I bought my membership on the last day it was offered, 12.31.2005. It cost $5,500. Although I sometimes have questioned whether I overpaid (i.e. as a non-elite I would pay $450 for a 1-year membership, something I would probably not do.) I know that AA is one of the US airlines most likely to be in business in some form 20 years from now. At the same time I bought a TWA Ambassador's Club Membership back in 1998 and AA gave me just a few years of use after they bought many of the assets from TWA. I'm 26 years-old, so I figure that the math probably works out. I bought my CO PC membership back in 2001 and feel that six years later I am firmly in the profit column. If you have more questions, PM me.