Originally Posted by
jdrtravel
The big difference is the companion certificate. If you can use it (and I've always been able to, though it can be difficult), then the card is basically free. This works for me because we buy domestic first a handful of times yearly. I would not just give Delta $695 to enter the lounge; it's not worth it to me.
I view the target audience for the $695 lounge membership are the road warriors, whose travel is mostly paid for on their company’s corporate credit card. Basically those flying enough BIS flights to score $6000 MQD and FO status purely from flying.
If someone is flying that often, then they can probably justify having enough lounge visits a year to offset the $695 annual fee.
I suspect most of the “complainers” don’t fall into that category, or don’t know buying a lounge membership is an option. Those complaining are the ones who don’t have enough flights (and subsequently lounge visits) each year to where the $695 is worth the additional cost.