NDN

This is likely referring to the Amex cards for each program--though the Platinum Amex has benefits for both programs. Amex's strategy is very puzzling to me. On one hand, the Platinum card has historically been about benefits without regard to a specific partner. For example, Priority Pass membership, status in all car rentals (even if its useless now), etc. SPG Gold is interesting because its about a particular brand. Centurion Lounge membership to me makes up for the loss of United club access in some cases. So, Amex is going in three directions at once:

(1) Partnerships with all brands (Car rental; lounge membership with Delta, Priority Pass Select, Virgin, Aeropass)
(2) Partnerships with just one brand: SPG Gold status and no other hotel status
(3) Replacement of partnerships with Amex amenities (Centurion Lounge).

You can't move in 3 directions at once and succeed.

Dadaluma83

I am torn on my next card. I am done with co branded cards as my primary card and going with bank cards only. In a few days I have an interview for a job that will pay me considerably more than I make today, and if I get it I may shift my credit card strategy to more perk based rather than squeezing the most points for free travel.

I am torn between Citi Presitge and Amex Platinum. If the Amex platinum matched Citi with two things, 250 credit on any airline including airfare, and added trip delay insurance I would go for it.

nall

#2 is not so much of an issue if they add HHonors Gold.

MR is arguably more valuable than TY, but I think for many of us, they'd also need to add bonus categories.

fotoflyer88

Boingo has been a useful benefit for me a few times a month. Adding GoGo would be nice too. That said, I'd like to see the points increase to PRG levels, plus a OW Status (unlikely), HH Gold locked in (got it again this year somehow), and 1:1 SPG transfers (enabling me to take points to AA/etc with the SPG bonus) would make this card my daily use card again.

mia

I think it is improbable that American Express will offer USA 1:1 transfers to Starwood, but it seems plausible that the transfer ratio could be 2:1 as it is in Canada and the UK.

LETTERBOY

Meh. Still wouldn't be much of a benefit. I'd rather see bonus categories for spending like the CSP or PRG cards.

NYCRuss

Could 1:1 be something offered for Centurion Cards?

JHake10

Things I would love to see are:

1. Primary car rental insurance (I know AMEX has a separate product to cover this but CSP offers this at a fraction of the AF).
2. To solve the lounge program, if possible it would be nice to get a full priority pass membership not just select. This would open up many united lounges.
3. Make the airfare credit compete with Citi (250 and good for general airfare)

I think a nice bonus would also be the PRG points structure, but if I had to pick I would go with the perks over the points.

eajusa

Now you're talking!

mia

Priority Pass Select was introduced for the specific purpose of excluding United Clubs. This is the way that Priority Pass kept UA from leaving completely. (Delta left Priority Pass after merging with Northwest. American left Priority Pass as part of the merger with US Airways.) The legacy airlines simply do not have enough lounge capacity to admit all the people in the USA who obtain free Priority Pass or Lounge Club memberships from credit card issuers. Even United's partner Chase is subject to this restriction.

mia

Off-topic discussion of the existing Boingo wireless internet benefit has been moved:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ingo-wifi.html

JHake10

Out of the three legacy domestic airlines, card members should have lounge access to at least two of them. In addition to the Delta lounge access already provided, AMEX should increase the airline credit so we can pick another airline, pay the membership fee and get that reimbursed. That would be a nice perk, and customizable based on individual travel preference.

mia

What annual fee would you pay for the card if they were to do this?

TMM1982

$450

mia

Essentially you want the Platinum Card for free? Will not happen.