Free Executive membership: American Express Platinum Charge Cards
Feb 29, 2012, 3:15 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat 100 (LT Gold), IHG Spire, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, National EE, Hertz Prez Circle
Posts: 473
).You should also take a look at what the delta in your rental charges are when booking with the new Amex Plat Contract ID versus your other one(s) you may have been using. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Mar 1, 2012, 6:14 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Amex Plat, DL GM, DL KM, National Exec, SPG Gold,
Posts: 10
Got kicked out
Well, they lived up to their word and downgraded my status. I called Amex Plat and they gave me a phone number and code. Called the number and had to press several buttons to get to talk to someone. That person only handled rentals and billings. She transferred me to an Emerald Club rep, but the office was closed. I guess 8:15 eastern time is too early for them.
Mar 1, 2012, 7:35 am
#33
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Amex Plat, DL GM, DL KM, National Exec, SPG Gold,
Posts: 10
Back in, but it wasn't easy...
Well, they lived up to their word and downgraded my status. I called Amex Plat and they gave me a phone number and code. Called the number and had to press several buttons to get to talk to someone. That person only handled rentals and billings. She transferred me to an Emerald Club rep, but the office was closed. I guess 8:15 eastern time is too early for them.
I told her I had one and it was over in a minute. I also told her I was a little bugged that I was going to have to call every year. She just said, "Yes, sir."
Mar 1, 2012, 8:13 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Austin (TX)
Posts: 308
I finally got in touch with an Emerald Representative. She informed me that I did not qualify because I had not completed the required number of rentals. That's it, no other help. I then asked, "Even though I still have the same Amex card." She said, "Yes, sir... [long pause] Unless you want to call American Express and get another upgrade code."
I told her I had one and it was over in a minute. I also told her I was a little bugged that I was going to have to call every year. She just said, "Yes, sir."
I told her I had one and it was over in a minute. I also told her I was a little bugged that I was going to have to call every year. She just said, "Yes, sir."
Mar 1, 2012, 10:38 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,480
For me it took about a week for the upgraded status to appear, but I submitted my request through the web site (per the instructions on Amex's site) rather than calling.
Mar 1, 2012, 11:52 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Diego
Programs: Delta PLAT, Marriot Plat, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, A couple of other airlines - pee on
Posts: 623
No Status
My Exec still is set to expire yesterday. However, I actually have the AMEX Plat and I got my 12 rentals last year. Go figure. Looks I have to give them a call.
Mar 1, 2012, 12:01 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Texas
Programs: AA EXP, UA Premier Plat, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,053
I took advantage of this and I love the National experience. Problem is that for the places I travel, they're usually TWICE the rate of comparables (a car is a car), so I've been using Thrifty more.
I know the Amex Plat "experience" should lend itself to higher-end providers, but in the car game, I just can't justify using them when they're significantly higher, especially when Thrifty offers Blue Chip for a very close experience (and rewards program).
I know the Amex Plat "experience" should lend itself to higher-end providers, but in the car game, I just can't justify using them when they're significantly higher, especially when Thrifty offers Blue Chip for a very close experience (and rewards program).
Mar 1, 2012, 9:40 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
I logged into the Amex Platinum website and followed the link to the National website (to upgrade an existing account), which was their generic feedback/comment form. The Amex site instructed me to type "Platinum" in the comments field.
Well, no response after a week, and I had an upcoming rental I wanted to try this with (Hertz was out as they wanted > $100/day -- President's week in South Florida...)
I called and she said I needed the code, which I was able to find on the Amex website. She said she put it in but it would take a few days to update. A few days later, no luck. I called again, and this time she somehow upgraded the status on the spot (it showed up online when I logged in again).
Well, apparently the FLL location didn't get the memo because they upped my rate from ~$43 to $260/day when I drove off in a Chrysler 300 (the only non-gigantic SUV in the Executive Aisle).
And the agent at the lot exit didn't even bother to mention it. I didn't notice until I looked at the contract an hour later at my destination.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get through to someone who could help me. Finally, customer service managed to reach someone at the airport location, who said a manager would call me the next morning. Nope, no call. I really didn't want to drive this car around for 3 days without some assurance that I wouldn't actually be charged $260/day.
Adding insult to injury, an apparent electrical problem rendered the control screen on the car (where you control radio, climate, etc. on the dash) in operable. I couldn't change the volume or even turn off the radio. I go to the local National office in Boca the next morning and all they have to exchange is a minivan. And the agent there couldn't help with the rate issue either.
Finally, when I returned the car I was able to get the on-site customer service agent to fix the rental agreement and revert the charges to my pre-reserved rate. It took her about 10 minutes, and this was on top of the Alamo guy (only one in the booth when I got there until the National lady showed up a few minutes later) having no idea what was going on.
Well, thanks for listening to the rant, but I'm pretty sure I won't be renting from National ever again.
Well, no response after a week, and I had an upcoming rental I wanted to try this with (Hertz was out as they wanted > $100/day -- President's week in South Florida...)
I called and she said I needed the code, which I was able to find on the Amex website. She said she put it in but it would take a few days to update. A few days later, no luck. I called again, and this time she somehow upgraded the status on the spot (it showed up online when I logged in again).
Well, apparently the FLL location didn't get the memo because they upped my rate from ~$43 to $260/day when I drove off in a Chrysler 300 (the only non-gigantic SUV in the Executive Aisle).
And the agent at the lot exit didn't even bother to mention it. I didn't notice until I looked at the contract an hour later at my destination.I spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get through to someone who could help me. Finally, customer service managed to reach someone at the airport location, who said a manager would call me the next morning. Nope, no call. I really didn't want to drive this car around for 3 days without some assurance that I wouldn't actually be charged $260/day.
