JeffMIA

Sure, but before I didn't and thus, whether I opt to pay for the lounge or eat in the terminal, I am getting less value from my card than I did previously. If I were to accept the proposition that a visit to the lounge is worth $50 (which I don't), I could calculate that erosion in value by adding up the visits I do not make to avoid paying for a child or, if I choose to pay, the additional cost I now incur for a benefit that was previously included. Of course, if I choose to pay, those claiming increased value from not having children in the lounge do not benefit, it just puts more money in Amex's pocket.

ntr91

The easiest would be to have unlimited primary member access and a fixed number of passes (20?) for guests. That way the person paying the fee will always be able to access the lounge regardless of how often they fly. The passes would allow someone to bring a family of four with the passes while limiting the number of times that happens.

CodeAdam10

That's a great idea. Probably better than what I was suggesting!

FlyerAl

This is WONDERFUL news! Even on a non-peak travel day, the MIA lounge becomes a refugee camp infested with small children and college kids (with all their pillows, backpacks, etc) camped out on the floor. It was unfair to those travelling alone or with a travel companion not being able to find a place to sit and having to put up with all the obnoxious noise.

azepine00

Not the brightest move from amex imho.

Now only one parent will be able go in with kids so kids will get even less supervision greatly increasing the likelihood of crying, noise etc.

It's rather naive to think that lounge overcrowding is due to kids but let's see how this plays out...

wwongo

I'm fine with the change except that I don't think it will do all that much to avoid crowding. I mostly visit the Seattle lounge and I don't see that many kids in there maybe it is different elsewhere. I assume American Express is doing this the way they think will be best for their best customers and I think limiting access to a certain number of visits may affect those customers more than limiting families all entering on one card. I assume that is why they did it that way. If the families wanting entry are the high income people they want, then they shouldn't mind getting a card for each spouse. At least I assume that is what they are thinking. Personally I usually enter alone or with one guest and it is usually packed with other people who seem to be alone, so I don't expect much to change.

squeakr

felicidad76

best move ever. IT was getting out of control

LR2013

Agreed. Walked around the DFW lounge recently and decided to leave, it was too crowded and noisy. Not to mean any disrespect to college kids here on the forum, but when did it become commonplace for college kids and younger millennials to have the Amex Platinum card? In college, I got a co-signed Visa courtesy of mom and dad, with a whopping $1,200 limit. There was no way I could afford this fee, or be interested in a charge card then. Also, I know I sound like an elite snob (sorry), but there are so many people with this card, using so many of its resources, like the constantly overcrowded lounges, that it's losing its lux appeal for the higher end market (i.e. high net income, asset, and spending). I generally love Amex, and the independence of booking a FHR stay online, but I am considering punting this card anyway and dealing with Virtuoso.

rickg523

If the issue is overcrowding, control the NUMBER of patrons.
Controlling the makeup of the lounge population is simply a way to make Platinum customers in the now excluded class feel that Amex doesn't think they're paying a high enough annual fee.
In this case, it's families traveling together. Show up at an off hour to a half empty lounge and be asked to pay 50 bucks to get the second kid in?
Yeah, that's not an attempt at monetizing family travelers. That's trying to control overcrowding. Sure.
Btw, I have no minor children and travel almost exclusively solo or as a couple.

antonius66

June or July I think.

Oformula

If I had to venture a guess, around the time Amex decided they'd offer up to three authorized users for the same fee as just adding your spouse. If you're going to be paying anyway, may as well get the goodies and global entry credits for the kids as well.

steve4

I welcome changes to reduce overcrowding, but like many others here I agree that AMEX should have given its cardmembers adequate notice before implementation. I usually travel alone so it shouldn't impact me that much, but any changes with annual fee cards will impact how they are used and whether or not they will be kept. I regularly evaluate if my card portfolio is profitable to me based on my regular (non-manufactured) usage without including bonuses. Although I like doing this activity, it does get annoying when changes are made on relatively short notice.

Segments

Guesting limits were also probably designed considering guesting privileges at Priority Pass Lounges. If it costs less to bring my large family into a Centurion Lounge then the PP lounge, guess where the family is going?

So yes, I do think a head on policy regarding guests per visit is appropriate to reduce crowding versus an annual allotment of guest passes since PP guesting policy works on a per visit basis.

mia

Your renewal fee will be $450, and you will collect $200 in 2018. I would renew for another year to see how this plays out in practice.