Oct 3, 2018, 11:48 pm
Last edit by: 747FC
In June 2017, the American Express International Airline Program changed to a discount program, rather than "buy one get one free".
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/t...ram/index.html
To research and book, you can
1) Call Platinum Travel Services (1-800-525-3355) or Business Platinum Travel Services (1-800-553-9497). $39 booking and change fees apply
2) As of October 18, 2018, customers can use Live Chat to receive quotes. Log into your account at www.americanexpress.com/travel
3) As of May 2019, customers can log into www.amextravel.com and search and book some IAP fares. Not all carriers participate in online bookings, and not all fares appear online. (Relevant FlyerTalk thread 1 Relevant Thread 2)
The program is available on International First, Business and Premium Economy Class tickets booked through American Express Travel, on both refundable and non-refundable fares.
Good for purchases of 1 to 8 tickets on participating airlines.
Use Pay with Points for all or part of you fares, plus you still get miles from the airline.
Subject to $39 servicing fee per ticket for Platinum card members when calling.
"Travel must originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways. One-way travel permitted on some airlines where routing originates in U.S. or select Canadian Gateways." Known to include YVR, YYZ.
It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished. The discounts vary, sometimes widely, based on availability, fares, and sales. I've broken it down into ranges, and sorted by the number of reports. I also combined AF/KL/DL as they have joint ventures TATL so it's hard to say from all posts which metal members were reporting. My calculations for discount ranges do not intentionally include the $39 booking fee.
Delta / Air France / KLM
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/t...ram/index.html
To research and book, you can
1) Call Platinum Travel Services (1-800-525-3355) or Business Platinum Travel Services (1-800-553-9497). $39 booking and change fees apply
2) As of October 18, 2018, customers can use Live Chat to receive quotes. Log into your account at www.americanexpress.com/travel
3) As of May 2019, customers can log into www.amextravel.com and search and book some IAP fares. Not all carriers participate in online bookings, and not all fares appear online. (Relevant FlyerTalk thread 1 Relevant Thread 2)
The program is available on International First, Business and Premium Economy Class tickets booked through American Express Travel, on both refundable and non-refundable fares.
Good for purchases of 1 to 8 tickets on participating airlines.
Use Pay with Points for all or part of you fares, plus you still get miles from the airline.
Subject to $39 servicing fee per ticket for Platinum card members when calling.
"Travel must originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways. One-way travel permitted on some airlines where routing originates in U.S. or select Canadian Gateways." Known to include YVR, YYZ.
It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished. The discounts vary, sometimes widely, based on availability, fares, and sales. I've broken it down into ranges, and sorted by the number of reports. I also combined AF/KL/DL as they have joint ventures TATL so it's hard to say from all posts which metal members were reporting. My calculations for discount ranges do not intentionally include the $39 booking fee.
Delta / Air France / KLM
- Fares < 10 %: 2
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 16
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28427217-post5.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28455196-post22.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28552399-post75.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28557136-post80.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28681679-post119.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28912654-post150.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29314333-post216.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29314692-post217.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29321044-post230.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29485431-post250.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30218019-post300.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30337457-post316.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30647796-post331.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31053636-post394.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31089400-post399.html
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32079945-post586.html
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 5
- Fares 21%+: 3
- Fares < 10%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 6
- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28581934-post91.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28658835-post109.html
- (First) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28844429-post141.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29315142-post218.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29836516-post265.html
- (PE) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28758330-post129.html
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares < 10%: 4
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares 21%+: 1
- Note: Prices include seat selection per this thread
- Fares <= 10%: 4
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares <= 10%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
- Fares >= 35%: 1
- Fares 21%+: 2
- Fares < 10%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
- Fares 16%-20.9%: 1
- Fares 10%-15.9%: 1
USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017).
Dec 9, 2017, 6:16 am
#181
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IAD
Posts: 302
Thanks. So it seems the choice is between a better price on the tickets or the 5x points? (ETA: Called and got the answer: YES)
Last edited by eerickso; Dec 10, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Dec 11, 2017, 12:21 am
#182
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
It's because some posters have not been clear about the Business vs. personal card. The 5x points benefit is more restricted on the Business Platinum than the personal Platinum. For personal Platinum, you can book direct with the airline or via AMEX Travel and get 5x. With Business Platinum you must book through AMEXtravel.com to get 5x.
