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It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished.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).
Mar 10, 2018, 8:41 pm
#256
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
An agent told my wife earlier today that one ways were not permitted, but without the detail of origination requirement in the US.
Mar 19, 2018, 7:04 pm
#257
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
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.
Apr 15, 2018, 8:54 pm
#258
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
Iberia Premium Economy:
Google flight: $841
Amex IAP: $864 + $39 fee
Iberia Business class:
Google flight: $2741
Amex IAP: $2589 + $39.
Not huge savings and actually more expensive on Premium Economy.
Google flight: $841
Amex IAP: $864 + $39 fee
Iberia Business class:
Google flight: $2741
Amex IAP: $2589 + $39.
Not huge savings and actually more expensive on Premium Economy.
Apr 15, 2018, 9:07 pm
#259
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 30
I just booked another flight using the IAP, and I actually had a similar experience to what you mention where at first glance it was more expensive with IAP.
I was looking at travel from SEA to FCO and there were a bunch of options showing up with airlines that are part of IAP (I was seeing LHR, BA and DA) and all averaging around 3,2xx round trip in Business. I called the platinum travel line and asked about flights on the dates I was looking for and they said the cheapest flight was 3,3xx, so more expensive than what I was finding online. HOWEVER, when I asked them for a specific itinerary by giving them the exact Lufthansa flight numbers that I wanted, then they were able to find it for 2,8xx. Including the $39 booking fee I ended up saving around $300 which is not terrible, specially considering that the total ticket price is pretty good for a round trip business class flight. So now I know that I can't just ask them for prices, I need to have a specific routing in mind and then I get a better price.
I was looking at travel from SEA to FCO and there were a bunch of options showing up with airlines that are part of IAP (I was seeing LHR, BA and DA) and all averaging around 3,2xx round trip in Business. I called the platinum travel line and asked about flights on the dates I was looking for and they said the cheapest flight was 3,3xx, so more expensive than what I was finding online. HOWEVER, when I asked them for a specific itinerary by giving them the exact Lufthansa flight numbers that I wanted, then they were able to find it for 2,8xx. Including the $39 booking fee I ended up saving around $300 which is not terrible, specially considering that the total ticket price is pretty good for a round trip business class flight. So now I know that I can't just ask them for prices, I need to have a specific routing in mind and then I get a better price.
Apr 16, 2018, 12:13 pm
#261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Apr 16, 2018, 12:22 pm
#262
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Apr 16, 2018, 12:35 pm
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,457
I saved $750 on two r/t SFO-ATH on AF/KLM (Z) on IAP vs Google or AF direct.
That paid for my Platnum cards.
I'm good until next year.
I preferred the old system when I used to fly BA, because they were full fare and included free seat selection at purchase. But I quit BA in 2014, and AF, LX/LH don't demand hundreds of dollars from premium passengers for seat selection. So I'm good with Z fares.
That paid for my Platnum cards.
I'm good until next year.
I preferred the old system when I used to fly BA, because they were full fare and included free seat selection at purchase. But I quit BA in 2014, and AF, LX/LH don't demand hundreds of dollars from premium passengers for seat selection. So I'm good with Z fares.
May 29, 2018, 7:00 pm
#264
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Mosaic, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,561
I used this for the first time today. Was able to book an AA codeshare on BA from BOS-LHR; biz class on outbound and first class on return. Saved a bit over 6% vs what I saw on aa.com.
Was surprised I could do the codeshare (which was important for AA status accrual) but it worked.
Was surprised I could do the codeshare (which was important for AA status accrual) but it worked.
Jun 6, 2018, 12:13 pm
#265
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
FWIW I used IAP to book Cathay premium economy ORD-SIN saving $195 off the regular price ($1418 vs $1613) minus the $39 fee.
I have a question - the terms seem to indicate that the only requirement is the entire fare is purchased with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card. Does this mean I can book on behalf of someone or I must be in the traveling party in order to use this benefit?
I have a question - the terms seem to indicate that the only requirement is the entire fare is purchased with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card. Does this mean I can book on behalf of someone or I must be in the traveling party in order to use this benefit?
Jun 6, 2018, 12:24 pm
#266
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 30
FWIW I used IAP to book Cathay premium economy ORD-SIN saving $195 off the regular price ($1418 vs $1613) minus the $39 fee.
I have a question - the terms seem to indicate that the only requirement is the entire fare is purchased with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card. Does this mean I can book on behalf of someone or I must be in the traveling party in order to use this benefit?
I have a question - the terms seem to indicate that the only requirement is the entire fare is purchased with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card. Does this mean I can book on behalf of someone or I must be in the traveling party in order to use this benefit?
Card Member and up to seven additional First, Business or Premium Economy Class passengers must travel on same air itinerary.
Jun 6, 2018, 12:25 pm
#267
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
FWIW I used IAP to book Cathay premium economy ORD-SIN saving $195 off the regular price ($1418 vs $1613) minus the $39 fee.
I have a question - the terms seem to indicate that the only requirement is the entire fare is purchased with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card. Does this mean I can book on behalf of someone or I must be in the traveling party in order to use this benefit?
I have a question - the terms seem to indicate that the only requirement is the entire fare is purchased with an Amex Platinum or Centurion card. Does this mean I can book on behalf of someone or I must be in the traveling party in order to use this benefit?
Edit: helsitif beat me to it
Jun 6, 2018, 12:46 pm
#268
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Jun 6, 2018, 3:23 pm
#269
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 30
That is less clear... I checked around and the IAP (or platinum travel services) are not explicitly mentioned anywhere I could find on the information regarding additional cardmember benefits. The most complete chart I could find on my account shows up when trying to add someone and even that doesn't list it, so I guess someone needs to call amex and ask.
Jun 6, 2018, 3:26 pm
#270
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
When it comes to Centurion / Skyclub / Priority Pass lounges, Global Entry credit, and hotel/rental care status, AUs receive all the same benefits as the primary cardholder. Thus, I expect the AU could call Platinum Travel Services and make a booking themselves.