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It was suggested that a Wikipost be written to try and collect past and example discounts, as the fares themselves are unpublished.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).
#211
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
Hi,
I just got the personal platinum card so pardon my ignorance... but it seems that basically, you have to call to know the price they would give? There is no online search engine or anything? So how does anyone know if a ticket is "better" or not? Do you guys all search a route before yourself, and then call to compare the price?
I just got the personal platinum card so pardon my ignorance... but it seems that basically, you have to call to know the price they would give? There is no online search engine or anything? So how does anyone know if a ticket is "better" or not? Do you guys all search a route before yourself, and then call to compare the price?
#212
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,880
#213
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
Hi,
I just got the personal platinum card so pardon my ignorance... but it seems that basically, you have to call to know the price they would give? There is no online search engine or anything? So how does anyone know if a ticket is "better" or not? Do you guys all search a route before yourself, and then call to compare the price?
I just got the personal platinum card so pardon my ignorance... but it seems that basically, you have to call to know the price they would give? There is no online search engine or anything? So how does anyone know if a ticket is "better" or not? Do you guys all search a route before yourself, and then call to compare the price?
By the way, as a data point for the thread, back in November I flew to Berlin on DL/KL in business. The IAP came in at ~$4300/person. I ended up with a Delta Vacations package for $3250/person including a Westin hotel. So remember that IAP is a good benefit but might not always be the best for your routing. (Also, AAvacations exists for Oneworld).
#214
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 30
Hi,
I just got the personal platinum card so pardon my ignorance... but it seems that basically, you have to call to know the price they would give? There is no online search engine or anything? So how does anyone know if a ticket is "better" or not? Do you guys all search a route before yourself, and then call to compare the price?
I just got the personal platinum card so pardon my ignorance... but it seems that basically, you have to call to know the price they would give? There is no online search engine or anything? So how does anyone know if a ticket is "better" or not? Do you guys all search a route before yourself, and then call to compare the price?
#215
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 256
Not much of a discount program. Called for 3 Business to BKK,: AMEX price 20k their program carrier. China Southern Price 11,4K on a nice A380 and that price is on the AMEX Travel on-line site. Still a worthless program.
#218
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Da Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,471
I booked a CX PE ticket, which was pricing out at $1951 on Priceline. I was able to buy it with IAP for $1704 + $39 booking fee, so a savings of $208 or 10.6%.
#219
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, BA Silver, AC, AF/KL, AV, VS | Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 454
Yes. It does look a bit ambiguous from the website but I can confirm that you do get 5X points with IAP.
#220
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,766
what is the merchant name appearing on Amex statement for IAP booking made over the phone?
#221
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,476
the personal platinum does not say 5x only for airfare purchased on amextravel.com
rather, it says "5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel"
relevant posts in this this thread
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29151564-post179.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28902559-post147.html
thanks. the rule says you get 5x points for airfare purchased on amextravel . com (plus the phone agent didn't sound too convincing either), so I was worried that I only get 1x point if I book over the phone for the IAP discount.
what is the merchant name appearing on Amex statement for IAP booking made over the phone?
rather, it says "5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel"
relevant posts in this this thread
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29151564-post179.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28902559-post147.html
thanks. the rule says you get 5x points for airfare purchased on amextravel . com (plus the phone agent didn't sound too convincing either), so I was worried that I only get 1x point if I book over the phone for the IAP discount.
what is the merchant name appearing on Amex statement for IAP booking made over the phone?
#222
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,296
#224
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, BA Silver, AC, AF/KL, AV, VS | Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 454
thanks. the rule says you get 5x points for airfare purchased on amextravel . com (plus the phone agent didn't sound too convincing either), so I was worried that I only get 1x point if I book over the phone for the IAP discount.
what is the merchant name appearing on Amex statement for IAP booking made over the phone?
#225
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, BA Silver, AC, AF/KL, AV, VS | Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 454