MilesBuzz! - Change to AMEX Platinium Companion Certif

Just talked with American Express and they said that the new free companion certificate that is issued no longer applies to International Travel......only the 48 states. The new one is transferable and does not have a minimum amount. Anyone heard the same? It's disappointing that International has been removed as that has been a good benefit if you plan on visiting Europe during the off season.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about.

According to Amex, the 2001-2002 International travel Program is valid through August 31, 2002. See:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,2731,00.asp

I was considering moving up from the Delta AMEX Gold card to a Platinum but the only real difference was the companion ticket.

When I called them (in December) they said it could only be used when flying with a fare paying customer who has spent at least $345 (give or take a few $) for their ticket.

Also you don't get the companion ticket until after you're renewal. Basically I would be paying $100 (2 years of at $50 for the step up) just to get my companion ticket. I might still do it.

I've compared them on this web site:
http://www.americanexpress.com/deltaoffers

Does anyone know of any other real benefits of going from Gold to Platinum for a leisure traveller?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UpgradeMe:
I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about. </font>

me neither... I am a Plat Card holder and the only companion perk that I know of is the FULL FARE International First/Business program. Yeah right, sure I'll pay that... NOT.

Do you have some kind of affinity plat card? like some kind of Delta, or Starwood Plat card that gives you companion airfare? this doesn't sound like "THE PLATINUM CARD."

Skymiles (DL) Platinum AMex card gives the companion ticket.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EWR-COflyer:
me neither... I am a Plat Card holder and the only companion perk that I know of is the FULL FARE International First/Business program. Yeah right, sure I'll pay that... NOT.

Do you have some kind of affinity plat card? like some kind of Delta, or Starwood Plat card that gives you companion airfare? this doesn't sound like "THE PLATINUM CARD."</font>

Whiplash,
The other advantage of the Platinum Delta card is the 10,000 BASE miles you receive if you charge $25,000 to it in a year. For more info you might want to search the Delta and/or American Express forums for posts on which card people prefer and why.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EWR-COflyer:
me neither... I am a Plat Card holder and the only companion perk that I know of is the FULL FARE International First/Business program. Yeah right, sure I'll pay that... NOT.

Do you have some kind of affinity plat card? like some kind of Delta, or Starwood Plat card that gives you companion airfare? this doesn't sound like "THE PLATINUM CARD."</font>

The twofers are a great deal when flying to Asia. You can often get a business class roundtrip for two under $2500.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wigstheone:
According to Amex, the 2001-2002 International travel Program is valid through August 31, 2002. See:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,2731,00.asp</font>

AMEX updates their program semi-annually. According to Platinum Travel Services (I spoke with them today) they will continue after August, but some airlines may decide not to participate, and some may join in.

[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 02-13-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by carm100:
Just talked with American Express and they said that the new free companion certificate that is issued no longer applies to International Travel......only the 48 states. The new one is transferable and does not have a minimum amount. Anyone heard the same? It's disappointing that International has been removed as that has been a good benefit if you plan on visiting Europe during the off season.</font>

I'm sort of glad about this, as it might be enough of a downgrade in their benefits to finally convince me to get rid of the card. Too many restrictions on it (I've used other airlines companion certificates that were MUCH less restrictive).

I 10k base miles (not bonus, base) are a great bonus if you charge that much ($25k/yr). However if you don't make use of that I don't think the card is worth it anymore just for the companion certificate.

Jeff


[This message has been edited by jwhite4 (edited 02-13-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zrs70:
The twofers are a great deal when flying to Asia. You can often get a business class roundtrip for two under $2500.</font>

Specific airlines or routings to get this kind of price?

I've found the full J fare on CX, for example, to be an awful lot more than $2500! But I'd love to be enlightened here...

Asiana and Malaysia airlines are both part of the program. Their fares from LAX to, for example, Taipei are about $1200 one way in C.

As far as I know you have to buy a FULL FARE business-class or first-class ticket to take advantage of the companion program. These tickets cost much more than the discount business-class fares available to Asia. DOes anyone have information to the contrary?

The other interesting restriction on the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Optima card companion certificate is that you have to purchase the ticket using such a credit card.... I was mailed mine after I had canceled my card (having collected the bountiful bonuses available in the first year, including the spiffy 50,000 miles matching bonus), not realizing that I was going to get mailed this companion certificate on my first card anniversary. Makes it a bit harder to use....