American Express Membership Rewards - Going, going, gone (Amex Plat Canada)

I have just cashed in all my MR points today.

My annual fee is due in Feb and I am 90% certain I am going to drop Amex Plat card.

The benefits are too low now to justify the $399 fee. I also have a free Areoplan Plat Amex card and I don't see the value in keeping it active. The benefits that I used to love were:

1) 1.6% currency conversion fee - changed a few years ago to 2.2%
2) 1.5 MR points per $ - now 1.25
3) 2 for 1 Canadian Airlines / Air Canada ticket - replaced with "Privlage Pass"

All there other benefits are easily attainable by a card under $100 per year


Am I missing something? I would appreciate some opinions on this.

Thanks

for international airline program, do you have buy full fare tickets?

if you dont use FHR, thats a HUGE hit to the benefits level / value of the card.

I have just cashed in all my MR points today.

My annual fee is due in Feb and I am 90% certain I am going to drop Amex Plat card.

The benefits are too low now to justify the $399 fee. I also have a free Areoplan Plat Amex card and I don't see the value in keeping it active. The benefits that I used to love were:

1) 1.6% currency conversion fee - changed a few years ago to 2.2%
2) 1.5 MR points per $ - now 1.25
3) 2 for 1 Canadian Airlines / Air Canada ticket - replaced with "Privlage Pass"

All there other benefits are easily attainable by a card under $100 per year


Am I missing something? I would appreciate some opinions on this.

Thanks

I've been thinking about this for a while. Even though the defunct Companion Ticket was the best thing about the Amex Plat, I still think the $399 is worth it:

- automatic Starwood Gold (reasonably common free upgrades and points bonuses)
- automatic Fairmont President's Club (annual room and suite upgrades and food voucher)
- free AeroPlat card for lounge access and priority checkin (I doubt I will even try for AP Elite for 2008 so these will be useful)
- lounge access when using US airlines (although I've not used this much to date)

Admittedly Amex Plat is worth far less than it was, but I haven't seen all of the above benefits on any other card, and certainly not with one for $100 a year. If anyone can suggest any alternatives, I'd sure like to hear them! :)

- free AeroPlat card for lounge access and priority checkin (I doubt I will even try for AP Elite for 2008 so these will be useful)

Hmmm...I never saw that benefit in my AMEX Plat. package.:)

I've been thinking about this for a while. Even though the defunct Companion Ticket was the best thing about the Amex Plat, I still think the $399 is worth it:

- automatic Fairmont President's Club (annual room and suite upgrades and food voucher)
- free AeroPlat card for lounge access and priority checkin (I doubt I will even try for AP Elite for 2008 so these will be useful)
- lounge access when using US airlines (although I've not used this much to date)



Can anyone tell me how to get all these benefit? My Amex Plat Canada does not come with them, or at least they are not mentioned in the welcoming package.

Thanks.

huh, it doesnt mention president's club or aeroplat card on the amex canada website..

the third thing he mentioned is the airport club program >
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,14547,00.asp

also, can someone please let me know if for the international airline program you have buy full fare tickets?

The AeroPlat card was a "charter member" offer given to existing Canadian Plat card holders a couple of years ago. We get the AeroPlat card free as long as we keep paying for Plat. I'm pretty sure it is not being offered to new Plat card applicant, although you never know. This has become one of the things that has kept many of us holding on to the Plat card despite the erosion in benefits, especially the removal of the companion ticket.

huh, it doesnt mention president's club or aeroplat card on the amex canada website..


It doesn't say anything about President's Club on the site anymore, but I've been getting FPC Gold every year and it was listed as one of the hotel benefits on the last full package I received from Amex (in 2005 I think). It may be that Fairmont is no longer offering this but hasn't got around to updating its system. Knowing Fairmont, that might take a while...:rolleyes: In the meantime, I'm happy to take the free benefits. :D

So, folks, what do we do here in Canada, eh?
I've been very loyal to American Express (I am a shareowner as well), but I can't seem to rationalize the cost/benefit ratio for Plat. anymore...what are our options here...CIBC Aerogold?

the IAP says nothing about requiring full fare tickets.. none of you canadians have explored that?

the IAP says nothing about requiring full fare tickets.. none of you canadians have explored that?

Yes, full fare tix only. Business class.

So, folks, what do we do here in Canada, eh?
I've been very loyal to American Express (I am a shareowner as well), but I can't seem to rationalize the cost/benefit ratio for Plat. anymore...what are our options here...CIBC Aerogold?

CIBC aerogold offers $1/1.5pts

Yes, full fare tix only. Business class.

thanks for confirming that. bizarre that its not online..

So, folks, what do we do here in Canada, eh?
I've been very loyal to American Express (I am a shareowner as well), but I can't seem to rationalize the cost/benefit ratio for Plat. anymore...what are our options here...CIBC Aerogold?

I've been using my Aerogold anywhere I can get the 1.5 miles. I know it's petty but I'm tired of AMEX downgrading the Plat card here in Canada.

So, why do I keep it? AMEX usually will come through for us when needed. I do miss the 2 for 1 days with Canadian though.