Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just sit at the gate. Are the lounges really that much better?

Yes, way better when they aren’t crowded.

US lounges are crappy. The foreign airlines’ ones tend to be much better.

Anonymous wrote:I just sit at the gate. Are the lounges really that much better?

Yes, way better when they aren’t crowded.

We picked up Amex Platinum about 6 weeks ago and already have over 210K Member Reward points (150K intro bonus + 50K via Rakuten +10K via Amex organic spend w/ multipliers).

Our plan is to (1) let go of my CSR when it comes up for renewal in early 2026, (2) keep my spouse's CSP for access to Sapphire travel portal and transfer to travel partners, and (3) use the Amex Plat for most non-dining spending.

My spouse has flown out of DCA four times since we picked up the Amex Plat and they always get into DCA's Centurion lounge without a wait. That alone has been hugely beneficial for my spouse's early AM flights - free coffee and breakfast.

Venture X is not going to be giving free lounge access to additional card holders starting Feb 2026. Some additional lounge benefits and others going to be gone too. Also, the grab and go - you cannot walk in to get something from grab and go if the lounge is already full (at least at IAD) - this was a change from the previous visit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 2 similar cars are Cap One VentureX and AmEx Platinum.

I'd lean towards the CapOne, since they have a really good lounge at IAD and AmEx has non. AmEx does have a new lounge at DCA, but it gets full quickly. CapOne will be opening a grab'n'go style lounge at DCA soon.

I keep the X because it’s cheaper (used to have the CSR as well) but the lounge is a total crapshoot at IAD. They took away the grab and go option and now there’s always a long wait to get in.

I find most of the lounge “privileges” to be useless, as least domestically. You can rarely get in because everyone and their mom has a Priority Pass now.

Really?! The grab and go was what they advertised and what I was looking forward to!

Wow that really is a loss if the grab and go is gone. Last time I was there it was before a cross country flight. I didn't go into the main part, just got a quick coffee and grabbed a sandwich and salad that I ate on the flight. It was perfect. I guess not surprising, all these things get worse over time- they are nice at first to build customers then they cut back to save money because these services cost too much.

That's not true. I was at IAD last week and did grab and go

Everyone has access to all of these "lounges" now. I prefer to go to a sit down restaurant. Most are empty bc of the lounges!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just sit at the gate. Are the lounges really that much better?

Lounges aren't worth paying for. You can always sit in a restaurant for a few bucks. But I use them when I get them for free. I certainly wouldn't decide on holding the CSR because of their lounges or priority pass.

No, if you want lounge access get the AmexPlatinum or your airline Reserve card (think Delta). my CSP has never worked for actually getting into the lounge

Anonymous wrote:I just sit at the gate. Are the lounges really that much better?

Lounges aren't worth paying for. You can always sit in a restaurant for a few bucks. But I use them when I get them for free. I certainly wouldn't decide on holding the CSR because of their lounges or priority pass.

Anonymous wrote:I've been waiting to get into the Dulles lounge for 30 minutes. No one has left.

Last time we went I got on the wait-list 20 minutes before arriving at the lounge (meaning about 15 minutes before getting to the airport).

And yes it's an excellent lounge - the food is very good and we all left full and happy

A quiet gate area is better if you aren't hungry. But it's nice to sit at a table, and usually quieter in the lounge, unless it's an airport where they have quieted the announcements, like at SFO. So much better!

I just sit at the gate. Are the lounges really that much better?

Anonymous wrote:I've been waiting to get into the Dulles lounge for 30 minutes. No one has left.

This is the same as CSR lounges too. Long waits for slightly above mediocre lounges.