Due to a couple of flights coming up where I'm going to have to arrive early and in one case have a long connection, I figure it's time to make arrangements to get into airport lounges. The choices seem to be to get the Amex Plat that they keep sending me letters about or to join PC. The cost for the former would be $395/yr. The cost for the latter would be $375 this year (based on Silver status + initiation) and most likely $275 if I wanted to keep it next year (based on the theory that I'll make one flight beyond what I have scheduled to make it over the edge to Gold). (Actually, out of pocket for the Amex would be more like $325/yr over the $75/yr that I currently pay for the Gold card.)

One of my flights on DL on a U fare. After I booked, they decided to change the schedule so that we now have a 2:45 layover in ATL. I note that the Amex Plat solicitation says "Special industry reduced revenue tickets are not eligible with Delta." Does this apply to my U fare or do they mean Priceline? I don't see anything similar with using the DL lounge as a PC member.

I'm inclined to go with the PC membership figuring it's a bit cheaper, I don't see any other strong benefits for the Plat card (particularly as I read that the companion overseas tickets turn out to be based on an outrageously expensive base fare, that I already have Hertz #1 Gold free through my company, and that I can't afford to eat at the places that they would like to book me into).

Is there anything I'm missing? Where should I spend my money?

Thanks.

If you really only need access on a few occassions, consider purchasing one-time use passes. They go for $15-20 on eBay.

I also figure there may be some benefit to using the PC at EWR for regular flights instead of trying to get the car service to pick me up at the last possible moment to avoid spending any extra time at the airport. (Also, I've just found out that my wife and I are flying to ATL for a funeral on Thursday. I'm figuring there's no chance of getting a one time pass before then. I'm also figuring that since we'll be staying in Marietta, we'll want to leave some extra time for traffic before the flight home.)

Anyway, one time passes would probably make more fiscal sense, but I figure I'll indulge a bit.

Thanks,
Scott

id go amex plat. if you dont really see a need for int'l PC memebersip benefits, then go with the plat. basically, plat gets you a domestic version of a club membership with NW, CO, DL and another. USAIR i think. as long as you're ticketed with the club's airline, its basilcally the same.

when traveling internationally, the plat doesnt give you access at CO's reciprocal lounges that would normally be afforded to PC members. however if you fly BC or FC internationally, skyteam gains you access.

keep in mind, also, that plat amex gives you a load of mostly useless benefits, but if you really dig in to and try to take advantage of, its benefits, the plat card actually comes with quite a few more perks than a normal PC membership.

You're forgetting Priority Pass.

I used to have a CO PC membership. I once tried to use the PC card to get into the holodeck in heathrow. This is a KLM affiliated lounge and I was flying klm that day. This was JUST before everyone joined skyteam. They would not let me in.

They would also not let me in the KLM lounge in AMS when I whipped out my PC card when I was on an easyjet flight.

Priority Pass is really the king card for lounges. It's also $400 and it gets you (not with a second person) into lounges pretty much everywhere, including almost everywhere the CO does, and a couple hundred airports more. You wouldn't realize it until you're sitting in a lounge in Curacao...

I have the amex plat AND the Priority Pass. I JUST got the amex - so I have not tried to see what it cannot get me - but I really think that I get my money's worth out of these lounges.

Except Delta - their lounges suck.

Everytime my annual renewal comes due, I have a difficult time deciding whether or not my Amex Platinum is really worth $395. I never fly Northwest, and the only time I flew Delta last year, it was a codeshare flight operated by Air France, so they wouldn't let me into the Crown Room anyway. I use Presidents Club a fair amount.....I don't have to pay the annual fee for Membership Miles (not sure if this is free with Gold Card).....the automatic flight insurance is $500,000 instead of $100,000.....and I like the idea of having medical evacuation coverage included when I am out of the country. You wrote that you already get Hertz #1 Gold free, but Avis Preferred is also included which I use every now and then. Also includes National Emerald Club, but I've got lifetime membership in that anyway. As you mentioned, the 2 for 1 First Class tickets are based on Full Fares, so not really much of a deal.....The hotel amenities are not all that beneficial since you'll be paying top dollar for any room booked through PTS (Platinum Travel Service) .....and I'm not rich enough to rent a private jet, so I certainly don't get any use from that service. Tough decision.

The Amex Platinum would be my choice. The $395 seems steep, but I do manage to take advantage of it each year. I fly AA exclusively, so club access isn't why I have it, but note that in addition to the club access it will get you, you can take advantage of the following:

* Fine Hotels and Resorts program. Guaranteed 4pm late check-out plus another amenity and free room upgrade privileges at hundreds of hotels worldwide.
* Fine Dining. I've used them to snag last-minute reservations for myself and friends.
* Membership Rewards: All of those points do add up and they actually have a wide range of rewards to choose from - not just all travel-related rewards.
* Gold Events: Special ticket blocks and early ticketing access to many concerts.
* By Invitation Only Events: Unique, high-end events hosted by AMEX.

