American Express Membership Rewards - International Airline Program (IAP) 2 for 1 for Platinum/Centurion Members details

I have seen several threads on the international airline program 2 for 1 business or first class ticket promotion. On this program you have to purchase a full fare unrestricted business or first class ticket (if available) to get a second ticket for taxes. Below are rules for the airlines that participate in the US program. Included is the booking class code that has to be available for the program and the fare basis that the paying passenger ticket is priced at. The flights must be booked in the booking code, usually discounted business or first class and priced at the fare basis, which is a full fare. For example a Lufthansa flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Delhi(DEL) would have to be booked in D and priced departing on January 1st, 2008 and returning January 20th, 2008 would have a fare basis of CR and be approxiametly 10228.00USD for the paying passenger and 382.00USD in taxes for the companion. If you just priced it at D class, it would be 8014.00USD per person. A South African Airways itinerary on the same dates would have to be booked in J class and priced at the C fare basis, which would be 13142.20USD/222.20USD for two tickets. Travel on this program must originate in the US through one of the gateways listed below for each airline.

Aeromexico
Booking Class: A
Fare Basis: JPR
Gateways: New York (JFK) -- Miami (MIA) --
Houston (IAH) -- Los Angeles (LAX)
San Diego (SAN) -- Chicago (ORD)
Phoenix (PHX) -- Orlando (MCO)
Las Vegas (LAS) -- Ontario, CA (ONT)
Seattle (SEA)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transfers on the entire journey.
Journey Types: One-way, Circle, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

Air France
Booking Class: I-Long haul and transatlantic flights
C-short or medium haul flights
Y-single cabin airplanes
Fare Basis:CRT, CUSRT
Gateways: New York (JFK)-- Atlanta (ATL)
Philadelphia (PHL) -- Newark (EWR)
Los Angeles (LAX) -- Miami (MIA)
San Francisco (SFO) -- Boston (BOS)
Houston (IAH) -- Washington (IAD)
Chicago (ORD) -- Cincinnati (CVG)
Detroit (DTW) -- Seattle (SEA)
Franchise Carriers: Brit Air (DB), Regional (YS), Cityjet (WX), CCM (XK)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transfers on the entire journey; maximum 4 coupons on itinerary.
Journey Types: Circle-trip, Open-jaw, Roundtrip (No One-way travel in 2007)

Air New Zealand
Booking Class: D, Y-single cabin plane
Fare Basis:C3, C3OW(one way)
Destinations: Select international NZ operated flights when originating in the US to New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific** and London.
NAN, PPT, TBU and RAR must be onward (direct or nonstop flights) from/to LAX (no backtracking/connections thru AKL allowed).
Trans-Tasman flights are allowed in Business Class.
FLIGHTS NOT PERMITTED:
NZ300-699, NZ2000-5999, NZ9000-9999 series flights
Domestic New Zealand sectors NOT permitted.
Gateways:Los Angeles -- (LAX)
Honolulu -- (HNL)
San Francisco -- (SFO)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transfers on the entire journey.
Journey Types:One-way, Circle, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

Al Italia
Booking Class: I, Y-single cabin plane
Fare Basis: J, JR, J2, J2RT
Gateways: BOSTON (BOS)
CHICAGO (ORD)
NEW YORK (JFK)
NEWARK (EWR)
MIAMI (MIA)
WASHINGTON (IAD)
Maximum Transfers: Up to three (3) transits IF THRU FARE applies. Sector fares do not apply.
Journey Types: One-way, Circle, Open-jaw and Roundtrip

Asiana Airlines
Booking Class: A - First Class
Z – Business class
Y - Coach Class (domestic Korea)
Fare Basis: First- F
Business- C
Gateways: New York (JFK) -- Los Angeles (LAX)
San Francisco (SFO) -- Seattle (SEA)
Chicago (ORD)
Maximum Transfers: Three (3) transfers on the entire journey. Six (6) coupons per ticket. No sector fares allowed.
Journey Types: One-way, Circle-trip, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

Austrian Airlines
Booking Class: C
Fare Basis: C1, CR (only destinations that offer these fares allowed)
Gateways: New York (JFK) -- Washington (IAD)
Chicago (ORD)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transfers on the entire journey
Four (4) coupons per ticket
Journey Types: One-way, Circle, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

Cathay Pacific
Booking Class: I
Fare Basis: JSR
Destinations: Hong Kong (HKG)
Indonesia (DPS, JKT, SUB)
Malaysia (KUL, PEN)
Philippines (MNL, CEB)
Singapore (SIN)
Taiwan (TPE)
Thailand (BKK)
Gateways: New York – (JFK) Los Angeles - (LAX) San Francisco - (SFO)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transfers on the entire journey
Four (4) coupons per itinerary
Journey Types: Roundtrip, Open Jaws ONLY -- One Ways NOT allowed.

