American Express Membership Rewards - Platinum 241 current status

The current (July 2009) issue of Consumer Reports Money Advisor, usually a good source, says that "if you book a trip through AmEx Platinum's travel service, you receive ... unlimited free companion airfare on international flights." But I looked on the Amex web site and couldn't find any mention of this benefit, under the Platinum Card link or elsewhere.

I know this has been discussed on FT before, but a search turns up a huge amount of confusing and probably obsolete discussion. In view of this new report, can anyone point to current information on FT or elsewhere about the status of this program, or does anyone have current personal experience of it? I'd especially like to know, if the program is current, exactly what airlines and fare types it applies to, and whether it's capacity controlled.

Or is the magazine just wrong?

Thanks for any comment.

Start here...

https://www217.americanexpress.com/cards/npz.do?pmccode=137#CARDS/137/1/0/3

Receive a complimentary overseas companion ticket on one of our participating airlines when you purchase a qualifying, full fare First or Business-class ticket through Platinum Travel Service...

The term full fare is the key to understanding this program. Typically you can buy two discounted business class tickets for less, but there are times when that isn't an option.

Thanks for the link. I went in through home.americanexpress.com and looked and looked but couldn't get to that page.

I was afraid it would be the typical story of TWO FARES FOR ONE (but the one fare will cost you more than two.)

But maybe if you kept diligently searching business fares you could sometimes find one that will make the deal worth while? Has anyone done this?

mia is right, discounted business fares are normally cheaper than the full fare that Amex wants you to pay. I've had the Plat card for going on 20 years and have never used the benefit.

Where I've seen it work very well is when your company is paying the business fare, and you can then take your partner/spouse/significant other along for the ride (for free). Sadly, my company makes me use a corporate card for all travel related expenses, so I'm outta luck. :(

I think someone in another thread on this subject remarked that this benefit isn't very impressive but it doesn't do any harm. I disagree: I think it harms the airline's and Amex's reputation by cheating their customers, because the advertised benefit is in ethics if not in law a shabby scam. I don't think this language is too harsh. The advertising leads you to believe you are being offered a benefit which will enable you to buy two tickets for what you would typically pay for one, but in fact if you use the "benefit" you will be buying two tickets for more than what you would typically pay for two.

I think someone in another thread on this subject remarked that this benefit isn't very impressive but it doesn't do any harm. I disagree: I think it harms the airline's and Amex's reputation by cheating their customers, because the advertised benefit is in ethics if not in law a shabby scam. I don't think this language is too harsh. The advertising leads you to believe you are being offered a benefit which will enable you to buy two tickets for what you would typically pay for one, but in fact if you use the "benefit" you will be buying two tickets for more than what you would typically pay for two.

A bit over the top IMHO. Often business travel is last minute and a/p premium fares aren't necessarily available. For those cases, 2-4-1 could be a great benefit.

Re advertising: read the program T's and C's...that's what responsible people do.

Like everything in life, it varies. I'm sure that there are applications for the discount, especially if, as I mentioned, someone else is picking up the tab or you're in the habit of buying walk up business class fares.

I don't think it is damaging.

When American Express introduced this benefit most carriers did not publish discounted business class fares, they disposed of the surplus inventory through consolidators. The program has not kept pace with the market.

I recall reading last year that American Express recognized the problem and was attempting to renegotiate their contracts to have the benefit apply to somewhat lower fares. Alas, I don't recall where I read it, and don't know if it occurred. Nonetheless, I am confident the program will never offer two seats for the cost of the lowest (I or Z) published business class fares because there's no reason the airlines would contract at that rate. The program isn't magic, and American Express isn't paying for the second seat.

A bit over the top IMHO.

Only a bit? The program provides exactly what it advertises. How this is in any way deceptive is beyond me. I've used it once, and it was on a route where the carrier didn't generally offer any discount fares to the public, so it was a bargain for me. I think that everyone, including American Express, would agree that if you are able to avail yourself to a discount fare, it's often better to just buy two discount fares.

I think someone in another thread on this subject remarked that this benefit isn't very impressive but it doesn't do any harm. I disagree: I think it harms the airline's and Amex's reputation by cheating their customers, because the advertised benefit is in ethics if not in law a shabby scam. I don't think this language is too harsh. The advertising leads you to believe you are being offered a benefit which will enable you to buy two tickets for what you would typically pay for one, but in fact if you use the "benefit" you will be buying two tickets for more than what you would typically pay for two.