Dec 11, 2017, 5:25 am
#183
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IAD
Posts: 302
It's because some posters have not been clear about the Business vs. personal card. The 5x points benefit is more restricted on the Business Platinum than the personal Platinum. For personal Platinum, you can book direct with the airline or via AMEX Travel and get 5x. With Business Platinum you must book through AMEXtravel.com to get 5x.
Dec 14, 2017, 12:59 pm
#184
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,589
I just checked my statements and can confirm that you do indeed get the 5x bonus points when booking through this program.
I spoke to two agents on my recent booking (I needed to hold before purchasing): the first one was fantastic; the second...sounded new to making reservations but still nice enough.
Now I do agree that the Amex Travel website is not the best but I always check it anyway, just in case there's a deal.
I spoke to two agents on my recent booking (I needed to hold before purchasing): the first one was fantastic; the second...sounded new to making reservations but still nice enough.
Now I do agree that the Amex Travel website is not the best but I always check it anyway, just in case there's a deal.
Dec 15, 2017, 12:35 pm
#185
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Dec 22, 2017, 5:30 am
#187
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
Called yesterday to compare a BA $20k quote for two business class tickets to Germany next year. They offered the same flights for $16k so I was happy to book with them.
Took a while since they had to create a profile for two people but well worth it.
Took a while since they had to create a profile for two people but well worth it.
Dec 22, 2017, 5:52 am
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
$20K (even $16K) for 2 BA Business Class tickets?? That's crazy. What was your route and when are you traveling?
Dec 22, 2017, 6:05 am
#189
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
Didn't mention it because its not relevant to the Amex program but we used most of our million+ points so the actual cost was about $5ish. BA First class would have been $4K higher but while nice the only time I was upgraded to it I didn't think it was worth it since I find their Business seats pretty good.
Dec 22, 2017, 6:31 am
#190
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
That is an insanely high price to pay for any Business Class, or even First Class.
If you wait for one of the frequent sales, you could get that ticket for under $3k each.
There is absolutely no reason to book October flights to Europe right now. There will always be seats.
If you are within the cancellation grace period for non-refundable tickets or even if they are tickets are refundable, I would cancel and wait for a better deal.
If you wait for one of the frequent sales, you could get that ticket for under $3k each.
There is absolutely no reason to book October flights to Europe right now. There will always be seats.
If you are within the cancellation grace period for non-refundable tickets or even if they are tickets are refundable, I would cancel and wait for a better deal.
Dec 22, 2017, 6:51 am
#191
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
That is an insanely high price to pay for any Business Class, or even First Class.
If you wait for one of the frequent sales, you could get that ticket for under $3k each.
There is absolutely no reason to book October flights to Europe right now. There will always be seats.
If you are within the cancellation grace period for non-refundable tickets or even if they are tickets are refundable, I would cancel and wait for a better deal.
If you wait for one of the frequent sales, you could get that ticket for under $3k each.
There is absolutely no reason to book October flights to Europe right now. There will always be seats.
If you are within the cancellation grace period for non-refundable tickets or even if they are tickets are refundable, I would cancel and wait for a better deal.
Dec 22, 2017, 1:23 pm
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Travel to Europe a few times a year in Buss Class and have never seen under 3K but then again I also book the schedule I want instead of the cheapest so you may be right. As for booking now for Oct, we have very specific time requirement and our accountant insisted to book everything this year due to the our tax situation and the upcoming changes.
Dec 22, 2017, 1:33 pm
#193
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
American Express Pay with Points transactions are billed to the card the same as any other purchase. Then, points are redeemed to offset the charge (in part, or in full), and a credit transaction also appears on the card. The airline would see this as a normal ticket purchase, and there would be a receipt for the amount paid. The accountant would need to decide how to record the reimbursement.
Dec 22, 2017, 3:36 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
I just can't wrap my head around anyone spending $8,000 for BA Business Class, one of the worst products on the planet. Even $8,000 for BA First Class is way too much. Yes, I know your trip is time sensitive but it's not like you are trying to get to some third world backwater village with only one daily flight. There are literally dozens of ways to get to DUS and will still be 8 or 9 months from now.