Adding insult to injury, an apparent electrical problem rendered the control screen on the car (where you control radio, climate, etc. on the dash) in operable. I couldn't change the volume or even turn off the radio.
I go to the local National office in Boca the next morning and all they have to exchange is a minivan. And the agent there couldn't help with the rate issue either.Finally, when I returned the car I was able to get the on-site customer service agent to fix the rental agreement and revert the charges to my pre-reserved rate. It took her about 10 minutes, and this was on top of the Alamo guy (only one in the booth when I got there until the National lady showed up a few minutes later) having no idea what was going on.
Well, thanks for listening to the rant, but I'm pretty sure I won't be renting from National ever again.
Mar 2, 2012, 8:20 am
#41
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 246
I logged into the Amex Platinum website and followed the link to the National website (to upgrade an existing account), which was their generic feedback/comment form. The Amex site instructed me to type "Platinum" in the comments field.
Well, no response after a week, and I had an upcoming rental I wanted to try this with (Hertz was out as they wanted > $100/day -- President's week in South Florida...)
I called and she said I needed the code, which I was able to find on the Amex website. She said she put it in but it would take a few days to update. A few days later, no luck. I called again, and this time she somehow upgraded the status on the spot (it showed up online when I logged in again).
Well, apparently the FLL location didn't get the memo because they upped my rate from ~$43 to $260/day when I drove off in a Chrysler 300 (the only non-gigantic SUV in the Executive Aisle). And the agent at the lot exit didn't even bother to mention it. I didn't notice until I looked at the contract an hour later at my destination.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get through to someone who could help me. Finally, customer service managed to reach someone at the airport location, who said a manager would call me the next morning. Nope, no call. I really didn't want to drive this car around for 3 days without some assurance that I wouldn't actually be charged $260/day.
Adding insult to injury, an apparent electrical problem rendered the control screen on the car (where you control radio, climate, etc. on the dash) in operable. I couldn't change the volume or even turn off the radio. I go to the local National office in Boca the next morning and all they have to exchange is a minivan. And the agent there couldn't help with the rate issue either.
Finally, when I returned the car I was able to get the on-site customer service agent to fix the rental agreement and revert the charges to my pre-reserved rate. It took her about 10 minutes, and this was on top of the Alamo guy (only one in the booth when I got there until the National lady showed up a few minutes later) having no idea what was going on.
Well, thanks for listening to the rant, but I'm pretty sure I won't be renting from National ever again.
Well, no response after a week, and I had an upcoming rental I wanted to try this with (Hertz was out as they wanted > $100/day -- President's week in South Florida...)
I called and she said I needed the code, which I was able to find on the Amex website. She said she put it in but it would take a few days to update. A few days later, no luck. I called again, and this time she somehow upgraded the status on the spot (it showed up online when I logged in again).
Well, apparently the FLL location didn't get the memo because they upped my rate from ~$43 to $260/day when I drove off in a Chrysler 300 (the only non-gigantic SUV in the Executive Aisle).
And the agent at the lot exit didn't even bother to mention it. I didn't notice until I looked at the contract an hour later at my destination.I spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get through to someone who could help me. Finally, customer service managed to reach someone at the airport location, who said a manager would call me the next morning. Nope, no call. I really didn't want to drive this car around for 3 days without some assurance that I wouldn't actually be charged $260/day.
Adding insult to injury, an apparent electrical problem rendered the control screen on the car (where you control radio, climate, etc. on the dash) in operable. I couldn't change the volume or even turn off the radio.
I go to the local National office in Boca the next morning and all they have to exchange is a minivan. And the agent there couldn't help with the rate issue either.Finally, when I returned the car I was able to get the on-site customer service agent to fix the rental agreement and revert the charges to my pre-reserved rate. It took her about 10 minutes, and this was on top of the Alamo guy (only one in the booth when I got there until the National lady showed up a few minutes later) having no idea what was going on.
Well, thanks for listening to the rant, but I'm pretty sure I won't be renting from National ever again.
Mar 2, 2012, 10:00 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
But of course I should have proactively checked the total. And they should have proactively told me that they were increasing my rate five-fold. What really pushed this over the edge was how difficult it was to try and deal with this over the phone (or even at a neighborhood location). My schedule doesn't always allow me time to futz around with customer service on my return at the airport. "Fortunately" the flights were delayed so it wasn't a rush.
Mar 2, 2012, 10:54 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat 100 (LT Gold), IHG Spire, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, National EE, Hertz Prez Circle
Posts: 473
Well I can't imagine they'd charge you extra just for picking the car up early, my understanding (this is how it is with Hertz) is that you only pay for how long you actually have the car out. So if you pick it up "early" then you need to return it "early" but as long as it's within 24 hours (+ 30 minute grace) it's fine.
But of course I should have proactively checked the total. And they should have proactively told me that they were increasing my rate five-fold. What really pushed this over the edge was how difficult it was to try and deal with this over the phone (or even at a neighborhood location). My schedule doesn't always allow me time to futz around with customer service on my return at the airport. "Fortunately" the flights were delayed so it wasn't a rush.
But of course I should have proactively checked the total. And they should have proactively told me that they were increasing my rate five-fold. What really pushed this over the edge was how difficult it was to try and deal with this over the phone (or even at a neighborhood location). My schedule doesn't always allow me time to futz around with customer service on my return at the airport. "Fortunately" the flights were delayed so it wasn't a rush.
