Originally Posted by
SCChris
Welcome!
Are you looking to choose an alternate airline solely on the breadth of what a lounge membership offers?
The only thing that would jump out to me between an Admirals Club membership (via CC) and a United Club membership (via CC) is that the Star Alliance has alliance-wide recognition of paid lounge members. In other words with a United Club membership you and a guest can visit nearly any Star Alliance carrier business class lounge while flying Star Alliance. If you aren't going to get any status or flying in First/Business in Europe this could be helpful as you can visit lounges at many airports.
American will provide lounge access at select Intercontinental outstations to partner/contract lounges, but only if you are departing that airport on American. So if you're flying within Europe, there would be no lounge access. Of course if you keep the Amex Platinum you would still have Priority Pass which is pretty good outside the US.
Thanks SCChris! That Star-Alliance angle is a good one. I am very interested to hear folks' thoughts on AA versus UA, or especially the differences and pros/cons of their alliances. As I said, I have flown both in the USA quite a bit and find them quite comparable. At least back in coach where I sit.
Priority Pass through Amex is pretty good overseas, but it would be very nice to have additional options through UA or AA (or their alliances). I'm also looking at the nuances of differences between the credit cards, with other benefits, authorized user access, status at hotels (IHG), etc... Another factor is that my preferred Amex cards (I love Amex Green for dining & hotels, taxis, trains, etc...) are not 100% accepted as I travel in Europe. I need to have another card (Visa or M/C) to use in those situations that provides good benefits. I have other Visa cards that work fine, but don't return a lot of points or other benefits. I need a better backup card.