American Express Membership Rewards - Canada AMEX Platinum fee increase to $699 June 29 2012

Just received the bad news:

new benefits:

-Complimentary enrollment in Priority Pass Worldwide (I think we already had this)
-200 Annual Travel Credit, to match US AMEX
-no booking fees on any travel booked through Plat Card Travel Services
-Toronto Pearson Airport Expanded Priority Lane Access, Complimentary Valet Service and 15% parking discount (on site lots)
-Gold Elite membership with Club Carlson
-Platinum Membership with Le Club Accorhotels
-Preferred Golf Membership for a full year

Are you saying that this is for the normal, standard Amex plat that is currently $399 or for the aeroplan plat? If its for the standard one then goodbye platinum for me! Apart from the $200 credit there is absolutely nothing of interest in the other offerings unless possibly the PP includes entries.

Just received my glossy good news package from Amex Canada. After reading through the underwhelming "improvements", I noticed the increased fee (from $399 to $699).

I use my card on a fairly constant basis and on the rare occasion(s) that I've been compelled to use any of the benefits associated with the card, I've been thrilled with the service. That said, the increased fee is completely unjustifiable.

So it's likely Gold or goodbye for me.

To sum up: Amex is really taking the piss on this one.

What kind of PP they are offering anyway?

BYE BYE platinum !!!

Amex Plat is great in Canada for $399. Especially with Fairmont benefits.

$699 is a different story even with the $200 in airline expenses.

I haven't received anything in the mail yet but I am certainly interested.

Club Carlson :td:
Le Club Accorhotels:td:

Unless they add some sort of improved airline status I will have to reconsider here. Marco Polo Gold would be good if made permanent, but even then, it is not the most useful for many Canadians.

my membership isnt due till MArch... will I get the extra benefits free till MArch ?

The airline credit is nice, I would also like no fx fee and the same Mr conversion ratio as Americans. For that it'd be worth it to me.

Also, I've JUST paid my annual fee this month :)

Will say bye bye to my plat next March.

Humm ... does it mean the $200 credit will be available to us in June?

Will wait and see the package, but the new benefits don't look all that exciting... if the Priority Pass comes with free visitors, then it'll be a little more appealing.

Also, I wonder what will happen with my fee-waived Platinum card - I got AmEx to waive the fee as long as I kept the AeroPlat card and paid the AeroPlat fee, which was the higher priced card.

I have just spoken to an AMEX csr. She insisted that my ticket must be purchased via amex travel AFTER June 29th to count for the travel fee reimbursement. So apparently my July trip (booked via amex) will not be eligible.

Will wait and see the package, but the new benefits don't look all that exciting... if the Priority Pass comes with free visitors, then it'll be a little more appealing.

Also, I wonder what will happen with my fee-waived Platinum card - I got AmEx to waive the fee as long as I kept the AeroPlat card and paid the AeroPlat fee, which was the higher priced card.

Same here on the fee waiver...I'm not going to say anything if they don't :p

new benefits:

-Complimentary enrollment in Priority Pass Worldwide (I think we already had this)

What you currently have is the "Standard" tier (retails for $99), each visit costs 27USD.

The new version is "Prestige" tier (retails for $399), you and 1 guest can visit for free, as per the AMEX brochure.



Marco Polo Gold would be good if made permanent, but even then, it is not the most useful for many Canadians.

As permanent as it gets. No longer says "for 1 year" and it's listed in the same table as other lounge access privileges. Unless you only fly AC and use smaller Canadian airports, I think it is better than AC's MLL.


Humm ... does it mean the $200 credit will be available to us in June?

Yes.

"For new travel booked after the effective date mentioned in the enclosed letter, be sure to use Platinum Card Travel Service and ask the travel representative to redeem your credit towards your travel. The Annual Travel Credit renews every January so, starting in 2013, you will be able to take advantage of it for any new travel booked that year."

Also once it's applied to a booking, it's gone for the year and if you decide to cancel the booking, you don't get the re-use the credit within the calendar year.

Also, I wonder what will happen with my fee-waived Platinum card - I got AmEx to waive the fee as long as I kept the AeroPlat card and paid the AeroPlat fee, which was the higher priced card.

I bet the fee waiver would still be valid, as long as you still own the AP Plat card.

However, the AP Plat card annual fee could go up as well.:eek:

I bet the fee waiver would still be valid, as long as you still own the AP Plat card.

However, the AP Plat card annual fee could go up as well.:eek:

"Increases" the value of our benefit as cents to get 4 additional platinums for no free haha.

"Increases" the value of our benefit as cents to get 4 additional platinums for no free haha.

But the Centurion card fee might double starting next year.:o:D

"Increases" the value of our benefit as cents to get 4 additional platinums for no free haha.

Say Bye Bye from me as well if they do this...the cards are not THAT good, and nevermind that AMEX is often quite useless in Canada and we're still not getting no foreign transaction fees or decent transfer partners. I think this will be a big mistake for them...

I think this will be a big mistake for them...

I don't think that AMEX would increase the price this drastically without thoroughly analyzing the situation.

It can be expected that the shift from $399 to $699 will cause a significant number of cancellations...and I would think that is one of the main goals Amex has here.

This is insane!!! J/k but serious

The $300 increase is a huge amount, as i live in vancouver, i am close down to bellingham and open a PO box and global transfer my amex plat to US plat

So for $450 for US plat I can get PP and $200 airline credit

I mostly travel in the west and stays frquently in hyatt and fairmont.

Forgive me that i too new of the name" Club Carlson and Le Club Accorhotels"

Run!

I don't think that AMEX would increase the price this drastically without thoroughly analyzing the situation.

It can be expected that the shift from $399 to $699 will cause a significant number of cancellations...and I would think that is one of the main goals Amex has here.

Yes, I think you are correct. There must be some shift underlying this, but it is not as if their exposure with the platinum line is that widespread among CC users in the first place. Are they looking for clients to shift into other product lines?

My mexican Amex Platinum fee was increaised from 450U$ to 800+130tax for almost 1000 U$ a year the new benefits are 1 year of fiesta rewards Platinum. Haha.I will change my card at the end of the year to a german platinum card where the fee is about 630U$ a year or 500 euros with much better included insurances and programs.

My mexican Amex Platinum fee was increaised from 450U$ to 800+130tax for almost 1000 U$ a year the new benefits are 1 year of fiesta rewards Platinum. Haha.I will change my card at the end of the year to a german platinum card where the fee is about 630U$ a year or 500 euros with much better included insurances and programs.

Well it looks as though this is happening everywhere - suspect the US will follow soon also (see thread about UK increase).

Seriously, you can't tell me people are going to buy these "enhancements" - many Carlson properties are sorely lacking and Accor has hardly anything in N America. So, how is this a benefit? It really boils down to whether or not the $700 fee is worth it to you for the quick Fairmont status...the rest is pretty poor. Meh.

There is no way I would keep the US Platinum card if it went up that drastically, that's rediculas no stinking way!

"Increases" the value of our benefit as cents to get 4 additional platinums for no free haha.

"For no free" ... you bet it's not going to be free.

Don't laugh at the Plats they are our bretheren.

Because once they see our fee increase, they're really going to be laughing and we won't.

There is no way I would keep the US Platinum card if it went up that drastically, that's rediculas no stinking way!

It's coming.

Get used to it.

This started in Europe and is now in Canada and they want to I guess create more space between the products. More features, more costs, bleh. Plat used to be a good deal, not so much now unless you can work that $200 fee.

I'd like to get the foreign transaction fee out of there then I'd be happy.

Well it looks as though this is happening everywhere - suspect the US will follow soon also (see thread about UK increase).

Seriously, you can't tell me people are going to buy these "enhancements" - many Carlson properties are sorely lacking and Accor has hardly anything in N America. So, how is this a benefit? It really boils down to whether or not the $700 fee is worth it to you for the quick Fairmont status...the rest is pretty poor. Meh.

Carlson is definitely second tier.

Accor is good though. I think I'd be happier with that than with Hilton.

But what I really want is Hyatt.

Will wait and see the package, but the new benefits don't look all that exciting... if the Priority Pass comes with free visitors, then it'll be a little more appealing.

Also, I wonder what will happen with my fee-waived Platinum card - I got AmEx to waive the fee as long as I kept the AeroPlat card and paid the AeroPlat fee, which was the higher priced card.

The priority pass given by the Centurion card does not give free visitors. So... expecting that this won't be there for the plat card.

This is insane!!! J/k but serious

The $300 increase is a huge amount, as i live in vancouver, i am close down to bellingham and open a PO box and global transfer my amex plat to US plat

So for $450 for US plat I can get PP and $200 airline credit

I mostly travel in the west and stays frquently in hyatt and fairmont.

Forgive me that i too new of the name" Club Carlson and Le Club Accorhotels"

Run!

You can't global transfer to the US unless you have proof of residency at the address - such as a utility bill in your name. Bank statement is not good enough either.

My renewal date is Dec. 20. I will be cancelling at that time. The $399 was tough for me to justify. $699 is just out of the park. I guess its back to CIBC Aerogold , standing in regular checkin line & no more ML Lounge or Plat lounge after December. BTW, I havent been able to use my short-haul companion ticket yet this year. Every time I want to book an Aeroplan ticket (usually to YVR) there's no availability . Maybe this is a message that I shouldn't have this card anyway :td:

My renewal date is Dec. 20. I will be cancelling at that time. The $399 was tough for me to justify. $699 is just out of the park. I guess its back to CIBC Aerogold , standing in regular checkin line & no more ML Lounge or Plat lounge after December. BTW, I havent been able to use my short-haul companion ticket yet this year. Every time I want to book an Aeroplan ticket (usually to YVR) there's no availability . Maybe this is a message that I shouldn't have this card anyway :td:

AMEX Plat has no short-haul companion tix right? only Aeroplan Plat does and so far Aeroplan Plat hasn't seen a price increase yet


I wonder if I should get my friend to sign up for AMEX $399 as he got offer in mail for $399 fee and 50K MR sign-up bonus, until 5/31 I believe...before the fee goes up


My renewal is Oct 2012.. does that mean we can get $200 credit after June 2012, or only until 2013 after we renew?
I'm already Accor club Platinum (free), Club Carlson Silver (free), so it's not so attractive to me to renew

AMEX Plat has no short-haul companion tix right?

There is a companion ticket when you pay for flights in Business or First with Certain carriers. (FULL FARE)

I tried to get the link but the Amex site is "down" or perhaps it's a bad link.

http://www.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/canada/english/FrontServlet?request_type=TravelHome


I do have info in my Welcome Package.

The carriers are:

Air France
Air New Zealand
Alitalia
Austrian Airlines
Emirates
Japan Airlines
KLM
Lufthansa

and it does mention "Simply purchase a Full Fare ticket in First Class or Business Class"


Full Fare Emirates First Class, I wonder if my card will go through?

There is a companion ticket when you pay for flights in Business or First with Certain carriers. (FULL FARE)

I tried to get the link but the Amex site is "down" or perhaps it's a bad link.

http://www.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/canada/english/FrontServlet?request_type=TravelHome


I do have info in my Welcome Package.

The carriers are:

Air France
Air New Zealand
Alitalia
Austrian Airlines
Emirates
Japan Airlines
KLM
Lufthansa

and it does mention "Simply purchase a Full Fare ticket in First Class or Business Class"


Full Fare Emirates First Class, I wonder if my card will go through?

Depends what your approved maximum spend is............. if it's only five figures, it might decline :D

Here a link for the Amex with 25K Signup, $399/year
http://www.americanexpress.com/canada/the-platinum-card


Here's one with 30K Signup, $399/year
https://www.americanexpress.com/canada/en/mgm/mgmeeApplynow.cgi?mgmerCard=platinumCard&MGM_URN=AAAAEhwRHhETAg==&CPID=999996100&om_rid=NtKe57&om_mid=_BPn1-AB8c1Lx1U&om_lid=amex5


Does anyone have other links? Free First Year? Perhaps 50K Signup?

Please post.

AMEX Plat has no short-haul companion tix right? only Aeroplan Plat does and so far Aeroplan Plat hasn't seen a price increase yet


I wonder if I should get my friend to sign up for AMEX $399 as he got offer in mail for $399 fee and 50K MR sign-up bonus, until 5/31 I believe...before the fee goes up


My renewal is Oct 2012.. does that mean we can get $200 credit after June 2012, or only until 2013 after we renew?
I'm already Accor club Platinum (free), Club Carlson Silver (free), so it's not so attractive to me to renew

Whoaaa..are you saying this increase is for regular AMEX Platinum & not for the Aeroplat?? Yes you are correct I have the Aeroplatinum.

if anyone has seen this info online, could you please post a link. i haven't gotten my package yet and am very curious about the enhancements :rolleyes:

if it includes the unlimited PP lounge access membership level then i might renew. Also curious about supplemental cards. when i lived in Switzerland and had a Amex Plat there, it came with one extra free plat and up to 5 other (gold or personal) cards and the PP unlimited version which i used extensively.

Whoaaa..are you saying this increase is for regular AMEX Platinum & not for the Aeroplat?? Yes you are correct I have the Aeroplatinum.

yeah this thread went off the rails. this is indeed for the regular Platinum.

Mind you - ever since the AeroPlat came out, I always thought it was weird that there was a very "limited" product priced far higher than their supposed flagship card. I mean let's face it - the AeroPlat is useless if you fly anything other than AC (considering it has so few of the Plat benefits). despite thinking 699 is a lot, I think this repositioning is well overdue.

Here's the details on the new Priority Pass:

"Platinum Basic - All Priority Pass Visits are complimentary for the enrolled cardmember and one guest. All additional guests are subject to a fee of $27 US per person per visit."

Here's the details on the new Priority Pass:

"Platinum Basic - All Priority Pass Visits are complimentary for the enrolled cardmember and one guest. All additional guests are subject to a fee of $27 US per person per visit."

