mbreuer

As noted above, the 2 for 1 fare is based on full fare, and usually requires discount availability. So you're NEVER find a 2 for 1 when there are not at least two discounted business seats available.

The only time this works is if you're going to pay for a full fare unrestricted ticket regardless, and the 2 for 1 fare is available on the airline and route you wish to fly.

The fare *used* to work under some circumstances to the Caribbean, where full fare was less than 2x available coach tickets during peak periods... but alas, that was on CO and they're no longer a partner.

Farecompare.com is another site that shows all available fares.

mia

This isn't strictly true. You may be too close to the travel date to qualify for a fare which requires advance purchase. Nonethless, there may be seats available in the same fare class because the airline use that class for more than one purpose, such as accomodating passengers who have paid a fee to change the travel date on a restricted ticket.

acker

The cruise benefits with the Plat card are quite decent. I've used it in the past for cruises and it's provided $550 worth of OBC each time. Not having to use the Amex Plat for the final payment is news to me.

I'd love to cancel the card but have a final payment due on Crystal early July.

Anyone know for sure?

Chaiyakan

I started out with AMEX Green and built my way up to a Plat and it is totally worth it...

24 years old and lately been on many travelling trips and this card is great...

I book all my flights and whatever through AMEX PLAT travel...
i'm 2-2 on upgrade on check in
BELLAGIO 1rm Pent to Pent with view and VICEROY MIAMI 1 rm pent to 2 room pent ($2,500 a night) FREE

that alone was enough for at lease 2 years of membership

Went to ATL on a couple layovers and Delta Sky Lounge access was great! got in and in some case if you smile and be very very sweet to the ladies at the counter check your stuff you can bring in more than 2
(lay over in ATL met a couple of lovely ladies and got them in)
FREE top shelf drinks in the lounge on most AP
I was wasted 4-6 Vodka sprite free and all the access
Found less place takes it in Europe... Netherlands and parts of Spain aren't too friendly

BUT IN BANGKOK I HAD A GREAT TIME PARKING right next to the enterance to major malls with this card...
for those who have been to Bangkok the parking lot... you know what i am talking about

LIKE EVERYONE SAID IT IS WHAT YOU USE IT FOR!!!

Okto

Gee, your post reads as if those vodkas haven't worn off yet

thatSnake

In Finland Amex Platinum costs 550 eur year (about 700-800 USD).

Can I get the card from somewhere else a little cheaper with the same benefits?

Colonel(Ret.)Wes

Acker, here is info on AMX cruise benefits program taken from AMX website:

The 2008 Cruise Privileges program (CPP) is only valid on voyages of 6 days or longer, and may not be combinable with group promotions depending on the cruise line. CPP may not be combined with other American Express� Card offers, including American Express Mariner Club. Blackout dates, category and fare restrictions may apply. CPP is a special benefit for U.S. Platinum Card� members. Certain Platinum Cards are not eligible for certain benefits and services. The $300 ($150 per person, double occupancy) shipboard credit cannot be used in the casino or for payment of gratuities, is non-transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash or credit and cannot be combined with other shipboard credit offers. Benefits are one per stateroom. One of the travelers must be a U.S. Platinum Card member and there is a three-stateroom limit per Card member, per sailing. Payment must be made with an American Express Card in the Platinum Card member's name. Book through Platinum Travel Service (PTS) or refer your U.S. travel agency to PTS. Bookings made directly with the cruise lines are not eligible for CPP benefits. To receive CPP benefits, travel agencies are responsible for following CPP bookings guidelines provided by Agency Services Desk (ASD): 800-443-7672, prompt 5. Program valid for sailings completed by 12/31/10. Partners and benefits are subject to change without notice. Ships' registries: Crystal Cruises: Bahamas; Cunard Line: Great Britain; Holland America Line: Netherlands & Bahamas; Princess Cruises: Bermuda; Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Bahamas, Bermuda; Seabourn Cruise Line: Bahamas; Silversea Cruises: Bahamas; Windstar Cruises: Bahamas. The partner and benefits described herein are accurate at time of printing and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. acts solely as sales agent for travel suppliers and is not liable for the acts or inactions of such suppliers. CST# 1022318-10; ML# 1192; Washington UBI# 600-469-694; TA# 002 - Registered Iowa Travel Agency; NV# 2001-0126. �2008 American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. All rights reserved

As quote above states; payment must be made with "an American Express card" in the platinum card member's name. For your final payment you can use any AMX card (we use Starwood--get most ff miles usually) since we deposited with AMX-P, but through final payment you must still be a AMX-P card holder. If you deposited with AMX-P but
cancel the card before final payment, u will not qualify for the $300 SBC benefit.

