well, darn it. you're right, it's a snooze you lose situation, and i snoozed!
hadn't gotten around to buying my annual travel bank credits...perhaps i'll change airlines, but i don't fly delta and am unsure what i'd buy on AA. maybe lounge access on flights where there's not a centurion lounge?
will keep an eye on the thread, and fingers crossed that it's not a permanent 'fix.'