Originally Posted by
mikeyyz
Well, the title says it all
Starts July 1st...
I think it's a great addition - basically a $400-500 value yearly... the main question is -- does IKK still apply?
It seems AMEX has probably just agreed to provide AP with the 15,000 miles extra yearly. Certainly helps to address the high fee!
No the real question is: does it include all the fees, taxes and surcharges? Afterall, there are no more "free" tickets and the average shorthaul now costs more in additional charges than it does for the cost of the seats!
I agree Amex benefits are getting pretty slim given the competition and pricing. I'm considering dropping the regular Platinum card that I've had since it came out (maybe they should put back the notation: CHARTER MEMBER to add a bit of chachet for us oldies). The only attraction has been the expanded lounge program as the 2nd free tickets are of no interest to me, and earning more AE miles (particularly with the reduction to 125% from 150%) even less. Buying products or even shopping cards is a piss awful value proposition too.
No question Amex is going to face some real problems as the middle class tightens its belts and recognizes that $399-$499 a year for a premium card isn't worth it.