I found the American Airlines Admirals Club San Francisco (SFO) to be a very practical and functional lounge which helped me to stay productive during my layover.
American Airlines Admirals Club San Francisco Review (SFO)
Just an interesting sidenote to start. I had just stepped off a JAL flight in business class from Tokyo (HND) to San Francisco (SFO) and was connecting to Bubrank (BUR) on United Airlines (not a oneworld carrier). I thought I would have access to both the American Airlines Admirals Club and the Alaska Airlines Lounge since I held oneworld emerald status and was on a same-day oneworld flight, but I was denied access to the Alaska Airlines lounge. And rightfully so, as I found when I checked the access rules:
Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with the equivalent of oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by any oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class being flown…
Access is available on the day of travel (or before 06:00am the following day), at the airport from which the oneworld flight on which the eligible customer is traveling departs.
However, I was told even if I was flying American Airlines from SFO-LAX, I would not have had access because my departing flight was not international.
Meanwhile, I had no trouble entering the Admirals Club with my HND-SFO boarding pass…perhaps because my oneworld emerald status was with American Airlines?
But I was happy to check out the AA Lounge at least…
Hours + Access + Location
The lounge is located airside (past security) in Terminal 1, near gate B13 and is open daily from 4:30 am to 11:30 pm. You enter on the ground floor and then proceed via escalator or elevator upstairs to the main part of the lounge.
Access is reserved for:
- Admirals Club members
- Qualifying first and business class passengers, including those traveling same-day on American or another oneworld member to:
- Asia
- Australia
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Central America
- Europe
- Mexico
- Middle East
- New Zealand
- South America
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum members traveling internationally in any cabin of service
- oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members from other oneworld carriers (on any oneworld itinerary in any cabin of service)
- Admirals Club day pass holders
- Citi / AAdvantage Executive Card authorized users
- Active-duty military traveling in uniform with military ID
International first class and oneworld elite customers are allowed one guest (a child over two counts as a guest). Admirals Club members or members of the military may bring in their “immediate family” (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or two guests.
Seating
The lounge included a mix of plush chairs as well as tables and chairs. Windows provided great views of the apron below. Power ports (110-volt plus USB-A) are plentiful and some tables offer wireless charging. Wi-Fi is password-protected, but complimentary and fast.
The focal point of the lounge, it seemed to me, was the central reception which featured flight help and a tree…that looked more like one of those mobile phone towers disguised as a tree than a real one…
Food + Drink
AA offers both food and premium liquor for purchase as well as complementary food and beverage selections in its lounges. I’ve found–especially recently–that the complimentary selection is more than adequate if you are simply looking for a snack or light meal.
Midday selections included:
- Korean BBQ beef
- Brown rice + red quinoa
- Olives
- Lentil salad
- Balsamic-onion dip
- Cubed cheese
- Celery sticks
- Pita crackers
- Soup
- Chuckwagon chili
- Tomoato ravioli
- Fruit (whole)
- Sweets
- Marshmallow squares
- Brownies
- Milk chocolate chunk cookies
My favorite element is the guacamole cart, which seems to come and go but is always a favorite of mine (and apparently others, based on the line to use it).
Wouldn’t you agree that is enough for a hearty snack or even a meal?
At the bar, house red and white wine plus select beers were complimentary, while most spirits were for purchase.
Showers + Restrooms
While United Airlines has largely abandoned showers in its network of airport United Clubs, including all three in San Francisco, American Airlines offers both restrooms (gender-segregated, even in San Francisco) and showers.
If you wish to shower, see a lounge representative for a key or to add yourself to the waiting list.
Phone Rooms + Quiet Area
I always appreciate when lounges have a designated area for phone calls…do us all a favor and make your calls here.
One side of the lounge is also specifically designated as a “Quiet Area.”
Kids Room
A children’s playroom is also available.
Printing
Printing (including wireless), faxing, and a desktop computer (iMac) are available.
Closet
A closet for coats and bags is available, but the lounge was not even close to capacity…few people used it.
CONCLUSION
I’m not sure there is anything that would prompt me to arrive early here and the design is just not nearly as nice as the new lounges in Denver and Washington National, but I really appreciated having access to this lounge. It provided a quiet place to work and the food and beverage selection was more than adequate between flights.
