MilesBuzz! - What credit card for MP Miles and lounge access?

I originally posted this question (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum69/HTML/002048.html) in the AmEx forum and was told to try here for more info.

I am looking for a credit card that I can both earn points or miles which can ultimately be converted to UA MP miles.

I also want to be able to get into lounges when traveling either United on a United Ticket, or United on a US Airways ticket.

Is there any such credit card that would meet these requirements? I heard there were some AmEx cards that would get me into lounges, but the only one that seems promising (AmEx Centurion) does not seem I would be able to get.

-Jason

You can get a UAL credit card for $65 or $60 (can't remember) that gives 20,000 miles up front. Good deal. Link on info on the Credit Card page of my web site below. When you earn 80000 miles, you can get a business class ticket to Europe. Currently (well, as of September of this year), that business class ticket also gets you into the Red Carpet Club. Also true last January for business class trip to Buenas Aires.

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Free Frequent Flyer Miles (http://home.earthlink.net/~pgary/MilesFrame.html)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pgary:
You can get a UAL credit card for $65 or $60 (can't remember) that gives 20,000 miles up front. Good deal. Link on info on the Credit Card page of my web site below. When you earn 80000 miles, you can get a business class ticket to Europe. Currently (well, as of September of this year), that business class ticket also gets you into the Red Carpet Club. Also true last January for business class trip to Buenas Aires.

</font>

I've got one of these cards, but I was looking for another that provides lounge access anytime you fly regardless of class. i.e., I believe when traveling BA with a certain AmEx you get into their lounge.

I know Diner's has a lot of their own lounges or agreements with other lounges around the world. You can convert the points into USAir miles, UA and many other airlines. You can also convert Diner's points into hotel programmes.

Diner's has some of the best customer service around, offers the annual BA conversion promo where 1 DC point = 1 BA mile, and offers a signup bonus of 24k DC points (12k miles)

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http://www.benjaminwagner.com
Great music!

American Express Platinum provides lounge access to a number of different clubs, along with the Membership Rewards program. Here's a link to membership benefits info:

http://home3.americanexpress.com/cards/welcome/platinum/plat_card_checkbox.asp

It's pricey; around $400/year, if memory serves. (I suppose if there was a cheap and easy way around it, I wouldn't carry a separate club membership and neither would a lot of other people.)

[This message has been edited by Standby4321 (edited Dec 08, 2003).]

You might want to consider Priority Pass - not a CC but a lounge membership - a good deal if they have lounges in your cities and you travel a ton.
http://www.prioritypass.com/
Diners Club is only a good deal if you want BA miles or Southwest rewards - and charge a lot at places that take DC (a lot do, a lot don't...) - OR if you travel a lot to international destinations with DC lounges. Unortunatly I will only be able to use DC lounges on two of my many trips this year....
If you only fly UA - I believe an Air Canada club membership costs less but would get you into the Red Carpet club also....it all depends on how much you fly, what routes, and which airlines.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wanaflyforless:
If you only fly UA - I believe an Air Canada club membership costs less but would get you into the Red Carpet club also....it all depends on how much you fly, what routes, and which airlines.</font>

Neither Air Canada nor United were very helpful when I was looking into this option. Does membership in Air Canada's Maple Leaf Club get you access to the Red Carpet Club? How about all the other star alliance clubs?

Also, I often travel on United, but with a US Airways ticket (US Airways Express connecting to United), would I have access to the Red Carpet Club when traveling this way?

I know US Airways is not a *A carrier yet officially, but I see US Air members have access to United lounges, have they plugged into other *A lounges too? Would I be able to get into a US Airways lounge with Air Canada membership?

Finally, in any of these scenarios, can I bring a guest?

If you get an Amex Platinum Card for $395, you can get into the Delta, Northwest or Continental clubs, provided you have a boarding pass on the corresponding airline. If you travel a bunch, it's worth it just for that, as most airline clubs cost more than that at standard rates.
Unfortunately, I travel a lot on American, so it doesn't work for me. But my wife, who's partial to CO, has found it to be a lifesaver. And when I travel with her, I've found that oasis away from the gates to be most welcome.