I just bought the Smythson model last week. It does help a little in that it stores the passport and boarding passes together, which reduces fumbling in security lines. It also fits nicely into my shirt pocket.
I also thought about the American logo question and briefly thought of getting another logo, but decided not to. The passport itself is easily identifiable as American, and the few times I would have to pull the passport out it's very unlikely anyone close enough to see it wouldn't also surmise my nationality, anyway - it would just look strange to have another country's logo on the cover. Maybe you could just get a non-logoed cover, but I doubt that you'd encounter anyone resentful enough of the US that they'd bother to take it out on you personally. As you often hear, many foreigners like Americans, just not our governments policies and actions.
I also thought about the American logo question and briefly thought of getting another logo, but decided not to. The passport itself is easily identifiable as American, and the few times I would have to pull the passport out it's very unlikely anyone close enough to see it wouldn't also surmise my nationality, anyway - it would just look strange to have another country's logo on the cover. Maybe you could just get a non-logoed cover, but I doubt that you'd encounter anyone resentful enough of the US that they'd bother to take it out on you personally. As you often hear, many foreigners like Americans, just not our governments policies and actions.