I got the Canadian Amex Plat when I moved back here from the UK*. In the UK, my PP membership included FREE (well - complimentary :)) visits to the lounge, but with the fee with a visitor. Given that I was traveling regularly on a wide range of airlines (not just *A) to airports all over EMEA this was an outstanding benefit for me. When I got to Canada, even with the lower price, I was completely underwhelmed with the benefits and dropped it.

This is a MUCH better benefit, but given that the only places it would be useful would involve long haul, I would always have lounge access there in any case.

I have been cycling Amex cards trying to pick one. My 'free' Gold is up soon and was thinking of moving to the paid Plat, but I just don't see $699 of benefits here. Has anyone tried to put a price on the various benefits?

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

* - The 'Global Transfer' basically got them to send me an application for the Canadian card. There was no difference at all from what I could have done online as a new applicant.

The priority pass given by the Centurion card does not give free visitors. So... expecting that this won't be there for the plat card.

Your expectation is wrong. Unless the new Platinum booklet has a misprint.

http://i49.tinypic.com/e16bma.jpg

Has anyone tried to put a price on the various benefits?


Priority Pass $399 (that supposedly does not include any travelling companion, as per PP website)

Travel booking credit $200

Right there. lol

There is a companion ticket when you pay for flights in Business or First with Certain carriers. (FULL FARE)



This stopped having any significant value since the mid 2000's. It used to be Full Fare J to Asia was ~6500 and full Y ~5000. I used it for business travel when company only paid for Y. I put up 1500 and got a 2nd ticket.

Or even 6500 out of pocket for 2 x J was very good value.

Looks like CX Marco Polo membership is here to stay.

Your expectation is wrong. Unless the new Platinum booklet has a misprint.


thank you very much for posting that, beep88. i think that makes it pretty clear. it also implies that the MPC (gold?) is going to be a permanent benefit which would be nice.

My renewal date is Dec. 20. I will be cancelling at that time. The $399 was tough for me to justify. $699 is just out of the park. I guess its back to CIBC Aerogold , standing in regular checkin line & no more ML Lounge or Plat lounge after December. BTW, I havent been able to use my short-haul companion ticket yet this year. Every time I want to book an Aeroplan ticket (usually to YVR) there's no availability . Maybe this is a message that I shouldn't have this card anyway :td:

Priority Pass membership is $99 and then access is $27. If you want 10 free visits its $249. So where is the benefit with AMEX Plat - it ain't that expensive direct from them. And Maple Leaf lounges are borderline crap anyways (a la US lounges) if you have the AE Plat (except for AC FFs who seem to think they are something special). My Plat is history in December as well - the enhancements do not justify the price increase for my needs. I'll miss the Fairmonts in 2014 however...

I got the Canadian Amex Plat when I moved back here from the UK*. In the UK, my PP membership included FREE (well - complimentary :)) visits to the lounge, but with the fee with a visitor. Given that I was traveling regularly on a wide range of airlines (not just *A) to airports all over EMEA this was an outstanding benefit for me. When I got to Canada, even with the lower price, I was completely underwhelmed with the benefits and dropped it.

This is a MUCH better benefit, but given that the only places it would be useful would involve long haul, I would always have lounge access there in any case.

I have been cycling Amex cards trying to pick one. My 'free' Gold is up soon and was thinking of moving to the paid Plat, but I just don't see $699 of benefits here. Has anyone tried to put a price on the various benefits?

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

* - The 'Global Transfer' basically got them to send me an application for the Canadian card. There was no difference at all from what I could have done online as a new applicant.

This is not necessarily true. Global Transfer also takes care of your credit history (or, more specifically, the lack of). Typically, when you move to a new country, you are somewhat unlikely to outright apply, and be approved for, a card of the caliber of the Platinum card - Amex generally tends to be somewhat picky with applications. Global Transfer handles that since they provide your credit history, or at least assurance of, from the country of origin.

They also transfer points, which is nice (I Global Transferred a Japanese Amex to Canada, and the points moved over - had to close the JP one in so doing, though).

"For no free" ... you bet it's not going to be free.

Don't laugh at the Plats they are our bretheren.

Because once they see our fee increase, they're really going to be laughing and we won't.

Bad typo! Obviously meant for free or for no fee. Not sure how it came out the way it did :).

I was actually kind of poking fun at ourselves as cents, because with this increase to the platinum, an increase to the cent may not be too far off. If they do increase it, they can point to the $1200 price increase for up to 4 platinum cards as one of the enhancements :rolleyes: .

Can only hope that there won't be an increase because the cent is somewhat new and exclusive in Canada.

If I am not mistaken the Fairmont Platinum benefits require a completion of 5 nights to qualify.

If I am not mistaken the Fairmont Platinum benefits require a completion of 5 nights to qualify.

Correct. But if you need the status, it means you travel at least a bit - and 5 nights is not too hard... can always prepay a night or two at the nonref rate and see if you can get a stay credited.

[QUOTE=Pseudo Nim;18649031]Correct. But if you need the status, it means you travel at least a bit - and 5 nights is not too hard... can always prepay a night or two at the nonref rate and see if you can get a stay credited.[/

Amex misses the boat on the Fairmont offer. The benefits of Fairmont plat aren't so great that people who are not already Fairmont junkies will try and do 5 stays to get status. I wonder what the actual take up on this offer is.

Amex misses the boat on the Fairmont offer. The benefits of Fairmont plat aren't so great that people who are not already Fairmont junkies will try and do 5 stays to get status. I wonder what the actual take up on this offer is.

Good question. But I'm not sure I would agree that "only Fairmont junkies" use this benefit. For instance - I don't travel enough to get the 10 billion nights needed for Starwood platinum - nor Marriott. But it's useful to have *some* kind of top-tier status, I find. Fairmont upgrades me - not that it matters in some properties like the Olympic in Seattle - it's so old and stuffy that all rooms feel old and stuffy, irrespective of the number of bedrooms.

That said, one of the selectable Platinum benefits is a chef's hat. Are you really going to tell me this isn't worth becoming platinum for?!?

This is bizarre. I just got the new info package, and I actually spent some solid time reading through it, but I just can't find info on the fee increase. I know I must be blind, but one would think this would be at least SOMEWHAT obvious, despite them certainly not wanting to advertise it. I read through the letter and the various paraphernalia, but all I can see is new benefits - I can't seem to find the new fee.

Where are you seeing the increase?

Let's be clear about this: the annual fee has increased by $300 but a benefit of $200 good-as-cash has been newly added to the benefits list. The only people who cannot get $200 value from this NEW benefit (the $200 Travel Credit) are people who never travel...

... and people who cannot, will not, book one itinerary, once per year, through Platinum Travel. So let's stop calling this a big increase. It's CDN$100 more than before, and now we can discuss whether it's worth it.

For me the answer is a resounding YES because:

PriorityPass Worldwide includes 1 free guest with each lounge visit. This saves you $27 per guest visit. PP comes in handy when you fly an airline you don't have status on, or you use an airport where your airline/alliance doesn't operate a lounge. Most PP offers (BMO World Elite, Amex Plat Small Business) do not include guest visits.

OneWorld Sapphire status (Marco Polo Club Gold). I'm not aware of any card that offers actual middle-tier status (Marco Polo Gold/Oneworld Sapphire) on a major alliance airline. Cathay requires 40,000 miles of BIS flying to get this status, but here Amex is throwing it in. Sapphire status is honored when travelling internationally on all OW carriers. AA, BA, CX, will welcome you in lounges including Cathay's Arrivals Lounges in LHR and HKG, give you priority in queueing, seat selection, standby, luggage delivery.

I am happy to fork over the extra $100 for OneWorld Sapphire and PP with free guest visits. The other benefits, including hotel programs, bore me to tears because I don't stay at those hotels. I see them as gravy or whipped cream, nice stuff but not wanted on my sushi ;-)

Count me among the dissenters, I guess.

Let's be clear about this: the annual fee has increased by $300 but a benefit of $200 good-as-cash has been newly added to the benefits list. The only people who cannot get $200 value from this NEW benefit (the $200 Travel Credit) are people who never travel...

... and people who cannot, will not, book one itinerary, once per year, through Platinum Travel. So let's stop calling this a big increase. It's CDN$100 more than before, and now we can discuss whether it's worth it.

For me the answer is a resounding YES because:

PriorityPass Worldwide includes 1 free guest with each lounge visit. This saves you $27 per guest visit. PP comes in handy when you fly an airline you don't have status on, or you use an airport where your airline/alliance doesn't operate a lounge. Most PP offers (BMO World Elite, Amex Plat Small Business) do not include guest visits.

OneWorld Sapphire status (Marco Polo Club Gold). I'm not aware of any card that offers actual middle-tier status (Marco Polo Gold/Oneworld Sapphire) on a major alliance airline. Cathay requires 40,000 miles of BIS flying to get this status, but here Amex is throwing it in. Sapphire status is honored when travelling internationally on all OW carriers. AA, BA, CX, will welcome you in lounges including Cathay's Arrivals Lounges in LHR and HKG, give you priority in queueing, seat selection, standby, luggage delivery.

I am happy to fork over the extra $100 for OneWorld Sapphire and PP with free guest visits. The other benefits, including hotel programs, bore me to tears because I don't stay at those hotels. I see them as gravy or whipped cream, nice stuff but not wanted on my sushi ;-)

Count me among the dissenters, I guess.

I'm curious how the travel benefit works. Can it be hotel bookings? Or does it need to be flights? Whilst I would never book flights through the PTS (as I don't feel they have good deals - it could be my perception, though) it's the complete opposite for hotels - I only book through PTS because of FHR rates (assuming there are FHR properties where I'm going). If that qualifies for the credit, then bam, I'm happy. And I completely agree on the OW status - even though I never fly OW (but I'm considering it now that Asia Miles is a partner.... IF they have some crazy transfer bonuses, that is).

But I'm still unclear where this new annual fee is actually explicitly called out.

>> The only people who cannot get $200 value from this NEW benefit (the $200 Travel Credit) are people who never travel...

Assuming they will book the same deal(and not costing more) as you can get through other channels.

>> I'm curious how the travel benefit works. Can it be hotel bookings?

I believe so. But it can only be applied once per calendar year, for 1 single booking(i.e. can't be split).

but all I can see is new benefits - I can't seem to find the new fee.

Where are you seeing the increase?

1. cover letter, middle, a separate paragraph with the appropriate heading (I don't have the letter with me now so can't quote the exact words)

2. plain white paper brochures - there are two. One is the Terms for the Platinum (and Gold) card. Another brochure for all the new changes - Increased fee, privacy related re. exchange of information between AMEX Bank Canada and AMEX Canada/Travel Service

1. cover letter, middle, a separate paragraph with the appropriate heading (I don't have the letter with me now so can't quote the exact words)

2. plain white paper brochures - there are two. One is the Terms for the Platinum (and Gold) card. Another brochure for all the new changes - Increased fee, privacy related re. exchange of information between AMEX Bank Canada and AMEX Canada/Travel Service

That's what I would think. But it's not there, in either one. I'll scan and post my letter in a minute.

What about Starwood Gold? Fairmont PLAT5?

For a $699 annual fee I would expect a 200,000 MR point sign-up bonus.

Here are the scans of my letter of changes and the notice of changes. No mention of $699, or any annual fee change, in fact. Those whose it explicitly mentions the $699 fee, could you post your scan for reference?

http://i.imgur.com/66f3V.png
http://i.imgur.com/RQTmA.png
http://i.imgur.com/Z6LEq.png

because you got the card for free and fee increase will not apply to you?

What about Starwood Gold? Fairmont PLAT5?

For a $699 annual fee I would expect a 200,000 MR point sign-up bonus.

And the Centurion should get 5 million :o

because you got the card for free and fee increase will not apply to you?

I guess, but I didn't think that they would actually have a whole separate T&Cs for this.

Looks like CX Marco Polo membership is here to stay.

I noticed that too. At least we now seem to have an answer to the question of whether or not the offer of a complimentary "one year membership" in Marco Polo Gold was a one time thing. I suppose this somewhat eases the pain of the 75% fee increase. Most of the new benefits seem pretty lame to me, particularly the $200 travel credit... Congratulations, we are increasing your annual fee by $300, but we will credit $200 of it back to you IF you book travel through us. Not a bad deal for them. :rolleyes:

Retail price for the PP (Prestige level with no guest priviledge) is 299. AMEX Plat version is with 1 guest free.

Here are the scans of my letter of changes and the notice of changes. No mention of $699, or any annual fee change, in fact. Those whose it explicitly mentions the $699 fee, could you post your scan for reference?



Your letter is quite interesting. There are some missing lines compared with mine. In the first paragraph, my letter states in bold- Please read the enclosed Important Notice of Changes to the Platinum Card, including a change to the Basic Card annual fee -located in the enclosed Important Documents folder.

Between the 'A Platinum experience away from home' and Privacy paragraphs, there is a paragraph that says, again in bold - Your annual fee is changing.

Is your card a personal card or business card ?

If we can apply for a card at 399$ (before the fees increase) and have the 200$ credit it would be an excellent deal. However, not sure if it work like that...

1. cover letter, middle, a separate paragraph with the appropriate heading (I don't have the letter with me now so can't quote the exact words)

2. plain white paper brochures - there are two. One is the Terms for the Platinum (and Gold) card. Another brochure for all the new changes - Increased fee, privacy related re. exchange of information between AMEX Bank Canada and AMEX Canada/Travel Service

My package was exactly like yours -- the fee increase is very easy to see...

Good question. But I'm not sure I would agree that "only Fairmont junkies" use this benefit. For instance - I don't travel enough to get the 10 billion nights needed for Starwood platinum - nor Marriott. But it's useful to have *some* kind of top-tier status, I find. Fairmont upgrades me - not that it matters in some properties like the Olympic in Seattle - it's so old and stuffy that all rooms feel old and stuffy, irrespective of the number of bedrooms.

That said, one of the selectable Platinum benefits is a chef's hat. Are you really going to tell me this isn't worth becoming platinum for?!?

Except you get Starwood Gold without having to do any stays, and is Fairmont platinum really much better than Starwood Gold (i.e. aren't they really just varieties of mustard ?).

