Originally Posted by
nitrobass24
About to get EXP on AA.
99% of my travel is Domestic US on AA Metal.
Would like to get free lounge access and though that getting status on a OW partner might be a better choice than just buying an AC membership as i could use BA/QF lounges as well.
Ideas?
If you're flying on AA, you're better off using your EXP status for the flights themselves. For the most part, the QF/BA lounges are hard to get to if you're traveling on AA domestic metal (consider at JFK: AA is in T8, BA and its lounge is in T7, for example). It's likely that many of the times you'll happen across a QF/BA lounge (other than the--I believe--joint QF-AC operation at HNL), you'll be traveling internationally.
As far as lounge access goes, you should look into getting the Amex Platinum card or buying AC membership outright (with the EXP discount).