Priority Pass became a benefit of the Amex Centurion beginning this year.

As to the OP, also consider if you ever travel with a guest. RCC allows free guest priviledges (2 I think?), whereas Priority Pass has guest fees (maybe around $25?) on certain levels of membership.

Sfo
 

To the OP, be aware that the domestic RCC at SFO is excluded from the Priority Pass program. The Int'l one is included, but you can't get to it without a boarding pass from that area, which means an International departure with an occational exception. Looks like the only lounge at SFO is the DL one outside security above the ticket counters in terminal one.

I think it really depends on your choice of airline.

If you are flying UA, then the RCC is clearly your best choice as you will want club access in the UA terminals at SFO, LAX & DEN (plus access to HP clubs at PHX and LAS).

If you are flying HP or a combination of UA/HP, RCC is still your best choice for the same reason.

If you are flying DL (don't know if PDX is still a DL hub or "focus city") then you may find PP to be more useful though I'd bet the DL club at PDX is excluded.

In general Priority Pass is better for international travel as it doesn't usually include access to hub city clubs (i.e. no UA at ORD, no AA at DFW, etc.) Also, one of the main benefits of RCC membership - as noted above and referenced in many FT posts - is access to the RCC staff for handing missed/cancelled/changed/delayed/upgraded itineraries. You generally won't find that kind of assistance at a priority pass club unless it happens to be affiliated with the airline you are flying that day.

You're correct, DL at PDX is excluded. The only PP clubs at PDX are AS, NW and UA.

are their lounges nice? what are the amenities they offer? (showers...)

I have never heard of American Express Airport Lounges.

Exactly where can I find locations of these lounges because a search online only brings up CO/NW/DL lounges and not thier own. This woudl be good to know.

Thanks

These are primarily promoted outside North America, so you might have to use a European or South American Amex site. The lounges are not as extensive as the Diners network. Some are actually operated by Amex, others are affiliates and the same as the PP and Diners lounges, generally third party non-airline airport lounges at major international/non-North American terminals.

The one I am most familiar with is at EZE, just by the gate used by AC -- who sends its J customers way down the terminal to the RCC -- in the new international terminal. However, I have used affiliate third-party lounge at JNB which had both the Diners and Amex logos on it. (However, I believe they restricted access to SAfrican-based Amex cardmembers.)

PP is still part of germans amex plat and cent. You can also get it with premium mastercard but as all I know not with any visa.

to PP vs RCC: if you travel *a a lot it is quite useful taking RCC, cause it also gives you excess to all business lounges e.g. LH FTL with same day boarding pass. But if you are *G member you won't need it anyway.

Depends on the lounge. The lounge guide gives details on each, but many have showers, wireless access and free alcohol. Others are more "vanilla". The one we use in London has a coin-operated computer with Internet access!

One advantage I like is that you're not at the mercy of one airline. If you have Airline X's lounge membership and they close down some lounges or restrict the hours, you're stuck. With PriorityPass there are more options. As an earlier poster pointed out, it could get expensive if you travel with your family. I have the membership that gives me 20 visits but when my husband accompanies me that's an extra $24 per visit. We're about to sign up for the 3rd year, though. We think it's worth it.

Lounge Access
 

Wha is this lounge guide i read about in the last thread? does anyone know what this refers to?

Also is there a thread that just deals with airport club lounges?

I will be traveling quite a bit this year and i am leaning toward Delta Club Room.

thanks Tasnam

Different idea
 

After doing quite a bit of research, it almost seems that it makes sense to just have my company pay for $25 day visits as needed.

rather than $400 + $50 initiation fee it would take about 18 visits to make up the the cost.

What am i missing?

I do not believe i would need to use the Club room more than 14 times.


Your thoughts?

As I read on the Delta web site, it's $25 for a one visit pass, not a day pass. So if you want to use the lounge before flying, it's $25. If you then want to use it again during a layover somewhere enroute - it's another $25. That's on your outbound trip, same cost on your return.

Gate to lounge distance
 

One thing you might want to keep in mind...

I have a Priority Club pass and am pretty happy with it. I fly many different airlines but lately have been using United a lot, flying into and through Chicago (ORD).
Its great that an airport you fly through has agreements with several lounges but the distance from your gate to that lounge has to be taken into account.
At ORD, the United lounge is not part of Priority Pass and the hike (and I mean HIKE... 20+ minute walk) to another lounge can make it unfeasible. This happens a lot at the major airports. To get to a lounge usually requires you having to go to some far away terminal.
Some lounges are even terminal side (rather than airside), meaning you would have to go through security again to get back to your gate.

I agree with Houston Cowboy on the quality of the RCC's.
Priority Pass has a pretty good reputation, day passes are also a good option. AMEX plat lets you use DL NW CO AA lounges with a same day boarding pass.