Originally Posted by
sbm12
I believe you mean $450 these days.
And that is more than a PC membership so I'm not sure what the "full retail" comment is about. I get access via AmEx or *G rather than a PC membership and I've always been fine with that but there are rather significant differences in terms of the access rules and it is important to understand them before making a decision on how one is going to gain access to a lounge if desired.
My membership fee is still grandfathered at $375 because of a deal I made with them on my additional cards.
The Amex plat has always allowed me to enter any of these clubs with at least on companion while traveling on the airline in question.
That is all I have ever required and it has worked out great for me.
I'm not sure what more one would reasonably require from what is after all nothing more than a slightly fancier waiting room.