals Club level, you’ll be greeted by a spacious lobby with front desk agents that are commonly referred to as AAngels, thanks to their experience in making magic happen for travelers!
The lounge is approximately 33,000 square feet, which means that there is plenty of space for guests visiting the lounge.
At the time I visited, the lounge was pretty calm, given that it was in the evening.
As a result, there was plenty of seating everywhere. I’d even venture out to say that the seating options at the Admirals Club were better than those at the Flagship Lounge.
They had some oversized throne seats that seemed to be more comfortable than anything the Flagship Lounge was offering.
That being said, most of the other seats offered were the exact same ones you’d find downstairs.
There was desk and high top seating, and plenty of windows to look outside.
Brown, wood, and leather tones dominated the lounge area, giving it a natural and premium feel.
There was also a dining area near the main bar, where you could sit and dine while also watching TV whenever the screens are on.
Also, if you’re looking to stay powered up throughout your stay at the lounge, there are plenty of AC outlets and wireless charging pads.
Food & Beverage
There were several food options available for guests, including cold cuts, vegetables, and dips.
There were also hot foods available, including honey BBQ pork loin and cilantro chili brown rice.
They also had chicken noodle soup and Thai cocount soy broth.
Along with dessert, which consisted of triple (!) chocolate deluxe club cookies.
Wi-Fi & Connectivity
Complimentary wifi was available and was pretty fast.
Cleanliness & Facilities
The lounge was overall kept tidy and clean, especially considering it was relatively empty.
Amenities
The American Airlines Admirals Club ORD offers a kids room, two conference rooms, and interestingly, shower suites, just like its premium sibling downstairs.
This is an interesting amenity to offer at the Admirals Club, but I’m all for it. I didn’t reserve a suite since I had showered earlier in the Flagship Lounge, but I assume you can reserve a shower suite at the front desk.
Final Thoughts & Verdict: Admirals Club ORD Review
The American Airlines Admirals Club ORD is a solid lounge offering plenty to its American Airlines and oneworld guests. Since this isn’t in the same echelon as the Flagship Lounges, it can’t reasonably be measured against its premium sibling. But when it comes to being a traditional U.S. airline lounge, it is absolutely great. It is spacious, offers plenty of options for work or relaxation, and features shower suites. Furthermore, if it doesn’t get quite as packed as the Flagship Lounge, it might even be a better option to relax before your flight. That being said:
- Is it worth arriving early to visit this lounge? Probably not. Don’t rush to get there, but if you have access, it’s a great spot to grab a bite and shower before your flight, just like the Flagship Lounge. Heck, it might be a better option than the Flagship Lounge if you’re not looking to eat.
- What sets it apart? The shower suites. That has become an amenity largely reserved for premium cabin lounges like the Flagship Lounge, the United Polaris Lounge, or the Delta One Lounge. But offering it at a standard run-of-the-mill lounge is a welcome sight.
Overall Rating: 7.8/10
What are your thoughts? Have you been to the American Airlines Admirals Club ORD? Let me know on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, or BlueSky!
As always, Live Life One Trip at a Time!
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