China Airlines
Booking Class: A - First Class (747 only)
D - Business Class (747 and A340)
Y - Coach (used only as immediate connection within Taiwan)
Fare Basis: F, FXRT (MON-THU), FWRT (FRI-SUN) (B747 -First)
C, CXRT (MON-THU), CWRT (FRI-SUN) (B747-Business)
J (A340-Dynasty Supreme)
NOTE: MAY *NOT* USE C02 or J02 fares!
Gateways: New York -- (JFK) Los Angeles -- (LAX) Anchorage -- (ANC)
Honolulu -- (HNL) San Francisco -- (SFO) Houston -- (IAH) Seattle -- (SEA)
Destinations: Offer valid in CI First and Business classes for carrier travel when originating at US gateways listed below to Asia, India and Australia.
Exception: CI is NOT permitted to sell Guam when a passenger originates his/her travel from the USA.
Note: All CI domestic air travel within Taiwan must be an immediate connection. CI is not permitted to operate domestic travel within Taiwan. If IAP itinerary includes a voluntary stopover, it must be issued on a seperate airline for domestic travel
Journey Types: One-way, circle-trip, open-jaw* and round-trip itineraries allowed
*subject to verification

Continental Airlines
Booking Class: Z- US gateway to designated international city
D- First US mainland city to US gateway
Y- Coach CO Express commuters (US mainland to US gateway)
Fare Basis: Any published full business class fare that begins with J.
Central America destinations eligible (SAL), (SJO), (GUA), (LIR) and (PTY) are priced using C fare.
Caribbean & BDA (see select destinations above) C, C8
Destinations: ANTILLES (NETHERLANDS) – ST MAARTEN (SXM)
BERMUDA (BDA) - ANTIGUA (ANU) - ARUBA (AUA)
BAHAMAS – NASSAU (NAS)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – PUERTO PLATA (POP)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – SANTO DOMINGO (SDQ)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - PUNTA CANA (PUJ)
GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS (GCM)
JAMAICA – KINGSTON (KIN), MONTEGO BAY (MBJ)
PUERTO RICO – AGUADILLA (BQN), SAN JUAN (SJU)
TRINIDAD – PORT OF SPAIN (POS)
VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S.) – ST THOMAS (STT)
(No Gulfstream operated flights to Caribbean!!)

COSTA RICA: Liberia (LIR) San Jose, (SJO) - EL SALVADOR: San Salvador (SAL)
PANAMA: Panama City (PTY)- GUATEMALA: Guatemala City (GUA)
BRAZIL: Sao Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires (EZE)
ENGLAND: London (LGW) Birmingham (BHX), Manchester (MAN), Bristol (BRS)
SCOTLAND: Glasgow (GLA), Edinburgh (EDI)
IRELAND: Dublin (DUB), Shannon (SNN), Belfast (BFS)
FRANCE: Paris (CDG) - NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam (AMS)
GERMANY: Hamburg (HAM)
BELGIUM: Brussels (BRU) - PORTUGAL: Lisbon (LIS)
SPAIN : Madrid (MAD) BARCELONA (BCN)
NORWAY: Oslo (OSL)
ISRAEL: Tel Aviv (TLV) - JAPAN: Tokyo (NRT)
INDIA: Delhi (DEL) Mumbai (BOM)
Gateways: NEWARK (EWR) HOUSTON (IAH) CLEVELAND (CLE)
Journey Types: One-way, Circle, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

