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Thread: Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 3:06 pm
  #126  
bgriff
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Originally Posted by sierranevada
Any suggestions for alternatives that give free lounge access? I book Sheratons for the free lounge access
The only way to get free lounge access at SPG/Marriott properties going forward will be to get Platinum by spending $75K per year on the new SPG Amex Luxury card. (And/or possibly on the Chase Ritz card, the future details of that card are unclear.)

If you want lounge access in general, the easiest place to get it is with Hilton. There is a $450 Amex card that gives you Hilton Diamond (even without any spend) which guarantees you lounge access. There are also a variety of cards, including the Amex Platinum card and some other cheaper Hilton cards, which get you Hilton Gold access which in theory could get you lounge access, but only if the hotel upgrades you to a club room -- in my experience that is definitely far from a sure thing, so if you want the guarantee you'd want to get the one that gives Hilton Diamond status.
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