Hello everyone, first post.

I am looking to get a crown room membership and have a few questions. I am currently gold with just over 50k miles. I don't see a chance to make it to platinum this year.

I can buy the membership for 400$. or

I can get the reserve amex card. I already have the platinum card.

If I go with the card, how much will it cost me to upgrade to the reserve?

I belive I would get 5k mqm's with the reserve upgrade, but it would be a waste to get them this year, since I will not make platinum anyway.

Are there any differences between a crown room membership and the reserve card? I.e anything you can't get with the reserve that you can with the membership?

I want to go ahead and get the membership now, so the miles would be lost with the reserve. What do you all recommend, go with the card upgrade, or the membership?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

I would go with the regular (not skymiles) Platinum Amex Card. It costs $450.00 per year, gets you into AA, CO, NW and DL lounges, and amongst other benefits gives you points which you can redeem with many airlines including DL and gives you 2 for 1 business/first class tickets on 18 overseas airlines. For me it is a no brainer.

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Bear in mind that the Dl Reserve Amex will grant you access to CRCs only, while your CRC membership gets you into NW and (for now) CO clubs. Take a look at the various locations. If you fly often through a place with no CRC, you'll be SOL with Reserve.

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For RIGHT NOW that is correct, but how long until the WCs become CRCs and the agreement with CO is dissolved?

I think it depends on what you want. Remember, with AMEX Plat., the entrance is only if you're on that airline that day.

With Reserve, as far as I can tell, you can get 10k MQM, plus CRC (and only CRC) on the day you fly DL.

CRC membership -- NWA and CO clubs, free internet in DL CRC, but as a DL Gold, you should get a discount.

NWA Worldclubs -- NWA, CO, DL clubs, plus the others listed on NW website.

Also, you may want to consider Priority Pass: 99 per yr, 25 per visit (any club); 250 USD 10 visits to any clubs; 400 per yr unlimited clubs.

You get DL, CO, NWA, AA, and many US and UA clubs with Priority Pass. I thought long and hard, and finally bought PP. I don't get free internet in DL, but as I was usually in CO or NW, Ididn't care to much.

So far, I"m not sure I want to change out of PP either. Just my opinion.

Dave

Keep in mind also that if you're able to spend $60K on a Reserve card, that will net you 30K MQMs. Like others have said, if you routinely fly through airports that have CRC then it's up to you, if the places you travel don't have CRC, than you may want to stay away from the Reserve card. The Reserve card annual fee is $450 and you will get a pro-rated refund on your Platinum card annual fee.

RC also helps with upgrades as it will trump same class/status without reserve card

I have not gotten the Reserve primarily because of its hefty fee and the fact that it is CRC access only, not a true club membership.

I wish DL had come up with a card more like the CO Pres Plus MC, where you get a true PC club membership with access to other SkyTeam (soon to be *A) clubs, EQM earnings, Elite Access and no checked bag fees (if not elite), Hyatt Plat, and Avis Pres--all for only $375!

I can't help but wonder if USBank won't end up offering something like this as they used to have the NWA co-branded card.

Once again, a reason to cry that CO is leaving SKYTEAM.

Dave

A couple of notes on the CRC membership vs. Amex access;

I've seen Amex holders turned away from CRC when it's overcrowded and they were only letting in CRC members. Saw it twice in ATL last year when they had closed one for remodeling, the nearest one was SRO. Lots of angry Amexers that day.

CRC membership gets you in the elite security line. Could be wrong on this, but I think the Elite security lines are for GM and PM and F/BE only, not Silver.

So far I'm 4/4 in getting into the NWA WC lounges with the Delta Reserve card. They swipe it in their computer system and grant access. I think it's safe to assume that after the merger announcement the Delta Reserve grants access to the WC lounges also.

Another thing to consider here is internet access.

Delta only gives the free CRC internet access cards for Tmobile to CRC members. AMEX members do not get free access.

Consider leveraging your Gold status at a NW WC and get a WC membership, it's cheaper and you could buy 3 year or lifetime with it too....

Since the OP is from ATL (at least by their handle), there are a couple more advantages with a full Crown Room membership:

You can access the Crown Room at with just your card - even if you are flying AirTran.

If you have an excess of miles, you can purchase your CR membership with miles for no cash outlay.

I entered a CO club last week with my CRC card and the agent said my access would be denied starting Jan 01. CO is ending their agreement at the end of this year.