Delta Airlines
Booking Class: A – First Class
D – Business Class
Y - Domestic commuter (single cabin connecting to gateway and int'l flights)
Fare Basis: International Business -- C,J -- Business Elite
International First -- F (No F06)
Destinations: ATLANTA (ATL) to/from:
Acapulco (ACA)
Antigua (ANU)
Aruba (AUA)
Cancún (CUN)
Cozumel (CZM)
Merida (MID)
Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (ZIH)
Tel Aviv (TLV)

NEW YORK (JFK) to/from:
Acapulco (ACA)
Accra (ACC)
Aruba (AUA) - International First Class only
Athens (ATH)
Cozumel (CZM)
Cabo San Lucas (SJD)
Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Pisa, Italy (PSA)
Bucharest, Romania (OTP)
Budapest, Hungary (BUD)
Istanbul, Turkey (IST)
Kiev, Ukraine (KBP)

SALT LAKE CITY (SLC) to/from:
Cancún (CUN)
Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Gateways: New York (JFK) Atlanta (ATL) Salt Lake City (SLC)
Journey Types: One-way, Roundtrip and Open Jaw

Emirates Airlines
Booking Class: A – First Class inventory C – Business Class inventory
Y – Not allowed beyond hub for single-class cabin.
Fare Basis: JOW, JRT, FOW, FRT
Gateways: New York (JFK) Houston (IAH) effective 12/3/07
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transits (one in each direction) with 4 coupons maximum
Journey Types: One way, open jaw, circle trip or round trip

Japan Airlines
Booking class: D -- Business Class
J -- Domestic Japan flights
Y -- Coach class for single cabin aircraft
Fare Basis: US gateway to Japan(LAX-NRT-LAX) DWRT, DXRT, DXOW, DWOW
US gateway beyond Japan(LAX-NRT-SIN-NRT-LAX) D1, D1234(MON-THU)
US gateway to Australia(LAX-NRT-SYD-NRT-LAX) D2JLRT, D2JLOW
Gateways: New York (JFK) Los Angeles (LAX) San Francisco (SFO)
Chicago (ORD) Honolulu (HNL) Kona (KOA)
Code Shares permitted: Eligible codeshares are QF(Qantas) (EXCEPT TYO-MEL) , VN(Vietnam Airlines), CZ(China Southern), MU (China Eastern)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transits permitted per itinerary.
Journey Types: One-way, Circle, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

LAN Airlines
Booking class: D Business Class
Coach (Y) class may be used for international travel beyond hub city only if a single-cabin coach class aircraft is operated
Fare Basis: Based on Published Unrestricted fare beginning with J
Partner Airlines: LA (LAN Chile) LP (LAN Peru), XL (LAN Equador)
4M (LAN Argentina) - all valid on the IAP.
LAN Express flights are valid on IAP.
Gateways: New York (JFK) Miami (MIA) Los Angeles (LAX)
Unlimited Transfers
Journey Types: One Way, Circle, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

Lufthansa
Booking Class: D
Fare Basis: Published Business class fare basis codes beginning with C
Gateways: Atlanta (ATL) - Boston (BOS) - Washington (IAD) Dallas (DFW) - New York (JFK) - Los Angeles (LAX) Miami (MIA) - Newark (EWR) - San Francisco (SFO) Houston (IAH) - Chicago (ORD) - Detroit (DTW) Philadelphia (PHL) - Denver (DEN) Portland (PDX) - Charlotte (CLT) Orlando (MCO)
LH Group Carries:LH/DE (Condor Air) flights are NOT allowed. Privatair transatlantic flights from the U.S. to Germany (with LH flight number) are eligible on the IAP. Services within Europe operated by CityLine (CL), Contact Air, Augsburg Airways (IQ), Eurowings (EW), LH Bus (*LH) and Air Dolomiti (EN), Cirrus Air (C9), Train Deutsche Bahn (2A) when booked with a LH flight number are also permitted.
Maximum Transfers/Coupons: Limited to three (3) transfers and six (6) coupons or flight segments
Journey types: Valid on one-way, circle trip, open jaw and roundtrip itineraries originating from one of the gateways listed above.

