Thanks JC, definitely food for thought...I already have the ICON, I was thinking of cancelling when up for renewal next Spring time and just sticking to AMEX Gold. SENDO offered a lot more in terms of the half price redemptions offers, it's a shame we have lost those...

I don't do any J flying unfortunately, it was a struggle just to get to Oro / Sapphire, so Emerald will never happen.

I was having my Saturday afternoon siesta and I got a call from IB+ customer service, given that I had called them up last time I was refused access to a lounge in Munich on a VY flight / IB booking. So they told me that I should be entitled the access, just like their website says! They said they would 'escalate' and try to ensure they send information out to the lounges across Europe to ensure that IB Oro / Plat VY passengers on an IB booking should have lounge access. Let's see, I doubt there will be much of an improvement. If I get rejected again I will just call them back again, keep trying!

Thanks

PS: now based in Poblenou, Barcelona