Or, use the FHR program, which can give you some benefits - though you are paying more for the Plat treatment...

If we can apply for a card at 399$ (before the fees increase) and have the 200$ credit it would be an excellent deal. However, not sure if it work like that...

My understanding:

The increased fee starts June 29th. If you got a card and your first statement closes before that, you should get charged the current rate for the first year, and the new rate on your anniversary date a year from now.

If you apply now, I would assume that your first statement would close at least 30 days from now, so that would be after the new rate has kicked in.

The $200 is available after June 29th. The next $200 is available on January 1st.

Here are the scans of my letter of changes and the notice of changes. No mention of $699, or any annual fee change, in fact. Those whose it explicitly mentions the $699 fee, could you post your scan for reference?

http://i.imgur.com/66f3V.png
http://i.imgur.com/RQTmA.png
http://i.imgur.com/Z6LEq.png

http://i50.tinypic.com/f3tm5t.jpg

My understanding:

The increased fee starts June 29th. If you got a card and your first statement closes before that, you should get charged the current rate for the first year, and the new rate on your anniversary date a year from now.

If you apply now, I would assume that your first statement would close at least 30 days from now, so that would be after the new rate has kicked in.

The $200 is available after June 29th. The next $200 is available on January 1st.

I was tempted to get my friend to apply another AMEX (got mail invite last month, expires 5/31 I think with $399 fee)


so I'm confused (well, I couldn't easily see the $699 increase in my BIG package today too.. I must be getting old)

my card is due for renewal in Oct 2012
- do I get all the new benefits after June 29 automatically, WITHOUT paying more fee, until renewal?
- or once I agree (and sign, mail it back), I gave consent to new benefits (and new fees) right away?


I'd love to use PP, $200 credit, CC Gold before my renewal
SPG Gold...I requested 3 times and never came, so I gave up


don't need other benefits as much (especially Golf Club)

already have FHR, PTS set up, and MPC Gold

I just thought of this, but do these new hotel membership benefits imply that Amex FHR will no longer be available? I don't see any mention of FHR in the new package. :eek:

http://i50.tinypic.com/f3tm5t.jpg

HOLY... my letter is ALMOST exactly the same as yours

but NO FEE INCREASE above the Privacy section


what gives... I'd renew at $399 :)

see above post (I joined Oct 2011, renewal up in Oct 2012)

HOLY... my letter is ALMOST exactly the same as yours

but NO FEE INCREASE above the Privacy section


what gives... I'd renew at $399 :)


When did you join? Maybe it has to do with renewal cycle timing. :confused:

Edit: Sorry, missed that you mentioned Oct. 2011. I bet it has to do with that (Guessing). Guarantee you'll be $699 in 2013. They probably don't want to hit brand new members with this lovely surprise too soon after you joined. ;)

Except you get Starwood Gold without having to do any stays, and is Fairmont platinum really much better than Starwood Gold (i.e. aren't they really just varieties of mustard ?).

Or, use the FHR program, which can give you some benefits - though you are paying more for the Plat treatment...

Of course Fairmont Platinum is better than SPG Gold. I don't think SPG gold gets you *anything* - whereas at the very least Fairmont Platinum gets you a free night cert (worth up to $700 at the Plaza in NYC - or $900 if you pair that with a room upgrade cert), as well as food/beverage credits here and there and guaranteed room upgrades with your certs. In fact, if you are going to NYC or LHR anyway and can luck out on a Plaza/Savoy stay, that'll easily offset the annual fee by itself.

HOLY... my letter is ALMOST exactly the same as yours

but NO FEE INCREASE above the Privacy section


what gives... I'd renew at $399 :)

see above post (I joined Oct 2011, renewal up in Oct 2012)

This is really weird. Are you getting it free with AeroPlat or it's literally separate and you're paying the regular fee? Since when are you with Amex in general? Maybe a grandfathering thing?

When did you join? Maybe it has to do with renewal cycle timing. :confused:

Edit: Sorry, missed that you mentioned Oct. 2011. I bet it has to do with that (Guessing). Guarantee you'll be $699 in 2013. They probably don't want to hit brand new members with this lovely surprise too soon after you joined. ;)

Mine was in June 2011...

Mine was in June 2011...

My sister joined in 2011. I'll ask her if her fee went up and report back.

Does anyone know what would happen to your Fairmont Status (suppose you reached Platinum after 5 nights) upon cancellation of your Amex? I know the Fairmont fine print says they reserve the right to cancel your membership if you are no longer an Amex cardholder.. Does that apply once you've reached the status (and say if you got the free night cert, etc?) My Amex is up for renewal next May and I'm sure I'll get 5 nights of Fairmont this year to qualify for next year, but I'm not going to renew at $699 given those benefits, and hopefully won't lose the free night cert because of that!

Does anyone know what would happen to your Fairmont Status (suppose you reached Platinum after 5 nights) upon cancellation of your Amex? I know the Fairmont fine print says they reserve the right to cancel your membership if you are no longer an Amex cardholder.. Does that apply once you've reached the status (and say if you got the free night cert, etc?) My Amex is up for renewal next May and I'm sure I'll get 5 nights of Fairmont this year to qualify for next year, but I'm not going to renew at $699 given those benefits, and hopefully won't lose the free night cert because of that!


I would say, chances are, they wouldn't catch it until it was time for you to re-qualify next year, at which point you would have to meet the minimum qualification threshold for non-Platinum members (30 nights?).

I was tempted to get my friend to apply another AMEX (got mail invite last month, expires 5/31 I think with $399 fee)


so I'm confused (well, I couldn't easily see the $699 increase in my BIG package today too.. I must be getting old)

my card is due for renewal in Oct 2012
- do I get all the new benefits after June 29 automatically, WITHOUT paying more fee, until renewal?
- or once I agree (and sign, mail it back), I gave consent to new benefits (and new fees) right away?


I'd love to use PP, $200 credit, CC Gold before my renewal
SPG Gold...I requested 3 times and never came, so I gave up


don't need other benefits as much (especially Golf Club)

already have FHR, PTS set up, and MPC Gold

I would suspect that you would get the benefits as of Jun 29th, and you'll get the new rate on renewal in Oct 2012.

My renewal will be Sep (I'm not a new card holder), and my package had the price increase details in it...

The CX/One World lounge benefit, the Priority Pass benefit, and $200 credit for booking throught the Platinum AMEX travel agent (and I believe the booking fees through that agent are now waived?) might be worth the extra $300.

The Fairmont privilege was there before - and now that SEs such as myself can get it after a one night stay at a non-Western Hemisphere Fairmont, this benefit is not that big a deal.

I wonder how the new AMEX Platinum benefits compare to the current US AMEX Platinum benefits, or to the current Canadian AMEX Centurion benefits? Does the Canadian Centurion give any benefits to other lounge access, not available to Canadian AMEX Platinum cardholders? I guess that the Canadian AMEX Centurion card still does not give any tier status with any airline frequent flyer program, as is the case with the current US AMEX Centurion card?

PS-I do not understand the new Pearson parking benefits. Does the discount apply to long term parking? Is valet parking free at the long term parking lot - assuming long term parking is offered there?

my card is due for renewal in Oct 2012
- do I get all the new benefits after June 29 automatically, WITHOUT paying more fee, until renewal?
- or once I agree (and sign, mail it back), I gave consent to new benefits (and new fees) right away?

1. correct. in fact it explicitly states you can get your $200 credit after June 29.
2. new benefits apply after June 29. new annual fee billed at your next anniversary after June 29.

I tried to see if I can "prepay" my annual fee which isn't due until September. They said no. I asked if they can waive my AeroPlatinum fee, they said no again. LOL.

I just thought of this, but do these new hotel membership benefits imply that Amex FHR will no longer be available? I don't see any mention of FHR in the new package. :eek:


See thick colour book page 21. it's still included.

I just thought of this, but do these new hotel membership benefits imply that Amex FHR will no longer be available? I don't see any mention of FHR in the new package. :eek:

Never mind, it does mention FHR in the new material after all. False alarm.

See thick colour book page 21. it's still included.

Got it. Thanks. :)

I just thought of this, but do these new hotel membership benefits imply that Amex FHR will no longer be available? I don't see any mention of FHR in the new package. :eek:

it's mentioned in the right-hand column in the last bullet point at the bottom in the image that Pseudo Nim posted:

http://i.imgur.com/66f3V.png

[edit: i see others have answered the question minutes before i did. oops!]

Here are the scans of my letter of changes and the notice of changes. No mention of $699, or any annual fee change, in fact.

I get the same letter as yours. I can't find any information for this new $699 fee. I upgraded from Gold to Platinum last month. AMEX has charged $399 fee in the first statement of the Platinum card. :confused:will they charge extra $300 after June 29?

Thanks for all the answers, confirms my assumption
I'm gonna fill out the new benefits form to mail back then, to get my PP, CC Gold before renewal

Does PTS book flights (and same price as AC online?)? we just email the say YYZ-SFO, and 2 dates?

I shall email to check, I've only used it to book AMEX FHR (and got awesome upgrades)


I'll miss AMEX Plat dearly (I'm with AMEX since 2001, but PLAT only since Oct 2011)
- got great FHR upgrades
- used YYZ lounge
- got Fairmont PLAT for 2012 AND 2013
- got MPC Gold

Thanks for all the answers, confirms my assumption
I'm gonna fill out the new benefits form to mail back then, to get my PP, CC Gold before renewal

Does PTS book flights (and same price as AC online?)? we just email the say YYZ-SFO, and 2 dates?

I shall email to check, I've only used it to book AMEX FHR (and got awesome upgrades)


I'll miss AMEX Plat dearly (I'm with AMEX since 2001, but PLAT only since Oct 2011)
- got great FHR upgrades
- used YYZ lounge
- got Fairmont PLAT for 2012 AND 2013
- got MPC Gold

You're assuming you're getting the fee increase - what if you never do though? Hehe.

I wonder how the new AMEX Platinum benefits compare to the current US AMEX Platinum benefits, or to the current Canadian AMEX Centurion benefits? Does the Canadian Centurion give any benefits to other lounge access, not available to Canadian AMEX Platinum cardholders? I guess that the Canadian AMEX Centurion card still does not give any tier status with any airline frequent flyer program, as is the case with the current US AMEX Centurion card?


As CDN Cents we get Delta Gold and Cathay Diamond.

For lounges, we get Maple Leaf Club World Wide and what is sounding now like an inferior Priority Pass, as we don't get to guest people for free AFAIK.

We're still behind the US Plats.

For those of you who have already received The CX Marco Polo Gold card through AMEX Plat(I didn't bother initially because I already have OW Sapphire through BA) do you have to qualify after the initial offering each year by flying the minimum miles or does it roll over regardless like the SPG Gold membership? While not particularly happy about the $300 increase I can see value for me as I stay in Sofitels and Radisson Blu's in Europe so the top tier cards from Accor and Club Carlson will come in handy as no way I would make the minimum qualifying nights to earn them. Plus although the card is expensive I've had the Plat since 1991 and and AMEX has really helped me out over the years in situations with airlines and hotels that has earned them my loyalty.

Haven't received the package yet so can't read all the fine print and notes. My payment date is December, though my card recently went from an 01 to an 02 expiry (2016) dated card. Also got a 40th anniversary email a month or so ago, having become an Amex green member in 1972. Wish they'd bring back the "charter member" notation on the Plat card too. Got mine the first year it was introduced, which I think was about 20 years ago. (Got a sterling silver Dansk paperweight/clock for one of the anniversaries of the Platinum card.)

I've got the basic Priority Pass membership from my BMO/Diners card, but this is the enhanced version which provides free lounge access without the $26 per visit charge.

Don't like the idea of the fee increase, $699 is a pretty steep increase from $399. $200 credit off-sets most of it, but the Carlson Gold comes too late for the three Radisson/Plaza/CountryInn stays I have during June. I've used the "free" second premium class ticket a couple of times over the years, so it can be a valuable benefit and off sets the balance of the fee increase.

And then there's the major change to MR announced a month or two ago on the associated Plat credit card.

Oh well, time to move some MR points across to my AE account and take advantage of the 20% bonus. Not much else to do with MR points.

Priority Pass membership is $99 and then access is $27. If you want 10 free visits its $249. So where is the benefit with AMEX Plat - it ain't that expensive direct from them. And Maple Leaf lounges are borderline crap anyways (a la US lounges) if you have the AE Plat (except for AC FFs who seem to think they are something special). My Plat is history in December as well - the enhancements do not justify the price increase for my needs. I'll miss the Fairmonts in 2014 however...

The $299 version PP covers the per visit charge, so it is different from the $99 version.

Final post for tonight, but can anyone clarify the Marco Polo Club/One World Sapphire benefit? I have taken advantage of the offer we got earlier this year but it expires in November. Is this now a permanent benefit as long as one remains an Amex Plat cardholder? Or just a referring of the same promo?

Final post for tonight, but can anyone clarify the Marco Polo Club/One World Sapphire benefit? I have taken advantage of the offer we got earlier this year but it expires in November. Is this now a permanent benefit as long as one remains an Amex Plat cardholder? Or just a referring of the same promo?

I think so, on the form it doesn't say one-year, just says AMEX may notify CX/MPC when card is cancelled and CX will give you options


Just saw this on RFD though...interesting
but I doubt AMEX will charge new annual fee before renewal..doesn't make sense


Few hours ago, I talked to a rep. of A.E. He told me the new fees of $699.- will be effective on June 22, 2012.

I seem to have noticed a distinct difference on the $200 credit for canadian plats vs american plats. whereas the canadian information states:

"You will have access to a $200 Annual Travel Credit for Platinum Card Travel Service bookings, compliments of your Platinum Card. You will be able to use the credit once annually towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card through Platinum Car Travel Service from Amex Canada Inc."

