As for the broader question above, as to what people think about International Platinum holders being entitled to two complimentary guests (without needing to meet the spend threshold), it seems completely fair. As others have noted, Centurion Lounges are highly concentrated in the United States and for an International card holder it must feel as if they are subsidizing American perks. Would you feel comfortable paying for a travel card if some of its benefits were only available in another country? Maybe but you might feel further slighted if your access to those benefits were curtailed upon your attempt to use them. Also, as others have noted, the annual fee in other countries tends to also be higher and their other benefits are not analogous. Another point, that was touched on, is that International cardholders likely visit CLs less frequently than US cardholders. I imagine that when International cardholders do visit a CL that Amex wants that visit to seem a luxurious as possible, rather than a nickel and dime affair.

I think this would universally be hailed as a "good move" but Amex has the numbers on overcrowding and it seems that they want to do everything in their power to limit attendance. Still, if you're travelling with a spouse you are obviously not going to split up at the airport. I rationalize it (and I've now resigned myself to the fact) that a visit to the CL is now $25pp when I am traveling with my +1. That pill is a little easier to swallow.

I will be blunt: people don't like kids in lounges. Lounges are for relaxation and nobody wants to have a drink or a meal in the middle of a daycare. I appreciate that's a bit hyperbolic and really most kids are well-behaved but Amex isn't rolling out the red carpet (complimentary access) so that folks can bring in their kids into a lounge. Frankly I suspect that this policy is meant, at least in part, to dissuade families from bringing children in (nobody wants to pay $50 for their kid to nibble on some hor d'oeuvres).