BRAISKI

I've never use AMEX Plat to book flights before but would like to utilize my $200 credit.
Just wondering when booking Economy from the AMEX Travel website, does anyone know what class does their website give you? Basic, Standard or Flex? Is it "cheaper" to book via AMEX or just go directly to the AC website?

Edit: Have always booked via AC or from a work TA before.

Symmetre

I've always just booked directly on the AC website or via the app. Then there are no questions about what you're getting.

Admiral Ackbar

Yes but to use the Amex Plat travel credit you must book via Amex Travel.

I am returning from a trip where I did just this and it was booked into Standard according to the AC app. I remember prices being the same between what I saw on Amex and AC site. Fairly painless procedure and had no issues with rebooking during yesterday's IRROPS

krayZpaving

A more efficient way to use it is to book a hotel through the Amex travel website, then cancel with the hotel directly once you've received the credit. You keep the credit and now have flexibility how you spend it.

prmetime

But certainly not as ethical.

vernonc

The price on Amex travel is the same as AC website. If you want a particular fare (example Flex) then best to call and book.
I just did this. Also booked $900 worth of pre paid (Amex charges instead of paying at the hotel) hotel bookings for a $300 credit which effectively is a 33% discount. In some cases Amex is more expensive than booking directly with the hotel or expedia but the $300 credit more than offset a slightly higher charge.

BRAISKI

Ya as much as I would like to try this approach would prefer not to do it. Unless maybe if I am desperate or running out of time. Don't want my file to be flagged.

ffsim

D404

Are AMEX agents generally able to understand what I want when I ask for a specific fare basis, which I'd presumably have to do to book e.g. Flex?

Asking because this sure isn't true with other TAs.

YEG USER

I was doing a few segment runs at the end of 2018 and used the Amex site because I could get some "better" routings than what was available on the AC website. If you click on the fare details when doing the booking on the Amex website it'll bring up the fare basis, so you'll know if you're in Standard, Flex, etc.

I liked the Amex website, as it always gave me at least standard (unlike Expedia which would want to put me into Basic). I did quite a few segment runs to re-qualify for SE as I'd already hit the spend level, but not the number of segments, so Standard was typically all I needed, however there was 1 time where I booked the return in Comfort to be able to standby for an earlier return, and I booked Flex once. On those occasions I phoned into the Amex reservations line and they were pretty efficient at getting me the higher fare categories.

As I mentioned above, I had no issue discussing Fare Basis with the agents I booked with. I'd have ITA Matrix open on my screen and was discussing the fare bucket and the fact that I wanted flex and/or comfort and they were able to navigate on their end. A few times it took them a while to find the same thing I did, but in the end it all worked out.

When I can't book directly through AC website, I book through Amex as I've found them to be quite competent and it's free as a Platinum Card holder (although admittedly, some agents were better than others, but I haven't had one not be able to give me what I was asking for).

yyckerr

24left

@yyckerr

I posted similar screen shots in another thread

Random summary page

Click "Economy - Comfort"





You get this window

Click "See complete fare rules"






See Fare basis code

YEG USER

Apologies, I misspoke. On the Amex site the full fare basis isn't shown, but you can piece most of it together. When the screen comes up to show you your flight options, under each option there should be a "show/hide full details" selection. Pressing that button brings up additional information such as the fare bucket. To know the fare category, select the "fare rules" link under the "select" button and then scoll down in the fare rules to the "airport same day confirmed change fee" section and the description should start with the fare category you're selecting. The dummy booking I'm looking at starts with "FOR STANDARD -TG TYPE FARES...", If you were looking at a Flex, Comfort, etc. fare those fare categories would be shown there instead.

After booking, you can confirm everything via the Manage My Bookings on the AC website and cancel if incorrect.

BRAISKI

That would be my next step, if I have too. Just wanted to really confirm and check for others experiences, I just don't want to be blind sided and end up with a Basic fare.

beep88

I didn't have problem dealing with AMEX platinum agents using "advanced" ticketing terminology. Also as a full service TA they can hold tickets for days without payment (at least for CX, didn't need to do that when I bought AC tickets) etc.

For hotel bookings, if you need to change / cancel, you need to call either "online booking service desk" which serves the general public, or Platinum Travel, depending on where you booked. I suspect air tickets would be the same.