Funny! However in defense of us cheap pilots, the AMEX Platinum card is not cheap--$550 a year. I've had it for about five years and every year I do some accounting and figure I pretty much break even. Have I benefited pretty well at times? Yes, in a variety of ways. Even so some of the perks are tightening up due to AMEX's own cost-cutting. I'm considering canceling my card next time it is up for renewal. If I do I will certainly miss a few of the advantages of it--but it would strictly be a cost/benefit decision.

I'm not going to disparage any individuals but to pay for the privilege of using your own credit is, well... the best I can say is unpilot like. $550 is a lot of benefits I may or may not use. I'm sure each has done their own due diligence, but paying (especially at our income levels) for a credit card? :confused:

Eh, I used to think the same but they can be worth it. I used the Chase Sapphire Reserve but it's only $450 and the $300 dollar travel credit can be applied to pretty much anything that is travel related...a cup of coffee at the airport, uber, subway, tolls, etc... It reimbursed me for my Global entry as well. While the priority pass isn't all that great in the U.S., it can provide some free meals here and there. With all the other side bennies, I've found that it more than pays for itself every year.

Yep, paying for a card is the anti-cheap pilot thing. Getting the perks out of it is just smart and since we non-rev enough it's almost an intangible for lounge access.

There are also several airport restaurants that will give you a $28 credit on you bill in lieu of your Priorty Pass benefit for that day. I rarely use the Priority Pass lounge, but get the restaurant credit all the time.

How’s that work?

Well....SCRA rules dictate I don’t have to pay for my AMEX platinum, HHonors aspire or chase sapphire :-). But I like the super couponing idea...I’m going to order a pair of scissors from amazon for 5% off using my store card to clip the coupons.

Require a confirmed seat assignment prior to entry. Only at departure airport <2 hrs prior to scheduled departure (unless on a connection).
Unless you are on a deadhead, it is pretty useless.

Buy a fully-refundable (expensive) flight to wherever. Check in for said flight on your phone, get boarding pass with seat assignment. Go to centurion lounge, get in with this boarding pass. Cancel flight with full refund as soon as you get in the lounge.

Just don’t forget to cancel... could be a very expensive mistake.

That (the Priority Pass $28 credit) went away August 1. Another reason I'm considering canceling. It was a great perk.