My renewal is up for the AC at the beginning of the year. Its $300...I might get lucky with an AAngel and get a $25 or $50 discount if I renew at the club.
My question is, what does an AC membership get me that the AMEX plat wouldnt?
The net cost of the AMEX is $275 after reimbursement...so its basically the same price.
If I go AMEX, and get a second card for my wife, will she be able to use the AC without me?
Programs: AA EXP (1 MM), EK Silver, Former CO Plat and AF Gold, SPG Plat, Avis First
Posts: 1,439
Go with Amex Plat. Your wife will be able to use an AC without you for the additional annual fee. Note that unlike AC membership, Amex Plat will not allow you in a lounge if you don't have a same day itinerary on AA. That being said, with Amex Plat you do get Priority Pass Select membership, which includes a fairly large number of lounges worldwide, not to mention DL or US lounges if you fly them (for US you don't even need to be flying them). I find that the AAngels treat me just fine when accessing clubs on Amex Plat.
Programs: AA EXP (> 1MM BIS), SPG-G, Marriott-S, Hilton-S, Hertz 5*G, AMX-P, Global Entry
Posts: 972
Also, Amex Plat will reimburse you for $200 of airline incidentals on one selected airline (if you fly another without status or AA if you choose - drinks, snacks, bag fees if applicable).
IMO, for most ppl it makes no sense to get an AC membership. Amex Plat gives you everything AC does and then some. Like others have mentioned, the $200 off is what seals the deal. You can use the $200 to purchase AA gift cards (amex refunds these).
If you add your wife to the acc that's an extra $175. But the way Amex pricing works it's 175 for an additional 3 cards. So if you have a brother/sister/close friend who you who also wants AC you can get him an Amex Plat and he would only need to pay $125 (or whatever you would like him to pay). You can set limits on how much each card member on your account can spend so the downside is effectively capped (although I would only do it w/close friends/family who I trust to begin with). PM me if you have any other questions.
the math:
$475 (for plat)
+ $175 (for 3 more cards) = $650
- $200 AA credit
= $450 for four cards or $112.5/card for AC and a whole lot more!
And if you travel globally, you can get your Global Entry fee covered. Lots of other benefits as well. I love my AMEX platinum.
As mentioned above, you get other clubs as well. Had to fly Delta last week (gasp!). Was nice to get access to the Sky Club as Terminal 2 at JFK gets really crowded.
And Priority Pass is great for airports without an AC. I've used that a few times this year.
I noticed AAngels are more likely going to help you score Row 17 if you're a member vs not being.
If you check in, then go talk to a different AAngel, will they even have any idea that you got in through AC Membership vs. Amex? I've certainly never noticed any difference between the service I get (Amex Plat) vs. colleagues who have the standalone memberships. The only real influencing factor I've ever seen work on AAngels is being nicer than the typical DYKWIAs.
Haven't had an AC membership in years, you get the same experience with Amex Plat particularly now that internet is free to everyone in the club. Also it gives you access to DL SkyClub and USAir (regardless of if you are even flying) and Priority Pass which has locations worldwide including the AS Boardrooms and the Club @ DFW.
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Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, HHonors, National Ex, Hertz Gld, True Blue, BA Ex Club, AMEX Plat, OT VIP
Posts: 108
Thanks everyone for your comments here, I've been trying to decide the same thing as OP. I've been paying for the AC for several years and I think I'm going to let it lapse now that I have the Amex Plat. I love the card- did the $200 in GCs, and got 3 extra cards so my partner and the in-laws have club access (bonus points). Plus I've used the FHR program a few times, and love the National Ex membership since I rent enough to care, but not enough to make status. I keep looking for a reason to keep my AC current, but am not finding it.
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, HHonors, National Ex, Hertz Gld, True Blue, BA Ex Club, AMEX Plat, OT VIP
Posts: 108
Quote:
Originally Posted by nall
Can you easily transfer the points to AA?
Are you referring to transferring Amex MR points to AA miles? If so, simple answer - no, but you can transfer to BA Avios, which you can use to book AA codeshare.
IMO, for most ppl it makes no sense to get an AC membership. Amex Plat gives you everything AC does and then some. Like others have mentioned, the $200 off is what seals the deal. You can use the $200 to purchase AA gift cards (amex refunds these).
If you add your wife to the acc that's an extra $175. But the way Amex pricing works it's 175 for an additional 3 cards. So if you have a brother/sister/close friend who you who also wants AC you can get him an Amex Plat and he would only need to pay $125 (or whatever you would like him to pay). You can set limits on how much each card member on your account can spend so the downside is effectively capped (although I would only do it w/close friends/family who I trust to begin with). PM me if you have any other questions.
the math:
$475 (for plat)
+ $175 (for 3 more cards) = $650
- $200 AA credit
= $450 for four cards or $112.5/card for AC and a whole lot more!
I don't understand the card pricing thing. $175 gets you 1 to 3 extra cards, and they each have lounge privileges? (Each person using it gets to bring in two guests, right?)
And how do you get $200 gift cards and have that considered an "incidental"?
I don't understand the card pricing thing. $175 gets you 1 to 3 extra cards, and they each have lounge privileges? (Each person using it gets to bring in two guests, right?)
And how do you get $200 gift cards and have that considered an "incidental"?
Yes, each gets lounge privileges including 2 guests.
Gift cards are not supposed to be reimbursable, but so far they have been if you select AA as your airline (although I think people have found that they aren't if you buy too many in a day because they get added together and trigger something.) I have bought $50 gift cards and extra $30 stickers and both have been reimbursed. I don't know about the other airlines.
We switched a year and a half ago and it has worked great. For $425 ($450 minus the $200 reimbursement plus $175) one son has the primary membership and my husband, another son and I have cards. Each of the 4 of us has lounge access (including Priority Pass) and can take 2 guests (with an additional fee if using Priority Pass). The only downside for us so far has been the couple of times one or another of us has flown out of ORD not on AA, US or Delta - Delta and AA require same day flight and there is no US or Priority Pass lounge - at least not in Terminal 3.
Last edited by Ord Liza; Apr 26, 13 at 1:02 pm..
Reason: addition correction (said with head hung in shame...)