The american info states:
"Benefit is available to Consumer and Business Platinum Card® and Centurion® members only. To receive statement credits of up to $200 a year toward incidental air travel fees… Incidental air travel fees must be charged on the enrolled Card account for the benefit to apply. Incidental air travel fees must be separate charges from airline ticket charges."

So it appears to me that the US and canadian credits are for two very different things. The canadian one appears to be a credit towards a booking whereas the american is for incidentals such as baggage fees and specifically excludes plane fare et al. This effectively negates $200 of the annual fee if you spend at least $200 in travel per year for things you must book (hotel, air fare). I was wondering if i even had $200/year of "incidental charges" for travel but now this is not important. So $100 for PP for myself and my wife isn't too bad. Although I was initially horrified by the increase, it's beginning to look somewhat attractive. And the two hotel status might be worth something in some places in europe where starwood is somewhat weak.

my renewal is march 2013.. so can I use the $200 credit as of June 29 and again as of Jan 1 2013... before my renewal date ?
If so I might just renew !
Also the $500 aria credit i just got for my june vegas trip !!
almost make the $699 painless !!

I seem to have noticed a distinct difference on the $200 credit for canadian plats vs american plats. whereas the canadian information states:

"You will have access to a $200 Annual Travel Credit for Platinum Card Travel Service bookings, compliments of your Platinum Card. You will be able to use the credit once annually towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card through Platinum Car Travel Service from Amex Canada Inc."


Do any of the Cents know if we get this benefit with our supplemental Platinum cards?

Haven't received the package yet so can't read all the fine print and notes. My payment date is December, though my card recently went from an 01 to an 02 expiry (2016) dated card. Also got a 40th anniversary email a month or so ago, having become an Amex green member in 1972. Wish they'd bring back the "charter member" notation on the Plat card too. Got mine the first year it was introduced, which I think was about 20 years ago. (Got a sterling silver Dansk paperweight/clock for one of the anniversaries of the Platinum card.)

I've got the basic Priority Pass membership from my BMO/Diners card, but this is the enhanced version which provides free lounge access without the $26 per visit charge.

Don't like the idea of the fee increase, $699 is a pretty steep increase from $399. $200 credit off-sets most of it, but the Carlson Gold comes too late for the three Radisson/Plaza/CountryInn stays I have during June. I've used the "free" second premium class ticket a couple of times over the years, so it can be a valuable benefit and off sets the balance of the fee increase.

And then there's the major change to MR announced a month or two ago on the associated Plat credit card.

Oh well, time to move some MR points across to my AE account and take advantage of the 20% bonus. Not much else to do with MR points.

1972? My hat off to you, sir. Although that does answer my question about charter member - I had that on the AeroPlat when it came out, churned it to something else, then got it again, but of course sans the CM - so I'm guessing once the renewal came, I'd have gotten a standard non-CM one anyway. I wonder if there are any charter Centurion cards? Heh.

What credit card MR changes are you referring to? Have they started a MR-earning CC so the Costco brigade can partake?

So it appears to me that the US and canadian credits are for two very different things.

Agreed, the Canadian benefit seems more similar to another (seldom discussed) USA Platinum feature called Annual Travel Benefit: To receive a $100 statement credit, use an American Express Card to purchase vacation of at least $3,000 through American Express Travel. Limit one credit per Card account, per year. Credit posted to Cardmember's account 3-4 weeks after completion of travel.

... Marco Polo Club/One World Sapphire benefit? ... Is this now a permanent benefit as long as one remains an Amex Plat cardholder?

The consensus in this thread is that the CX status benefit is now permanent, but the consensus in the parallel thread discussing the UK Platinum fee increase is that the CX status is for one year only:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1335154-uk-platinum-increase-450-july-2012-what-new-benefits.html

I have no opinion about which is correct, but I will be surprised if the arrangment is not the same in both markets.

I should think that if it were a non-recurring benefit, it would be stated as such - for instance, the golf membership benefit is explicitly stated as non-renewing and you need to do 2 stays per year in a golf property to maintain it.

I have been analyzing the benfits of my card for the last 6 months. I was dissapointed to find out 6 months ago that we didn't get the PP full package in Canada like our counterparts in the US which they got last year . I was told told by an Amex sr Dir it was due to the size of our market...

The new package we received this month for a $300 increase includes the same benefits the US cardholders do + valet in Toronto (but let's face it, not all of us care about this one.....) and yet the US folks pay only $499 in annual fees... must be a market thing Again....

I think Amex platinum will be loosing a lot of members.

... valet in Toronto ...

DOES amex REALIZE not everyone in canada lives in Toronto.
Why not include some kind of airport parking credit for all of canada.

Plat for biz in Canada already has some differences from the personal one (no CX status for example). Anyone with info on renewal/program changes for Plat for biz?

For those of you who have already received The CX Marco Polo Gold card through AMEX Plat(I didn't bother initially because I already have OW Sapphire through BA) do you have to qualify after the initial offering each year by flying the minimum miles or does it roll over regardless like the SPG Gold membership?

Don't think there is any explicit statement on this, and it's not more than 1 year since they first offered the Gold card back in October. So we don't know.

What credit card MR changes are you referring to? Have they started a MR-earning CC so the Costco brigade can partake?

The "Platinum Companion Credit Card" no longer earns MR.... something like that. A card that never leaves my safety deposit box.

I just cancelled my Platinum last month after I could no longer justify spending 400 bucks on a card that's clearly meant for Toronto-based travel warriors who often/mostly travel on their company's dime.

To all those fellow Plat's who are thinking of canceling their card, I recommend the following.

1) Because the Plat already gives us SPG Gold, contact Radisson (goldpointsplus@carlson.com), including a screen shot of your SPG status, and get them to do a status match, which will give you Silver Elite status. This way, you get of the one of the new benefits of the $699 card without having to pay for it!

2) Apply for the AMEX business Gold. The first year's free (including supplementary cards) and if you spend $3000 in the first 3 months, there's a bonus of 25,000 MR points. You'd have to spend $20,000 with the Platinum card to get that!

3) Call in to cancel your Platinum and let them know why! You might be given a reduced rate to stay with them, but why should you if you're getting all those MR points and don't need the travel benefits?

I'll keep it despite the fee increase. I only use Amex travel once or twice a year to get the FHR benefits but I make good use of it when I do use it and the $200 credit offsets most of the increase. Of more benefit to me will be the GTAA parking discount and free valet. I'm not known for arriving early and I've had to use the valet service several times (6 according to my last year's statement!) in order to make my flight. Free PP is nice too for those odd airports without a nearby *Gold lounge. In fact, the benefits are improved enough that I'll probably get Mrs. TD a supplementary Plat card.

Do any of the Cents know if we get this benefit with our supplemental Platinum cards?

Unfortunately, no.

Here are the updates I got when I called Amex Centurion:

The Carlson and Accor elite memberships will be available to Centurion cardholders.

They have not decided on CX Diamond being a permanent feature yet. Supplementary cardholders will NOT get CX status. So our free Platinum supplementary cards will not enjoy this benefit.

The YYZ Valet Service will be available to Centurion cardholders.

Preferred Golf Membership will be available to Centurion cardholders.

Priority Pass program for Centurion is actually inferior to that of the Platinum program because Centurion PP cannot admit guest for free. However, Centurion is working on it. In the mean time, they say, if a Centurion PP cardholder wants to invite a guest, he would have to pay the fee to get in. But the fee will be credited manually if he calls into Centurion customer service.

$200 Annual Travel Credit is NOT available for Centurion cardholders.

They said they have received a lot of phone calls about this. And they said they are now evaluating the possibility of additional benefits of the Centurion card in light of the enhancement of benefits of the Platinum card.

So I encourage the Centurion members to call in and give them pressure.;)

Let us say that CX Diamond status is a permanent feature of Centurion card, and CX Gold status is a permanent feature of the AMEX Platinumc card.

What are the differences in benefit between these 2 type of CX frequent flyer status?

The main thing that is precluding me from getting the Centurion card (I have declined to join for now, but I have left the option of changing my mind, if the features were to increase) is that the benefits of the AMEX Platinum plus AMEX Aeroplus Platinum (which I am getting on a complimentary basis as an original AMEX platinum cardholder), plus SE status are such, that very few additional benefits would be enjoyed by me if I become a Centurion card holder - the main reason to get a Centurion card is if the travel benefits were sufficient, to justify the initial entry fee of $5000, and the annual fee of $250.

If the Canadian AMEX Centurion card were to give an AC top tier (ie SE) status (is Diamond status with CX top tier status?), I would take the card. If the Canadian AMEX card were to give top tier status with another Star Alliance carrier, in lieu of SE status with AC/Aeroplan, I would take the card. If the Centurion card were to give a free companion ticket with any business class (from J to Z fares) on any route that AC flies, without limit on an annual basis, I would take the Centurion card.

And then there's the major change to MR announced a month or two ago on the associated Plat credit card.

I have not heard of this change? What is it? Does this change, whatever it is, also apply to the Canadian AMEX Aeroplus Platinum card.

Nicely summarized Jarusoba.

Are there actually any courses via The golfing membership that we can use around the GTA area?

Nicely summarized Jarusoba.

Are there actually any courses via The golfing membership that we can use around the GTA area?

Not when I looked last night (I don't even play Golf, why give a golf membership)

Only golf course is in Canmore, Alberta (WTH...)
GRANDE ROCKIES RESORT
CANMORE, ALBERTA, CANADA

http://www.preferredgolf.com/golf-resorts/

WTG amex... one golf course we can play in all of canada with this useless golf membership !!
why not give us complimintary kangaroo rides in alaska !!
or better still camel rides down the vegas strip !!

Nicely summarized Jarusoba.

Are there actually any courses via The golfing membership that we can use around the GTA area?

there must be, considering Amex Canada thinks the world turns around YYZ :P

Not when I looked last night (I don't even play Golf, why give a golf membership)

Only golf course is in Canmore, Alberta (WTH...)
GRANDE ROCKIES RESORT
CANMORE, ALBERTA, CANADA

http://www.preferredgolf.com/golf-resorts/

Funny this benefit was the first thing the AMEX rep cited as an enhancement to justify the $300 increase. I cut her off before she had a chance to finish the sentence. lol




I have not heard of this change? What is it? Does this change, whatever it is, also apply to the Canadian AMEX Aeroplus Platinum card.

Aeroplus Platinum does not include the companion credit card or Membership Reward so the change doesn't affect you.

Aeroplus Platinum does not include the companion credit card or Membership Reward so the change doesn't affect you.

I think he also carries the standard Platinum, so the question remains - what is this change?

I think he also carries the standard Platinum, so the question remains - what is this change?

Post #103 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18660049-post103.html

No MR points for Companion Credit Card

Post #103 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18660049-post103.html

No MR points for Companion Credit Card

whoops, missed that. companion *credit* card? i didn't even know that existed.

Any idea what happens to those who get both Amex Plat and Aeroplan Plat for one fee ($499)? If someone just renewed the AP Plat before June 29, will the Amex Plat be free for 2012 (assuming it's not due for renewal until after June 29)?

whoops, missed that. companion *credit* card? i didn't even know that existed.

Me neither. What's the point of it other than being able to carry a balance?

Any idea what happens to those who get both Amex Plat and Aeroplan Plat for one fee ($499)? If someone just renewed the AP Plat before June 29, will the Amex Plat be free for 2012 (assuming it's not due for renewal until after June 29)?

We'll find out. :) I plan on fighting tooth and nail for mine. I called in to try to get some MR points as a retention bonus on my card, and the rep was incredulous that I not only get it for free already, but also got a signup bonus. He suggested I shut up, keep the card and be happy, as nobody gets that anymore. In much more polite words, of course. So I had him go on record stating that I'm going to keep the card free. I didn't know about the increased fees at the time..... so we'll see. :) I would expect that *this* year it's definitely going to be free, as for subsequent ones - might have to fight every year to eventually lose it (afaik even grandfathered Cents eventually had their annual fees raised).

Funny this benefit was the first thing the AMEX rep cited as an enhancement to justify the $300 increase. I cut her off before she had a chance to finish the sentence. lol





Aeroplus Platinum does not include the companion credit card or Membership Reward so the change doesn't affect you.


The Canadian AMEX Aeroplus Platinum card does include companion AMEX Aeroplus Gold cards, linked to the primary cardholder's platinum card. The companion card does accrue Aeroplan miles, for the primary cardholder.

In my case, I use the Aeroplus Platinum and companion Gold card for personal expenses, and to get Aeroplan Miles from both of us. If the ability for my wife to accrue Aeroplan miles on my account was limited or revoked, then would be a major problem for me.

In my case, I use the AMEX Platinum card for business expenses. I have never obtained a companion card. So the loss of MR earning ability for the Canadian AMEX Platinum companion card is no big deal for me.

Any idea what happens to those who get both Amex Plat and Aeroplan Plat for one fee ($499)? If someone just renewed the AP Plat before June 29, will the Amex Plat be free for 2012 (assuming it's not due for renewal until after June 29)?

Well, my letter includes no notice of a fee increase, so I'm gonna assume that unless they increase the AeroPlat to $699 that I'll be paying $499 for the two cards...

So I encourage the Centurion members to call in and give them pressure TO RAISE OUR ANNUAL FEE ALSO.;)

FYP LOL.

What are the conditions of the valet parking at YYZ? Is this the $20 surcharge on top of the regular parking rate or does it mean completely free parking?

I do think that at the level of the Cent, and to a certain extent, the Platinum, it should no longer be about being able to match annual fee, dollar for dollar, with the amount of benefit you get. The truth is with the Cent, there are a lot of special offers to events that you can't really put a price on. My wife is a huge foodie and got to meet 3 celebrity chefs at Toronto Taste on Sunday. Wouldn't have been able to get this experience without the Cent.

FYP LOL.
:D

Seriously, if they introduced really kick-... benefits, I wouldn't mind paying more! But I am not holding my breath. I find most of the Centurion benefits bordering useless.

What are the conditions of the valet parking at YYZ? Is this the $20 surcharge on top of the regular parking rate or does it mean completely free parking?