SAS
Booking Class: J
Fare basis: C, CR, CRGB, CUSSCB, CUSSCBOW, CW, CWR, CXR, DUSSCB, DUSEUBC
Gateways: CHICAGO (ORD) -- NEWARK (EWR) SEATTLE (SEA) -- WASHINGTON (IAD)
Code Shares allowed: Domestic U.S. code shares operated by other airlines not permitted. EXCEPTION: SK 925/SK926 (IAD-CPH-IAD) allowed.
SAS allows flights on the following air partner flights booked as SK designators:
KF -Blue1 BU -Braathens BT - Air Baltic JK - Spanair WF - Wideroe
Maximum Transfers: Three transfers thru hub cities (CPH, ARN, OSL) on the entire journey.
One sector fare is allowed per half roundtrip provided it is all on one ticket.
One side trip is allowed per half roundtrip provided it is all on one ticket.
Journey Types: One-way, Circle-trip, Open-jaw, Roundtrip

South African Airways
Booking Class: J -- Business Class
Y -- Coach Class (beyond CPT/JNB flights on single-cabin aircraft operated by SA Express SA/YB)
Fare Basis: C
Gateways: New York - JFK Washington DC - IAD
Destinations:
SOUTH AFRICA: Johannesburg (JNB)Cape Town (CPT)Durban (DUR)Port Elizabeth (PLZ)East London (ELS)George (GRJ)
KENYA: Nairobi (NBO)
NAMIBIA: Windhoek (ERS)
MOZAMBIQUE: Maputo (MPM)
ANGOLA: Luanda (LAD)
MAURITIUS: Port Louis (MRU)
MALAWI: Lilongwe (LLW)
TANZANIA: Dar Es Salaam (DAR)Zambia: Lusaka (LUN)
ZIMBABWE: Harare (HRE)
AUSTRALIA: Perth (PER)
THAILAND: Bangkok (BKK)
Maximum Transfers: Two (2) transfers on the entire journey
Four (4) coupons per ticket. No sector fares allowed. No sidetrips allowed.
Journey Types: One-way, Roundtrip , Open-jaw (both ends)

Swiss Air
Booking Class: A - First class
Z - Business class
Y - Coach class (only allowed on single-cabin aircraft)
Fare Basis: First ---- FICSWIOW (one way), FICSWIUS (Roundtrip)
Business -- CICSWIOW (one way), CICSWIUS (Roundtrip)
Gateways: New York (JFK) Newark (EWR) Los Angeles (LAX) Boston (BOS)
Chicago (ORD) Miami (MIA)
Code Shares: Privatair (EWR only), Cirrus, Darwin, Helvetic Airways & Swiss European Air Lines allowed booked as LX flight.
Maximum Transfer: Three (3) transfers on the entire journey Six (6) coupons per ticket. Sector fares are allowed.
Journey Types: One-way, circle trip, open jaw and roundtrip itineraries

Virgin Atlantic
Booking Class: D
Fare Basis: JX, JW based on destination(LGW, LHR)
Gateways: NEW YORK (JFK) -- BOSTON (BOS) NEWARK (EWR) -- MIAMI (MIA) WASHINGTON (IAD) -- LOS ANGELES (LAX) SAN FRANCISCO (SFO)
LAS VEGAS (LAS) ORLANDO (MCO) CHICAGO (ORD)
Maximum Transfers: No transfers thru hub city allowed.
Two coupons allowed.
Journey Types: One-way, Open-jaw and Roundtrip

Hope this helps :D

This is a very useful contribution, but could you provide a link to the source of the details?

So then, if I read this correctly, on Air France and Alitalia I notice that an ¨I¨ class fare would allow you to get the 2 for 1 Business deal on a trans-atlantic flight?
Isn't the ¨I¨ ticket class discounted Business Class? I know on Iberia and Delta it is for sure.
If this is the case, maybe I will start using this service rather than ignore it exists alltogether like I have done ever since I got a ridiculously high fare quote on AeroMexico to CUN with this ¨deal¨.

So then, if I read this correctly, on Air France and Alitalia I notice that an ¨I¨ class fare would allow you to get the 2 for 1 Business deal on a trans-atlantic flight?
Isn't the ¨I¨ ticket class discounted Business Class? I know on Iberia and Delta it is for sure.
If this is the case, maybe I will start using this service rather than ignore it exists alltogether like I have done ever since I got a ridiculously high fare quote on AeroMexico to CUN with this ¨deal¨.

