American Express Membership Rewards - Amtrak Club Acela Lounge Access Benefit to End 1/11/04

Just received notice that as of 1/11/04 the complimentary access provided to Amtrak's Club Acela lounges will end for Platinum/Centurion cardholders. Never used this benefit since I: (a) always travel F on the Acela and thus get access anyway; and (b) am Select/Elite in Amtrak's program which also affords access. Still disappointing when the perks disappear with nothing new being added.

Also, there hasn't been an updated US Centurion book to describe what benefits are left. I guess the Ritz and 4 Seasons benefits are gone. I think the delayed luggage benefit might be gone. The rental car insurance benefit has been gutted.

Amex has increased the annual fee by 150%, yet it keeps cutting benefits. Very dissapointing. If they drop an airline, I think I may quit.

The Four Seasons benefit is gone, but the Ritz benefit is still there and I use it a good deal. Essentially it gives you a confirmed upgrade at time of booking (instead of the Platinum FHR upgrade at time of arrival, if available) and a $50 credit per stay. You now get all the FHR benefits, plus the foregoing. You can see the rates if you put "AXC" in the corporate rate field at the Ritz website. (Click on "rate rules" once the rates are displayed for details.) Compare it with the Fine Hotels and Resorts rates by putting "FHR" in the rate field. Note: both rates supposedly can't be booked online, but must be booked through AMEX CTS/PTS.

Either too many people used it, or not enough people used it, is whay I think it is being dropped.

I would assume AMEX is paying Amtrak to allow AMEX PLT/Cent cardholders to have this benefit, so it would seem interesting since Amtrak is in dire need of cash and this agreement is good for them, but maybe it was not enough. I assume Amtrak still accepts AMEX card for purchases in general?

I never used it, never knew or know anyone that does/did. I also always go First anyways, so no need for it, just be sure of a small cabin, single seat, know which car to go to (although front versus rear is getting confusing) and preboarding past the Biz line (in Boston at least, right from the lounge, if you give your luggage to skycap guy.)

Maybe that is why most PLT/Cent holder go First anyways that included lounge access so it was just a waste for AMEX to offer it as a benefit.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bxwatso:
Also, there hasn't been an updated US Centurion book to describe what benefits are left. </font>

Amex's behavior is truly bizarre. I called for an updated benefits book and was told that they are out of print...

I most certainly do use this benefit - and so do plenty of other Amtrak passengers judging by how long the daily log of amex admissions can be at the NY Penn lounge.

I frequently commute between nyc and philly and have found the lounges to be quite useful during irregular ops or missed trains. The loss of this benefit certainly devalues the card for this customer, and I imagine plenty of other Northeastern customers.

The new Plat: higher fees, tighter credit allowances, and lost benefits. I must admit the DL Crown Room is a wonderful addition, but to me the Acela Lounge is more practical.

Just thought I would bring this up out of the very old trenches. Was wondering if you think this benefit will ever be resurrected...it would be nice, as I tend to miss Select Plus by a few hundred points each year...

Just thought I would bring this up out of the very old trenches. Was wondering if you think this benefit will ever be resurrected...it would be nice, as I tend to miss Select Plus by a few hundred points each year...

My guess is no. My read is that it isn't a particularly valuable benefit for the vast majority of cardholders, and Amtrak probably wanted too much $$ to keep the benefit there.

i don't know if anyone from AMEX is lurking, but this would be a very valuable (to me) perk to resurrect.

I do agree. It should be brought back.