Oct 3, 2018, 11:48 pm
Last edit by: 747FC
In June 2017, the American Express International Airline Program changed to a discount program, rather than "buy one get one free".
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/t...ram/index.html
To research and book, you can
1) Call Platinum Travel Services (1-800-525-3355) or Business Platinum Travel Services (1-800-553-9497). $39 booking and change fees apply
2) As of October 18, 2018, customers can use Live Chat to receive quotes. Log into your account at www.americanexpress.com/travel
3) As of May 2019, customers can log into www.amextravel.com and search and book some IAP fares. Not all carriers participate in online bookings, and not all fares appear online. (Relevant FlyerTalk thread 1 Relevant Thread 2)
The program is available on International First, Business and Premium Economy Class tickets booked through American Express Travel, on both refundable and non-refundable fares.
Good for purchases of 1 to 8 tickets on participating airlines.
Use Pay with Points for all or part of you fares, plus you still get miles from the airline.
Subject to $39 servicing fee per ticket for Platinum card members when calling.
"Travel must originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways. One-way travel permitted on some airlines where routing originates in U.S. or select Canadian Gateways." Known to include YVR, YYZ.
It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished. The discounts vary, sometimes widely, based on availability, fares, and sales. I've broken it down into ranges, and sorted by the number of reports. I also combined AF/KL/DL as they have joint ventures TATL so it's hard to say from all posts which metal members were reporting. My calculations for discount ranges do not intentionally include the $39 booking fee.
Delta / Air France / KLM
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/t...ram/index.html
To research and book, you can
1) Call Platinum Travel Services (1-800-525-3355) or Business Platinum Travel Services (1-800-553-9497). $39 booking and change fees apply
2) As of October 18, 2018, customers can use Live Chat to receive quotes. Log into your account at www.americanexpress.com/travel
3) As of May 2019, customers can log into www.amextravel.com and search and book some IAP fares. Not all carriers participate in online bookings, and not all fares appear online. (Relevant FlyerTalk thread 1 Relevant Thread 2)
The program is available on International First, Business and Premium Economy Class tickets booked through American Express Travel, on both refundable and non-refundable fares.
Good for purchases of 1 to 8 tickets on participating airlines.
Use Pay with Points for all or part of you fares, plus you still get miles from the airline.
Subject to $39 servicing fee per ticket for Platinum card members when calling.
"Travel must originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways. One-way travel permitted on some airlines where routing originates in U.S. or select Canadian Gateways." Known to include YVR, YYZ.
It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished. The discounts vary, sometimes widely, based on availability, fares, and sales. I've broken it down into ranges, and sorted by the number of reports. I also combined AF/KL/DL as they have joint ventures TATL so it's hard to say from all posts which metal members were reporting. My calculations for discount ranges do not intentionally include the $39 booking fee.
Delta / Air France / KLM
- Fares < 10 %: 2
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 16
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28427217-post5.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28455196-post22.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28552399-post75.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28557136-post80.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28681679-post119.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28912654-post150.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29314333-post216.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29314692-post217.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29321044-post230.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29485431-post250.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30218019-post300.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30337457-post316.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30647796-post331.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31053636-post394.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31089400-post399.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32079945-post586.html
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 5
- Fares 21%+: 3
- Fares < 10%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 6
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28581934-post91.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28658835-post109.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28844429-post141.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29315142-post218.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29836516-post265.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28758330-post129.html
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares < 10%: 4
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares 21%+: 1
- Note: Prices include seat selection per this thread
- Fares <= 10%: 4
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares <= 10%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
- Fares >= 35%: 1
- Fares 21%+: 2
- Fares < 10%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017).
Sep 20, 2017, 3:10 pm
#136
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2
AMEX Platinum International Airline Program success
I was just able to take advantage of the new version of the Platinum International Airline Program and thought it might be useful to share my experience.
Next week, I need to attend a meeting in Paris... so I am making a quick roundtrip from LAX to CDG. I wanted a direct flight and wanted to fly Skyteam, so this limited my choices to Air France (or a Delta ticket flying on Air France).
I just decided to take the trip yesterday, so all the fares are pretty high with less than 7 days until I depart. Quotes from Delta, Air France, and several other sources all came out the same... at $11,044 in non-refundable Business. However, through the IAP, I was able to get the same flight, same seat, and same fare code (I) for $9,061... almost $2,000 less. Interestingly, this discount was only available on an Air France ticket... a Delta ticket still came up as $11,044.
I've tried the 2 for 1 in the past without much luck... but the new model definitely worked for this particular scenario. The ticket is still really expensive, but cheaper than the alternative. It was a little bit of a hassle to call-in to book the flight, and it really helped that I knew the exact flights I wanted ahead of time.
