@iced wrote:
@VPExecutive wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:
Well, if they take Centurion Lounge access away from Platinum cardholders, after previously blocking Gold Card and others from even buying a day pass, the Centurion Lounges will be nearly empty.
Won't make a difference to them. AMEX will still be collecting fees from people who actually have an income to support what Centurion Lounge access is supposed to be like... For people with higher incomes. No longer will there be daddy on his $40,000/year salary with his four kids entering the lounge so they can act like brats and run around the people with a glass of whine in their hand just because he pays $550/year for his Platinum card that's easy to get This hasn't been possible for a while. Only Centurion members can bring in their whole family. Platinum members just get 2 guests. 4 kids would be possible if mommy has her own Platinum or is an additional card member, though (for a $175 fee).
It's not like people pay for food and drinks in the lounge... They're free. I tip for drinks. Less people in the lounge will cost AMEX less money. And there will be less tip income for bartenders.
I'm actually ok with the idea of American Express restricting it to the higher tier card, though for a different reason. This would be a great way for people who aren't insufferable snobs to easily distinguish who the insufferable snobs are and avoid them. A lot of wealthy people don't mind mingling with the $40,000/year parents, particularly if they're deriving a better return on value by not buying the "prestige" cost attached to such a card. As a bonus, the other lounges might be a touch less crowded since they'll be a little more snob-free.
On a more serious note, if you think for a second that there won't still be $40,000/year people who will pay even more in a fruitless effort to convince people they're actually wealthy ballers, you haven't spent much time in the auto loan approvals section.
People who are really concerned about avoiding the masses can stick to the growing number of Polaris and Flagship-tier lounges.
But as I said earlier, kids aren't a problem in all lounges. A strict policy that seeks to avoid the extremes of crowding at the worst of times can be unnecessarily draconian during quieter times.
Personal spend: Amex Gold, Amex Schwab Plat., BofA PR+CCR(x2), Costco
Business use: Amex Bus. Plat., BBP, Lowes Amex AU, CFU AU
Perks: Delta Plat., United Explorer, IHG49, Hyatt, "Old SPG"
Mostly SD: Freedom Flex, Freedom, Arrival
Upgrade/Downgrade games: ED, BCE
SUB chasing: AA Platinum Select
