[SteveFromNY]

I've used Ameriprise for around 13 years now.
They are probably not the best bargain in the financial planning circles, and if I wanted to manage the assets myself I could pay less money by paying more attention.
My logic has always been that having these folks watch my money was probably better than watching it myself. My assets have grown, and I will be retiring soon (if my house ever sells) per the plan developed by my Ameriprise rep 13 years ago (at the time they were called IDS, then American Express Financial Advisors and now Ameriprise).
One benefit of using them is the American Express Platinum card, which, if your assets are large enough, you will get for free. One benefit I use alot: when you fly Continental (and others) you can use the President's Club at different airports instead of waiting in the regular terminal.
Another thing they involved me in is a S.E.P.P. (I think it means Substantially Equal Payment Paln) which is a way to draw on my 401K assets before I am 59 1/2 (I am 54 now) without paying a penalty. This enabled me to afford buying my home in TV in 2005, and will allow me to retire next year.
I would definitely recommend them, they have really helped me.
And I have paid them to do this exhaustive analysis in '94 and again recently to validate my plans. It's been money well spent.