Don't know yet. This is one benefit that I wouldn't be using. I don't want other people touch my vehicle.

I have never obtained a companion card. So the loss of MR earning ability for the Canadian AMEX Platinum companion card is no big deal for me.

I'm sorry, I need to get clarification on this. Where has Amex stated that companion charge cards tied to a Platinum card will no longer earn MR points? I'm talking about a companion Platinum or Gold charge card. I can't recall ever receiving such notice. Up to and including my most recent statement, I have earned MR base and bonus points on my total balance owing (i.e. primary + companion balances).

I'd love to check this out on my own, but the "Discover Platinum (http://www.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/canada/english/FrontServlet?request_type=PlatinumHome&page=CM)" link from the Amex.ca Platinum Card page doesn't seem to work.

:D

Don't know yet. This is one benefit that I wouldn't be using. I don't want other people touch my vehicle.

Nothing worse than valet parking. Know of someone whose car had a blown valve because a valet drove it that hard. Found out only next day, couldn't prove it back to the valet, spent 6K on repairs :(

:D

Seriously, if they introduced really kick-... benefits, I wouldn't mind paying more! But I am not holding my breath. I find most of the Centurion benefits bordering useless.


Don't know yet. This is one benefit that I wouldn't be using. I don't want other people touch my vehicle.

Definitely had great "value" so far this first year as Cent.

Your car must be too nice :). I valet because of the convenience, even though I think about Ferris Bueller's Day Off on occasion. Especially at the airport, it's really nice to stop right in front of the terminal.

FYP LOL.

What are the conditions of the valet parking at YYZ? Is this the $20 surcharge on top of the regular parking rate or does it mean completely free parking?


what do you think? there's no free lunch

It's $25 ON TOP of parking fees, I assume in the $$$ Terminal 1 parkade too (not the long-term lot or the new big parkade by train)

Easily google'd
http://www.torontopearson.com/en/valet_care/


Rates
$25.00 / One Time Premium Fee. Additional regular Daily Park rates apply.

Definitely had great "value" so far this first year as Cent.

Your car must be too nice :). I valet because of the convenience, even though I think about Ferris Bueller's Day Off on occasion. Especially at the airport, it's really nice to stop right in front of the terminal.

mmm. I would say any car that is owned, rather than leased, shouldn't be valet'd. i'm probably exaggerating - but if you're buying a car with the intention of owning it, you should know who drives it and how, i'd say - not much to do with the value of the car (although that is a factor, of course).

mmm. I would say any car that is owned, rather than leased, shouldn't be valet'd. i'm probably exaggerating - but if you're buying a car with the intention of owning it, you should know who drives it and how, i'd say - not much to do with the value of the car (although that is a factor, of course).

Agreed. I lease for a variety of reasons, including enjoying a different car more frequently. Serving included in the lease also.

what do you think? there's no free lunch

It's $25 ON TOP of parking fees, I assume in the $$$ Terminal 1 parkade too (not the long-term lot or the new big parkade by train)

Easily google'd
http://www.torontopearson.com/en/valet_care/

Scanned doc earlier in the thread says Valet Service with a condition that I don't have access to. Valet Service does not equal Valet Care. Perhaps it is with Park N Fly Valet that already has a lot of really big online coupons. Obviously I do not know, but am curious for the answer, not an assumption... hence the question.

What if the condition for completely free valet and airport parking is booking a flight with PTS or CTS? They do offer a 100% free limo ride to or from the airport when booking with them under certain conditions.

Whatever the condition, I would be happy to save the $25 with "no free lunch" since I use the service anyways.

The Canadian AMEX Aeroplus Platinum card does include companion AMEX Aeroplus Gold cards, linked to the primary cardholder's platinum card. The companion card does accrue Aeroplan miles, for the primary cardholder.


Please read what I wrote again. Companion Credit Card. You cannot possibly have any AMEX Aeroplan Credit Card. CIBC has the exclusive right to issue Aeroplan CREDIT card.

You have AMEX Aeroplan CHARGE cards.

Scanned doc earlier in the thread says Valet Service with a condition that I don't have access to. Valet Service does not equal Valet Care. Perhaps it is with Park N Fly Valet that already has a lot of really big online coupons. Obviously I do not know, but am curious for the answer, not an assumption... hence the question.

Whatever the condition, I would be happy to save the $25 with "no free lunch" since I use the service anyways.
This service is called Valet Care Service.

And it has nothing to do with Park N Fly.

I think you will be able to save the $25 valet care service charge.

A little while ago, at the AC SE event that they showcased the 787 jet, when I left the parking garage, the garage attendant gave all AC SEs who attended a brochure outlining this Valet Care Service. They enclosed a complimentary voucher for us to use.

I guess Amex members will be able to access this free service. Of course the $28 a day parking fee still applies but may be 15% discount would apply.

I'm sorry, I need to get clarification on this. Where has Amex stated that companion charge cards tied to a Platinum card will no longer earn MR points? I'm talking about a companion Platinum or Gold charge card. I can't recall ever receiving such notice. Up to and including my most recent statement, I have earned MR base and bonus points on my total balance owing (i.e. primary + companion balances).
.

Platinum Companion CREDIT Card no longer earns MR points. You said Charge card, not me.

Probably you never have a companion credit card to begin with (which was "mandatory" handed out back then - I tried to cancel it but couldn't), hence no notification to you.

Platinum Companion CREDIT Card no longer earns MR points. You said Charge card, not me.

Probably you never have a companion credit card to begin with (which was "mandatory" handed out back then - I tried to cancel it but couldn't), hence no notification to you.

Thanks for clarifying. The post I quoted didn't specify credit or charge, that's why I bolded my question to make sure it was clear.

Thanks for helping out.

Platinum Companion CREDIT Card no longer earns MR points. You said Charge card, not me.

Probably you never have a companion credit card to begin with (which was "mandatory" handed out back then - I tried to cancel it but couldn't), hence no notification to you.

I too am confused. What is a companion Platinum Credit card to the AMEX Canadian Platinum charge card? Is it still offered, instead of the (optional, for a fee) supplementary (or "companion") Platinum charge card?

I also have the Plat for free under the AP Plat. Anybody call in yet and ask?? My letter does not include the fee increase, my card is dated 6/15.

I also have the Plat for free under the AP Plat. Anybody call in yet and ask?? My letter does not include the fee increase, my card is dated 6/15.

I'm not sure I'd call and explicitly *ask* (I have a perpetual fear of raising undue attention) but when I called and tried to get retention the agent politely told me to be quiet and enjoy the free card. I said, so does that mean I'm keeping the card free from here on - to which he said that there's a note on my file that it's free, so it should stay such. Best I could do, I suppose :)

Fuuny now AMEX is calling me to say my Business Gold has been pre-approved for upgrade to Business Platinum. Fee stays at 399. He claims CX gold is included and on-going but I doubt it, and he's not 100% sure.

update: the CX benefit is for one year on the Biz Plat. No bonus for sign up. So no reason to take up this phone offer. I could at least refer myself and get the referral.

I too am confused. What is a companion Platinum Credit card to the AMEX Canadian Platinum charge card? Is it still offered, instead of the (optional, for a fee) supplementary (or "companion") Platinum charge card?

with the companion Platinum Credit card you can carry a balance from month to month and there is no annual fee. but if it earns no MR (up till now it was a crippled level MR which you cannot transfer to Aeroplan due to the exclusive credit card deal for CIBC) there is really no point owning it.

The card is identical to the "Platinum Credit Card" which at one time was available for anyone to apply with no annual fee.

with the companion Platinum Credit card you can carry a balance from month to month and there is no annual fee. but if it earns no MR (up till now it was a crippled level MR which you cannot transfer to Aeroplan due to the exclusive credit card deal for CIBC) there is really no point owning it.

The card is identical to the "Platinum Credit Card" which at one time was available for anyone to apply with no annual fee.

Ahh, I remember the crippled MR that they introduced after they lost the rights to Aeroplan transfers. "1.25 MR/$ that IS transferrable vs 1.5 MR/$ that ISN'T". I guess this was the remainder of that aberration. Good to see it dead (but sad to see 1.5 MR/$ dead).

Ahh, I remember the crippled MR that they introduced after they lost the rights to Aeroplan transfers. "1.25 MR/$ that IS transferrable vs 1.5 MR/$ that ISN'T". I guess this was the remainder of that aberration. Good to see it dead (but sad to see 1.5 MR/$ dead).

As beep noted, the restriction of conversion to AE miles was due to the exclusive nature of the CIBC agreement. CIBC has exclusive Canada rights to conversion on Credit Cards. Amex has the same exclusivity for Charge Cards. The difference being, of course, Credit Cards can be paid off in instalments while Charge Cards must be paid off each month.

I have kept the Amex Plat Companion Card for my business expenses that, if necessary, can be carried for a few months without needing full payback. Since these are business expenses, the interest is deductible and the account works as a form of interim financing, an oft-used practice by we independent filmmakers.

Did get my package yesterday so have reviewed all the details. Does appear the elite tier benefits apply as long as one remains a Plat cardholder, though not quite sure how the CX MarcoPolo Club will be rolled over beyond my current November 2012 expiry. And while these benefits kick in at the end of next month, it is unclear if we can apply for the status upgrades before that and if these will take effect immediately. (I could use the Carlson status for three stays I have at their properties in June.) Will call this week to the number provided and see what's what.

Still doing my cost/benefit analysis, but I will likely stay on at the higher rate since I am transitioning some of my flying to ONEWORLD from a second STAR program and the CX has been and would continue to be a valuable benefit. The $200 credit offsets some of the pain of the cost jump.

Post got muddied up.

Huge hit, I like the Marco Polo Club benefit. Being an SE in Australia you are stuck with OneWorld.

It is nice to have a "seamless" transition to *G for Domestic Australia flights.

Big pill to swallow but I would use enough of the benefits to keep it going, I think.

Did get my package yesterday so have reviewed all the details. Does appear the elite tier benefits apply as long as one remains a Plat cardholder, though not quite sure how the CX MarcoPolo Club will be rolled over beyond my current November 2012 expiry. And while these benefits kick in at the end of next month, it is unclear if we can apply for the status upgrades before that and if these will take effect immediately. (I could use the Carlson status for three stays I have at their properties in June.) Will call this week to the number provided and see what's what.

...

Please let us know what happens as I am in exactly the same situation (damn Carlson promo :) )

As beep noted, the restriction of conversion to AE miles was due to the exclusive nature of the CIBC agreement. CIBC has exclusive Canada rights to conversion on Credit Cards. Amex has the same exclusivity for Charge Cards. The difference being, of course, Credit Cards can be paid off in instalments while Charge Cards must be paid off each month.

I have kept the Amex Plat Companion Card for my business expenses that, if necessary, can be carried for a few months without needing full payback. Since these are business expenses, the interest is deductible and the account works as a form of interim financing, an oft-used practice by we independent filmmakers.

Interesting - I didn't know we had such an arrangement for exclusivity. Is this something recent? That is, mid-2000s? It's kind of surprising and somewhat frustrating that we would have something like this, but I guess it is what it is. I do wonder why the MR earning structure of Amex changed drastically a few years ago (with the drop to 1.25 MR/$) - I wonder if it was related to this, or if it was just a cost cutting/benefit cutting question with no relevance to the exclusivity, anticipating a more credit-powered culture and thereby anticipating an outlay of more MR points than they were willing to.

On that subject... does anyone remember the 15,000,000 MR reward that was there in the older Amex literature, around the early 2000s? Totally should have aimed for that... wonder if they would have honoured it.

Please let us know what happens as I am in exactly the same situation (damn Carlson promo :) )

See my earlier post. Just e-mail Radisson and request a status match to your SPG Gold (I'm assuming). Follow up with a phone call a few hours later (they're usually quite busy), and you'll be bumped up to Silver Elite.

I did that last week and then promptly booked a few hotels on Radisson's web site to take advantage of their promotion.

See my earlier post. Just e-mail Radisson and request a status match to your SPG Gold (I'm assuming). Follow up with a phone call a few hours later (they're usually quite busy), and you'll be bumped up to Silver Elite.

I did that last week and then promptly booked a few hotels on Radisson's web site to take advantage of their promotion.

I emailed them to match FPC Platinum and they didn't reply. You're right - I'll give them a call.

I emailed them to match FPC Platinum and they didn't reply. You're right - I'll give them a call.

Most often, CC match Hilton/Marriott/SPG Gold/Accor Platinum/BW Diamond to CC Silver (that was my experience, despite being Silver already, and they won't give me Gold)
Either case, CC Gold sucks with no real extra benefit on top of Silver (no free breakfast either)

LMK how it turns out, I have FPC Platinum as well if that matches to CC Gold (but I'll get it from AMEX anyway)

I plan to call in this week too, to
- confirm no fee upgrade before renewal
- confirm NEW benefits kick in June 29, 2012 (especially the $200 credit)

>> it is unclear if we can apply for the status upgrades before that

You CANNOT upgrade on Accor right away, for example, since the specific enrollment webpage tells you to "wait till June 29"

Interesting - I didn't know we had such an arrangement for exclusivity. Is this something recent? That is, mid-2000s? It's kind of surprising and somewhat frustrating that we would have something like this, but I guess it is what it is.

I believe it's around AC's "restructuring" back then.

I had "Diners Club Enroute Maple Leaf Club Card" at the time (together with AE Platinum so paying big fees on both) - accumulating AC points with MLL and UA RCC access worldwide. They dropped both benefits and Charge Card tie-in rights were purchased by AMEX.

As beep noted, the restriction of conversion to AE miles was due to the exclusive nature of the CIBC agreement. CIBC has exclusive Canada rights to conversion on Credit Cards. Amex has the same exclusivity for Charge Cards. The difference being, of course, Credit Cards can be paid off in instalments while Charge Cards must be paid off each month.

Which is quite stupid as you can have a SPG Amex credit card and transfer Starpoints to AE...

DOES amex REALIZE not everyone in canada lives in Toronto.
Why not include some kind of airport parking credit for all of canada.

