Does Empress Membership allow access to ...
 

I am considering joining AMEX platinum Charge Card because of the companion ticket feature (1 ticket anywhere in world from anyfare - good deal). But I am a bit confused over the Empress lounge Membership features -

Does Empress Membership allow access to all Oneworld partner lounges if I am not travelling business class with them?

and

Does membership allow me to use Empress lounges even if I am not travelling Canadian that day?

Dave (Toronto/Xiamen/Adelaide)

The AMEX deal is unusual in that it gives you an automatic membership at the Club (oneworld ruby) level, which normally does not allow lounge access. But you'll get a special membership card with the Empress Lounge logo on it.

Sadly, this will not generally allow you access to oneworld lounges. It will however, allow you into all CP and AA lounges, and several other lounges around the world, some of which are oneworld lounges.

I don't believe it technically allows you to use the CP lounges when travelling on other airlines, but as long as the lounge is not too full, my guess is that they will probably let you in.

I have the card. It's a GREAT deal. Just to let you know, you get 1.5 Membership Rewards point per Canadian Dollar spent on the card through the point accelarator program. Note that the free ticket is only good on Canadian Airlines operated flight, not valid for code-share with BA, AA, etc.

You are automatically enrolled in the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, a hotel discount program from AMEX. You get the same lounge priveledges as the Empress Lounge members, who buy their annual memberships for $190. You also get the Hertz Club Gold for free, regularly priced at US$50.

(ps. only at locations in Canada, you can get in the Empress Lounges if your ticket is not CP, but as long as it is on one of Canadian's partners (Alitalia, Finnair, BA, Cathay Pacific, etc.). There are also KLM Lounges and various other lounges that participate in the program.

PPS:: If you would like access to a greater number of lounges, the Diners Club card if the best deal. (CAD$55 annual fee in Canada). For a listing of Diners Club participating lounges, go to http://www.dinersclub.com