Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[dgies9156]

I, too, have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and love the primary insurance coverage. I plan to keep the card for now as we utilize the benefits and fly in and out of Philly enough to enjoy the lounge, but I'll probably look for another card option. My wife is all in on the points game (it's kinda fun), so we are always on the lookout.

Likewise, I have been a member of United Airlines' United Club for close to 25 years. This year, they jacked the fees up for two persons (me and if I bring a guest) to about $1,200 a year. At its former fee for a Mileage Plus Million Miler/Lifetime Gold, it was around $650.

I was going to keep the United Club because it's a nice perk when my wife and I travel. But at $1,200 to bring a guest, there's only one thing to do -- dump it!

Has anyone else faced the same issue and if so, what did you do?

[Hards Alumni]

Likewise, I have been a member of United Airlines' United Club for close to 25 years. This year, they jacked the fees up for two persons (me and if I bring a guest) to about $1,200 a year. At its former fee for a Mileage Plus Million Miler/Lifetime Gold, it was around $650.

I was going to keep the United Club because it's a nice perk when my wife and I travel. But at $1,200 to bring a guest, there's only one thing to do -- dump it!

Has anyone else faced the same issue and if so, what did you do?

It's probably targeted towards people traveling on business anyway.  If you're only using it a couple of times a year $1200 is a lot, but if you're in and out of airports every couple of weeks it is much more affordable.  $650 was a steal.  Those days are gone.

[JWags85]

Likewise, I have been a member of United Airlines' United Club for close to 25 years. This year, they jacked the fees up for two persons (me and if I bring a guest) to about $1,200 a year. At its former fee for a Mileage Plus Million Miler/Lifetime Gold, it was around $650.

I was going to keep the United Club because it's a nice perk when my wife and I travel. But at $1,200 to bring a guest, there's only one thing to do -- dump it!

Has anyone else faced the same issue and if so, what did you do?

My dad has had the Club Card as his business CC for awhile.  Ive argued that he'd be better served with a different mileage/points card, but he likes the lounge access.  He's in between the 2 scenarios that Hards describes.  Flies 12-15 times a year, but isn't traveling weekly.

I frankly couldn't care less about domestic lounge access.  The products are pretty mediocre across airlines.  If I'm traveling with my family, we wouldn't be going in there anyways and if I am solo, I'm not arriving to the airport early enough to sit in a lounge or I'm setting up connections in a way that I don't have tons of time in between anyways.  I plan my travel schedule accordingly if I'm gonna be able to get in a Polaris lounge at ORD/SFO/EWR but otherwise I scarcely think about lounges unless I'm abroad.

The United Clubs aren't as bad, but Ive known multiple people who complain how terribly crowded the Delta lounges are due to the credit card affiliated guests.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

My dad has had the Club Card as his business CC for awhile.  Ive argued that he'd be better served with a different mileage/points card, but he likes the lounge access.  He's in between the 2 scenarios that Hards describes.  Flies 12-15 times a year, but isn't traveling weekly.

I frankly couldn't care less about domestic lounge access.  The products are pretty mediocre across airlines.  If I'm traveling with my family, we wouldn't be going in there anyways and if I am solo, I'm not arriving to the airport early enough to sit in a lounge or I'm setting up connections in a way that I don't have tons of time in between anyways.  I plan my travel schedule accordingly if I'm gonna be able to get in a Polaris lounge at ORD/SFO/EWR but otherwise I scarcely think about lounges unless I'm abroad.

The United Clubs aren't as bad, but Ive known multiple people who complain how terribly crowded the Delta lounges are due to the credit card affiliated guests.

Wags,
I think you answered my question to self. I've been evaluating if I should upgrade to the Delta Purple card that includes lounge access. 
On my last two flights from LGA, I observed there was a waiting line outside the lounge to get in, and I was wondering what the point of paying and extra $400 per year was just to stand in a waiting line.

[WarriorFan]

Regarding the lounge issue:
Delta - is most of my flying at the moment, so I got the card which gives the lounge access.
American - I dropped the Admirals club membership years ago when it got too expensive.  Most are terrible anyway.  I buy day passes when I need.
United - Lounges are really not good value but I just buy day passes depending on the time of day, airport, lounge quality, and transit duration.
I'm currently evaluating changing from the Delta Amex to the normal Amex platinum to get Centurion lounge access.  I get the Delta lounge access now due to my airline status.