Wow, a bit melodramatic in my opinion. The terms and conditions of the program are pretty clearly stated on Amex's website. In fact, you don't even have to read the fine print to see the term "full fare" it's in plain size font, directly in the description of the program. If you travel with any frequency, the term "full fare" should not be confusing, it's the same as full fare economy (i.e. more expensive).

I don't find value in the program, and I didn't acquire the card for this specific item, however, I don't find it "deceptive."

Furthermore, IMHO anyone considering acquiring a charge card with an almost $500 annual fee, owes some due diligence to understand, very clearly, what the heck they are getting. Buyer beware, no?

Regards

The only surprising thing to me about this is that Consumer Reports was taken by the marketing shtick rather than digging into the details.

The only surprising thing to me about this is that Consumer Reports was taken by the marketing shtick rather than digging into the details.

This is the point: it's a marketing shtick, and though of course none of us are fooled by it -- or at least we're not after the first time we encounter it -- it's still a puerile attempt by a business to manipulate our attitudes that insults our intelligence. It's like the trumpeting of cheap fares in huge type with the tiny footnote ("fares quoted are one way based on round trip purchase.") Such tactics makes me feel like they are treating me like a child or an idiot. If I'm the only person in the world who reacts so negatively to these tactics, maybe not much damage is done, but to the extent that others also react negatively, they indeed do damage to the image and reputation of the companies that practice them.

I think it's a good program, one business class ticket from JFK to CAI in September 2009 cost $3609 on Delta website and Mobissimo and exactly the same $3609 on AmEx Travel website so I guess that's a good deal then, about the annual fee, I think it's well worth it, I had to rent a car after a drunk driver totalled mine and had to buy a new car so I left the rental at the dealership to be picked up by Enterprise, then Enterprise called me following afternoon claiming there were 2 scratches in the rental car, I files a claim with AmEx which paid $517 to Enterprise for the damage which I couldn't believe as I didn't use my AmEx Platinum to pay the full amount for the rental, just taxes as Geico paid most of the bill
I guess the card is worth more than the $450 annual fee plus you get free lounge access so I canceled my Priority Pass which costs $95/year plus $27 per visit

... one business class ticket from JFK to CAI in September 2009 cost $3609 on Delta website and Mobissimo and exactly the same $3609 on AmEx Travel website so I guess that's a good deal ...

This is the fundamental misunderstanding. You need to call Platinum Travel Service (PTS) to ask the fare they would use for this program. The $3,609 fare is booked in "I" class which is Delta's discounted business fare bucket. The fare shown on the Amex Travel website is the same bucket, and is typically not the fare that PTS would use for this program. (The Amex Travel site is outsourced to Travelocity, not even the same company as Platinum Travel Service.)

PTS would probably use the "J" or "C" bucket (both $10,438) or perhaps "D" ($8,576).

<snip> it's still a puerile attempt by a business to manipulate our attitudes that insults our intelligence. It's like the trumpeting of cheap fares in huge type with the tiny footnote ("fares quoted are one way based on round trip purchase.")

:confused: Err... isn't this called "Marketing?" And I don't think that Amex is the only company in the world to use marketing tactics to drive business. My guess is many folks participating on this forum quite likely draw their salaries from companies that also use "marketing" no?

Sorry, the adage "buyer beware" is still in style (as is the adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is")

Regards

The terms and conditions of the program are pretty clearly stated on Amex's website. In fact, you don't even have to read the fine print to see the term "full fare" it's in plain size font, directly in the description of the program. If you travel with any frequency, the term "full fare" should not be confusing, it's the same as full fare economy (i.e. more expensive).


Just wanted to point out that paying full fare for 1 ticket is not enough, even though the plain language of the program certainly indicates that this is the only requirement. A second requirement, one which makes this "benefit" utterly useless 99.9% of the time: there must also be discounted fare buckets for sale. So I wonder - - if 2 discounted 'C' class tickets cost less than 1 full fare 'C' ticket - - how does this program ever make fiscal sense? Perhaps, AMEX could revise what they call this program to 'detriment' since its certainly not a 'benefit' by any meaning of that word. :rolleyes:

Just wanted to point out that paying full fare for 1 ticket is not enough, even though the plain language of the program certainly indicates that this is the only requirement. A second requirement, one which makes this "benefit" utterly useless 99.9% of the time: there must also be discounted fare buckets for sale. So I wonder - - if 2 discounted 'C' class tickets cost less than 1 full fare 'C' ticket - - how does this program ever make fiscal sense? Perhaps, AMEX could revise what they call this program to 'detriment' since its certainly not a 'benefit' by any meaning of that word. :rolleyes:

Ah, but you only chose to quote part of my post. I went on to say:

<snip>
I don't find value in the program, and I didn't acquire the card for this specific item, however, I don't find it "deceptive."

Furthermore, IMHO anyone considering acquiring a charge card with an almost $500 annual fee, owes some due diligence to understand, very clearly, what the heck they are getting. Buyer beware, no?

It's very well established on this forum that the this particular feature (I don't think I've ever used the term "benefit") is in fact worthless to most folks. In fact, I'd take your comment a step further and say that it's 100% worthless for me. However, I don't know of anyone that acquired the card for this particular item, and if someone did, well shame on them for not doing their homework.

Why is "buyer beware" such a difficult concept for so many folks?

Regards

Why is "buyer beware" such a difficult concept for so many folks?

Why is "Businesses ought to treat their potential and actual customers with genuine and complete, not just phoney, sort of, 'we-have-deniability-if-called-on-it,' respect, honesty and fair dealing" such a difficult concept for so many folks?

... there must also be discounted fare buckets for sale.

It's entirely possible that (for example) a flight leaving next week will have "I" or "Z" inventory even though the fare rules might require a 42 day advance purchase to obtain the deeply discounted fare. Airlines use these same fare buckets for other purposes, such as accomodating passengers who already hold a ticket and need to change to another flight.

Why is "Businesses ought to treat their potential and actual customers with genuine and complete, not just phoney, sort of, 'we-have-deniability-if-called-on-it,' respect, honesty and fair dealing" such a difficult concept for so many folks?

Just because it doesn't work for you (or me) does not mean it doesn't work for someone else. If it bothers you this much, dump the card and move on.

Why is "Businesses ought to treat their potential and actual customers with genuine and complete, not just phoney, sort of, 'we-have-deniability-if-called-on-it,' respect, honesty and fair dealing" such a difficult concept for so many folks?

LOL! Let me know how that works out for you. That nirvana you seek goes far beyond Amex. I suggest you dump this card and then begin your quest for doing business with companies that don't use marketing tactics (indeed, let us know how that goes).

There is the way the world should work and there is the way the world does I prefer to focus on the latter, because the former is irrelevant.

Companies generally are looking for opportunities to separate your money from your wallet; it's YOUR responsibility, and yours alone to guard against that. If you don't you will pay the price not Amex (or any other company).

Regards

P.S. Perhaps you can provide us a list of all the great credit cards out there that don't have "fine print" attached to their features and benefits list?

This thread has been useful and enlightening. My thanks again to those who answered my original question with useful information.

As for the enlightenment, if there are any MBA students or teachers reading this, I recommend you print off some of the above postings for use in a syllabus for a business ethics class. They will admirably demonstrate the real world challenges faced by those who believe there might be such a thing.

And now I'll unsubscribe from this discussion, having learned everything I needed to, and indeed more.

It's very well established on this forum that the this particular feature (I don't think I've ever used the term "benefit") is in fact worthless to most folks.

You can call it a feature or facet or anything you want; I did not mean to put words in your mouth or misquote you. AMEX calls it a benefit and it rarely fits that term.

It's entirely possible that (for example) a flight leaving next week will have "I" or "Z" inventory even though the fare rules might require a 42 day advance purchase to obtain the deeply discounted fare. Airlines use these same fare buckets for other purposes, such as accomodating passengers who already hold a ticket and need to change to another flight.

Thanks for pointing out a situation where the program can be a benefit. ^ If I need a last minute ticket for 2, I'll keep this in mind.

a bit off topic, but is there any similar benefit for full-Y class?

You can call it a feature or facet or anything you want; I did not mean to put words in your mouth or misquote you. AMEX calls it a benefit and it rarely fits that term.


No worries at all, I didn't take it that way at all. I was just kinda clarifying my thoughts and used your comments as a "jumping off" point.

I think you and I are pretty much in a agreement.

