The Executive membership (I think) allows you to take up to 2 guests with you for free. If you have a significant other that likes to travel with you it is a better deal than the AmEx card because that doesn't allow any guests. They can buy a day pass, but they are pretty expensive and the difference would be paid for in just a few visits. If you are only going to be using it by yourself, and taking a guest no more than 2 or 3 times/year, the AmEx might be the better deal, but my wife goes with me a LOT and we save a bunch by just having the membership. The SkyClub is pretty nice now. Most of them have pretty good food and free drinks. I highly recommend the NRT club if you are DH out of NRT. (you get to go in if you have a Delta One boarding pass on international) They have a beer machine there that you have to see to believe, and sushi.