The flight would have to be booked in I class, however would have to be priced at a CRT or CUSRT fare basis not in the standard I fare. I is discounted business class, which has to be available on most or all of the airlines, however the full paying ticket is never priced at discounted business or first class. You also can not book these reservations on-line it has to be done with American Express Platinum Travel.

Wonderful information, thank you. Now if only someone could do the same for the UK Amex IAP program!

I agree. Thanks for the info, but can someone post similar for UK platinum?

This is a very useful contribution, but could you provide a link to the source of the details?

There is a faxback service that one can use for the details of all this info. If I find the fax number I will post it. But the info looks accurate - as of now. Of course it can always change.

It looks like there are a couple CO destinations in the Carribean that might actually make sense to use the deal on, if you were going to spring for paid F anyways. NAS is $1387 from EWR in C and R (discounted Int'l F) is ~$900, so there is some potential for real savings there, though I would still argue that one should pay as little as $450 for the non-stop or even the $300 with one stop in FLL and the short hop on an Embraer Brasilia 120 for the 3 hour flight that is involved. SDQ and GCM seem to also have pretty low C fares, making them possible candidates for such a deal as well.

That being said, I vaguely remember hearing at one point that CO squashed the affordable routes from the deal as they realized that people might actually be using it. I'm curious how current the information is and the source.

I'm missing China Airlines - they offer some of the best 2 for 1 deals to Asia (though also have the worst c class).

I'm missing China Airlines - they offer some of the best 2 for 1 deals to Asia (though also have the worst c class).

You couldn't pay me enough to fly on China Airlines.

I'm missing China Airlines - they offer some of the best 2 for 1 deals to Asia (though also have the worst c class).

Fixed ;)

Thanks so much for your helpful post.

With regard to Delta, does the program only work for the destinations you've listed? For example, I'm waiting for my plat app to be processed (this Thursday) so the plat travel desk wont let me book my tickets yet, understandably. However, in the meantime I've found a full fare business class Delta ticket (operated by KoreanAir) to Bangkok for $4950. Wll Amex not give me the companion ticket on that?

If not, does anyone have any suggestions on getting me to BKK business class for my honeymoon (flying June 2008)? I've tried to use MR points and my delta sky miles and am quickly learning how fast those seats go. Couldnt find anything via the Sky Team. I thought upgrading to platinum would help.

Thanks so much for your helpful post.

With regard to Delta, does the program only work for the destinations you've listed? For example, I'm waiting for my plat app to be processed (this Thursday) so the plat travel desk wont let me book my tickets yet, understandably. However, in the meantime I've found a full fare business class Delta ticket (operated by KoreanAir) to Bangkok for $4950. Wll Amex not give me the companion ticket on that?

If not, does anyone have any suggestions on getting me to BKK business class for my honeymoon (flying June 2008)? I've tried to use MR points and my delta sky miles and am quickly learning how fast those seats go. Couldnt find anything via the Sky Team. I thought upgrading to platinum would help.

Unfortunately, it would not be valid on Delta and definitely not on Korean air but there are other possibilites. Another thing is no code shares are allowed: no Lufthansa operated by Thai Air or similar unless listed above (ie JL/MU, JL/CZ, LH/CL, etc). I don't know which city you will be departing from so let's assume LAX. Asiana is a good bet and has good fares (A or Z class has to be available) and has gateways in JFK, LAX, ORD, SFO, and SEA. Otherwise, if you are on the east coast , Air France is a possibility, they have many gateways as listed above and I class has to be available on the flight to CDG and to BKK. Lufthana's fares are good as well and they have a myriad of US gateways ranging from Los Angeles to Denver to Chicago to Detroit to Miami to New York and in between; also their D class in business is frequently available. China Airlines also flies to Bangkok through Taipei (A or D class available) and flies from the west and east coast. China Airlines will probably be the cheapest for business class. Cathay Pacific is another nice airline with flights to Bangkok through HKG and has gateways in SFO, LAX, and JFK; expect $10,000 or more for two business class tickets (refer to fare basis JSR). For further research, go to airlineroutemaps.com to see which participating airline flies to Bangkok. It would help to know the dates of travel and which city you are flying from.

This is a far superior program to what we get in Australia, we just get a few thousand $ off the airfares :(

This is a far superior program to what we get in Australia, we just get a few thousand $ off the airfares :(

If you are lucky.....

