I guess the primary question that no one else raised in this thread-- if you fly primarily AA and reach a higher level, then I would simply get the Amex plat card for the Admirals Club access. After all, why would you give up FC upgrades on AA just to gain lounge access by getting miles on another one world carrier's program? If lounges are more important, then by all means... I fly other carriers and have One World Emerald status. It's great, I can use the AA Flagship lounge on a domestic US flight, but I never receive an upgrade on AA if I fly domestically because I am a One World flyer, not an AAdvantage.