This is off topic to credit cards, but still relevant to this thread...
 
	Since I was AA Gold/Platinum for a number of years earlier because work made me travel, the last 2 years, when I haven't made Gold, AA has offered to let me pay for a Status boost so I at least get Gold.  I did it last year and plan on doing it again this year.   I've got till 1/31 to sign up.  Currently, it's $595, but I'm waiting to see if it will drop price again (initial offer was $735).
 
	I travel 4-8 times a year (at least twice to the Caribbean) so it seems to make sense.  I get to purchase premium seating up front, which I like.   And I can do 500 mi upgrades.  Plus, now that I live in Corpus, a lot of my flights will be CRP-DFW, and I've got about a 60% hit rate on auto upgrade on those.
 
	Any downsides that I haven't thought of (yeah...the money, I got that)?
 
	And towards the CC side, I've got an AMEX Plat for lounge access (and I can get 5x points booking through them) and just got an AA Executive card for the sign up and discounted Admiral's Lounge (I've noticed that I always seem to end up closer to one of those rather than a AMEX lounge).  Thoughts on that strategery?