Did Amex Platinum discontinue the 2 for 1 International First Class deal?
 

We are beginning to plan a trip to Chile and Argentina from LA. In the past I know that Amex Plat had 2 for 1 first class deals with quite a few foreign carriers including Lan Chile. I was just looking at their site and there's nothing about that deal -- Does anyone know if it has been discontinued, or do they not put it up on their site? Any info would be appreciated.

Also, on their domestic companion deal, what kind of experiences have Plat holders had as to getting seats when they want them?

9 Eligibility of International Airline Program is contingent on the purchase of a qualifying, non-restricted full fare First or Business Class ticket on a member carrier originating in and returning to a designated U.S. gateway. Puerto Rico is not a qualifying U.S. gateway. Travel must be completed by December 31, 2008. Some International Airline Program carriers offer only Business Class. Class of service is determined by each participating airline. One-way travel valid if originating in the U.S. on certain carriers. International Airline Program seat allocations and destinations may be limited on specific airlines and departures. One of the travelers must be a U.S.-issued Platinum Card® member. Tickets are non-transferable and non-endorsable and must be purchased in the United States with the American Express® Card in the Platinum Card member's name. Complimentary ticket must have the same exact itinerary with departure and return on the same flights as the paid ticket, and is subject to all government fees, taxes, and charges. One complimentary ticket per [Business] Platinum Card member traveling. Complimentary tickets have no refund value and must accompany unused paid ticket. Complimentary tickets do not accrue frequent-flyer mileage. Complimentary tickets apply only with all-year, nonrestricted full fares. A $35.00 refund fee per ticket applies. Any deviations or changes in routing by personal choice of Card member after ticketing will be at Card member's expense. Nonparticipating carriers must be ticketed and priced separately. Refund of the same full-fare passenger ticket must be accompanied by the complimentary ticket. Advance reservations must be ticketed no later than 30 days prior to departure or reservations will be canceled. Reservations made within 30 days must be ticketed within 72 hours after the bookings are made or they will be canceled. Tickets can only be issued the same day as the departure date if a) International Airline Program booking inventory is available and b) if the applicable airline allows electronic ticketing. Otherwise, same-day booking, ticketing and departure are not allowed. Offer not valid with any other promotion, discount, negotiated group rate, or corporate-contracted rate, and is subject to availability. Certain code-share flights may apply. Airlines reserve the right to change or modify program based on an irregular flight operation. Program subject to changes or cancellations. City restrictions apply. CST# 1022318-10, Washington UBI# 600-469-694 ML-1192, TA-002 Registered Iowa Travel Agency, NV# 2001-0126.

From http://www201.americanexpress.com/ap...efined&from=10

The program requires you to buy a full fare ticket. You can often do as well or better buying two discounted first class tickets yourself and possibly earn miles on both.

fuzz

Plus of 2 for 1 is that the ticket is usually refundable. If deep discounts are available, two discounted tickets can cost less than a 2 for 1, but they are often not flexible.

I always call AMEX when exploring these deals. Once, a CSR had nothing really suitable on the first call, but he called ne back a few minutes later (around midnight) with a better deal on Asiana. Now that's service!

Jack

LAN no longer offers 1st class between the US and South America. They discontinued the 1st class cabin in 2006.

Thanks for all the info. I had done a quick Google search and I missed it. Sounds like the 2 for 1 deal won't be of any use to me for South America out of LA. I'll probably end up doing F on American if routes and upgrades fall into place.:confused:

LAN's website touts non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Santiago, with continuing services to Buenos Aires and connections to other cities in Argentina

http://www.lan.com/promociones/data/...scl-en-us.html

If these flights are operated with aircraft featuring the New Premium Business Class it would seem to be competitive with First Class...

http://plane.lan.com/info_viajes/cla...ess-en-us.html

Thanks -- Do you know if the Amex Platinum deal will work with LAN Business Class? If so, do you think I'd do better with that deal, or do better buying two discounted Bus Class tickets directly?

I should have added that I don't currently have the card. My only primary reason for getting it would be if I was going to be able to use the two for one deal on LAN, but the domestic deal would have some value as well. Does anyone know what the availability issues are with getting seats well in advance on the 2/1 international deals? Has anyone used the card for LAN Chile, and what were your experiences? Thanks again.