AMEX Platinum [Canada] vs VISA Infinite Privilege Lounge Access
Mar 22, 2015, 4:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
AMEX Platinum [Canada] vs VISA Infinite Privilege Lounge Access
I would guess that the AMEX Platinum card - either directly using that card, or via the Priority Pass card - gives superior lounge access compared to a VISA Infinite Privilege card?
Mar 22, 2015, 5:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 403
It depends on your travel habits.
You can find a list of Airport Angel lounges (which is what you get via VISA Infinite Privilege), and Priority Pass lounges on their website so you can make an educated decision based on the airports you visit.
It's worth nothing that the Visa card gets you 6 visits per year, but they can be used on guests as well as yourself. Additional visits are $27.
AMEX Plat's PP Select gets you unlimited visits, but guests are $29. There are also some lounges that you can access via the Plat directly, like Delta SkyClubs.
You can find a list of Airport Angel lounges (which is what you get via VISA Infinite Privilege), and Priority Pass lounges on their website so you can make an educated decision based on the airports you visit.
It's worth nothing that the Visa card gets you 6 visits per year, but they can be used on guests as well as yourself. Additional visits are $27.
AMEX Plat's PP Select gets you unlimited visits, but guests are $29. There are also some lounges that you can access via the Plat directly, like Delta SkyClubs.
Mar 22, 2015, 6:14 pm
#3
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Mar 22, 2015, 6:41 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
It depends on your travel habits.
You can find a list of Airport Angel lounges (which is what you get via VISA Infinite Privilege), and Priority Pass lounges on their website so you can make an educated decision based on the airports you visit.
It's worth nothing that the Visa card gets you 6 visits per year, but they can be used on guests as well as yourself. Additional visits are $27.
AMEX Plat's PP Select gets you unlimited visits, but guests are $29. There are also some lounges that you can access via the Plat directly, like Delta SkyClubs.
You can find a list of Airport Angel lounges (which is what you get via VISA Infinite Privilege), and Priority Pass lounges on their website so you can make an educated decision based on the airports you visit.
It's worth nothing that the Visa card gets you 6 visits per year, but they can be used on guests as well as yourself. Additional visits are $27.
AMEX Plat's PP Select gets you unlimited visits, but guests are $29. There are also some lounges that you can access via the Plat directly, like Delta SkyClubs.
Mar 23, 2015, 5:45 am
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Posts: 13,811
I have the Canadian AMEX Platinum card. The priority pass one gets with that is that the cardholder AND one guest can get free Priority Pass lounge lounge access. It also allows UA lounge access, whereas the Priority Pass Select card held by US residents does not give UA lounge access.
2. It is obvious that there are more U.S. AMEX Platinum than Canadian AMEX Platinum.
3. UCs are crap anyway.
Mar 23, 2015, 8:19 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: DL PLT, Hilton Diamond, CX MPC Silver
Posts: 265
Not to get too off-topic, but it could be worth noting that the PP Select from Citi Prestige includes access for the cardholder and up to 2 fee-free guests.
Mar 23, 2015, 8:43 am
#7
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Moderator observation
The purpose of this thread is to compare lounge access provided by Canadian American Express Platinum versus a Canadian VISA Infinite card. There are other threads to compare various version of Priority Pass memberships.
Mar 23, 2015, 11:20 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
There are a lot more contract lounges with Priority Pass than Airport Angel.
If you're a low frequency flyer and usually fly alone, the 6 Airport Angel passes should do. You get 4 additional MLL passes for use when flying on an Aeroplan redemption ticket.
On the other hand, the travel insurance coverage of the CIBC/TD Aeroplan Visia Infinite Privilege is far superior than the Canadian Amex Plat. Amongst other things, it covers you when you are flying on a redemption ticket.
It's also my understanding that the auto rental CDW is secondary with Amex but primary for CIBC/TD AVIP.
If you're a low frequency flyer and usually fly alone, the 6 Airport Angel passes should do. You get 4 additional MLL passes for use when flying on an Aeroplan redemption ticket.
On the other hand, the travel insurance coverage of the CIBC/TD Aeroplan Visia Infinite Privilege is far superior than the Canadian Amex Plat. Amongst other things, it covers you when you are flying on a redemption ticket.
It's also my understanding that the auto rental CDW is secondary with Amex but primary for CIBC/TD AVIP.
Last edited by Clipper801; Mar 23, 2015 at 11:29 am
Mar 24, 2015, 2:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
>> It's also my understanding that the auto rental CDW is secondary with Amex
No such thing. Although Visa does cover unlisted additional drivers for CDW (but not 3rd party liability, obviously) and AMEX does not.
No such thing. Although Visa does cover unlisted additional drivers for CDW (but not 3rd party liability, obviously) and AMEX does not.
Mar 25, 2015, 6:04 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Thanks. Nice to know. It has been a while since I last reviewed the Amex Policy.
Apr 14, 2015, 6:37 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
There are a lot more contract lounges with Priority Pass than Airport Angel.
If you're a low frequency flyer and usually fly alone, the 6 Airport Angel passes should do. You get 4 additional MLL passes for use when flying on an Aeroplan redemption ticket.
On the other hand, the travel insurance coverage of the CIBC/TD Aeroplan Visia Infinite Privilege is far superior than the Canadian Amex Plat. Amongst other things, it covers you when you are flying on a redemption ticket.
It's also my understanding that the auto rental CDW is secondary with Amex but primary for CIBC/TD AVIP.
If you're a low frequency flyer and usually fly alone, the 6 Airport Angel passes should do. You get 4 additional MLL passes for use when flying on an Aeroplan redemption ticket.
On the other hand, the travel insurance coverage of the CIBC/TD Aeroplan Visia Infinite Privilege is far superior than the Canadian Amex Plat. Amongst other things, it covers you when you are flying on a redemption ticket.
It's also my understanding that the auto rental CDW is secondary with Amex but primary for CIBC/TD AVIP.
The 4 MLL passes may only be used by the Primary Cardholder and are NOT "transferrable".
In other words, if the Primary Cardholder redeems 2 tickets from his/her account to fly with someone, only the Primary Cardholder will be admitted to the MLL. The travelling companion will not be allowed to use one of the remaining 3 MLL passes into the lounge notwithstanding that both are booked on the same booking reference with points taken from the Primary Cardholder's Aeroplan account attached to the Visa card.
This is really cheap and stupid by Air Canada and the card issuing banks.