So true. Top ten signs that the people who come up with these benefits are based in Toronto. :rolleyes:

I believe it's around AC's "restructuring" back then.

I had "Diners Club Enroute Maple Leaf Club Card" at the time (together with AE Platinum so paying big fees on both) - accumulating AC points with MLL and UA RCC access worldwide. They dropped both benefits and Charge Card tie-in rights were purchased by AMEX.

And what happened to the DC card, or did it get grandfathered?

Which is quite stupid as you can have a SPG Amex credit card and transfer Starpoints to AE...

Yeah but that isn't the same... at least procedurally. I guess that's an "allowed loophole"...

... can have a SPG Amex credit card and transfer Starpoints to AE...

Indeed, but that is a contract between a hotel chain and Aeroplan, American Express is not involved. Starwood could (and did) change their Canadian card provider at any time. Likewise, Aeroplan and Starwood could change the transfer rate, as UA has, or eliminate transfers completely as a few partners have.

And what happened to the DC card, or did it get grandfathered?
.

Annual fee dropped by a few hundred bucks. It earns points on the DC Rewards program instead, which can convert to FF points except Aeroplan if card is issued in Canada. US-issued DC cards can convert to Aeroplan. So I was amazed the Star promotion mentioned Diners Club while the promotion is open only to Canadian residents.

In recent years number of DC lounges increased substantially, and the card annual fee is only 120. It also includes the lowest level PP lounge pass.

And while these benefits kick in at the end of next month, it is unclear if we can apply for the status upgrades before that and if these will take effect immediately. (I could use the Carlson status for three stays I have at their properties in June.) Will call this week to the number provided and see what's what.

Tried, and was told to come back after Jun 29th.

Presently sitting on hold for Canadian Platinum Card customer service (6+ minutes so far). I can't help but wonder if the delay is due to a flood of people calling to cancel their cards because of the new $699 fee. :confused:

... amazed the Star promotion mentioned Diners Club while the promotion is open only to Canadian residents.


I am hoping you can point me to something in writing which states that this offer (http://www1.aeroplan.com/promotions/promotion_details.do?promotion=promo_webup2953_AE&icid=BAN4979)is restricted Canadian residents. I know that transfers from USA Membership Rewards are excluded, but I do not see anything about residency. Diners Club USA is advertising it with no mention of such. Perhaps you are referring to a different offer?

I received my package a couple days ago. It does not state anything about the increase. Not complaining, i'll enjoy the $399 rate until my anniversary. Could be because I am a new plat member. Not sure if the $699 price tag will be worth it for me as I no longer travel for business. I do love my plat tho! Excited to use the priority pass lounges for personal travel.

Annual fee dropped by a few hundred bucks. It earns points on the DC Rewards program instead, which can convert to FF points except Aeroplan if card is issued in Canada. US-issued DC cards can convert to Aeroplan. So I was amazed the Star promotion mentioned Diners Club while the promotion is open only to Canadian residents.

In recent years number of DC lounges increased substantially, and the card annual fee is only 120. It also includes the lowest level PP lounge pass.

I am hoping you can point me to something in writing which states that this offer (http://www1.aeroplan.com/promotions/promotion_details.do?promotion=promo_webup2953_AE&icid=BAN4979)is restricted Canadian residents. I know that transfers from USA Membership Rewards are excluded, but I do not see anything about residency. Diners Club USA is advertising it with no mention of such. Perhaps you are referring to a different offer?

He was talking about the Star promotion - not the points transfer. The Star promotion was explicitly for Canadian residents - whereas the DC card he was talking about was explicitly for US residents, hence the confusion.

He was talking about the Star promotion - not the points transfer. .

Thank you for the clarification. I also moderate next door at Diners Club and wanted to be certain that there was not a problem with the transfer offer.

Let us say that CX Diamond status is a permanent feature of Centurion card, and CX Gold status is a permanent feature of the AMEX Platinumc card.

What are the differences in benefit between these 2 type of CX frequent flyer status?

The main thing that is precluding me from getting the Centurion card (I have declined to join for now, but I have left the option of changing my mind, if the features were to increase) is that the benefits of the AMEX Platinum plus AMEX Aeroplus Platinum (which I am getting on a complimentary basis as an original AMEX platinum cardholder), plus SE status are such, that very few additional benefits would be enjoyed by me if I become a Centurion card holder - the main reason to get a Centurion card is if the travel benefits were sufficient, to justify the initial entry fee of $5000, and the annual fee of $250.

If the Canadian AMEX Centurion card were to give an AC top tier (ie SE) status (is Diamond status with CX top tier status?), I would take the card. If the Canadian AMEX card were to give top tier status with another Star Alliance carrier, in lieu of SE status with AC/Aeroplan, I would take the card. If the Centurion card were to give a free companion ticket with any business class (from J to Z fares) on any route that AC flies, without limit on an annual basis, I would take the Centurion card.

I agree with this. If you have, for example, SE + standard plat benefits, incremental benefit of Centurion is not worth the initiation + yearly fee. Unless you don't have a PA or decent travel professional, not sure the concierge service is that much of a draw either.

So true. Top ten signs that the people who come up with these benefits are based in Toronto. :rolleyes:

Actually, Amex Canada is located just north of Toronto in, as of July 1st, the CITY OF MARKHAM :D .

Everyone knows that the only reason they are giving the Marco Polo Club membership is that there is little CX/OW presence here. Notice that you need to have a Canadian residence/address to qualify. No way this is attached to Platinum benefits in HKG, just like no way Aeroplan SE/E would ever be given here.

Lets not forget people that AMEX is in the business of making $ by selling cards and using the standard bait and switch (sell lots at $399 and then a couple of years later when they have lots of cards out there, up the price. They did it with the AMEX Aeroplan Plat (anyone remember that?). Their trick is to give you additional benefits you'll never really get to use and more people will . I will bet you a large number of AMEX Aeroplan Plat/regular Plat holders living in Canada are already E/SE and use their E/SE card to access the MLL (who would want to be seen as a second class flyer and use their charge card to get them in???) and don't go to any one of the few PP lounges, nor jet off to HKG on CX (because they are going to fly AC and get the mega-status miles). If the Plat holder is not E/SE, then they don't fly regularly and don't use the lounge much. They scan your card in the lounges and charge AMEX for the visits...

I don't know about the rest of you, but I received a Cent invitation last year and I was not even close to the normal qualifying criteria (maybe popped off $150K last year on my Plat). I am guessing so did a whole bunch of others in their attempt to get $7500 (year 1) out of us. And, by the way they also know that I don't stay in any of the hotels that they were offering goodies for, not did I charge a private jet to my Platinum card, etc (i.e. they knew I wouldn't likely use the benefits, therefore they would never pay for them and all that happened is that I can show off a black card to my friends, none of which know what the heck it is anyhow). The gave a short deadline to respond as they needed a drop dead date to decide to go to Plan B. Given the lack of an increased number of Cent comments on Flyertalk, I am guessing that cash cow failed. So, here is the Plan B about 8 months later...

I agree with this. If you have, for example, SE + standard plat benefits, incremental benefit of Centurion is not worth the initiation + yearly fee. Unless you don't have a PA or decent travel professional, not sure the concierge service is that much of a draw either.

Right. So you want to book the Keg for dinner (which, they know restaurants are 90% of their requests - they market it primarily as getting dinner reservations). You can spend 10 minutes on the phone with a Concierge and wait up to 24 hours to know you have it (and, in my experience, go back and forth with them 2 times), do it in 2 minutes online or 2 minutes phoning the darn restaurant yourself and not having to worry if your wife's birthday dinner has been booked. So, for those of us who are at the gate jetting off at the last second to Tokyo and need a chic little noodle house as soon as you land to entertain your next $1 billion dollar sale...), it may be worth having the concierge...

(BTW, I'm keeping my card... just trying to put a bit of a dose of reality into this...)

- the "enhancement" is not a uniquely Canadian thing, and not the first country for AMEX to have this fee increase

- most restaurant reservations were done within 30 minutes. And for those Tokyo reservations I requested, they were made while putting me on hold

- during Toronto summerlicious(a cheapie restaurant dining event) , a certain restaurant would only accept reservation at 9 am, and only the first 5(or so) calls would be answered everyday. Concierge tried a few days and got me a table.

My card spends are so small they told me to get lost(in a nice way) when I asked for fee waiver on either of my plat cards. So what concierge did for me was not any special treatment.

Not saying the concierge service is worth a lot, but it can be helpful at times.

Have the fee-waived Plat to go with my paid AeroPlat. Very interested to see what happens when renewal comes up.

Prediction: The AeroPlat will increase to at least $699 soon with similar enhancements.

Now what I'm more interested in is this mid-tier OW status with Cathay. Anyway of matching into a *A program to get *G? (TK... I'm looking at you)

Have the fee-waived Plat to go with my paid AeroPlat. Very interested to see what happens when renewal comes up.

Prediction: The AeroPlat will increase to at least $699 soon with similar enhancements.

Now what I'm more interested in is this mid-tier OW status with Cathay. Anyway of matching into a *A program to get *G? (TK... I'm looking at you)

Tried. :) Was told TK will only match Diamond.

the PP is not much good in YUL.. the lounge access is for international passengers only.
Golf Membership is no good in my area. I dont use any of the hotels in the hotel crap they are giving(for a minimal $300 increase :)
So other than the airline credit I cant see any benefit for me. Unless I can get them to give me my AMEX gold free..??
Or a decent ammount of bonus MR ??

what do you think is the break even point for amex to still make money considering cancelations... if 40% cancel they still make money.. but the new card sign up's will take a beating !!!..

Question is will the PP allow access to United lounges in the US? Or will it be like the US plat and exclude them?

PP is pretty useless for Canada, Amex Plat already had access to all the Canadian independent lounges that PP offers from what I can tell.

At the end of the day its a bit of a shell game, they increase by $300 and give you $200 back in cash practically. $200 be easy to spend on an FHR stay.

At $399 I was confident I came out ahead, $499 is pushing it.

Just talked to AMEX Plat
all my assumptions are correct

1. New benefit kick in June 29

2. I don't pay new fee until renewal

3. I can mail in the benefit form now (don't have to wait)

3. Have to book after 6/29 to be able to use the new $200 credit

Not sure if this has been posted, but is the price for supplementary cards also increasing?

I was just wondering about the $200 travel credit applied to bookings made through Platinum Card Travel Services (as they are now calling it).
A few months ago, I requested a quote for a handful of flights in china and thailand. Their quote was over $2,600 whereas I priced out a virtually identical itinerary for $1,600, a significant difference.
I'm just wondering if people here have had experiences where a $300 Tango+ fare on AirCanada is still $300 through PCTS. Maybe they won't book the least expensive fares that you can see on AirCanada's website. Same goes with hotels. In other words, I'm wondering if the $200 credit is truly a $200 credit off a price i can book on my own. If it is, then there is little question that I will renew at $699 since that credit effectively reduces the price to $499 plus the PP for $100. The rest of the offer is not at all interesting.

I was just wondering about the $200 travel credit applied to bookings made through Platinum Card Travel Services (as they are now calling it).
A few months ago, I requested a quote for a handful of flights in china and thailand. Their quote was over $2,600 whereas I priced out a virtually identical itinerary for $1,600, a significant difference.
I'm just wondering if people here have had experiences where a $300 Tango+ fare on AirCanada is still $300 through PCTS. Maybe they won't book the least expensive fares that you can see on AirCanada's website. Same goes with hotels. In other words, I'm wondering if the $200 credit is truly a $200 credit off a price i can book on my own. If it is, then there is little question that I will renew at $699 since that credit effectively reduces the price to $499 plus the PP for $100. The rest of the offer is not at all interesting.

... or the question remains also (since I don't think anyone answered mine from earlier) on whether a FHR stay qualifies, as FHR rates are not only frequently cheaper/comparable to others, but are a good value.

I was just wondering about the $200 travel credit applied to bookings made through Platinum Card Travel Services (as they are now calling it).
A few months ago, I requested a quote for a handful of flights in china and thailand. Their quote was over $2,600 whereas I priced out a virtually identical itinerary for $1,600, a significant difference.
I'm just wondering if people here have had experiences where a $300 Tango+ fare on AirCanada is still $300 through PCTS. Maybe they won't book the least expensive fares that you can see on AirCanada's website. Same goes with hotels. In other words, I'm wondering if the $200 credit is truly a $200 credit off a price i can book on my own. If it is, then there is little question that I will renew at $699 since that credit effectively reduces the price to $499 plus the PP for $100. The rest of the offer is not at all interesting.

That's usually the case, Expedia or old TD Travel has bad prices for Asia in general (or no access to wholesaler like TourEast), but they can book Western airlines (e.g. even charter Air Transat) with same price

I'll book Tango+ to US in a few weeks and will report back
Problem is $200 only kicks in after June 29

... or the question remains also (since I don't think anyone answered mine from earlier) on whether a FHR stay qualifies, as FHR rates are not only frequently cheaper/comparable to others, but are a good value.

My guess is FHR counts, since it's via PTS as well... but I can ask the PTS agent when I email them

Not sure if this has been posted, but is the price for supplementary cards also increasing?

apparently not. I signed up my wife yesterday and asked if the fees are going up when she renews and was told that they are to remain at $175.00 ..

Not when I looked last night (I don't even play Golf, why give a golf membership)

Only golf course is in Canmore, Alberta (WTH...)
GRANDE ROCKIES RESORT
CANMORE, ALBERTA, CANADA

http://www.preferredgolf.com/golf-resorts/

Wow, an actual benefit I can use since I live in Canmore, AB.

Let's be clear about this: the annual fee has increased by $300 but a benefit of $200 good-as-cash has been newly added to the benefits list. The only people who cannot get $200 value from this NEW benefit (the $200 Travel Credit) are people who never travel...

... and people who cannot, will not, book one itinerary, once per year, through Platinum Travel. So let's stop calling this a big increase. It's CDN$100 more than before, and now we can discuss whether it's worth it.

