> If you could really get in for $50 a day, you could easily eat and drink that much worth.
Or just get an American Express card (Platinum, ideally - no additional fees) and net access to the Centurion lounge and all Delta lounges (when flying Delta).
The Centurion lounge is second-to-none domestically, and the Delta lounges aren't half-bad when it comes to the free booze (some are self-serve - Jack Daniels, Grey Goose, etc.)
And they haven't reduced the fee even while losing Continental lounges when it was bought by United.
For my money, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is a better similar card, because it now gives you access to all AA and USAirways lounges. While you're right that in my experience the Delta lounges are better (the only amex lounge I've been to is at mccarran), what matters most to me is a lounge in the cities i connect thru.
The Citi card is the same AF as the Amex Plat but Plat has policy of never waiving first year AF and Citi often has a promotion doing just that (or a portion of).
But on the other hand, with that $400 you also get free Global Entry & PreCheck, $200 of airline incidentals per year (in-air food, baggage overages, upgrades, whatever), unlimited free companion tickets when you purchase tickets for yourself via their concierge service, free gold/elite status with most major car rental and hotel chains, and whatever other non-travel benefits there are. For frequent travelers it can pretty easily pay for itself.
Or just get an American Express card (Platinum, ideally - no additional fees) and net access to the Centurion lounge and all Delta lounges (when flying Delta).
The Centurion lounge is second-to-none domestically, and the Delta lounges aren't half-bad when it comes to the free booze (some are self-serve - Jack Daniels, Grey Goose, etc.)
United's clubs are a joke comparatively.