UK: Hugely detrimental changes to Platinum travel insurance from January 25, 2012
Dec 20, 2011, 12:22 pm
#77
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,969
I received the letter a couple of hours ago.
I am old enough not to surprised by stuff, but it genuinely saddens me that brands p*ss away the extraordinary and often emotive investment imbedded in their name. If they had said that the changes started following next renewal it would be sad but it would be c'est la vie. Telling me that they have my cash but they are giving me less than we agreed is an easy way of trashing the relationship and santandering the brand.
I am old enough not to surprised by stuff, but it genuinely saddens me that brands p*ss away the extraordinary and often emotive investment imbedded in their name. If they had said that the changes started following next renewal it would be sad but it would be c'est la vie. Telling me that they have my cash but they are giving me less than we agreed is an easy way of trashing the relationship and santandering the brand.
Dec 20, 2011, 12:41 pm
#78
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,969
It's not just 70+ year old members. Just to amplify this point, ask around and you will find some/many members under 70 who have their parents as additional cardholders. So more are affected than may seem the case at first sight.No, I don't think so. I had the letter and I've had my card for over 17 years.
They'll be loads of people that will remain unaware of these changes either through postal failure or not reading it properly.
The ombudsman I'm quite certain will change this if asked to. He will certainly insist on claims being met for those needing to claim having stated they were unaware of any changes. This way of doing business will leave thousands of effectively without having cover and simply not knowing. But the ombudsman will be too late for many. I hate to think of what it will be like to be amongst that small number in dire health trouble abroad and calling for assistance to discover that there isn't any.
Dec 21, 2011, 1:56 pm
#80
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, VS Gold, HH Diamond , Marriott Gold , IHG Plat
Posts: 129
Got my doom and gloom letter today
What a lovely Christmas present. This really devalues the reason why I have the card. I think it will be time to say goodbye soon!
Dec 21, 2011, 2:46 pm
#81
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
"not reading it properly" is not really an issue for the ombudsman. I still haven't received the letter so am honestly oblivious to the change.
Dec 21, 2011, 3:11 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,350
I'll change that to "legally oblivious to the change"...but I'm not surprised I haven't received the letter yet as Royal Mail is pretty rubbish around here.
Dec 21, 2011, 6:53 pm
#84
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 142
my letter arrived today... for me, the most irritating bit is the requirement to put flight + hotel expenses onto the card. with the 2.99% loading, & i guess my average would be 5k or so a year in expenses (more if i do that trip of amans i've been meaning to...), that's an extra 150 pounds a year to be fully covered. so 50% effective hike in the cost of the card package.
i've written to them, & not sure i'll be renewing in march unless there's some variety of sweetener. 0% forex/??
positive side: a couple xmas presents from amex plat arrived this week. 2 x fast track passes for heathrow, 2 x 10 pound world duty free vouchers. also a flyer offering a complimentary night at 'selected starwood resorts around the world' (no minimum stay requirement - but probably blackout dates aplenty) arrived today - some decent hotels, too - w samui, w bali, the andaman in langkawi... hope others get these too. possibly that's their way of pre-empting some 'vigorous' renewal discussions in the new year...
i've written to them, & not sure i'll be renewing in march unless there's some variety of sweetener. 0% forex/??
positive side: a couple xmas presents from amex plat arrived this week. 2 x fast track passes for heathrow, 2 x 10 pound world duty free vouchers. also a flyer offering a complimentary night at 'selected starwood resorts around the world' (no minimum stay requirement - but probably blackout dates aplenty) arrived today - some decent hotels, too - w samui, w bali, the andaman in langkawi... hope others get these too. possibly that's their way of pre-empting some 'vigorous' renewal discussions in the new year...
Dec 22, 2011, 2:18 am
#85
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,774
Has anyone with a UK-issued ICC (IDC/IEC) received the letter?
Susan
Dec 22, 2011, 2:44 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,350
If you pay for the travel part of your trip with your American Express card, your travel will be covered in full. If you pay for your accommodation another way, or don't pay anything for your accommodation, this won't be covered.
So, travel covered, accommodation not is my reading of it.
Dec 22, 2011, 4:44 am
#87
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Programs: MyWaitrose, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond & BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,685
Amex don't seem to consider complaints valid, as the insurance is a free benefit, so they can do what they like and it's not part of the annual fee.
But it's ok, I received a 10% discount offer on Amex Travel Insurance today to make up for it!
But it's ok, I received a 10% discount offer on Amex Travel Insurance today to make up for it!
Dec 22, 2011, 6:30 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,350
The NatWest Black does not appear to have this insistence on booking through their card to validate the insurance, and it has the Priority Pass option and is £50 cheaper.
Dec 23, 2011, 12:11 am
#89
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 932
Great question. Given at least one trip a year and possibly 3 this year is to family abroad this insurance becomes pretty useless.
Dec 23, 2011, 2:07 am
#90
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,969