For me the answer is a resounding YES because:

PriorityPass Worldwide includes 1 free guest with each lounge visit. This saves you $27 per guest visit. PP comes in handy when you fly an airline you don't have status on, or you use an airport where your airline/alliance doesn't operate a lounge. Most PP offers (BMO World Elite, Amex Plat Small Business) do not include guest visits.

OneWorld Sapphire status (Marco Polo Club Gold). I'm not aware of any card that offers actual middle-tier status (Marco Polo Gold/Oneworld Sapphire) on a major alliance airline. Cathay requires 40,000 miles of BIS flying to get this status, but here Amex is throwing it in. Sapphire status is honored when travelling internationally on all OW carriers. AA, BA, CX, will welcome you in lounges including Cathay's Arrivals Lounges in LHR and HKG, give you priority in queueing, seat selection, standby, luggage delivery.

I am happy to fork over the extra $100 for OneWorld Sapphire and PP with free guest visits. The other benefits, including hotel programs, bore me to tears because I don't stay at those hotels. I see them as gravy or whipped cream, nice stuff but not wanted on my sushi ;-)

Count me among the dissenters, I guess.

Me too!

As someone in the throws of changing programs, this is an excellent deal. Seem Amex Plat has become an almost bullet proof lounge access card. The real trick is no longer to figure out which lounges you have access too, but which ones you don't. A small list indeed.

Notwithstanding the sticker shock of almost doubling the fee, upon reflection it seems like good value. Use the $200 credit to bring the effective fee down to $499, and suddenly you're only paying $100 for essentially global lounge access, and middle tier oneworld status.


Compare that to the annual fee our American cousins pay for single airline lounge access.

The "Platinum Companion Credit Card" no longer earns MR.... something like that. A card that never leaves my safety deposit box.

On the other hand, if you actually use a credit card for purchases the ARP on the "new" companion card is only 12.x%.

On the other hand, if you actually use a credit card for purchases the ARP on the "new" companion card is only 12.x%.

Yikes.

Line of Credit or bust.

Here are the scans of my letter of changes and the notice of changes. No mention of $699, or any annual fee change, in fact. Those whose it explicitly mentions the $699 fee, could you post your scan for reference?

http://i.imgur.com/66f3V.png
http://i.imgur.com/RQTmA.png
http://i.imgur.com/Z6LEq.png

http://i50.tinypic.com/f3tm5t.jpg


So is Amex actually going to maintain two different fee levels for Plat? :confused:

So is Amex actually going to maintain two different fee levels for Plat? :confused:

It's weird, isn't it? I wonder if all will be groomed to the same level eventually.

So is Amex actually going to maintain two different fee levels for Plat? :confused:

It's not really 2 fees per se, after 1 renewal cycle, everyone will be $699

Anyway, here's the official AE PTS reply on $200 credit

Yes, I am aware of the new Platinum benefits and $200.00 credit. New Benefits take effect on 29Jun 2012 , therefore the credit may only be used for new bookings made on or after the 29Jun.

This credit may be used towards any travel arrangement made with our travel services department, flights, car , hotels (including FHR properties) , packages

My letter also had no mentioned about the increase to $699. My letter is dated May 23. Does others that also do not also dated May 23?

Also I do not have any forms. I called and the guy just give me some BS. Plan to call again and see how I can get it. Any one got the package with no forms too?

It's weird, isn't it? I wonder if all will be groomed to the same level eventually.

Probably. My wild guess is this could be a market testing thing.

I'm sold!

Flew out of BUF today.

Used DL boarding pass + Amex Plat to enter US lounge.

I'm sold!

Flew out of BUF today.

Used DL boarding pass + Amex Plat to enter US lounge.

But you had this benefit before the $300 increase...

Indeed, but this is the first time I've ever used that benefit.

And I was instantly convinced of the value of the vastly expanded lounge access.

Back in the 90's there used to be a "companion ticket" that came with a platinum card, it was not restricted to business class either. Was it with CP? I am not going to renew my platinum card and have been a member since '81. Gold will have to do, I guess our points will follow us.

My letter also had no mentioned about the increase to $699. My letter is dated May 23. Does others that also do not also dated May 23?

Also I do not have any forms. I called and the guy just give me some BS. Plan to call again and see how I can get it. Any one got the package with no forms too?

Mine was dated May 23 but I got all the forms.

There should have been the letter, booklet and the 'important documents' folder and all the forms inisde the Important Documents folder

Back in the 90's there used to be a "companion ticket" that came with a platinum card, it was not restricted to business class either. Was it with CP? I am not going to renew my platinum card and have been a member since '81. Gold will have to do, I guess our points will follow us.

There is still the companion ticket option. Even back then, it was Business Class or higher, except BA premium Economy.

Perhaps at one time there was the companion ticket coupon for a year or 2. I recall booking a same day shopping trip for 2 to montreal on CP that was like almost free using a coupon.

There is still the companion ticket option. Even back then, it was Business Class or higher, except BA premium Economy.

Perhaps at one time there was the companion ticket coupon for a year or 2. I recall booking a same day shopping trip for 2 to montreal on CP that was like almost free using a coupon.


We used to travel back to the UK each year it was a really good deal. I am still not sure about the price hike though, even though we travel more now it still is a big hike. We can always buy a "day pass" so to speak for the lounges.

We used to travel back to the UK each year it was a really good deal. I am still not sure about the price hike though, even though we travel more now it still is a big hike. We can always buy a "day pass" so to speak for the lounges.

Day passes aren't cheap though, there generally $30-$50 pp, sometimes per visit or sometimes per itinerary depending on airline etc.

If your traveling with someone fairly often you can payback a chunk of your fee that way (assuming you don't have access already via airline status).

Does the CX benefit mean that you have to first separately apply for an account and pay the $50 and then apply for the Amex CX benefit to upgrade to Gold?

Or do you just need to apply for the Amex benefit (no previous CX account needed) and all will be done for you (and is the $50 fee waived) automatically?

Does the CX benefit mean that you have to first separately apply for an account and pay the $50 and then apply for the Amex CX benefit to upgrade to Gold?

Or do you just need to apply for the Amex benefit (no previous CX account needed) and all will be done for you (and is the $50 fee waived) automatically?

Apply through Amex. They never explicitly mention waving the fee, but I don't think anybody who did it this route had ever been charged it - I wasn't. Just filled in a crumpled form, and the gold tags (much nicer ones than AC Elite, heh) showed up a few weeks later.

I wouldn't apply with CX and then attempt to get a fee refund - might not work.

AMEX enrollment form doesn't mention any fee, including non MPC (CX) members. So they can't really charge one.

And no one got charged with a fee if enrolled that way with the offer last year.

We used to travel back to the UK each year it was a really good deal. I am still not sure about the price hike though, even though we travel more now it still is a big hike. We can always buy a "day pass" so to speak for the lounges.

Now you mention UK I remember using the coupon for travelling to UK on CP!

There is still the Platinum Business card which will remain at 399 ( they called last week to offer a pre-approved upgrade to my business card and I asked about the potential fee increase) without the enhanced benefits.

Was told today, those that get relational pricing (2 for 1) will be required to pay BOTH annual fees post June 29.2012

. . . (or cancel one or both of course)

Was told today, those that get relational pricing (2 for 1) will be required to pay BOTH annual fees post June 29.2012

. . . (or cancel one or both of course)

that sadly kind of makes sense. I'm probably going to cancel the AeroPlat - as 1.5x is a worse deal than 1.25 x 25% that happens once in a while. plus the AeroPlat has like no benefits.

that sadly kind of makes sense. I'm probably going to cancel the AeroPlat - as 1.5x is a worse deal than 1.25 x 25% that happens once in a while. plus the AeroPlat has like no benefits.

While it makes total sense logically, I'd feel really insulted if/when they make that announcement. THEY offered the deal to ME -- I didn't ask to have the 2nd card. So I'd go from being a "cardmember" who was special enough to be given this deal to one faced with a $899 price increase.

Talk about a slap in the face.

While it makes total sense logically, I'd feel really insulted if/when they make that announcement. THEY offered the deal to ME -- I didn't ask to have the 2nd card. So I'd go from being a "cardmember" who was special enough to be given this deal to one faced with a $899 price increase.

Talk about a slap in the face.

quite agree. even though I may admit it makes business sense, I'll definitely argue it makes no sense customer-wise for the precise reasons you mentioned.

Was told today, those that get relational pricing (2 for 1) will be required to pay BOTH annual fees post June 29.2012

. . . (or cancel one or both of course)

Did they call you, or did you ask? I've got the AeroPlat, with the Plat as a freebie, and they haven't said anything to me...

I have had the Plat for many years and got the AeroPlat free when it came out. It was explicitly promised to be a free card as long as I had the Plat. I would be very very unhappy if Amex tried to change that deal.

I have had the Plat for many years and got the AeroPlat free when it came out. It was explicitly promised to be a free card as long as I had the Plat. I would be very very unhappy if Amex tried to change that deal.

I'm just throwing this out there, but I'll wager that there aren't enough people who have a comp AeroPlat / Plat (i.e. pay one of the two fees) - and most of them are probably on this forum anyway. I'm not sure Amex would be willing to risk the ire of those who were deemed worthy in the first place to GET this deal - there isn't THAT much financial loss to them to continue this offer to those who got it.

One thing I did learn... someone upthread spent $150K on their Platinum and got a Cent invite. Looks like spending more than that on the AeroPlat... gets you nothing except gajillions of Aeroplans. :)

I have had the Plat for many years and got the AeroPlat free when it came out. It was explicitly promised to be a free card as long as I had the Plat. I would be very very unhappy if Amex tried to change that deal.

Please.
The cards have fundamentally changed.
Currently, tyou will pay for the 2nd card. There is ongoing discussion. Might change for some . . . Will be interesting to see reports from people who's anniv date is > June 29,2012

If you don't like the new deal, lots of options from VI and MC you can check out . . .

Please.
The cards have fundamentally changed.
Currently, tyou will pay for the 2nd card. There is ongoing discussion. Might change for some . . . Will be interesting to see reports from people who's anniv date is > June 29,2012

If you don't like the new deal, lots of options from VI and MC you can check out . . .

I agree, the cards have fundamentally changed, but what hasn't changed is that the two cards still share a lot of the same features, and it's a little much to ask for two full fees when what you're essentially getting is the plat card with MLL access.

I agree, the cards have fundamentally changed, but what hasn't changed is that the two cards still share a lot of the same features, and it's a little much to ask for two full fees when what you're essentially getting is the plat card with MLL access.

Living with YOW as my departure, I agree - since the only lounge here is MLL.

I'm in the process of switching from AeroPlat to Plat, before the $699 fee takes affect. Sadly since I'm still acquiring my status I'm not A*E or even Privilege, which means that I'll have no lounge access on any departures.

I'd read a bunch of threads of AMEX giving people Plat to go with their AeroPlat if you either tried to cancel or complained enough, but despite my arguing (politely) with retentions, they maintained that that ability ended over 9 months ago.

I'd be happy if I ended up paying the higher of the two fees for the access ($499 until the end of the month with AeroPlat and $699 next June with Plat), but they maintain there is no way to have that linkage now - but they cheerfully point out I could have both cards.... and both fees.

Curious about those who had the $499 AeroPlat with a free Plat, and how their accounts will be handled after a post-June renewal comes up...

My comp Plat renewal is/was mid-June, so I guess I got lucky in not having to deal with this for another year :)

I have confirmed with them that I can have my AP Plat for free as long as I own the Cent card. Well, I can understand that because the AP Plat card provides absolutely nothing over and above the Cent card, maybe except the once-a-year useless short haul AP redemption.

So I *think* they might continue to comp you the AP Plat as long as you are paying the new $699 fee for the Plat card.

I have confirmed with them that I can have my AP Plat for free as long as I own the Cent card. Well, I can understand that because the AP Plat card provides absolutely nothing over and above the Cent card, maybe except the once-a-year useless short haul AP redemption.

So I *think* they might continue to comp you the AP Plat as long as you are paying the new $699 fee for the Plat card.

not that I'm saying I'd do that, but I'd prob do that.

I have confirmed with them that I can have my AP Plat for free as long as I own the Cent card. Well, I can understand that because the AP Plat card provides absolutely nothing over and above the Cent card, maybe except the once-a-year useless short haul AP redemption.

So I *think* they might continue to comp you the AP Plat as long as you are paying the new $699 fee for the Plat card.

The AP Plat has the short-haul and the bonus 0.25 Aeroplan miles per purchase over the $25K annual threshold. Also, I know there are charter members who get an additional 10% in AP points per purchase (though I'm not one of them). Depending on spend, that can add up in AP points.

They comped me last year for the AP Plat but don't think it is an automatic thing for this coming year. If not, I'll cancel it and then need to pick up a regular Plat for when I don't want to use the Cent.

So I *think* they might continue to comp you the AP Plat as long as you are paying the new $699 fee for the Plat card.

********* I have just been updated that for those that pay for PL AX and get Aero Plat for free, there will be no change to that arrangement once the $699 kicks in ***** i.e., $699 for both cards eff June 29

FWIW, exact words were - "I got this information straight from the horse's mouth"

Let's hope this is true .... $699 for both cards is a great deal still, IMO

The AP Plat has the short-haul and the bonus 0.25 Aeroplan miles per purchase over the $25K annual threshold. Also, I know there are charter members who get an additional 10% in AP points per purchase (though I'm not one of them). Depending on spend, that can add up in AP points.

They comped me last year for the AP Plat but don't think it is an automatic thing for this coming year. If not, I'll cancel it and then need to pick up a regular Plat for when I don't want to use the Cent.

If collecting AP points is your cup of tea, you might be better off using the Plat card or the Cent card unless you're collecting more than half a million a year. The (almost) annual offer allows you to exchange MR points to AP points more than 1:1. So $1 spend gets you 1.25MR points which in turn can be converted to more than 1.5 AP miles.

If Amex is comping AP Plat for Plat card members, they should comp you one as a Cent card member! Ask them. Their CSRs are quite accommodating IMO.