Just my $.02. And, no, I don't work for AMEX, but I do find myself taking full advantage of each of these offerings. The AMEX concerige service is also helpful for just about anything if you're on the road and need something. Give them a ring and they'll help you out of a jam.

Actually, Amex Plat (the real one ) gives you a free Priority pass if you get the Amex PC in Europe (at least in Switzerland and Germany). I found this to be the best deal for int. lounge access, if you are not an Elite Plus member.

Take the AMEX Platinum Card if you are going to be flying CO...here is my reasoning:


* Fine Hotels and Resorts program. Guaranteed 4pm late check-out plus another amenity and free room upgrade privileges at hundreds of hotels worldwide.
JUST RECENTLY STAYED AT THE RITZ CARLTON in PHX and got a better rate then the company travel agent ($140 vs $189) plus with the AMEX FHR program I received free Continental breakfast for 2 each day, upgraded room onto concierge floor, and a $75.00 lunch gift check for the restaurant and the 4pm checkout. They serve 5 different meals/snacks on the concierge floor.

* Fine Dining. I've used them to snag last-minute reservations for myself and friends.
Many, Many times useful for restaurant reservations at the top restaurants across North America!

* Membership Rewards: All of those points do add up and they actually have a wide range of rewards to choose from - not just all travel-related rewards.
Great options and flexible for whatever I want to use them for reward travel air, hotel, car rental and all kinds of gifts.


* Gold Events: Special ticket blocks and early ticketing access to many concerts.
Great seats (1st 20 rows) to so many concerts over the past 13 years. Also many Broadway show tickets in great locations - again 1st 20 rows.

* By Invitation Only Events: Unique, high-end events hosted by AMEX.
Wine Tasting, Cooking, Auto Racing, etc...alot of choices and some are quite expensive. US Open tickets!

Just my $.02. And, no, I don't work for AMEX, but I do find myself taking full advantage of each of these offerings. The AMEX concerige service is also helpful for just about anything if you're on the road and need something. Give them a ring and they'll help you out of a jam.
Once needed a LIMO in Los Gatos, CA for business and I made one call & they did the rest.

I just looked, didn't see any. There is always the day pass option for $50 which is a bit pricey, but I think it is good for the entire day if you have multiple connections...

DD

While the Amex Plat card does not give you access at CO's reciprocal lounges, neither does a PC membership. CO has completely eliminated affiliated international lounges for use with a PC membership. The only international lounges which work are the actual lounges operated by NW or DL and then these are likely only useable when you are flying on that airline - which Amer Ex Plat card would allow entry.

If you were SkyTeam Elite Plus (CO Plat Elite) you are supposed to be able to use SkyTeam lounges when on a international SkyTeam flight in coach. Problem is that if you are traveling on CO metal - many (particularly Air France) will not let you in. Although if you choose not to fly CO metal, but DL or AF metal, then your CO PLat Elite card will let you in.

Other than club access, one of the biggest benefits is the 2 for 1 tickets. For that purpose alone, my company provides us with Platinum cards. Especially handy if you sometimes pay for your own fares.

Actually, I have an AMEX platinum and have not found that to be true. I booked through PTS on a business trip - Ritz Carlton Buckhead. My boss had booked on Expedia and was all proud of his rate. My rate was $40/night cheaper, I was upgraded to the concierge floor, and there was some amenity I didn't have a chance to use.

Recently, I did a super-quick trip to Vegas to see a friend. Was flying in Saturday a.m., and taking the red eye out Sunday night. Wanted to be able to stay in my room as late as possible, so booked at the Venetian through PTS. My rate was about $175, my room was HUGE (I got an upgrade), and I got to use the Canyon Ranch Spa for free, in addition to the late checkout.

Another time, a friend and I stayed at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Our rate was around $265, but we got upgraded to a suite and got free breakfast in the hotel restaurant every day of our stay. Friends who also stayed there paid more and didn't get a suite.

So, my $.02.

-Mishell

2 points:
1) a drawback to the Amex Plt vs. CO PC that I don't think was made clear is that with Amex you have to be flying the particular airline in order to get into that lounge (NW, CO, DL). This is problematic when flying out of MSP on CO, where there is no CO lounge, and they won't let you in to the NW club, whereas they would if you had a bona fide CO PC membership. Obviously avoidable if you fly NW to begin with... Not sure if there are other examples of this.

2) I've also had experiences where the Amex FHR rate was as good or better than the best available rate anywhere else, so the amenities were basically free. At FS Chiang Mai, Thailand, Amex got us $350/night vs. $400, and we got free buffet breakfast and $80 lunch credit! At Bellagio in Vegas, rate was similar, but we got upgrade to lake view, early check-in/late check-out and $12/pp/day vouchers for breakfast. But more often than not (IME) you do end up paying extra for the amenities, so it isn't always worth the fee.

I've been able to get into the IAH Terminal B PC with my Amex Plat when flying NW. The agent even acknowledged that it was a NW boarding card (very obvious since it was from OLCI) and proceeded to check me in. I fully expected to be turned away.