American Express Aeroplan Platinum
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 133
American Express Aeroplan Platinum
Hi all,
I'm considering signing up for the AMEX Aeroplan Platinum for $499 annual fee. I understand it inlcudes a bonus of 15,000 AP points along with a free companion ticket. Has anyone claimed this companion ticket? Care to share any experiences?
I'm considering signing up for the AMEX Aeroplan Platinum for $499 annual fee. I understand it inlcudes a bonus of 15,000 AP points along with a free companion ticket. Has anyone claimed this companion ticket? Care to share any experiences?
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
The companion ticket was a feature of this card in the past; it is no longer a feature now. It has been replaced by the privilege pass - one can get a 8 credit business class or tango (economy class) flight credit (whereby the credit card holder and/or one other person can fly by using the credits). A few months ago, when I bought the J class pass - it was (including tax) $7398 (I do not know the current price). Eight one-way flights in business class (let us say C class) would otherwise cost (depending on where one flies within continental North America) between 1.5 and 2.0 times that cost, if bought directly from AC or a travel agent.
#3
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,215
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YEG - No Particular Loyalty Anymore
Posts: 3,610
The value of this 'benefit' is limited by where you reside in the Empire since there are far more 'available' locations from Central Canada. If it weren't for the fact that I get it for free as a result of having the original Amex Platinum I'd get rid of it much in the same way as I ditched the CIBC card last month.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
You can get the AMEX Platinum Card (Not Aeroplan) which gives free Companion Tickets as part of its International Airline Program (IAP). I dont believe there are any limits to the free companion tickets. However there are date and class of service conditions depending on airline.
Participating airlines are: Air France, Air New Zealand, Austrian, Continental, Japan and Swiss.
The card also offers special airfares with Singapore Airlines (30% discount in business) and Alitalia (30-55% discount in business)
You can transfer membership reward points into aeroplan.
Card fee is $399 and actually looks better than the aeroplan plus platinum card.
Participating airlines are: Air France, Air New Zealand, Austrian, Continental, Japan and Swiss.
The card also offers special airfares with Singapore Airlines (30% discount in business) and Alitalia (30-55% discount in business)
You can transfer membership reward points into aeroplan.
Card fee is $399 and actually looks better than the aeroplan plus platinum card.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 133
The value of this 'benefit' is limited by where you reside in the Empire since there are far more 'available' locations from Central Canada. If it weren't for the fact that I get it for free as a result of having the original Amex Platinum I'd get rid of it much in the same way as I ditched the CIBC card last month.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1
I ended up flying Porter because I didn't want to use 15k miles and have 1/2 stops in Mtl...
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
I always have to smile at comments like this -- I manage to go through life very happily never using a Visa or MCard ... only AX -- from groceries, to drug stores to coffee ... and I do not have to go out of my way either!
#12
Suspended
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: ICH,Starwood,BA,AC
Posts: 64
The lap top was cheaper than at Best Buy as well with the bells and whistles I wanted
#13
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
Interesting comment.....I just bought a lap top today from a small computer store who charged me 1.25% less when I switched from AMEX to Visa at their suggestion. Their comment was that Amex charges more and takes longer to pay the merchant and its worth asking the custoemr to switch,which I did.
The lap top was cheaper than at Best Buy as well with the bells and whistles I wanted
The lap top was cheaper than at Best Buy as well with the bells and whistles I wanted
#14
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
Interesting comment.....I just bought a lap top today from a small computer store who charged me 1.25% less when I switched from AMEX to Visa at their suggestion. Their comment was that Amex charges more and takes longer to pay the merchant and its worth asking the custoemr to switch,which I did.
The lap top was cheaper than at Best Buy as well with the bells and whistles I wanted
The lap top was cheaper than at Best Buy as well with the bells and whistles I wanted
What you should have done is pay by Amex, then have the credit card surcharge disputed/refunded by the credit card company.
Less money, more points.
#15
Join Date: May 2007
Location: YYZ, but my heart is in Asia
Programs: AC-SE, CX-DM, DL-G, Hyatt-DM, Hilton-DM, Fairmont-Plt, Marriott-S, Accor-Plt, SPG-G, IHG-Plt
Posts: 4,396
In this case, more money, less points