I have just finished putting down 3 pallets of laminate in some of my rehabs, the most important things to look for are length of tongue (the short tongues have a tendancy to want to snap, plus they can move eisier), resistance to moisture, and of course looks.

He said that its more vulnerable to moisture and will buckle at the doorway.

I gently informed him I can get that deal for libor or 1/2 over from any Investment banking house.. but it was a nice try.

I still don't think underlayment matters much except maybe over concrete because of moisture and I'll put tile over plywood all day long unless it feels bouncy then chances are it will crack without more plywood.My thought is it says I can put it over plywood on the bag of modified thinset so if the floor is solid then why spend the extra time and money on cement board if I'm using 0.49/sqft tile anyway and doing it myself

With a slab foundation is there a worry about moisture wicking up?

Those $20 pin-style moisture meters at the big box stores are darn handy. 

In an area of high moisture and humidity like that, the foam will hold the water.

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to conservatism.'

ALL were frozen and efforts to GENTLY free them were fruitless.

You might gently remind him of this and ask that he originate a new NOO loan at no cost.Just a thought.