They're back! Avocado toast, guac and chips return as American reopens 7 more Admirals Clubs
When you decide to travel again, the experience will look quite different.
Masks are now required throughout the end-to-end journey, social-distancing decals are all over the airport and hand sanitizing stations are at every corner.
Perhaps the most notable difference in the airport experience is what's going on inside of the lounge. For one, many locations are still shuttered due to decreased demand. But even the open lounges are quite different than before.
But now, American Airlines is about to bring back a fan favorite. Starting in October, all reopened Admirals Clubs will serve avocado toast in the morning and guacamole and chips in the afternoon.
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This is an exciting development for AA flyers who've enjoyed these above-average offerings in the past. AA began serving avocado toast in select Admirals Clubs in 2018 after hearing positive feedback about its guacamole stations.
Naturally, the food stations aren't going to be self-serve. The avocado toast and guacamole and chips will be prepared by lounge staff behind protective acrylic screens. Of course, they'll be required to wear masks and social-distancing guidelines will be enforced when picking up the food. Additionally, all food items will be served in disposable containers to further reduce touchpoints.
American isn't stopping with the avocados. The carrier will also expand its traditional Admirals Club food offerings come October. Expect to see self-serve, pre-packaged choices like cheese cubes, hummus, hard-boiled eggs and fruit. These additional complimentary offerings join the currently available food-for-sale menu that's accessible using QR codes.
Related: Which airline lounges in the US are currently open?
As part of the news, American will also reopen seven additional lounges in October. The latest clubs to open aren’t at hubs, indicating that the carrier is likely seeing some increased demand at some of its larger outstations.
Rather impressively, AA will expand the number of airports with open lounges by 70%. Specifically, the following airports will have an open Admirals Club starting in October.
- Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The seven additional airports join the existing locations that have been open since June. American's Flagship Lounges continue to remain shuttered with no reopening date on the books.
Related: 9 ways the pandemic has transformed the American Airlines lounge experience
TPG's Chris Dong recently checked out the Admirals Clubs at the carrier's hubs in JFK and LAX. Overall, his pandemic-era experience was positive. The lounges are much quieter and cleaner than before, though most of the amenities like showers are closed. He also noted that the JFK lounge couldn't serve any food because of local government restrictions.
As the fall and winter holiday seasons approach, American is doubling down on its Admirals Clubs. You'll soon enjoy avocado-themed offerings throughout the day, and the reopened footprint will be growing by nearly 70%.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees