AMEX Priority Pass will exclude Restaurants (August 2019)
#211
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,864
Honestly the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum are excellent complements. I dont know why you wouldnt just keep both.
#212
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 268
This is beyond irritating. I just switched to an AMEX premium card from the sapphire because it better aligned with a brand I frequent. I closed the Sapphire TWO days ago not knowing of this change.
If they're kicking me out of the only offering in my city they should be granting me access to the Centurion here in lieu.
I called AMEX just now and the guy on the phone said they have "no official reports" on his end substantiating this but he can see all the news articles. He opened a ticket on my behalf to get an answer and possible compensation.
If they're kicking me out of the only offering in my city they should be granting me access to the Centurion here in lieu.
I called AMEX just now and the guy on the phone said they have "no official reports" on his end substantiating this but he can see all the news articles. He opened a ticket on my behalf to get an answer and possible compensation.
I am a little surprised that Amex is doing this across the board (I've got the Hilton Aspire card) and not telling anyone (I've not gotten an email/letter yet). Or is this only one some cards? (The blogs seem to indicate it's all Amex cards with PP)
#213
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 9,957
Since I went back down to the free Hilton Amex card, I received an e-mail from Hilton telling me that they would keep me at Gold for this year (I have only earned Silver passed on stays so far this year). And just this morning, Amex sent me an e-mail telling me that they have increased my credit limit. So dropping the Ascend card has been a VERY soft landing.
#214
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 14
This is beyond irritating. I just switched to an AMEX premium card from the sapphire because it better aligned with a brand I frequent. I closed the Sapphire TWO days ago not knowing of this change.
If they're kicking me out of the only offering in my city they should be granting me access to the Centurion here in lieu.
I called AMEX just now and the guy on the phone said they have "no official reports" on his end substantiating this but he can see all the news articles. He opened a ticket on my behalf to get an answer and possible compensation.
If they're kicking me out of the only offering in my city they should be granting me access to the Centurion here in lieu.
I called AMEX just now and the guy on the phone said they have "no official reports" on his end substantiating this but he can see all the news articles. He opened a ticket on my behalf to get an answer and possible compensation.
Im concerned the CSR will follow suit. It doesnt make a whole lot of sense that PP select would have varying levels among different cards unless theyre going to break out new names. In general, I was really banking on that benefit expanding, not contracting. In my home airport (Atlanta) there are only 3 priority pass options with the only true lounge being in the international terminal. Take two of those away AND take away the option of any future restaurant deals, it becomes a pretty worthless benefit.
#215
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: *A G, HHonors Gold, Marriot Gold, Skywards Silver
Posts: 23
I guess you did one of the hotel cards rather than platinum. The platinum you could make do with Delta and Centurion lounges. But if not, the lounge benefit just took a big hit.
Im concerned the CSR will follow suit. It doesnt make a whole lot of sense that PP select would have varying levels among different cards unless theyre going to break out new names. In general, I was really banking on that benefit expanding, not contracting. In my home airport (Atlanta) there are only 3 priority pass options with the only true lounge being in the international terminal. Take two of those away AND take away the option of any future restaurant deals, it becomes a pretty worthless benefit.
#216
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 14
Id agree that CSR needs as much help as it can get as PP is no Delta/Centurion lounge benefit. But Im afraid either (1) theyll adopt the same cost saving measure as Amex or (2) this is a change being forced by priority pass that is being enforced as contracts expire. Either way, if CSR goes the same route, Ill switch to platinum.
Last edited by Taco1933; Jun 5, 2019 at 6:37 pm
#217
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,338
Unlimited airport restaurant / bar benefit is not sustainable, no matter the card issuer. Reason is the airline and airport employees that used the benefit sometimes multiple times per day, as well as some travelers that used the benefit in multiple locations same day, or too often. In my experience, these restaurants / bars never asked for a boarding pass. This was a poorly designed benefit and doomed to fail from the start.
#218
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,829
Unlimited airport restaurant / bar benefit is not sustainable, no matter the card issuer. Reason is the airline and airport employees that used the benefit sometimes multiple times per day, as well as some travelers that used the benefit in multiple locations same day, or too often. In my experience, these restaurants / bars never asked for a boarding pass. This was a poorly designed benefit and doomed to fail from the start.
like the Hilton ascend card. That one is limited 10 period, visits anywhere.
#220
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
It's probably a lost cause, but if we wanted to provide feedback to Amex on this change, how would we do that? A normal email? A letter? Call the Platinum concierge?
#221
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
What would restaurants screw up? Wouldnt the Amex-issued PP card be rejected if the restaurant tries to charge the card, while it would work for a Chase-issued PP card (assuming no change in Chases policy)?
#222
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 14
I just dont expect the average server to know to ask whether the pp is Amex based or something else. Just seems like asking for a headache.
#223
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,731
A mix of servers telling all priority pass select customers that it isnt accepted and AmEx people not finding out that its rejected until their card is declined. Both would annoy people.
I just dont expect the average server to know to ask whether the pp is Amex based or something else. Just seems like asking for a headache.
I just dont expect the average server to know to ask whether the pp is Amex based or something else. Just seems like asking for a headache.
The server does NOT need to ask, the system would tell the server when the PP card is swiped, whether the cardholder has the benefit or not. Very basic and simple - your AMEX PP card would show NOT eligible to receive benefit once the change comes into effect.
#224
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
#225
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,983
I agree with others. If only Amex goes this route it will be a nightmare to administer and it will create frustration and misunderstandings for both the customer AND the employees of the establishments.
Now, for the record, I'm of the mind that Amex is just the first and Chase/Citi will likely follow, so that would certainly simplify things.
Regards