I have the CSR and, as noted, it feels like coverage for United hubs is lacking (as noted upthread) with Priority Pass, and where they do have lounges, they aren't convenient. SFO is in Terminal 1/2 while UA is in T3, ORD only has a lounge in T5, DEN doesn't have any PP lounges, LAX doesn't have any (CSR does get access to MLL, but Priority Pass doesn't show that in their app), EWR doesn't have any, IAH has Minute Suites in C and KLM/Air France in D. MCO doesn't have a PP lounge in the satellite that UA uses. There is The Club in LAS that is near the UA gates. So, it all depends on where you are flying. You do get the CSR lounges (BOS, LGA, JFK, PHL, PHX, SAN, HKG) and MLL at a number of airports (YUL is excluded).

With that said, I'm in the CSR camp as it has much more flexible points and better overall value ($300 credit noted). I don't typically transfer the points, but am happy to simply use them to purchase flights/hotels through the Chase Portal. This isn't necessarily the best value, but it's easy.

If you're in the $695 AF range, I would consider the Amex Platinum card as well. That gets you Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, Delta Lounges (when flying Delta) plus 5X points if you are purchasing your own flights. You can search for lounges here: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-u...platinum-card/. I find the redemption rate for Amex less than the CSR, but the 5X points on flight purchase makes them more comparable.