MMSB01

I just booked a cruise using platinum and noticed that the actual benefit you receive varies widely by cruise line and even cabin. We are on celebrity and they only gave $100 OBC (per cabin not per person), and then a few other amenities like a bottle of Champagne, Free specialty restaurant for two and something else I don't recall. If I had booked a lower level cabin, they would have given me a two category upgrade, but there was no equivalent for our cabin so we got nothing else. As a general Amex benefit though, our cruise qualified for the Free 7 Night stay at Pueblo Bonita in Mexico. So either way we came out pretty well, but not as amazing as I had hoped.

This trip is actually the main reason I switched to platinum. Flying Delta from SFO to FLL with two stops, so we get to try out 3 lounges. I am also staying in Wynn in April and using the free night stay with FHR benefits. All in all I can convince myself that the Platinum is worth it, this year at least. I sort of figure if you can do 1 qualifying cruise and the night a wynn once a year you are at least going to break even if not come out a little bit ahead.

I am even considering using the international companion ticket to go with the free Mexico nights we got. It is definitely not cheaper than 2 economy tickets, but on Mexicana Airlines its only like $1100 for an unrestricted business class, and until a fare sale happens its sitting at a ridiculous $400 a person for economy. And the flight calculates out to nearly 8000 miles thanks to some ridiculous stopovers. I am definitely not set on that so feel free to explain to me why that is a horrible deal and I will probably agree with you.

buffcoat

I booked a rental car in Philly with Hertz through CTS for $50 less than I could find with any company online.

I assume you could get the same deal at PTS.

Okto

Not to change the topic too much, but I'm also somewhat perplexed by Platinum cardholders willingness to pay ~$500 as benefits drop. What's the biggest perk these days? Lounge access for a couple of airlines?

mtensioners

i was looking at AMEX Plat in YYZ but not sure of the value. The 5 night Fairmont plat bonus was a benefit instead of the 10 night 25 stays. I am short on fairmont this year so interested. Are the prices for rooms on FHR the same as online at hotel websites or much higher? I am AP*E and soon to be SE so lounges are already free. Are there enough benefits to justify the $450 charge?

edweird

Airline lounge access is at least half of the value to me. I used to be able to have my employer pay for a single airline membership, and before that when I travelled often, it was a FF benefit or I was able to get it at a reduced rate. I've grown to like the clubs, and the Platinum card includes access to DL and CO which are the two airlines I fly the most. If the UA-CO merger changes access, it might just make it not worthwhile for me in the future.

The FHR program is probably the second most reason why I like Platinum. The rates aren't always the same as what you see on other online sites, and you have to factor in the guaranteed late check out, any Spa or other site credit, and free meals along with the room cost. Upgraded rooms are common. On a given stay, the extras account for a good value that even if the room is slightly higher than an online rate, make it a better deal. I usually have at least 3 different FHR booking a year, so it adds up.

Lastly although I haven't had to use it yet, the warranty extension on things is of value to me.

Okto

That's one of the things I had in mind. I'm only speculating here, but I'd guess that CO lounge access will be gone. AMEX will be left with AA and DL. They may sign up JetBlue or someone like that, but overall it looks like a declining benefit.


Fair enough; if you're staying there anyway I'm sure you can make it work for you. The more I read about experiences with FHR in general (and Wynn/Encore in particular) the more I get the impression that people feel the need to go stay at those properties in order to exercise the AX Platinum benefit, rather than the other way around. At that point, more than a benefit, it's a very successful marketing technique by AMEX and its FHR partners to extract more dollars from the cardholder.

mtensioners

I agree good marketing. I was looking for the benefits of upgrades and other hotel perks but if you are already paying more for the room then it is not such a great deal.
Do they have perks at Ritz, Four Seasons or Lowes?

mia

I expect American Express could make a deal with US Airways.