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It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished.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).
Sep 18, 2018, 9:36 pm
#301
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 410
Just a tip for those wanting to price IAP fares. Call the American Express Platinum Travel Services phone number (800-443-7672) rather than the general American Express travel phone number.
In my experience, the agents at Platinum Travel Services are much better than the regular agents.
In my experience, the agents at Platinum Travel Services are much better than the regular agents.
Sep 19, 2018, 1:47 am
#302
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
Is this the same as calling the Platinum customer service number, then going through the menu to get to Platinum travel? Because the agent I spoke to tried to look up Kuala Lumpur under Q which really didn't inspire much confidence, and ended up quoting me a fare that was only $200 cheaper for JFK-HKG-KUL on Cathay Business. The fare I have on hold through Cathay is $5,620, IAP quoted $5,356+39 fee. It's my first time calling IAP and that was a very disappointing experience.
Sep 19, 2018, 8:33 pm
#303
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 410
She was also making a lot of small talk, including asking me if I was in college and going home for the holidays, after asking me where I lived. I guess I must be out of touch, had no idea college kids these days carry Amex Platinum cards and purchase business class fare. It was such a bizarre conversation that when I didn’t hear a sizeable discount, I was like, ok bai
Sep 19, 2018, 9:40 pm
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
this is true. I didn’t pull the trigger mainly because the agent came across as a total amateur and I didn’t trust her to punch in all my details accurately. I had given her the exact flight numbers to check, it sounds like she wrote them down and then punched them in whatever system they use on their end, and off the bat she got the first flight # wrong.
She was also making a lot of small talk, including asking me if I was in college and going home for the holidays, after asking me where I lived. I guess I must be out of touch, had no idea college kids these days carry Amex Platinum cards and purchase business class fare. It was such a bizarre conversation that when I didn’t hear a sizeable discount, I was like, ok bai
Sep 20, 2018, 1:04 am
#305
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
this is true. I didn’t pull the trigger mainly because the agent came across as a total amateur and I didn’t trust her to punch in all my details accurately. I had given her the exact flight numbers to check, it sounds like she wrote them down and then punched them in whatever system they use on their end, and off the bat she got the first flight # wrong.
She was also making a lot of small talk, including asking me if I was in college and going home for the holidays, after asking me where I lived. I guess I must be out of touch, had no idea college kids these days carry Amex Platinum cards and purchase business class fare. It was such a bizarre conversation that when I didn’t hear a sizeable discount, I was like, ok bai
I had actually found a wonderful PTS agent and had her extension, and the next time I called her voicemail said she was on a special project and wasn't working travel anymore. Good for her, less good for me.
Sep 20, 2018, 1:26 am
#306
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
I suspect we could put together a table with the IAP discounts if we gathered everyone's experiences.
The small talk thing must be part of their training because I have talked to PTS agents more than a half dozen times (only had the card 18mo) and have always come across it. Surely it helps fill the silence while searches are being conducted by the computers, and I bet some papers have been written about how it improves customer relations.
Sep 20, 2018, 10:44 am
#307
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
Sounds like there's a 5% discount on the CX base fare. I've gotten a 10% discount on the SQ base fare. I don't remember for sure what my discount was on a CI fare . . . I think it was also 10%.
I suspect we could put together a table with the IAP discounts if we gathered everyone's experiences.
I suspect we could put together a table with the IAP discounts if we gathered everyone's experiences.
Sep 28, 2018, 12:33 am
#308
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 6
Hi Amex Plat owners,
I am sorry to hijack the thread but I recently got the AP 100K targeted offer and I am trying to find a good reason to grab it beside the signup bonus incentive. I am actually quite interested about the IAP for an upcoming trip to Singapore in Premium Economy but Amex would not give me a quote without being an AP card holder. I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to get a quote from Amex IAP that I can justify the $550 annual fee to the wife. Here are the 2 itineraries, for 1 traveller that I am interested in (include a ~12h layover in Hong Kong for the way back):
- Singapore Airline - $1751.52:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:05 - SQ1) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 12:00 - SQ1)
SIN (26 Nov @ 7:35 - SQ890) -> HKG (@ 11:20 - SQ890)
HKG (26 Nov @ 23:40 - SQ2) -> SFO (@ 19:40 - SQ2)
- Cathay Pacific - $1443.57:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:40 - CX893) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 13:00 - CX759)
SIN (26 Nov @ 1:25 - CX714) -> HKG (@ 5:05 - CX714) No Premium Eco class
HKG (26 Nov @ 19:00 - CX892) -> SFO (@ 15:20 - CX892)
If anyone has recommendations about one company above the other for Premium Eco that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.
