Thanks for the really great analysis. Pantanal, I had wanted to know if there was anything superior to the United Club, and now I know that there isn't. We have just started and don't have enough miles for such premium travel yet, but are looking forward to it. We definitely don't charge as much as you do. Centrifuge41, I am not familiar with Club Carson, and will definitely check it out. I've been an SPG for a long time b/c of the easy value of the lower tier hotels. Since business spending isn't on AmEx so much, I'm looking at Hyatt (and now Club Carson) more closely.