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It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished.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).
Jun 10, 2017, 5:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: dallas, tx
Programs: aa gold, amex plat, spg gold, hertz gold (former wn cp, aa plat)
Posts: 113
USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017).
Apologies if this has been covered, but it looks like the IAP has changed to a discount program - do I have that right?
http://iap.americanexpress.com
The expanded benefits of the exclusive International Airline Program give you and your companions access to lower fares. Savings are now available on more types of bookings, in more classes of service, on over 15 world-class airlines.1
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.2
I booked a companion fare in March and that was the first time it's ever been advantageous to use this program. Now, it's unclear to me exactly what the value proposition is/will be. Any thoughts here?
(Side note - I'm no longer seeing the IAP listed as a benefit for the platinum card anymore on its main website)
http://iap.americanexpress.com
The expanded benefits of the exclusive International Airline Program give you and your companions access to lower fares. Savings are now available on more types of bookings, in more classes of service, on over 15 world-class airlines.1
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.2
I booked a companion fare in March and that was the first time it's ever been advantageous to use this program. Now, it's unclear to me exactly what the value proposition is/will be. Any thoughts here?
(Side note - I'm no longer seeing the IAP listed as a benefit for the platinum card anymore on its main website)
Jun 10, 2017, 6:03 am
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
We are working to improve the International Airline Program. The improved program will be available soon. In the interim, the International Airline Program is still available; please call Platinum Travel Service to get more information about available program discounts and benefits.
Call 1-800-553-9497
Call 1-800-553-9497
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...an-aa-com.html
Jun 10, 2017, 10:22 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
Interesting. One distinctive characteristic of the old program was that the first ticket was roughly full price (sometimes less) while the second was free (plus taxes and sometimes carrier-imposed fees). $8000+$50 can be useful if, say, a client wants to pay for one full-priced ticket. $4000+$4000 would be less helpful to a traveler in that situation. Client would quite reasonably want to pay $4000 and not $8000. Anyone know how Amex will handle this? How receipts will characterize the charge?
Jun 10, 2017, 2:35 pm
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
Jun 10, 2017, 3:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Posts: 138
Seems unintentional. The T&C on the IAP site clearly state that the program is open to all Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
For fun, I called Platinum Travel Service and inquired about the below sample route.
10AUG DL 4349 SEA 05:50p -> LHR 10:50a (+1)
17AUG DL 4348 LHR 01:20p -> SEA 03:00p
Delta's web site, nonrefundable: $3,766 per ticket (fare class Z)
Platinum Travel Service quote: $3,266 per ticket (fare class Z)
Delta's web site, refundable: $9,715 per ticket (fare class I)
That's a significant discount over the standard Z fare. There's a $39 per ticket booking fee, waived for Centurion cardmembers. Rep said that all bookings must be done via phone; she's not aware of any plans to make these available via their web site.
The phone rep stated that the particular discount varies by carrier and route. We didn't get into whether there's a wide deviation among discounts or whether this is typical. But at first glance it seems very promising.
For fun, I called Platinum Travel Service and inquired about the below sample route.
10AUG DL 4349 SEA 05:50p -> LHR 10:50a (+1)
17AUG DL 4348 LHR 01:20p -> SEA 03:00p
Delta's web site, nonrefundable: $3,766 per ticket (fare class Z)
Platinum Travel Service quote: $3,266 per ticket (fare class Z)
Delta's web site, refundable: $9,715 per ticket (fare class I)
That's a significant discount over the standard Z fare. There's a $39 per ticket booking fee, waived for Centurion cardmembers. Rep said that all bookings must be done via phone; she's not aware of any plans to make these available via their web site.
The phone rep stated that the particular discount varies by carrier and route. We didn't get into whether there's a wide deviation among discounts or whether this is typical. But at first glance it seems very promising.
Jun 10, 2017, 10:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: AA (Exec Plat), ANA (Plat), Club Carlson (Gld), Hilton (Diamond), IHG (Plat), SPG (Gld)
Posts: 447
So I priced out 4 different tickets on Cathay Pacific in premium economy and the tickets were typically in the range of 87% to 88% of the original ticket price which is a nice savings. On a Qatar flight the savings was close to $1000.00 which is about 84% of the original ticket price.
However, one thing I will say is that I just booked a flight that was supposed to be at a savings with this program and the fare repriced when the rep was trying to book and she never told me so not only did I get stuck paying the $39 fee but also paid the regular price of the ticket. As such, this has a left a sour taste in my mouth since I am wondering now if the prices quoted are legitimate or just teaser prices that refare during the purchasing step to the regular ticket price. Now I am paying approximately $200 more than the quoted amount and they are refusing to waive the fee and refund the ticket or honor the original price quoted which for a premium card is unacceptable. If they had told me that the fare was no longer available I would have instead booked with the airline directly or held the ticket with the airline to see if the price went down.
Even worse, I just received my reservation confirmation and the agent did not add my middle name which is on my passport. I specifically asked her to add my middle name, she even had me spell it and then read it back to me, yet on the airline ticket it only has my first and last name. Now American Express wants to charge me $39 to have the name corrected which was there error. For such a premium card there execution clearly sucks.