If you are lucky.....

Well I have booked but not yet ticketed two seats in J on AC for next year $18k MEL-SYD-YVR on their new 777's.

If I booked through AC directly would have been close to $23k, so $5,000 off is better than nothing!

Shame they dropped NZ

I'm considering getting an Amex Platinum card as a secondary cardholder on someone else's account. Will such a card be eligible for IAP tickets issued in my name (with some other person receiving the "free" ticket)?

this is a tough one to figure out. me and my wife are going to take a trip in may to spain/italy. i really want a flat bed for the trip. call me nuts... a snob.. but i feel like the trip is as much fun as touring the country (also affects the trip when you can arrive rested). i have the money but would also like to be smart and not wasteful. i know i have to book soon. so i did.

i used spg points for the hotel in italy and got a great rate on hotel in spain. with flights... i did amex plat 2for1 in f on swiss. its 14k. i know i know... its a lot. but i did check around. with swiss directly it would be just over 20k for the two of us (i'm talking U.S. dollars here). so it saves over 6k.

i've checked with a couple consolidators. the ones who use points say (IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE) they can get it for about 10K for the two of us but no milage points since they use milage to purchase the tickets. So is the 4k difference worth it to me is the big one (and IF space is available). We get 300% points with m&m (i think only for the one paying the full fare).

another consolidator who just uses bulk had very similar prices to me paying with am ex 2for1. They did say that BA offers 2for1 with their credit card (which takes up to 6 weeks to get). They were the only other ones i considered since they have the new lie flat in business. But i've heard mixed things about it. But if i did that... maybe 5 or 6K?

So what's this all mean? i guess its your financial comfort level and what's your value system. I'm sort of tempted to try to cancel my 2for1 and talk to the ticket consolidator who uses points for the swiss f. probably worth it to save the $$$???? And then hope my personal earnings continues solidly. The 2for1 ain't a steal. Its an option. (p.s. right now don't have the milage points to just get a rewards myself)

I'm considering getting an Amex Platinum card as a secondary cardholder on someone else's account. Will such a card be eligible for IAP tickets issued in my name (with some other person receiving the "free" ticket)?

Yes, you should be able to. All secondary cardholders are eligible for the same benefits.

Who are these "consolidators"? Are you able to share them? I'm planning our honeymoon to Malaysia and trying to figure out the best way to get there in biz class. Thanks!

i'll post tuesday. not near MY computer and don't have info with me. away.

another consolidator who just uses bulk had very similar prices to me paying with am ex 2for1. They did say that BA offers 2for1 with their credit card (which takes up to 6 weeks to get). They were the only other ones i considered since they have the new lie flat in business. But i've heard mixed things about it. But if i did that... maybe 5 or 6K?



BA 2-4-1 with their credit card is a bad option. They increased full fares last year to the level of absurdity. But they indeed have flat beds in business class and a discounted business class ticket from US to Europe is about $2500 if purchased well in advance (on any airline, not only BA). This is much less than what you can get with any 2-4-1 offer.

BA 2-4-1 with their credit card is a bad option. They increased full fares last year to the level of absurdity. But they indeed have flat beds in business class and a discounted business class ticket from US to Europe is about $2500 if purchased well in advance (on any airline, not only BA). This is much less than what you can get with any 2-4-1 offer.

i get that but what about f class? the 2for1 IS cheaper with f. i agree about biz class. yeah... way more options for cheaper. not the same with f.

for whoever wanted to know who the consolidator is... here is the one who uses milage to buy tickets (theirs... not yours) and is a cheaper option IF THEY FIND SEATS:

http://www.executivetravelservice.com

luck!

has anyone ever earned miles on the companion leg of a 2-4-1 ticket on cx?

Will the companion ticket earn miles? I understand that in the domestic program they do, but am not sure about the internation companion ticket program. Thanks for the help. ^

Will the companion ticket earn miles? I understand that in the domestic program they do, but am not sure about the internation companion ticket program. Thanks for the help. ^

Officially, no. In reality, I have no idea.

The T&C say no miles earned for the companion seat. I vaguely recall posts here saying that miles were earned, but I wouldn't count on it.

My experience on Virgin Atlantic is the companion ticket does not earn miles. The paid ticket does.

