I just bought three large Holland passes online that allow for the redemption of three gold admissions and three silver admissions. Just to mention, the 24 hr travel card for use on trains throughout the Netherlands is not included with the Holland pass, it is an additional EUR19. Rick's guide really pushes the Museumkaart and does not go into much detail about the Holland pass, only stating that it is not worth it. I disagree.
I would think that the Holland pass is less troublesome to use. You can buy it online by credit card before leaving at hollandpass.com and specify a pick-up point at either GWK Travelex at Schiphol or Centraal Station on the date of your choosing. Then when you start touring, all you have to do is turn in the gold or silver pass (depending on the attraction) instead of getting out your wallet and paying cash.
Most of the main museums covered under the Museumkaart are also covered by the Holland Pass. However, the Holland Pass includes additional non-museum attractions that are appealing such as the Heineken Experience, the Artis Royal Zoo and admission to the House of Bols Cocktail and Genever Experience just to mention a few. And even after you have used up all of your gold and silver admissions, you can still use the Holland pass to get discounts on any additional museums or attractions you want to see. Plus you get a free rail ticket from Schiphol to Centraal station and your choice of a 24-hour Amsterdam hop-on, hop-off tour bus ticket or a 1 hour canal cruise. And if you want, you can decline the airport rail ticket and pay EUR2.50 less for the large pass. I did the math and found it is easy to save EUR30-35 compared to walking up and paying full price admissions depending on what you choose to see.
One disadvantage I can see is that they only allow you to use the Holland pass for one Rijksmuseum admission. So you have to be careful and be sure to save the gold voucher that explicitly states that it is the one to use for the Rijksmseum (and not use it at another gold venue). This is not really a problem for me as I do not plan to visit any museum multiple times. In addition, the train ticket options are set in stone once you choose a date and you have to go through added inconveniences of adding names and dates of birth before printing out the E-ticket. If for example you choose the Schiphol ticket or the optional EUR19 all day Netherlands train pass and then you end up not being able to go on the specified date you chose, then you are out of luck. I am the kind of person that prefers to simplify things by keeping the transportation element out of the Holland pass.
It should be a non-hassle experience using the pass and getting a good value. I will let you know how it went when I return from my trip.