Since I did the booking on the Platinum card, I am also hoping it qualifies for the 5x points; the agent said that it would, but I'll wait to see if the points hit my account.
Next week, I need to attend a meeting in Paris... so I am making a quick roundtrip from LAX to CDG. I wanted a direct flight and wanted to fly Skyteam, so this limited my choices to Air France (or a Delta ticket flying on Air France).
I just decided to take the trip yesterday, so all the fares are pretty high with less than 7 days until I depart. Quotes from Delta, Air France, and several other sources all came out the same... at $11,044 in non-refundable Business. However, through the IAP, I was able to get the same flight, same seat, and same fare code (I) for $9,061... almost $2,000 less. Interestingly, this discount was only available on an Air France ticket... a Delta ticket still came up as $11,044.
I've tried the 2 for 1 in the past without much luck... but the new model definitely worked for this particular scenario. The ticket is still really expensive, but cheaper than the alternative. It was a little bit of a hassle to call-in to book the flight, and it really helped that I knew the exact flights I wanted ahead of time.
Since I did the booking on the Platinum card, I am also hoping it qualifies for the 5x points; the agent said that it would, but I'll wait to see if the points hit my account.
Last edited by TJGUERO; Sep 20, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Sep 20, 2017, 4:37 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Good news that you saved some money. I just wish this was bookable on line rather than calling in. Your story and many others are in the existing thread around the IAP
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...it-2017-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...it-2017-a.html
Sep 20, 2017, 5:10 pm
#138
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,142
I just decided to take the trip yesterday, so all the fares are pretty high with less than 7 days until I depart. Quotes from Delta, Air France, and several other sources all came out the same... at $11,044 in non-refundable Business. However, through the IAP, I was able to get the same flight, same seat, and same fare code (I) for $9,061... almost $2,000 less. Interestingly, this discount was only available on an Air France ticket... a Delta ticket still came up as $11,044..
Sep 21, 2017, 4:32 am
#140
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Yes. IAP has nothing to do with American Express Travel, it's offered by Platinum Travel Service, and they have a Premium Economy discount program that is technically separate from IAP, but you call the same number.
Oct 6, 2017, 5:04 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,774
just a few questions about IAP..
1. I understand the discounted ticket can earn airlines miles. But for the Delta/SPG cross reward, there is a clause in T&C that booking with agency does not earn SPG starpoints even if the booking is ticketed by DL and flights are DL flight number, although Amex Travel or IAP is not listed in the T&C as travel agency. So my question is, do I earn SPG startpoints if I book DL-ticketed/marketed flights with IAP with discount?
2. Will the money spent with IAP (I believe this is charged by Amex Travel) earn 5 MR points per dollar spent? (or just 1 points)... My guess this should still earn points since this is handled by Amex Travel, but the phone agent told me this doensn't count as 5 points per dollar spent category... can someone verify?
Btw, as a data point, i phoned in to check the price, the discount is about 12%.
1. I understand the discounted ticket can earn airlines miles. But for the Delta/SPG cross reward, there is a clause in T&C that booking with agency does not earn SPG starpoints even if the booking is ticketed by DL and flights are DL flight number, although Amex Travel or IAP is not listed in the T&C as travel agency. So my question is, do I earn SPG startpoints if I book DL-ticketed/marketed flights with IAP with discount?
2. Will the money spent with IAP (I believe this is charged by Amex Travel) earn 5 MR points per dollar spent? (or just 1 points)... My guess this should still earn points since this is handled by Amex Travel, but the phone agent told me this doensn't count as 5 points per dollar spent category... can someone verify?
Btw, as a data point, i phoned in to check the price, the discount is about 12%.
Oct 6, 2017, 6:00 pm
#143
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Oct 6, 2017, 6:17 pm
#145
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Oct 6, 2017, 6:32 pm
#146
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,774
Oct 6, 2017, 6:35 pm
#147
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
AMEX Business Platinum's 5X benefit for air purchases applies only to purchases made online at AMEXTravel.com. These charges appear on your statement as AMEX Travel Chicago.
Air tickets purchased via an AMEX Business Platinum Travel Services live agent appear on your statement as AMEX Travel Phoenix. These are treated as 1X.
Air tickets purchased via an AMEX Business Platinum Travel Services live agent appear on your statement as AMEX Travel Phoenix. These are treated as 1X.
Oct 7, 2017, 2:45 pm
#149
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 27
Oct 9, 2017, 3:11 pm
#150
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MIA and VRN
Programs: SEN LH Hyatt Globalist AA EXP
Posts: 612
It is correct. I bought 2 tickets AF in first by calling that number, I have the personal Platinum Amex, got about 10% savings, and I received 5x