Business Platinum WeWork benefit to 12.31.2020.
Sep 5, 2019, 2:05 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2
That said I just returned from touring a WeWork in LA and asked lots of Amex-specific questions since I was still contemplating applying for the card. They emphasized the need to make a reservation, and added that it's generally not a problem and a lot of people (including Amex cardholders) actually book out months in advance. Considering there are a few locations within my neighborhood, I was convinced enough to apply for the card for the WeWork access.
I'll add more info here once I get up and running with the card in the next couple of weeks.
Sep 5, 2019, 11:24 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 87
You can book way ahead and no penalty if you don't show up.
On th side note, Wework benefit is only for 1 year.
This benefit probably wont be there next year.
Why?
WEWORK is going IPO this month. They've been trying to get their membership numbers up to show rapid growth in preparation for IPO. Once It`s done, they will have to get back to the profit making mode or at least not losing tons of money
On th side note, Wework benefit is only for 1 year.
This benefit probably wont be there next year.
Why?
WEWORK is going IPO this month. They've been trying to get their membership numbers up to show rapid growth in preparation for IPO. Once It`s done, they will have to get back to the profit making mode or at least not losing tons of money
Sep 6, 2019, 8:40 am
#51
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 619
However it seems likely this is a one off for the IPO, which will be sad next year. But I hope AmEx and WeWork put their heads together on some sort of special ability for AmEx Plat cardholders to buy a Global Access plan after this promotion ends. Not holding my breath, but here’s to hoping.
Sep 6, 2019, 11:55 am
#52
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
Would you mind sharing the city where you've experienced the booked Amex hot desk spots? I'm considering getting the Platinum card for WeWork access, but suspect I may have this same problem in certain location in LA / Santa Monica where hot desks are routinely shown as unavailable (not just for Platinum members...). Thanks!
In this and other threads there are reports of cardholders receiving an access key that then allowed general access to the space (including after hours, weekends).
That said I just returned from touring a WeWork in LA and asked lots of Amex-specific questions since I was still contemplating applying for the card. They emphasized the need to make a reservation, and added that it's generally not a problem and a lot of people (including Amex cardholders) actually book out months in advance. Considering there are a few locations within my neighborhood, I was convinced enough to apply for the card for the WeWork access.
I'll add more info here once I get up and running with the card in the next couple of weeks.
That said I just returned from touring a WeWork in LA and asked lots of Amex-specific questions since I was still contemplating applying for the card. They emphasized the need to make a reservation, and added that it's generally not a problem and a lot of people (including Amex cardholders) actually book out months in advance. Considering there are a few locations within my neighborhood, I was convinced enough to apply for the card for the WeWork access.
I'll add more info here once I get up and running with the card in the next couple of weeks.
Sep 6, 2019, 6:52 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO/MIA/JFK
Programs: AA EXP/*wood Plat/Hilton Gold/Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 289
You're not actually getting $4,560 in value. The membership is hobbled - you don't get meeting room credits, get guests - which is whatever. However, you also don't even get a building access card. So if your Wework is three floors (like mine is), then you're stuck to one. You can't go to a location at 8am or 630pm, or anytime on weekends. I'm not sure if the other floors have more comfortable workspaces, but the main floor at my location only has chairs with hard wooden backs, and shared long tables. Honestly, not better than the study halls in college (although my school had good architecture and many new buildings). No way in hell would I pay $400 or even $100 for such a limited membership. A dedicated desk or private office, maybe. But I'm honestly shocked anyone spends that much on a hotdesk when there are so many other options in any major city. There probably isn't, which is why WeWork is bleeding a crap ton of money.
Edit: Oh, you're also not guaranteed a space if all the 'amex' spots are booked, as opposed to a hotdesk membership which guarantees space at your home location.
Edit: Oh, you're also not guaranteed a space if all the 'amex' spots are booked, as opposed to a hotdesk membership which guarantees space at your home location.
Sep 7, 2019, 4:38 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
It doesn't. I just find fault when AMEX advertises it as a $2700 value. Same problem I have with people saying they got $10000 value from their points in comparison to the retail price.
