Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > American Express | Membership Rewards
Reload this Page >

USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017).

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Oct 3, 2018, 11:48 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished.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
Cathay Pacific British Airways / Iberia Singapore Air New Zealand Asiana China Airlines Japan Airlines LATAM Lufthansa Aerolineas Emirates Qatar
Print Wikipost

USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017).

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2018, 8:57 am
  #241  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
I called once to ask for a JFK / ICN R/T route in business on OZ. The price was $6,400 I think, which is basically the non discounted price. I just went to buy the discounted price on OZ site directly.
Gasolin is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2018, 12:51 pm
  #242  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Originally Posted by Gasolin
I called once to ask for a JFK / ICN R/T route in business on OZ. The price was $6,400 I think, which is basically the non discounted price. I just went to buy the discounted price on OZ site directly.
Was that back in the "Buy one get one free" days or since June 2017 when it changed to being a discount program?

I recently called about a DL/AF ticket to Europe and was quoted <$4000 (I forget exactly). The interesting part is when the agent told me "Under the old system you would have had to pay $9200 for the first, to get the second free, so the new program is better". Obviously that's a YMMV since the old system was refundable/changeable.
Gig103 is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2018, 2:55 pm
  #243  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
Originally Posted by Gig103
Was that back in the "Buy one get one free" days or since June 2017 when it changed to being a discount program?

I recently called about a DL/AF ticket to Europe and was quoted <$4000 (I forget exactly). The interesting part is when the agent told me "Under the old system you would have had to pay $9200 for the first, to get the second free, so the new program is better". Obviously that's a YMMV since the old system was refundable/changeable.
That was recently, like a week ago maybe?
Gasolin is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2018, 3:14 pm
  #244  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
Originally Posted by Gasolin
That was recently, like a week ago maybe?
Same experience for me a month ago. IAP was significantly more expensive to what I was pulling up on OZ's website.
gpeso8 is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2018, 4:56 pm
  #245  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Originally Posted by Gasolin
That was recently, like a week ago maybe?
Originally Posted by gpeso8
Same experience for me a month ago. IAP was significantly more expensive to what I was pulling up on OZ's website.
Alright, thanks for confirming.
Gig103 is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2018, 5:03 pm
  #246  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
I am happy for those that have found savings via this program and I believe the savings quoted by some. However, like a few other posters, I'm afraid I've been unable to find value myself in this program (at least yet). My primary focus is Premium Economy. I've called with about 6 or 8 different itineraries via either BA or CX to Europe and Asia and just have not found anything even close to the savings people are quoting here.

It seems some get excited about paying $4 or $5K rather than $9 or $10K, but that isn't my game.

I will keep trying though...

Regards
scubadu is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2018, 5:03 pm
  #247  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Originally Posted by gpeso8
Same experience for me a month ago. IAP was significantly more expensive to what I was pulling up on OZ's website.
A few months ago, I tested out a booking on NZ front HNL-AKL-HNL. The savings on this test was substantial. Six weeks ago, I wanted to book for real, BUT no discount was evident. I found a lower J rate myself using HA. I guess timing is everything.
747FC is online now  
Old Feb 24, 2018, 5:20 pm
  #248  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
Originally Posted by scubadu
I am happy for those that have found savings via this program and I believe the savings quoted by some. However, like a few other posters, I'm afraid I've been unable to find value myself in this program (at least yet). My primary focus is Premium Economy. I've called with about 6 or 8 different itineraries via either BA or CX to Europe and Asia and just have not found anything even close to the savings people are quoting here.
I've had exactly the same experience, specifically with BA Premium Economy. Called in about many different itineraries and the discount has never approached the standard BA 10% Chase card discount, so I've just booked with that on BA.com instead.
chrisremo is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2018, 6:46 am
  #249  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Originally Posted by chrisremo
I've had exactly the same experience, specifically with BA Premium Economy. Called in about many different itineraries and the discount has never approached the standard BA 10% Chase card discount, so I've just booked with that on BA.com instead.
Yep, agreed.

Regards
scubadu is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2018, 5:13 pm
  #250  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: DL DM, 1.5 MM; AS MVP Gold 100K; HHonors Diamond; AMEX Platinum
Posts: 488
Found some good prices on Air France IAD-SIN: $3,883 pp, r/t. Called Amex and got a (better) price of $3493 pp, r/t. That's $780 in savings for my two tickets -- card has paid for itself.

First time using the program, hopefully not the last...
ijgordon and Statman like this.
DCAhome is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2018, 5:32 pm
  #251  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 30
BTW, it seems that codeshare flights are also eligible as long as they are sold by one of the IAP member airlines. Just booked a SEA-MEX flight that is operated by Aeromexico, but because Delta offers it as a codeshare I was able to get a $250 discount over the best price I had found online for the dates I wanted.
Statman likes this.
helsitif is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2018, 8:39 pm
  #252  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
I was able to get SEA-NBO priced on BA for $3.5k range, The fare i could find on BA site was $4000, although could be dropped $200 via the AARP site.
stephem is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2018, 8:45 pm
  #253  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Is it possible to book One Way with the IAP?

Many thanks!
knit-in is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2018, 8:49 pm
  #254  
mia
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Terms and Conditions

1. The discount applies to the base airfare of the ticket/s. All ticket/s are subject to government imposed taxes/fees and airline-imposed fuel/security surcharges/mandatory non-refundable fees. All ticket/s purchased through the program will have all valid fare rules and restrictions apply. Tickets will only be refundable if the ticket purchased is in a refundable fare class. Non-refundable American Express service fee of $39 (per ticket) applies to each ticket purchased through the program and itinerary change; this ticketing fee is waived for U.S. Centurion® Members. Airlines reserve right to modify fare rules/program participation prior to booking. Tickets are non-transferable or endorsable. To receive discount, the purchase of the qualifying First, Business, or Premium Economy Class ticket/s on a participating airline must be made over the phone through American Express Travel (Platinum Travel Service, Business Platinum Travel, or Centurion Travel Service) and paid in full with an American Express Card in the U.S. Platinum Card Member’s or U.S. Centurion® Member’s name. Available for U.S. Platinum Charge Card Members and U.S. Centurion® Members only, and excludes Platinum Credit Card Members such as Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Card Members who are not also U.S. Platinum Charge Card Members or U.S. Centurion® Members. 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. Available service classes in First, Business or Premium Economy are subject to airline availability. Card Member and up to seven additional First, Business or Premium Economy Class passengers must travel on same air itinerary. Not combinable with any other promotion and may not be available on all participating airline’s code-share partners, i.e., flights marketed by the ticketing airline but operated by its code-share partner. Participating airlines and benefits are subject to change. Limited time airline flash sales and private sale fare offers are excluded.

2. To use Pay with Points, you must charge your eligible purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards® program-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases exclude car reservations, non-prepaid hotels, Eligible purchases exclude car reservations and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding dollar amount will be issued to the American Express Card account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. Minimum redemption 5,000 points. See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions.

If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time feature balance on your Linked Account (for example, the Extended Payment Option), the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time feature balance. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card.

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., when acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers, is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We want you to be aware that certain suppliers pay us commissions and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals, and may also provide incentives to our travel counselors. For more information please visit www.americanexpress.com/travelterms.
IndyHoosier likes this.
mia is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2018, 10:23 pm
  #255  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
I did just get a quote from them this week that was KIX to LAX, below any price I could find, one-way.

The published fare for the same routing on MU was higher on Google Flights. I didn't pursue it further, but it sure looked like about 8% off through Amex.
josephstern is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.