My experience on Virgin Atlantic is the companion ticket does not earn miles. The paid ticket does.

That's been my experience as well, on CX.

And on LAN.

Does this thread have correct information about booking class info and the international 2 for 1 program. For eg, I'm looking into using the promotion to fly to israel around christmas. The chart in this thread indicates that I need to find Z class availability. Is this correct? I feel like I've read something to the contrary elsewhere. Thanks for the help.

Does this thread have correct information about booking class info and the international 2 for 1 program. For eg, I'm looking into using the promotion to fly to israel around christmas. The chart in this thread indicates that I need to find Z class availability. Is this correct? I feel like I've read something to the contrary elsewhere. Thanks for the help.

Assuming that you plan on flying on CO, that would seem to be the case. You'd need Z inventory and you'd pay J fares. From EWR the Z fares range from $2564-$4776 and the J fares are $8346-$11729. The IAP would not seem to be such a deal in this case.

Yes, was looking at CO. :cool: The lowest fare in the dates I'm looking at is around 8900 all in. I was hoping that the offer would help out somehow. I'm beginning to question the value of a platinum card. :mad: I would have been happy :rolleyes: to pay a full fare if I got a companion ticket free (as the program is marketed), but this does not seem to be the case. I need discount bucket availability (of which there is none), 2 of which would cost less than a single full-fare. So, the deal only comes in handy if there is only one discounted ticket left on a flight. :td: I gather other routes are different, as I've previously used the program to fly AF in an economically desirable manner. Any suggestions on what to do with my MR points if I want to close down the Platinum account?

I'm beginning to question the value of a platinum card.

Well, it's pretty well documented and covered both here and other places that the value of this particular benefit (2-4-1 Business) is pretty lame. Additionally, with Amex now canceling the 2-4-1 domestic companion program (which IMHO was a much more valuable program) I think many of us are questioning the value of the card.

In terms of what to do w/MR points, obviously you could use them! :) Or you could consider getting a different Amex card with a more reasonable fee and after that is established, then close the platinum card. Finally, you could of course transfer them into an airline program that is supported by Amex MR.

Regards.

Will the companion ticket earn miles? I understand that in the domestic program they do, but am not sure about the internation companion ticket program. Thanks for the help. ^

My boss and I flew DEN-SOF on LH recently using a 2 for 1 ticket. We booked it through AMEX Travel and inquired about the mileage. The travel agent said that the miles would probably only be posted to my boss's MP account but that she would contact LH prior to departure to see if I would also receive the miles. We did not hear from her again but when we checked in for the flight we asked the LH gate agent the same question. She wasn't sure but she did enter my MP number. I checked my MP account a few days later and the miles were there. I was stoked! After returning home I checked my account periodically but the return did not post. After waiting the 15 days I sent an inquiry to United about the miles. 2 days later they were posted. After all that I have heard and read I feel very fortunate to have received the miles.

As to whether the Card was worth it, this trip alone saved us close to $9,000 USD. ^

I am considering a Platinum Card with the IAP as a huge draw. I am unclear as to how long the program will last. They have an expiry date on the AMEX site but is that for registration or is that for the end of the program? Thanks,

As to whether the Card was worth it, this trip alone saved us close to $9,000 USD. ^
I'm a bit surprised by this number. The fares do not appear that close for the deal:

[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.0/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/DotRes/US] (http://www.KVSTool.com/?R)
DEN Denver Int'l CO US [KDEN]
SOF Sofia BG [LBSF]
WED 10 Dec 2008 / SAT 20 Dec 2008 / RT

Carrier From To Fare Cur Fare Basis
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ----------
LH DEN SOF 11370 USD DRE
LH DEN SOF 13416 USD CR
LH DEN SOF 14568 USD DOE
LH DEN SOF 16190 USD C

You have to book in D and pay for C. I would think that you'd pay the $16K fare and potentially book in to the $11K fare. There is still some savings there, but after taxes/surcharges not $9K.

I am considering a Platinum Card with the IAP as a huge draw. I am unclear as to how long the program will last. They have an expiry date on the AMEX site but is that for registration or is that for the end of the program? Thanks,
The expiration listed is basically there because the contracts with the airlines are annual, so there is no guarantee that any particular carrier or destination will be there next year. But the program will almost certainly not disappear.

