HA! So maybe I'm just cheap, but I have never been able to justify the cost of an AC membership. I have had PPass for years and found it much more reasonable for the amenities received.
Anyways, I came up with a plan 2 months ago to get AC on the cheap:
1. Joined Chase's '
Premier Travel.' The company that runs this is
Trilegiant, which is a HORRIBLE company. I used a Citi Card virtual Visa number just to cover my bases.
2. Fee is $25/month for the 'Premier Travel' Club thing
3. DCA AAngel waived the $50 initiation fee, so cost was $300 for me to join the AC (today's discounts are the AOA, AOB, AOC codes floating around based on AA status which equates to the same thing)
4. Submitted my $300 receipt to Trilegiant, and 2 months later I received a check for $200 in the mail (the max reimbursement amount allowed under the lounge benefit).
5. Went on the
Premier Travel for Chase website and there is a link after you sign in that allows you to cancel, and you receive your latest month's fee back.
So, to recap the cost:
$25 x 3 months for 'Premier Travel - $25 (one month credit) = $50
$300 AC membership - $200 reimbursement from Premier Travel = $150
Net cost to me: $150 for a year. Now, for that amount I find value in the AC
