Moderator: Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA 2MM Perpetual Platinum; HH & SPG Gold
Posts: 17,029
Quote:
Originally Posted by S.Bling
I'm sure there are other reasons for offering programs and "benefits"...
Agreed. They charge a membership fee which ranges from about $30 to $200 per year. At the low end that's $2,700,000.
American Express is also able to maintain relationships with services providers (concierge service, temporary office, limo service) who compete with their established Platinum and Centurion providers. This increases their negotiating strength with their primary partners.
CAn anyone confirm that this is only one lounge a month now? Also does this apply to any airport lounge with a less than $50 entrance fee or is it only for US-based lounges?
I received an offer in the mail today. I have a Citi AA AMX and an SPG AMX - neither have had significant activity after reaching the bonus mileage req.
My actual offer says nothing about reimbursed access to lounges, only:
* 2 Free Airline Companion Tickets
* 2 Months Free Membership in Skyguide Executive Privilege Club ($2.99 processing fee then $29 first year and renewing annually at the then current rate ($59.95))
* Concierge Service
* Travel services including negotiated deals with Avis, Hertz, Commonwealth Worldwide and the Luggage Club
* Members-only savings on superior business luggage, golf equipment, gym and ariport lounge access and more
The website (http://www.skyguideclub.com/shopping/partner.aspx?id=48) however does state a daily membership reimbursement but does not say anything about a limit (1/mo or 3/mo). However the website rate (after the two free months) is a "special rate of $199.00". LOL
Seems the information about this program (both mailing and website) is pretty poor.
As I sat here an evaluate joining I realized my concern is that I don't want to discover the tickets are unusable and feel like a sucker (even if it is only $29). :P
SkyGuide in conjunction with American Express Blue Sky Card
We were just billed by Sky Guide!? When I called Sky Guide to ask why the amount billed didn't even match! I called another "Customer Service Number" and they told me that it was in conjunction with a companion ticket we received. It offered a 30 day trial. Unless we did something to cancel it they would continue it and bill us after 12 months. Did my husband just round file it without reading it? Who knows. I truly think this fits my scam list!
Moderator: Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA 2MM Perpetual Platinum; HH & SPG Gold
Posts: 17,029
Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Cathy57
...ask why the amount billed didn't even match!
Welcome to Flyertalk.
The amount didn't match what?
If you received an offer and did not activate the trial subscription you would not be billed. However, if you (or your husband) responded to an ad you would be billed after the trial period ended, and every year thereafter for eternity. Do you pay your American Express bills online or through the postal service?
Programs: DL PM, UA 1K, AF PE, BA Gold, HH Gold, MR Gold, some Amex
Posts: 15,032
Interesting, I just received this offer as well for my HH Amex card. Now it sounds like the lounge access is a bit of a hassle, but you evventually get your money back. Well worth it IMO for some domestic travel where I don't always have lounge access. Maybe I'll give it a shot, $30 is worth the risk.
Following the comments from others in this thread, I've been a member of the Skyguide club for about a year now, and I can confirm that they DO reimburse airport lounge visits. I have used certified mail to submit receipts.
Filling out the paperwork is a bit of a pain, and their customer service line can't tell me what the renewal rate is right now (!), but at least they have a live customer service line, and I've always received a prompt and polite response from the phone reps.
If you're thinking about joining, just weigh the time you'll spend submitting receipts with the payoff of the reimbursements. I've found the Skyguide program to be a nice way to get into lounges while traveling alone, but the Amex Platinum or another kind of lounge pass works better if you normally travel with a companion. And, if you travel more than once a month or you don't like filling out paperwork and waiting for rebates, then you may want to look elsewhere.
During my first year @2.99 + 29.99, I was able to use 3 airport lounges/month; after submitting the paperwork, I got reimbursed promptly. After I renewed ($59.95/year), the system changed to 1 lounge/per month, so I cancelled and got a full refund even though I used a few lounges.
[A round trip, would require count for two accesses, if you used lounges at each end.]
The program also includes health clubs (if you use one), once a month.
If you can live with the new parameters, it is a super deal.
PS: For my first years fee of $33, I got reimbursed for > $500.
[I sent all documents (after making copies) via regular mail, and had NO problems, except my first mailing to them I addressed it to the attention of Justin Horn, it should have been Justin Hom (on my computer screen rn looked lime m)--so they refused delivery and had the letter returned, I then just cut and pasted the address from the website.]
Programs: DL PM, UA 1K, AF PE, BA Gold, HH Gold, MR Gold, some Amex
Posts: 15,032
Quote:
Originally Posted by nrr
During my first year @2.99 + 29.99, I was able to use 3 airport lounges/month; after submitting the paperwork, I got reimbursed promptly. After I renewed ($59.95/year), the system changed to 1 lounge/per month, so I cancelled and got a full refund even though I used a few lounges.
[A round trip, would require count for two accesses, if you used lounges at each end.]
The program also includes health clubs (if you use one), once a month.
If you can live with the new parameters, it is a super deal.
PS: For my first years fee of $33, I got reimbursed for > $500.
[I sent all documents (after making copies) via regular mail, and had NO problems, except my first mailing to them I addressed it to the attention of Justin Horn, it should have been Justin Hom (on my computer screen rn looked lime m)--so they refused delivery and had the letter returned, I then just cut and pasted the address from the website.]
Is it 1/month or 12/year? 1/month would be less of a deal. Is it calendar month? Or only 1 within 30 days. I am still thinking about this ... tempting for some trips later this year.
Is it 1/month or 12/year? 1/month would be less of a deal. Is it calendar month? Or only 1 within 30 days. I am still thinking about this ... tempting for some trips later this year.
It was originally 3/month and from my reading of the new rules 1/month.
Programs: SPG Plat, PC RA, HH Gold, Taj IC Gold, 9W Plat, DL Silver
Posts: 18,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by MtStream
I received an offer in the mail today. I have a Citi AA AMX and an SPG AMX - neither have had significant activity after reaching the bonus mileage req.
My actual offer says nothing about reimbursed access to lounges, only:
* 2 Free Airline Companion Tickets
* 2 Months Free Membership in Skyguide Executive Privilege Club ($2.99 processing fee then $29 first year and renewing annually at the then current rate ($59.95))
* Concierge Service
* Travel services including negotiated deals with Avis, Hertz, Commonwealth Worldwide and the Luggage Club
* Members-only savings on superior business luggage, golf equipment, gym and ariport lounge access and more
The website (http://www.skyguideclub.com/shopping/partner.aspx?id=48) however does state a daily membership reimbursement but does not say anything about a limit (1/mo or 3/mo). However the website rate (after the two free months) is a "special rate of $199.00". LOL
Seems the information about this program (both mailing and website) is pretty poor.
As I sat here an evaluate joining I realized my concern is that I don't want to discover the tickets are unusable and feel like a sucker (even if it is only $29). :P
i got a similar offer from amex over the phone the other day....they offered me 2 free companion tickets for a fee of $1 for the first 2 months....after that i would be charged the regular fee if i wanted to continue & if i wanted to cancel then i would not be charged anything further & get to keep the 2 free companion tickets....
Programs: SPG Plat, PC RA, HH Gold, Taj IC Gold, 9W Plat, DL Silver
Posts: 18,804
just signed up for the 60 day offer for $1....does anyone have more info on the 2 free companion tickets????i'm pretty sure i won't be able to buy my first ticket at the cheapest available fare but if i don't mind if i end up saving a few bucks....
SkyGuide in conjunction with American Express Blue Sky Card
The amount didn't match what?
