Originally Posted by
worldwidedreamer
I'm a lifetime member of the Admirals Club, Sky Club and United Club. The physical product of the ACs tends to be better, but the number of locations and soft product at the UCs tends to be better. I much prefer the LAX UC to the AC for your home airport. AC membership provides access to Alaska lounges which are just lovely. (Best for us beer drinkers.) Overall the DL lounges are similar to AS, and nicer than AA or UA.
The network that works best for you is really individual. If I could only have one way of accessing lounges it would either be with a Ritz-Carlton Visa Priority Pass or an Alaska Lounge+ membership. An Amex Plat would be a distant third. (And I essentially have all three.)
Thank you Worldwidedreamer for the thoughtful reply. While newer and nicer facilities (hard product?) are always appreciated, your comment that UC has more locations and better soft product (food and service?) is significant. I am surprised by your ranking of the Amex Plat. Centurion Lounges, SkyClub Access, Priority Pass, and others made it my top choice when I was looking for a premium travel card. As you say, a lot boils down to individual situations.