Also consider that there are fares that are cheaper than what LH offers, and that a Biz fare to a European gateway and then adding on a coach segment to get to the final destination will be much cheaper and almost identical service for that last segment in most cases for destinations that do not offer non-stop service from the USA.

I don't know the booking codes that were used but I do remember the agent quoting us over $11,000 USD per ticket for a Business Class fare. She said the IAP was available but we would have to book into a higher fare. The final price for the 2 for 1 was a little over $13,000 USD. There were cheaper alternatives (mostly non *A ) available but they also involved additional stops. Less hassle = Better trip.

I am also certain that most of the 2 for 1 tickets don't work out this well but I was surprised an happy with the outcome.

Thank you for the information about the expiry dates.

is it true that the international 2 for 1 is also ending dec 31 of this year? i know the domestic one is and i got the letter about it from amex but someone just told me the international one is ending as well? can anyone confirm it?

is it true that the international 2 for 1 is also ending dec 31 of this year? i know the domestic one is and i got the letter about it from amex but someone just told me the international one is ending as well? can anyone confirm it?

It always states that the deals are only good through the end of the current calendar year until AmEx signs the contracts with the airlines for the following calendar year. I cannot imagine them killing this program. It is a win for both the airlines and AmEx. And they certainly haven't stated anything publicly. In fact, in the letter I got about the end of the domestic program they tout the IAP as still in operation.

It always states that the deals are only good through the end of the current calendar year until AmEx signs the contracts with the airlines for the following calendar year. I cannot imagine them killing this program. It is a win for both the airlines and AmEx. And they certainly haven't stated anything publicly. In fact, in the letter I got about the end of the domestic program they tout the IAP as still in operation.

hehe ok good, that just kinda scared me when i saw it.

Does anyone know what the 2009 contract looks like for the 2-4-1? Meaning which carriers and what classes of service?

Updates???? Are there any changes for 2009? I have seen nothing yet.

There are three carriers that are no longer participating in the program. They are Continental, Delta and Emirates.

I have no idea if the booking or fare codes have changed for the remaining programs.

jeese, so they dropped 3 as well?

sbm12, who else is new besides aer lingus? any mention of "lower fares"?

jeese, so they dropped 3 as well?

sbm12, who else is new besides aer lingus? any mention of "lower fares"?
I have no idea. I haven't actually seen the new paperwork, only heard through other sources about the removal of the three. Perhaps if I have some spare time tomorrow I'll call in and ask for the details if I can get a sympathetic agent on the phone who wants to spend the time and share.

Updates???? Are there any changes for 2009? I have seen nothing yet.

Amex CS told me to wait after 3/31/2009 for updates

Has anyone received updates on the airlines participating in the program, and the rules by airline? According to the following link:

https://www217.americanexpress.com/cards/platinum/benefit.do?benefitTemplate=template_c&benefitId=5

Aer Lingus has been added, but Continental is no longer part of the program. And I suspect the one-way, open-jaw and circle fare rules may have changed since the excellent original post.

I just tried calling PTS to inquire about a NYC-AMM one-way J flight - and was told EK is the only airline in the program that offers one-way ticketing (well, at least to this destination; not sure if that's applicable to other destinations as well).

Any and all insight is very much appreciated!

Has anyone received updates on the airlines participating in the program, and the rules by airline? According to the following link:

https://www217.americanexpress.com/cards/platinum/benefit.do?benefitTemplate=template_c&benefitId=5

Aer Lingus has been added, but Continental is no longer part of the program. And I suspect the one-way, open-jaw and circle fare rules may have changed since the excellent original post.

I just tried calling PTS to inquire about a NYC-AMM one-way J flight - and was told EK is the only airline in the program that offers one-way ticketing (well, at least to this destination; not sure if that's applicable to other destinations as well).

Any and all insight is very much appreciated!


I was hoping to use the IAP on Continental for a trip in June--only to find out when I called that Continental did not renew the program in 2009.

If it wasn't for the access to the lounge with the Plat. Amex, I would seriously consider dropping the card.

Continental now offers the same benefit to cardholders of their premium Chase co-branded cards. That explains why they dropped out of the AmEx program.

And it is nice to see that EK actually is still in the program, though I am still quite certain that I'll never use it.