American Express Membership Rewards - which card..?

went through the whole amex thread and m getting confused over the multiple card offerrings and the various benefits;

i cancelled my amex about 10 years ago (decided to concentrate on one cc) but have now decided that i am not getting my worth with the cibc aeroplan visa...

which card should i get (blue, basic, gold, plat)considering lounge access with the card (amex plat?) would be a definete (sp) ++. ^

I fly AC within CANADA; all of 2007 MRs are with ST (NWA, KLM,)

ideas..? :confused:

In Canada, with the Platinum Card, while Membership Rewards has recently been slightly devalued by Amex Canada, you still get 1.25/$1 and can transfer at 1:1 with Air Canada and 1:1 with Delta (for SkyTeam). You can also transfer to Cathay and Continental, but only at 1000:750. Overall, Membership Rewards in Canada is not so great, especially since the partnership with Aeroplan has meant Amex Canada has really been pushing the AeroplanPlus products seemingly at the expense of the traditional charge cards. Amex Canada doesn't have the best track record at keeping its products at equal value per annual-fee dollar with its US parent or European and Asian counterparts, so much of what is discussed in this forum seems to not apply to the Canadian products. Amex in Canada is what it is because the market in Canada is what it is. They compete at the very low end with no-fee credit cards, and they compete in travel cards with their AeroplanPlus line. Their traditional line of charge cards is somewhat anachronistic and doesn't seem competitive with similar Visa and Mastercard products offered.

In Canada, with the Platinum Card, while Membership Rewards has recently been slightly devalued by Amex Canada, you still get 1.25/$1 and can transfer at 1:1 with Air Canada and 1:1 with Delta (for SkyTeam). You can also transfer to Cathay and Continental, but only at 1000:750. Overall, Membership Rewards in Canada is not so great, especially since the partnership with Aeroplan has meant Amex Canada has really been pushing the AeroplanPlus products seemingly at the expense of the traditional charge cards. Amex Canada doesn't have the best track record at keeping its products at equal value per annual-fee dollar with its US parent or European and Asian counterparts, so much of what is discussed in this forum seems to not apply to the Canadian products. Amex in Canada is what it is because the market in Canada is what it is. They compete at the very low end with no-fee credit cards, and they compete in travel cards with their AeroplanPlus line. Their traditional line of charge cards is somewhat anachronistic and doesn't seem competitive with similar Visa and Mastercard products offered.

After having read your reply and your thorough reasoning for which i thank you again, i am of the opinion to transfer most charges to the spg mc from mbna; albeit i will still look for a card that allows me to get lounge access. :D

thx!!