When i signed up, I was told that I could either:
1) pay the initiation fee ($595) + monthly membership ($136/mo for 1 club, $160/mo for CA clubs) with my AMEX Platinum and get some free stuff from AMEX platinum (training, spa, etc.)
OR
2) pay the reduced fee via my triathlon club (no initiation fee, slightly less monthly fees)
My quick calculation in my head told me that option #2 is much better so I went with that.
I was just wondering if maybe the sales person might have pulled a fast one on me...