I really appreciated airport lounges when I was flying a lot, especially when there were long connections or delays. I don't have mine any longer given I'm trying to make fewer but longer trips. And, as you say, they've gotten overcrowded in many cases. They don't also really help much for early AM departures which are what I'm doing a lot of the time. These days, $400+ a year is better spent on other travel amenities.
What amenities would you recommend around that annual budget? Honest question, I’m finding the lounges to be less helpful these days.
Nothing specific. Just some more expensive meals, maybe more theater/other entertainment. I'm pretty happy with where I am for hotels (which will chew up additional cash pretty quickly anyway). I don't really have a formal budget for travel as such. I just don't find lounges are a very good value for me these days as they were in the past.