Originally Posted by
Adelphos
Assuming you don't spend $75K on the Amex Platinum organically, spending $75K on an Amex Platinum is at least $750 in opportunity cost relative to a Double Cash or something. That's 15 guest visits. I guess those with large families are guesting in that many people, but an AU card starts to make more sense at that point. Plus, $50 per guest is starting to look less onerous as burgers, salads. drinks, etc are costing $50 or more per person at airport concessionaires recently given inflation. I continue to believe this policy will have less of an impact than people expect/hope in terms of crowding.
Hotel breakfast in DC or even by DCA can cost $50 for two. So if two people are flying out of DCA and the breakfast is ok at the upcoming Centurion lounge, it’s a wash financially for the consumer on whether to spend $25 per person at the hotel for breakfast or effectively do the same at the lounge.
I foresee some people willing to pay up more for AU cards in order to consume food and drink at the airport lounges instead of having to pay as much or more for food/drink at hotels or elsewhere on travel days. That kind of substitution practice will cause more crowding of the lounges, not less.