After checking out the Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami this morning, I figured I might as well knock out another review. In this post I wanted to review one of the Admirals Clubs in Miami, which I visit constantly, but haven’t yet written about.
American Admirals Club Miami Location
American Airlines has two Admirals Clubs in Miami — one near gate D15, and one near gate D30. The lounge near gate D15 is exclusively an Admirals Club, while the lounge near gate D30 has an Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge, and Flagship First Dining.
I’ve reviewed the Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining, so in this post I’ll just be reviewing the D30 Admirals Club
Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge Miami exterior
This is a tangent, but I have to give the designers of Miami Airport credit for designing what’s easily the most marginally useful train system at any airport. While there’s a train system between gates, when all is said and done it’s almost never faster to take the train, at least if you walk at my pace.
American Admirals Club Miami Hours
Both Admirals Clubs in Miami are open daily from 4:30AM until 10:30PM, which covers just about all possible American Airlines flights.
How To Access American Admirals Clubs
Those who receive lounge access on account of their status and ticket typically have access to Flagship Lounges, while accessing an Admirals Club generally requires a membership.
Personally I have an Admirals Club membership through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®, which I consider to be one of the best airline credit cards.
The card has a $695 annual fee, though the primary cardmember gets an Admirals Club membership. Each authorized user is able to bring up to two guests or their immediate family into Admirals Clubs when flying American or an eligible partner airline the same day.
Alternatively, here’s the standard pricing for an annual Admirals Club membership:
As you can see, having the credit card really is a better value.
American Admirals Club Miami Review
At the entrance to the lounge I presented my boarding pass and was promptly admitted. American lets you have your picture ID attached to your Admirals Club membership, which means you don’t have to present an ID every time.
Admirals Club lounge Miami entrance
While reception is on the concourse level, the lounge is one level up. When you exit the elevator the Admirals Club is to the left while the Flagship Lounge is to the right.
Admirals Club Miami Seating
While the Admirals Club isn’t huge, it’s big enough, and I’ve pretty consistently found it to be quiet, or at least not overcrowded. I suspect that’s because a lot of American’s premium passengers use the Flagship Lounge, given that Miami is such an international gateway.
Just inside the entrance to the Admirals Club is a seating area that seems to be more decorative than anything, since it’s right by the entrance (I almost never see anyone sitting there).
Admirals Club lounge Miami seating
Then the main part of the lounge is just down the hall. American has renovated their Admirals Clubs over the past few years, and while I wouldn’t say I’d like to decorate my home like an Admirals Club, I think the design is non-offensive.
Admirals Club lounge Miami seating
I like that they have plenty of outlets at every seat, and I also like the tables they have that you can move around, which are perfect if you want to sit in one of these seats and work on your laptop.
Admirals Club lounge Miami seating
American Airlines lounge seating
The main room has a lovely view of the apron.
American Airlines lounge Miami view
Across from that main sitting area is the dining area, which includes plenty of dining tables, a bar, and some high-top communal seating.
Admirals Club lounge Miami seating
Admirals Club lounge Miami seating
Admirals Club lounge Miami bar
As you go deeper into the lounge there’s even more seating.
Admirals Club lounge Miami seating
American Airlines lounge seating
Then the rest of the lounge curves, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out over the terminal.
American Airlines lounge seating
There are some daybeds, as well as a business center with some workstations.
American Airlines lounge daybeds
American Airlines lounge business center
The lounge also has a play area for kids back near the entrance.
American Airlines lounge kid play area
Admirals Club Miami Food & Drinks
The lounge has several buffets throughout, though the main selection is in the dining area, with food being to the left of the bar, and drinks being to the right of the bar.
As far as drinks go, there was one of those fancy Coca Cola machines, an espresso machine, drip coffee, juice, and water.
American Admirals Club buffet
American Admirals Club soda fountain
I have to say, I really like American’s drip coffee from La Colombe, and think it’s better than the “standard” coffee offered in Delta Sky Club and United Clubs.
American Admirals Club coffee machine
American changed up their breakfast selection a while ago, I’d argue for the better. The problem is that there’s no variety, so it’s the same thing every time for months.
The main highlight of the breakfast buffet was a taco bar, with cheese, salsa, rice, beans, and more.
American Admirals Club breakfast spread
American Admirals Club breakfast spread
Then there was a fruit salad, a couple of types of Chobani yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, and some toast and pastries.
American Admirals Club breakfast spread
American Admirals Club breakfast spread
American Admirals Club breakfast spread
Personally I don’t mind the selection, but don’t love it either. I did hear a guy loudly complaining to one of the cleaners about how mad he was that they no longer have hardboiled eggs. Fair enough sentiment, but I think he was expressing it to the wrong person…
The Admirals Club also has a selection of complimentary house drinks, in addition to premium drinks and food for purchase. Here’s the menu (and I just realized they have La Colombo cold pressed coffee for purchase, and I might just buy it next time — my prayers have been answered).
The Admirals Club also does sometimes have made to order avocado toast in the mornings and made to order guacamole in the afternoons, though I think the schedule for that is “offer it whenever Ben isn’t there,” because I literally don’t think I’ve had it once in the Admirals Club in Miami.
American Admirals Club guacamole
Admirals Club Miami Showers & Bathrooms
The Admirals Club has fairly nice and well maintained bathrooms. In addition to that, they have shower suites, which are spacious, with a sink, toilet, and walk-in shower. Toiletries are from CO Bigelow. One area where American does really well with Admirals Clubs is with the availability of showers.
American Admirals Club shower suite
American Admirals Club shower
Admirals Club Lounge Bottom Line
The Miami D30 Admirals Club is probably the lounge I visit more than any other. Ultimately the lounge is quiet, has excellent coffee, nice shower suites, decent enough decor with nice views, and alright food.
I have a lot of other lounge or restaurant options in Miami, but I still end up here most of the time:
- I could use the Amex Centurion Lounge, but it’s typically quite crowded, and I’m usually just looking for a quiet place to grab a cup of coffee and work
- While there are three Priority Pass restaurants in the terminal (Viena, Air Margaritaville, and Corona Beach House), I’m usually not looking to have a full meal before getting on a plane
How are you guys feeling about Admirals Clubs nowadays? If Miami is also your home airport, what’s your lounge strategy?
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