Looks like they excluded mention of the fee increase for all of us with renewal dates prior to June 29 and/or bundled deals (AP Plat)

I think I'll use $500 in free valet parking alone so big ^ to AMEX for me!

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9780; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.448 Mobile Safari/534.8+)

Everyone knows that the only reason they are giving the Marco Polo Club membership is that there is little CX/OW presence here. Notice that you need to have a Canadian residence/address to qualify. No way this is attached to Platinum benefits in HKG, just like no way Aeroplan SE/E would ever be given here.

Lets not forget people that AMEX is in the business of making $ by selling cards and using the standard bait and switch (sell lots at $399 and then a couple of years later when they have lots of cards out there, up the price. They did it with the AMEX Aeroplan Plat (anyone remember that?). Their trick is to give you additional benefits you'll never really get to use and more people will . I will bet you a large number of AMEX Aeroplan Plat/regular Plat holders living in Canada are already E/SE and use their E/SE card to access the MLL (who would want to be seen as a second class flyer and use their charge card to get them in???) and don't go to any one of the few PP lounges, nor jet off to HKG on CX (because they are going to fly AC and get the mega-status miles). If the Plat holder is not E/SE, then they don't fly regularly and don't use the lounge much. They scan your card in the lounges and charge AMEX for the visits...

I don't know about the rest of you, but I received a Cent invitation last year and I was not even close to the normal qualifying criteria (maybe popped off $150K last year on my Plat). I am guessing so did a whole bunch of others in their attempt to get $7500 (year 1) out of us. And, by the way they also know that I don't stay in any of the hotels that they were offering goodies for, not did I charge a private jet to my Platinum card, etc (i.e. they knew I wouldn't likely use the benefits, therefore they would never pay for them and all that happened is that I can show off a black card to my friends, none of which know what the heck it is anyhow). The gave a short deadline to respond as they needed a drop dead date to decide to go to Plan B. Given the lack of an increased number of Cent comments on Flyertalk, I am guessing that cash cow failed. So, here is the Plan B about 8 months later...

I agree with this. If you have, for example, SE + standard plat benefits, incremental benefit of Centurion is not worth the initiation + yearly fee. Unless you don't have a PA or decent travel professional, not sure the concierge service is that much of a draw either.

Right. So you want to book the Keg for dinner (which, they know restaurants are 90% of their requests - they market it primarily as getting dinner reservations). You can spend 10 minutes on the phone with a Concierge and wait up to 24 hours to know you have it (and, in my experience, go back and forth with them 2 times), do it in 2 minutes online or 2 minutes phoning the darn restaurant yourself and not having to worry if your wife's birthday dinner has been booked. So, for those of us who are at the gate jetting off at the last second to Tokyo and need a chic little noodle house as soon as you land to entertain your next $1 billion dollar sale...), it may be worth having the concierge...

(BTW, I'm keeping my card... just trying to put a bit of a dose of reality into this...)

Several years ago I needed a last minute Christmas dinner rez for 8 people in SFO. I was on the phone to Amex for perhaps 5 minutes, while they took the details and my phone number. They called back with the rez about 30 minutes later.


Sometimes those seldom used benefits can pay off.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9780; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.448 Mobile Safari/534.8+)

I have had the Plat for many years and got the AeroPlat free when it came out. It was explicitly promised to be a free card as long as I had the Plat. I would be very very unhappy if Amex tried to change that deal.

I still have the insert that promised such.

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Bookends,,. Received 2 packages today - one announcing the fee increase, the other not.

I have the Amex AeroPlat. Do I have this right:

- I could ask to get keep Aero card and get the Plat as well and pay just one annual fee (the higher one); but very high likelihood of being shot down.

- Or, i could ask to be transitioned from the Aero card to Plat before June 29, pay the 399 and get the new benefits starting June 29 for the next year.

I am in YYC and the Aero card gets me into all 3 lounges there (AC MLL, transborder PP, and Councourse D PP). I am willing to give up the YYC MLL in exchange for better US PP lounge access.

The only other advantage I see of Aero Plat is the 2 for 1 benefit.

Thoughts? Would I get any welcome MR points on transition?

I have the Amex AeroPlat. Do I have this right:

- I could ask to get keep Aero card and get the Plat as well and pay just one annual fee (the higher one); but very high likelihood of being shot down.

- Or, i could ask to be transitioned from the Aero card to Plat before June 29, pay the 399 and get the new benefits starting June 29 for the next year.

I am in YYC and the Aero card gets me into all 3 lounges there (AC MLL, transborder PP, and Councourse D PP). I am willing to give up the YYC MLL in exchange for better US PP lounge access.

The only other advantage I see of Aero Plat is the 2 for 1 benefit.

Thoughts? Would I get any welcome MR points on transition?


I think you're about 9 months too late on the first part (based on what someone posted, it's no longer possible to get a comp second card).

As for the switch - yes, you could (and should NOW so you don't pay the 699 at least for one year). You'd get some 30K MR points. [Moderator edit.]

Do you guys know when we will receive the Cathay Pacific gold cards and the new card for the lounge access? I asked them 2 weeks ago and I'm leaving on june 28 and hoping that I will get them before that date!

Do you guys know when we will receive the Cathay Pacific gold cards and the new card for the lounge access? I asked them 2 weeks ago and I'm leaving on june 28 and hoping that I will get them before that date!

Mine took a while to arrive. However! You should start receiving your Marco Polo newsletter ahead of time - that's how I knew they processed the application. Go to CX's website and use the "I forgot my member #" and then one more time, "I forgot my PIN" to get your account details. Then print a temporary card in case the official one doesn't make it :)

Indeed, but this is the first time I've ever used that benefit.

And I was instantly convinced of the value of the vastly expanded lounge access.

I did a lot of inter-australia a few weeks ago on Qantas.

With Marco Polo Gold, priority boarding and lounge access (even though at the time was a one time promo) was worth its weight in gold.

no pun intended :)

I think you're about 9 months too late on the first part (based on what someone posted, it's no longer possible to get a comp second card).

As for the switch - yes, you could (and should NOW so you don't pay the 699 at least for one year). You'd get some 30K MR points. [Moderator edit.]

Great, thanks. I think I'll try and cash in my 2 for 1 short haul benefit first then call about switching.

Great, thanks. I think I'll try and cash in my 2 for 1 short haul benefit first then call about switching.

Why switch? Just apply online for the Amex Plat. Keep your AP Plat till the fee comes up, than cancel it. I don't think they offer a signup bonus for switching from one card to another in any event - so your best off applying for a new card for that reason. Use one of the AMEX referral links available - since there better than the public offer on the AMEX site.

Why switch? Just apply online for the Amex Plat. Keep your AP Plat till the fee comes up, than cancel it. I don't think they offer a signup bonus for switching from one card to another in any event - so your best off applying for a new card for that reason. Use one of the AMEX referral links available - since there better than the public offer on the AMEX site.

Yup that's exactly what I did. Approved for new Plat online (thx Pseudo Nim for referral!).

Original thought was to negotiate for free Plat card over phone (either standard Plat or Aero) for price of one annual fee. However sounds like that's a no-go now.

Signup MR pts + new Plat benefits sound pretty sweet for 399.

My brother's got his AMEX Platinum today, just in time to pay $399 to get 30K points after spending $500 in 3 months (while I got 15K MR from referring him)

The brochure is still the OLD benefits, so I wonder how he can fill out forms for the new benefit (PP Pass, CX Gold, etc..)

but he will have almost a full year until 6/13/2013 to use the benefits and $200 credit

The brochure is still the OLD benefits, so I wonder how he can fill out forms for the new benefit (PP Pass, CX Gold, etc..)



Samething for my mother... she received the card monday with the old forms...

My brother's got his AMEX Platinum today, just in time to pay $399 to get 30K points after spending $500 in 3 months (while I got 15K MR from referring him)

The brochure is still the OLD benefits, so I wonder how he can fill out forms for the new benefit (PP Pass, CX Gold, etc..)

but he will have almost a full year until 6/13/2013 to use the benefits and $200 credit

Samething for my mother... she received the card monday with the old forms...

I didn't think of it but I should have posted a scanned form since its standard and not personalised (I mailed mine in). I still have one of the two left but not the one with CX/Accor/Carlson...

If someone has an unused one - please scan and post so people can get a head start. Thanks!

I didn't think of it but I should have posted a scanned form since its standard and not personalised (I mailed mine in). I still have one of the two left but not the one with CX/Accor/Carlson...

If someone has an unused one - please scan and post so people can get a head start. Thanks!

I'm sure we can call AMEX to request the new benefit package?
How soon that will arrive is a different story, hopefully in time for 6/29, or soon after

Will try and post back here

I'm sure we can call AMEX to request the new benefit package?
How soon that will arrive is a different story, hopefully in time for 6/29, or soon after

Will try and post back here

oh for sure. I was just thinking of a faster way to do it :)

is the corporate platinum rate going up?

I imagine the personal platinum has way more benefits than the corporate one?

is the corporate platinum rate going up?

I imagine the personal platinum has way more benefits than the corporate one?

No announcement made afaik on corporate. Personal benefits are better (for now) - with the sole exception of the corporate card giving 1.5 MR points per dollar - which is quite good.

There is still the Platinum Business card which will remain at 399...

is the corporate platinum rate going up?


No announcement made afaik on corporate.

Generally, personal, Business and Corporate are three different product categories, but I am not certain about Canada. Are you asking about the Business card or about the cards issued to large enterprises?

cards for large enterprises. Thanks for the quick response!

A request for a referral has been moved to the established thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1003156-referral-offers-post-only-thread-no-referral-links.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/american-express-pearson-team-up-for-airport-perks-campaign/article4299652/

AMEX working with YYZ/Pearson on more perks....

DETAILS OF THE NEW SPONSORSHIP

For American Express cardholders:

* Access to fast-track lane at security in Terminals 1 and 3, previously open only to frequent flyer programs. (The security process is the same as for everyone else, but people can skip to the head of the line. The partnership also allows this to expand across all security points in the airport. Pearson previously only had the fast-track line at selected points.)

* Free valet.

* 15 per cent off parking.

* Fast-track taxi and limo line at Arrivals.

* Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and other special lounges (for premium cardholders).

For everyone else:

* American Express-sponsored free WiFi Internet throughout the airport

* “Entertainment experiences” inside the terminal that will help make wait times at the gates more enjoyable. Ideas for these are still in development.

LOL. "Entertainment experiences"?

"Sir, are you a platinum cardholder?" -- "Why, yes!" -- "Indeed! I shall then perform a quirky dance for you while you await boarding. Would non-Amex cardholders please look away."

AMEX working with YYZ/Pearson on more perks....

They sould work with YUL... benefits are poor over there (only one international lounge, nothing domestic or transborder!)

Maybe they could mark some checked baggage as for an AMEX card holder so you don't have to wait 45 minutes to claim your bags.

Or maybe an AMEX lounge in the baggage claim area....

Maybe they could mark some checked baggage as for an AMEX card holder so you don't have to wait 45 minutes to claim your bags.

Or maybe an AMEX lounge in the baggage claim area....

At YUL?

At YUL, if your bags are in any way priority tagged, the socialist union workers ensure they come out LAST.

AMEX working with YYZ/Pearson on more perks....
Excellente!

Can someone help me confirm if my assumptions below are correct?
- Amex's website still shows 399/year rate for the card. I should be able to sign up today as a new member and get this rate for one year.
- Starting end of June, new benefits start. This means that I should be able to get the $200 credit, etc
- June 2013, I will need to start paying the new higher rate

It might be worth signing up for at least a year if I can catch the previous rate and the new benefits.

Can someone help me confirm if my assumptions below are correct?
- Amex's website still shows 399/year rate for the card. I should be able to sign up today as a new member and get this rate for one year.
- Starting end of June, new benefits start. This means that I should be able to get the $200 credit, etc
- June 2013, I will need to start paying the new higher rate

It might be worth signing up for at least a year if I can catch the previous rate and the new benefits.

Correct to all 3 points, that's what my brother did recently to get $399 but new benefit for the next year

If you want to maximize signup bonus, I can refer you so you get 30K MR (while I get 15K)

Good luck

I'm about to call in AMEX to request the NEW benefit form though, as new benefits start on June 29 immediately (including the $200 credit via PTS)

Thanks for the confirmation. Seems like a great deal.

I already do have a referral but I didn't realize it was for 15K. That's pretty good for a referral.

Can someone help me confirm if my assumptions below are correct?
- Amex's website still shows 399/year rate for the card. I should be able to sign up today as a new member and get this rate for one year.
- Starting end of June, new benefits start. This means that I should be able to get the $200 credit, etc
- June 2013, I will need to start paying the new higher rate

It might be worth signing up for at least a year if I can catch the previous rate and the new benefits.

Yep - all three of the above are exactly correct. Still some time left to sign up. ;)

Referral discussion moved to established thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1003156-referral-offers-post-only-thread-no-referral-links.html

My letter also had no mentioned about the increase to $699. My letter is dated May 23. Does others that also do not also dated May 23?

Also I do not have any forms. I called and the guy just give me some BS. Plan to call again and see how I can get it. Any one got the package with no forms too?

x2
My letter is dated 23/5, and no mention of any annual fee change.
But I have all of the forms

Has anyone who sent in the forms for Accor or Club Carlson been upgraded yet or is it June 29 at the earliest?

Has anyone who sent in the forms for Accor or Club Carlson been upgraded yet or is it June 29 at the earliest?

Negative on both for me (sent forms about 2 weeks ago).

What are the Ug chances with Marco polo Gold from YYZ and YVR to HKG.

How does their plan differ from AC *G Elite.

check CX forum. However I suggest you "lay low" and just read the various upgrade threads there :) Someone already made the mistake of posting a new thread on this lol.

When do they charge you the membership fee?

I activated the card last week, have made a bunch of purchases on it which have posted, but they haven't charged me the $399.

Are they waiting until June 29, so then they can charge me $700 :rolleyes: ?