US-based airlines have been outliers when it comes to complimentary lounge access for their elite members compared to international ones that allow complimentary access from certain tiers.
United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, And Alaska have sold access to their respective clubs for cash or part of higher-end affiliated credit cards.
You can access AA’s page for lounge access here.
American Airlines temporary changes to lounge access on April 1, 2021:
Customers ticketed in business or firsts lass cabins to or from the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands), Mexico, Canada, and Central America will have access to the AAdmirals club.
Previously, passengers flying to Mexico City and Central America in premium cabins have had accesses to both Flagship and AAdmirals club lounges. No more Flagship.
Advantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum-members will have access to AAdmirals Club in these markets when flying in Economy.
Previously, Mexico City and Central America have been an eligible destination for lounge access.
Conclusion
It is unclear how long this promotional lounge offering is valid.
US airlines must have made plenty of cash to sell lounge access either for money or through credit cards.
When I was living in the States, I paid for United and American clubs merely to have access to competent customer support in case of frequent flight delays and cancellations for easy rebookings.
I am glad that American Airlines has decided to extend the complimentary lounge access to more markets, at least temporarily.