However, one thing I will say is that I just booked a flight that was supposed to be at a savings with this program and the fare repriced when the rep was trying to book and she never told me so not only did I get stuck paying the $39 fee but also paid the regular price of the ticket. As such, this has a left a sour taste in my mouth since I am wondering now if the prices quoted are legitimate or just teaser prices that refare during the purchasing step to the regular ticket price. Now I am paying approximately $200 more than the quoted amount and they are refusing to waive the fee and refund the ticket or honor the original price quoted which for a premium card is unacceptable. If they had told me that the fare was no longer available I would have instead booked with the airline directly or held the ticket with the airline to see if the price went down.
Even worse, I just received my reservation confirmation and the agent did not add my middle name which is on my passport. I specifically asked her to add my middle name, she even had me spell it and then read it back to me, yet on the airline ticket it only has my first and last name. Now American Express wants to charge me $39 to have the name corrected which was there error. For such a premium card there execution clearly sucks.
Last edited by Joe1690; Jun 11, 2017 at 1:29 am Reason: Adding Update
Jun 11, 2017, 1:45 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,017
Seems unintentional. The T&C on the IAP site clearly state that the program is open to all Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
For fun, I called Platinum Travel Service and inquired about the below sample route.
10AUG DL 4349 SEA 05:50p -> LHR 10:50a (+1)
17AUG DL 4348 LHR 01:20p -> SEA 03:00p
Delta's web site, nonrefundable: $3,766 per ticket (fare class Z)
Platinum Travel Service quote: $3,266 per ticket (fare class Z)
Delta's web site, refundable: $9,715 per ticket (fare class I)
That's a significant discount over the standard Z fare. There's a $39 per ticket booking fee, waived for Centurion cardmembers. Rep said that all bookings must be done via phone; she's not aware of any plans to make these available via their web site.
The phone rep stated that the particular discount varies by carrier and route. We didn't get into whether there's a wide deviation among discounts or whether this is typical. But at first glance it seems very promising.
For fun, I called Platinum Travel Service and inquired about the below sample route.
10AUG DL 4349 SEA 05:50p -> LHR 10:50a (+1)
17AUG DL 4348 LHR 01:20p -> SEA 03:00p
Delta's web site, nonrefundable: $3,766 per ticket (fare class Z)
Platinum Travel Service quote: $3,266 per ticket (fare class Z)
Delta's web site, refundable: $9,715 per ticket (fare class I)
That's a significant discount over the standard Z fare. There's a $39 per ticket booking fee, waived for Centurion cardmembers. Rep said that all bookings must be done via phone; she's not aware of any plans to make these available via their web site.
The phone rep stated that the particular discount varies by carrier and route. We didn't get into whether there's a wide deviation among discounts or whether this is typical. But at first glance it seems very promising.
YUCK ... am I seeing this correctly? No more AA, LX etc. ZERO *A options to Europe? They can't be serious
Jun 11, 2017, 7:01 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
Jun 11, 2017, 7:29 am
#9
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
American Express seems to have an arrangement with AA, but not as part of this program. Read here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...an-aa-com.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...an-aa-com.html
Jun 11, 2017, 8:45 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
However, one thing I will say is that I just booked a flight that was supposed to be at a savings with this program and the fare repriced when the rep was trying to book and she never told me so not only did I get stuck paying the $39 fee but also paid the regular price of the ticket. As such, this has a left a sour taste in my mouth since I am wondering now if the prices quoted are legitimate or just teaser prices that refare during the purchasing step to the regular ticket price. Now I am paying approximately $200 more than the quoted amount and they are refusing to waive the fee and refund the ticket or honor the original price quoted which for a premium card is unacceptable. If they had told me that the fare was no longer available I would have instead booked with the airline directly or held the ticket with the airline to see if the price went down.
Even worse, I just received my reservation confirmation and the agent did not add my middle name which is on my passport. I specifically asked her to add my middle name, she even had me spell it and then read it back to me, yet on the airline ticket it only has my first and last name. Now American Express wants to charge me $39 to have the name corrected which was there error. For such a premium card there execution clearly sucks.
Even worse, I just received my reservation confirmation and the agent did not add my middle name which is on my passport. I specifically asked her to add my middle name, she even had me spell it and then read it back to me, yet on the airline ticket it only has my first and last name. Now American Express wants to charge me $39 to have the name corrected which was there error. For such a premium card there execution clearly sucks.
What you describe seems to me actionable in small claims court. That would certainly get attention from a higher tier at Amex compared to ordinary customer service staff or customer relations staff.
Jun 11, 2017, 12:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Posts: 138
Don't know, we didn't get quite that detailed. The rep was adamant that IAP tickets confer all of the same mileage earning benefits as tickets purchased straight from the airline.
Jun 11, 2017, 3:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: AA (Exec Plat), ANA (Plat), Club Carlson (Gld), Hilton (Diamond), IHG (Plat), SPG (Gld)
Posts: 447
I too have faced some errors by Amex PTS. In my experience, Amex records all calls, and the right people at Amex can listen to these calls to confirm agent errors. Not saying it's easy to reach these people, but worth a try.
What you describe seems to me actionable in small claims court. That would certainly get attention from a higher tier at Amex compared to ordinary customer service staff or customer relations staff.
What you describe seems to me actionable in small claims court. That would certainly get attention from a higher tier at Amex compared to ordinary customer service staff or customer relations staff.
Jun 11, 2017, 5:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
I think the bolded text (bold added by me) answers the question of whether these tickets earn PQDs. They do and they must, if the agent is correct. And if the agent is telling customers things that are incorrect, well, Amex will have to make that right through a dispute resolution process.