Sep 8, 2019, 3:18 am
#55
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 619
YMMV, clearly. For me, this benefit alone is worth more than $2700/year, as there is no publicly accessible way to buy this service as an individual (“Global Access” appears to be available only to companies willing to buy at least 10 memberships at a time), I’m currently working full time remotely and I have many reasons to want to be able to use this at multiple locations around the Bay Area as well as in other cities, I can’t work at home very effectively as my young son is often home during some or all of my work hours, I don’t need the conference rooms, etc., at this time and 9-6 is perfectly adequate (if I have to work outside those hours, that’s what Starbucks is for.) In lieu of this it would be a hot desk membership which is $5K/year or more and restricted to just one location.
Sep 8, 2019, 8:33 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO/MIA/JFK
Programs: AA EXP/*wood Plat/Hilton Gold/Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 289
Ok, so it’s advertising, not the actual use of the benefit. Big whoop what Amex advertises. Seems like you are getting a lot of value out of the benefit below the advertised cost and whatever cost you identified here.
Sep 8, 2019, 5:00 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
YMMV, clearly. For me, this benefit alone is worth more than $2700/year, as there is no publicly accessible way to buy this service as an individual (“Global Access” appears to be available only to companies willing to buy at least 10 memberships at a time), I’m currently working full time remotely and I have many reasons to want to be able to use this at multiple locations around the Bay Area as well as in other cities, I can’t work at home very effectively as my young son is often home during some or all of my work hours, I don’t need the conference rooms, etc., at this time and 9-6 is perfectly adequate (if I have to work outside those hours, that’s what Starbucks is for.) In lieu of this it would be a hot desk membership which is $5K/year or more and restricted to just one location.
I wouldn't pay $500 a year for this - I don't use it enough. Sure, the benefits are as stated on the AMEX/Wework website - otherwise there would be a major problem. The cost is negligible because it's thrown in with the card annual fee. But that's the thing. For them to call it a $2700 feature when I (and I presume many others) do not get that amount of value out of it is a little deceiving.
Sep 10, 2019, 1:23 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 619
I guess so.
I wouldn't pay $500 a year for this - I don't use it enough. Sure, the benefits are as stated on the AMEX/Wework website - otherwise there would be a major problem. The cost is negligible because it's thrown in with the card annual fee. But that's the thing. For them to call it a $2700 feature when I (and I presume many others) do not get that amount of value out of it is a little deceiving.
I wouldn't pay $500 a year for this - I don't use it enough. Sure, the benefits are as stated on the AMEX/Wework website - otherwise there would be a major problem. The cost is negligible because it's thrown in with the card annual fee. But that's the thing. For them to call it a $2700 feature when I (and I presume many others) do not get that amount of value out of it is a little deceiving.
Regus sells a similar service to this for just about $2700 for a year. Regus spaces are pretty drab and inconsistent, however, so to my mind the WeWork benefit is worth more. For those of us who actually DO use it it's worth at least $2700. As far as I know however Global Access isn't generally available at any price to random people off the street. After the year is up, however, I hope I can buy into it at the monthly rate that shows up on my invoices (my company would pay). It's incredibly convenient to have access to WeWork spaces globally, for me.
Sep 11, 2019, 1:18 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
You keep saying this, but there's nothing "deceiving" about it. Just because you wouldn't pay $2700 for it doesn't mean that's not a fair market price. It's kind of like saying an iPhone isn't worth $1000 because you only buy Android phones.
Regus sells a similar service to this for just about $2700 for a year. Regus spaces are pretty drab and inconsistent, however, so to my mind the WeWork benefit is worth more. For those of us who actually DO use it it's worth at least $2700. As far as I know however Global Access isn't generally available at any price to random people off the street. After the year is up, however, I hope I can buy into it at the monthly rate that shows up on my invoices (my company would pay). It's incredibly convenient to have access to WeWork spaces globally, for me.
Regus sells a similar service to this for just about $2700 for a year. Regus spaces are pretty drab and inconsistent, however, so to my mind the WeWork benefit is worth more. For those of us who actually DO use it it's worth at least $2700. As far as I know however Global Access isn't generally available at any price to random people off the street. After the year is up, however, I hope I can buy into it at the monthly rate that shows up on my invoices (my company would pay). It's incredibly convenient to have access to WeWork spaces globally, for me.
Sep 11, 2019, 7:05 am
#60
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 619
Based on market numbers alone I don't see how you can so confidently claim $2700/month is "deceiving". Again, just because YOU wouldn't pay that much for it doesn't mean WeWork couldn't get that price for it. It's right in line with the prices being charged out there --- in fact $2700 is even lower than most of the prices you can find for similar services.
Last edited by synzero; Sep 11, 2019 at 7:10 am