Regards

<snip>
As for the enlightenment, if there are any MBA students or teachers reading this, I recommend you print off some of the above postings for use in a syllabus for a business ethics class. They will admirably demonstrate the real world challenges faced by those who believe there might be such a thing.

Hopefully it will be different MBA students and Professors than the ones that helped drive the global economy off a cliff! :o

Regards

a bit off topic, but is there any similar benefit for full-Y class?

There was, but it was recently discontinued.

While cha-cha-cha comes off as a little naive, I believe s/he has a point in that companies ought to be more direct and less deceptive in their advertising. Sadly this isn't so, and it is long since Caveat Emptor became the name of the game in consumer marketing. The useless free ticket bothers me less than most other claims out there though, because it just sounds to be too good to be true, which makes me less surpised when I find out that indeed it is. Think about it; "Pay less than $500 and get a free $5,000 ticket" ?

And as somebody, who has both attended MBA classes and written their cases, I don't think this is particularly egregious. Legally this claim is very clear cut and wouldn't get anybody in trouble. You could argue that it would hurt Amex' image if too many people fell for it, and that alone could be enough reason not do marketing this way. Clearly, not too many people actually fall for it, or if they do, they do not seem to mind. And as has been stated, the program does exactly what it claims to do, if narrowly. In Amex' favor, they also are very good at refunding membership fees if you no longer want the card, which also minimizes their liaiblity.

I'm struggling with what, exactly, is this issue on this.

Amex makes it pretty clear, but a full fare first or business ticket, on a participating airline, and you get to take someone along for free. At the time the program was launched (easily 10 years ago), discounted first and business fares did not exist. They do now, but Amex (and the airlines) have not modified this particular program.

There are advantages to full fare first/business tickets, including flexibility in changing schedule, and the ability to cancel the ticket and get a refund. But you have to pay for those benefits.

The fact on some airlines, you can buy a non refundable, unchangeable premium ticket, and two of those tickets might add up to less than a full fare premium ticket is pretty immaterial.

When dealing with AMEX, one is best advised to assume that 'Marketing' = 'Lying' and investigate accordingly.

Helps keep one from being too surprised at these 'deals'.

But maybe if you kept diligently searching business fares you could sometimes find one that will make the deal worth while? Has anyone done this?

Several people have pointed out many cases where this benefit is of use, and it's not just by "diligently searching" fares. Already, we've had discussed:

- Routes where discounted business class fares are not available.
- Itineraries that do not qualify for the restrictions on the discount fares, such as advance purchase and minimum-stay requirements.
- Situations where other restrictions on the discount fare are unacceptable, such as non-refundability.
- Situations where corporate travel policy allows purchase of full fare business class, but does not reimburse for spouse travel.

Also, it's been mentioned that when this benefit was launched, discount fares were not nearly as widely available as they are today. While someone might consider this irrelevant to today's situation, you still have all of the above situations that make it useful today.

Also, there's another benefit that nobody has mentioned: if you are traveling for business purposes on your own dime, there's a tax benefit: you can deduct your own travel, but not that of a travel companion that's not also participating in the business purpose of the trip.

For me, the IAP benefit was one of the reasons I got the Platinum card. And, I've actually used the benefit once! :) In my case, it was for LAX-HKG on CX. At the time, CX didn't offer any discount business class fares for travel terminating in HKG - you had to go to a point beyond and connect at HKG to get a discount. Based on my current travel patterns, it's unlikely that I'll use the benefit again, but just because it probably won't work for me doesn't mean that the feature is a fraud that should be subject to litigation, or is deceptive marketing as the OP has suggested.

When dealing with any faceless corporation, one is best advised to assume that 'Marketing' = 'Lying' and investigate accordingly.

Helps keep one from being too surprised at these 'deals'.

I fixed your post. :)

...... Enterprise called me following afternoon claiming there were 2 scratches in the rental car, I files a claim with AmEx which paid $517 to Enterprise for the damage which I couldn't believe as I didn't use my AmEx Platinum to pay the full amount for the rental, just taxes as Geico paid most of the bill......

Sorry, off topic here for a moment... Is premium rental car insurance a AmEx Platinum benefit?

The Platinum Card CDW benefit (Policy AX0925) is described here...

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


Premium Car Rental Protection (Policy AX0610 or Policy PCRP-IND), which includes more than CDW, is described here...

https://www152.americanexpress.com/fsea/travel/car_rental/product.do?source=search