AndDee
Dec 8, 07, 5:49 pm
The value of the Platinum card here just keeps getting worse.
One of the main selling features of the card is the discounted Companion fares for travel to USA/Canada, Europe, Japan and Asia.
The savings on my Melbourne to Vancouver flight are around $6000 for the two of us, I am not complaining about that. I also get free limo transfers to/from the Airport in Melbourne, so another $400 saving!
My issue is that all of the offers are ending very soon, yes you can "book" tickets on most airlines for flights next year (after the dates listed below) but of course it's not confirmed and is dependant on the airline extending the deals to AMEX again.
Yes, they will probably be extended, but last time I had tickets booked it was on Air NZ, and they pulled out of the program, so I had to book much more expensive tickets at the last minute. Last year I booked Air Canada flights for travel this year, but they raised the prices by $5000 for the two of us! So who knows what will happen this year
Again I have booked tickets for Air Canada for travel in Jan/Feb. My booking was made back in June and I was advised that the new fares would be available in September. Heard nothing by October so called again and was advised a few weeks. Called again in November, told to call back in December. Called again late November, told to call back in Early December. Called on Wednesday and was told, no details still, call back in Early January. At this stage I had enough and said I can't just sit around and hope that two weeks before my flight that AMEX/Air Canada will sign off and agree on the fares. She was initially unhelpful until she offered to send an email off to Marketing and forward me the response. 4 days later, no email!
Very frustrated!!!! This benefit is pathetic for most people who need to book flights at least a few months in advance:
Expiry Dates:
Air Canada - 31th December
British Airways - 15th December (But can book travel to 31st March)
Virgin Atlantic - 29th February
Emirates - 31st December
Singapore Airlines - 31st March
Japan Airlines - 31st March
One of the main selling features of the card is the discounted Companion fares for travel to USA/Canada, Europe, Japan and Asia.
The savings on my Melbourne to Vancouver flight are around $6000 for the two of us, I am not complaining about that. I also get free limo transfers to/from the Airport in Melbourne, so another $400 saving!
My issue is that all of the offers are ending very soon, yes you can "book" tickets on most airlines for flights next year (after the dates listed below) but of course it's not confirmed and is dependant on the airline extending the deals to AMEX again.
Yes, they will probably be extended, but last time I had tickets booked it was on Air NZ, and they pulled out of the program, so I had to book much more expensive tickets at the last minute. Last year I booked Air Canada flights for travel this year, but they raised the prices by $5000 for the two of us! So who knows what will happen this year
Again I have booked tickets for Air Canada for travel in Jan/Feb. My booking was made back in June and I was advised that the new fares would be available in September. Heard nothing by October so called again and was advised a few weeks. Called again in November, told to call back in December. Called again late November, told to call back in Early December. Called on Wednesday and was told, no details still, call back in Early January. At this stage I had enough and said I can't just sit around and hope that two weeks before my flight that AMEX/Air Canada will sign off and agree on the fares. She was initially unhelpful until she offered to send an email off to Marketing and forward me the response. 4 days later, no email!
Very frustrated!!!! This benefit is pathetic for most people who need to book flights at least a few months in advance:
Expiry Dates:
Air Canada - 31th December
British Airways - 15th December (But can book travel to 31st March)
Virgin Atlantic - 29th February
Emirates - 31st December
Singapore Airlines - 31st March
Japan Airlines - 31st March