I am sorry to hijack the thread but I recently got the AP 100K targeted offer and I am trying to find a good reason to grab it beside the signup bonus incentive. I am actually quite interested about the IAP for an upcoming trip to Singapore in Premium Economy but Amex would not give me a quote without being an AP card holder. I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to get a quote from Amex IAP that I can justify the $550 annual fee to the wife. Here are the 2 itineraries, for 1 traveller that I am interested in (include a ~12h layover in Hong Kong for the way back):
- Singapore Airline - $1751.52:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:05 - SQ1) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 12:00 - SQ1)
SIN (26 Nov @ 7:35 - SQ890) -> HKG (@ 11:20 - SQ890)
HKG (26 Nov @ 23:40 - SQ2) -> SFO (@ 19:40 - SQ2)
- Cathay Pacific - $1443.57:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:40 - CX893) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 13:00 - CX759)
SIN (26 Nov @ 1:25 - CX714) -> HKG (@ 5:05 - CX714) No Premium Eco class
HKG (26 Nov @ 19:00 - CX892) -> SFO (@ 15:20 - CX892)
If anyone has recommendations about one company above the other for Premium Eco that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.
Oct 3, 2018, 11:11 am
#309
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
Hi Amex Plat owners,
I am sorry to hijack the thread but I recently got the AP 100K targeted offer and I am trying to find a good reason to grab it beside the signup bonus incentive. I am actually quite interested about the IAP for an upcoming trip to Singapore in Premium Economy but Amex would not give me a quote without being an AP card holder. I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to get a quote from Amex IAP that I can justify the $550 annual fee to the wife. Here are the 2 itineraries, for 1 traveller that I am interested in (include a ~12h layover in Hong Kong for the way back):
- Singapore Airline - $1751.52:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:05 - SQ1) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 12:00 - SQ1)
SIN (26 Nov @ 7:35 - SQ890) -> HKG (@ 11:20 - SQ890)
HKG (26 Nov @ 23:40 - SQ2) -> SFO (@ 19:40 - SQ2)
- Cathay Pacific - $1443.57:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:40 - CX893) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 13:00 - CX759)
SIN (26 Nov @ 1:25 - CX714) -> HKG (@ 5:05 - CX714) No Premium Eco class
HKG (26 Nov @ 19:00 - CX892) -> SFO (@ 15:20 - CX892)
If anyone has recommendations about one company above the other for Premium Eco that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.
I am sorry to hijack the thread but I recently got the AP 100K targeted offer and I am trying to find a good reason to grab it beside the signup bonus incentive. I am actually quite interested about the IAP for an upcoming trip to Singapore in Premium Economy but Amex would not give me a quote without being an AP card holder. I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to get a quote from Amex IAP that I can justify the $550 annual fee to the wife. Here are the 2 itineraries, for 1 traveller that I am interested in (include a ~12h layover in Hong Kong for the way back):
- Singapore Airline - $1751.52:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:05 - SQ1) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 12:00 - SQ1)
SIN (26 Nov @ 7:35 - SQ890) -> HKG (@ 11:20 - SQ890)
HKG (26 Nov @ 23:40 - SQ2) -> SFO (@ 19:40 - SQ2)
- Cathay Pacific - $1443.57:
SFO (21 Nov @ 00:40 - CX893) -> SIN (22 Nov @ 13:00 - CX759)
SIN (26 Nov @ 1:25 - CX714) -> HKG (@ 5:05 - CX714) No Premium Eco class
HKG (26 Nov @ 19:00 - CX892) -> SFO (@ 15:20 - CX892)
If anyone has recommendations about one company above the other for Premium Eco that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.
Then take the AF vs credits:
$550 AF
-$200 2018 Airline credit good for AA and DL gift cards
-$200 2019 Airline credit good for AA and DL gift cards (it's calendar not membership year)
-$116 for Uber credit: It's a $200 value but if you use it on Uber Eats you pay ~$7 delivery fee per monthly order
-$100 Global Entry reimbursement
So they literally are paying you $1366 to take the card for a year; $1466 if the Saks credit helps you
Oct 3, 2018, 1:32 pm
#310
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 6
I took the plunge and got the card which I received today based on exactly the same analysis about ROI at least on 1st year despite the lack of travel cancellation insurance. I immediately called Amex and inquired about the IAP for the specific route which came at SQ=$1,638.03 instead of $1870 (10% with fee) directly through the airline and CX=$1,279.73 (8%) instead of $1444 through the airline, not including the $39 Amex ticketing fee. The fare rules are a bit different in such that Amex is non-refundable ticket with cancellation fee equivalent to the airline. I was not sure what it meant but Amex said I can cancel for the fee and the taxes will be refunded but the ticket base fare will be credited to my account through Amex to be redeemed on same airline. Not the best deal but no bad either.
CX would be all legs on new A350 and SQ all legs on 777-30ER. I am leaning toward SQ for schedule preference for my layover in Hong Kong but not set yet. Do any of you guys would suggest CX instead.
Last edited by mia; Oct 3, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Oct 4, 2018, 1:25 am
#312
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494
If I recall from other instances, D/I fares were usually discounted by approx 10% but I haven't had luck with an ex-PEK fare that I'm trying to sort out as of now; in fact, AMEX is charging a bit more than what CX is after their FX rates plus 39 booking fee
Oct 5, 2018, 1:12 am
#313
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
IAP only applies to fares originating in the US or Canada. I'm surprised the agent didn't tell you that.
Oct 8, 2018, 4:32 am
#314
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494
