Thanks for the bump goteed1. I meant to post a report but it just slipped my mind....I ended up purchasing the RC Service for my PEN-BKK flight on 29MAR.
Upon arrival at the ticket counter in PEN the ticketing staff initially printed my boarding pass then directed me to a second line for (checked) bag dropoff. When I stated I'd booked RC service (which is why I was in the dedicated RC line at the ticketing counter) the agent immediately, and sincerely, apologized before taking my checked bag.
She then asked me "when I wanted to go to the gate?" I wasn't sure how the lines would be at PEN so I said about 45 min prior to scheduled departure. I then asked where the lounge was and was told, GASP!, there was no lounge service included in RC service at PEN (and it's noted by a * on the AirAsia website....sillly me for not reading the fine print!).
At the dedicated time, I returned to the ticket counter and one of the agents personally walked me through both Immigration and security. The lines weren't bad and I estimate I only saved ~5 minutes. When we arrived near the gate 5 area (a hellhole area to wait if there ever was one!) the agent said she'd come find me for pre-boarding. Turns out the inbound flight was late and I sat there in that miserable terminal (hot, humid and VERY dusty due to construction -you could literally see the haze in the air) for nearly an hour.
The inbound flight pax were still arriving up the walkway when the agent came to get me for preboarding. I preboarded BEFORE the others who'd paid for Select seating/preboarding...so I guess I was granted pre-preboarding. The agent walked me down to the ramp then directed me to the plane though I was left to walk on the tarmac without any staff on the ground. While it was cool to be walking solo on the ramp, it was a bit odd given the number of escorts you'll see on the ground in the US when boarding is done without a jetway.
Once on-board, I did not notice any difference during the in-flight service and I sadly did not receive a FastPass immigration doc for BKK (though, luckily, the wait was under 5 minutes!)
So....given all the above...was it worth $28? Since this was my first experience I'd kind of lean towards yes but would I book it again at PEN? That's a definite "NO" given the lack of lounge access. I read that at other stations you're given a buggy ride to the gate along with lounge access. In that case, I'd definitely pay the fee.