American Express expanded the Centurion Lounge guest benefit spend requirement?
Feb 8, 23, 2:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,498
American Express expanded the Centurion Lounge guest benefit spend requirement?
Just got an email (2/8, 1450ET) that I'm eligible to bring two guests through 1/31/24. I did NOT hit the $75k threshold (though I did on a different Amex card since cancelled) and the email specifically states I need to use my current Amex. Nowhere to sign up, so doesn't look like a scam.
So, are they back-peddling already? Or did they cross-reference my earlier eligibility and extend it to my current card?
Anyone else get this email?
So, are they back-peddling already? Or did they cross-reference my earlier eligibility and extend it to my current card?
Anyone else get this email?
Feb 8, 23, 2:27 pm
#2
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: 48,206
Feb 8, 23, 2:31 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,498
Guesting privileges were restored to my PersonalPlat which I still have. I also have some non-Plat cards (Bonvoy, Hilton, etc) and was wondering if perhaps they're rolling up total Amex-branded spend.
I'm interested by the change. It also said that authorized users on my account have had their guesting restored.
Jamie
Feb 8, 23, 2:47 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVPG, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 14,928
Feb 8, 23, 4:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: North Oregon Coast
Programs: AS, AA, BA, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 346
Just got an email (2/8, 1450ET) that I'm eligible to bring two guests through 1/31/24. I did NOT hit the $75k threshold (though I did on a different Amex card since cancelled) and the email specifically states I need to use my current Amex. Nowhere to sign up, so doesn't look like a scam.
So, are they back-peddling already? Or did they cross-reference my earlier eligibility and extend it to my current card?
Anyone else get this email?
So, are they back-peddling already? Or did they cross-reference my earlier eligibility and extend it to my current card?
Anyone else get this email?
Last edited by ziggy29; Feb 8, 23 at 4:18 pm
Feb 8, 23, 5:42 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2002
Location: EWR/JFK/LGA
Programs: DL Silver, AA, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 326
Just got an email (2/8, 1450ET) that I'm eligible to bring two guests through 1/31/24. I did NOT hit the $75k threshold (though I did on a different Amex card since cancelled) and the email specifically states I need to use my current Amex. Nowhere to sign up, so doesn't look like a scam.
So, are they back-peddling already? Or did they cross-reference my earlier eligibility and extend it to my current card?
Anyone else get this email?
So, are they back-peddling already? Or did they cross-reference my earlier eligibility and extend it to my current card?
Anyone else get this email?
Feb 8, 23, 7:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,002
did not spend $75K on their personal Amex Platinum, but have spent $75K across multiple Amex cards (including business cards). I have not yet heard this from anyone who has spent less than $75K on all Amex cards combined. It is anecdotal for now, but that seems to be the pattern so far.
Feb 8, 23, 8:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,640
It's interesting that one week after the new policy went into effect, many people seem to be getting these "we know you didn't spend $75k on your plat card like we wanted you to, but it looks like you're a good customer overall so you can still bring guests into the lounge for free" emails.
I'm purely guessing, but it would seem that either a) the CL's have seen MUCH less traffic in the past week and AmEx is worried or, b) there have been lots of angry cardholders turned away / asked to pay $50 per guest, and the backlash is worse than AmEx anticipated.
I'm purely guessing, but it would seem that either a) the CL's have seen MUCH less traffic in the past week and AmEx is worried or, b) there have been lots of angry cardholders turned away / asked to pay $50 per guest, and the backlash is worse than AmEx anticipated.
Feb 8, 23, 8:15 pm
#9
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: 48,206
(FWIW, it appears that I spent $75,800 across four cards, and I have not received an email for my Business Platinum account.)
Feb 8, 23, 8:29 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2002
Location: EWR/JFK/LGA
Programs: DL Silver, AA, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 326
-OR- c) maybe people have made the argument that they spent $75,000 in 2022, and did not know that only spending on the Platinum Card would qualify. It will be interesting to see if the published rules are changed for 2023, or if this is a one-time transitional adjustment.
(FWIW, it appears that I spent $75,800 across four cards, and I have not received an email for my Business Platinum account.)
(FWIW, it appears that I spent $75,800 across four cards, and I have not received an email for my Business Platinum account.)
Feb 8, 23, 9:43 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: North Oregon Coast
Programs: AS, AA, BA, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 346
It's interesting that one week after the new policy went into effect, many people seem to be getting these "we know you didn't spend $75k on your plat card like we wanted you to, but it looks like you're a good customer overall so you can still bring guests into the lounge for free" emails.
I'm purely guessing, but it would seem that either a) the CL's have seen MUCH less traffic in the past week and AmEx is worried or, b) there have been lots of angry cardholders turned away / asked to pay $50 per guest, and the backlash is worse than AmEx anticipated.
I'm purely guessing, but it would seem that either a) the CL's have seen MUCH less traffic in the past week and AmEx is worried or, b) there have been lots of angry cardholders turned away / asked to pay $50 per guest, and the backlash is worse than AmEx anticipated.
Maybe they did; I don't recall. But it really seems like the dividing line is $75K on all Platinum cards connected to your account.
Four Platinum cards, or four Amex cards in general? This data point might help to show whether it's $75K on ALL Amex cards or $75K on all Platinum cards. (Not that it matters to me; that's well beyond my pay grade.)
Last edited by ziggy29; Feb 8, 23 at 9:48 pm
Feb 8, 23, 10:14 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,002
Often times I calculate my total credit card spend based on my monthly credit card payments, which include annual fees. Any chance your total (which is agonizingly close to the threshold ) includes annual fees, which might then put the total spend at less than the threshold?
Feb 8, 23, 11:45 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1K 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Ti, LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 55,180
Backtracking on the stated qualification rules is same as airlines rolling over status yet another year for those who didn't qualify. Amex's game, Amex's rules, but I don't have to like it.
Feb 9, 23, 7:12 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.5MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,375
I have both a personal and business Plat card. Made the $75K spend on the personal, not the biz (not even close). Got the email last night with biz number at the top stating was eligible for complimentary guests. So much for any CHANCE at less crowding, if this went out to every plat card holder 
Feb 9, 23, 7:15 am
#15
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: 48,206
Four cards, only one is Platinum. It would make sense if the emails were sent only to those who spent $75,000 across multiple Platinum cards.
Perhaps. I looked up the spend for each on americanexpress.com > Statements & Activity > View by Year > 2022 > New charges.
Perhaps. I looked up the spend for each on americanexpress.com > Statements & Activity > View by Year > 2022 > New charges.
Last edited by mia; Feb 9, 23 at 7:42 am
