bnw2005

My experience on Virgin Atlantic is the companion ticket does not earn miles. The paid ticket does.

Steve M

That's been my experience as well, on CX.

wripro

And on LAN.

J-FLyer

Does this thread have correct information about booking class info and the international 2 for 1 program. For eg, I'm looking into using the promotion to fly to israel around christmas. The chart in this thread indicates that I need to find Z class availability. Is this correct? I feel like I've read something to the contrary elsewhere. Thanks for the help.

sbm12

Assuming that you plan on flying on CO, that would seem to be the case. You'd need Z inventory and you'd pay J fares. From EWR the Z fares range from $2564-$4776 and the J fares are $8346-$11729. The IAP would not seem to be such a deal in this case.

J-FLyer

Yes, was looking at CO. The lowest fare in the dates I'm looking at is around 8900 all in. I was hoping that the offer would help out somehow. I'm beginning to question the value of a platinum card. I would have been happy to pay a full fare if I got a companion ticket free (as the program is marketed), but this does not seem to be the case. I need discount bucket availability (of which there is none), 2 of which would cost less than a single full-fare. So, the deal only comes in handy if there is only one discounted ticket left on a flight. I gather other routes are different, as I've previously used the program to fly AF in an economically desirable manner. Any suggestions on what to do with my MR points if I want to close down the Platinum account?

scubadu

Well, it's pretty well documented and covered both here and other places that the value of this particular benefit (2-4-1 Business) is pretty lame. Additionally, with Amex now canceling the 2-4-1 domestic companion program (which IMHO was a much more valuable program) I think many of us are questioning the value of the card.

In terms of what to do w/MR points, obviously you could use them! Or you could consider getting a different Amex card with a more reasonable fee and after that is established, then close the platinum card. Finally, you could of course transfer them into an airline program that is supported by Amex MR.

Regards.

gmitchs

My boss and I flew DEN-SOF on LH recently using a 2 for 1 ticket. We booked it through AMEX Travel and inquired about the mileage. The travel agent said that the miles would probably only be posted to my boss's MP account but that she would contact LH prior to departure to see if I would also receive the miles. We did not hear from her again but when we checked in for the flight we asked the LH gate agent the same question. She wasn't sure but she did enter my MP number. I checked my MP account a few days later and the miles were there. I was stoked! After returning home I checked my account periodically but the return did not post. After waiting the 15 days I sent an inquiry to United about the miles. 2 days later they were posted. After all that I have heard and read I feel very fortunate to have received the miles.

As to whether the Card was worth it, this trip alone saved us close to $9,000 USD. ^

I am considering a Platinum Card with the IAP as a huge draw. I am unclear as to how long the program will last. They have an expiry date on the AMEX site but is that for registration or is that for the end of the program? Thanks,

sbm12

I'm a bit surprised by this number. The fares do not appear that close for the deal:

[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.0/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/DotRes/US]
You have to book in D and pay for C. I would think that you'd pay the $16K fare and potentially book in to the $11K fare. There is still some savings there, but after taxes/surcharges not $9K.

The expiration listed is basically there because the contracts with the airlines are annual, so there is no guarantee that any particular carrier or destination will be there next year. But the program will almost certainly not disappear.

Also consider that there are fares that are cheaper than what LH offers, and that a Biz fare to a European gateway and then adding on a coach segment to get to the final destination will be much cheaper and almost identical service for that last segment in most cases for destinations that do not offer non-stop service from the USA.

gmitchs

I don't know the booking codes that were used but I do remember the agent quoting us over $11,000 USD per ticket for a Business Class fare. She said the IAP was available but we would have to book into a higher fare. The final price for the 2 for 1 was a little over $13,000 USD. There were cheaper alternatives (mostly non *A ) available but they also involved additional stops. Less hassle = Better trip.

I am also certain that most of the 2 for 1 tickets don't work out this well but I was surprised an happy with the outcome.

Thank you for the information about the expiry dates.

xolinlevh

is it true that the international 2 for 1 is also ending dec 31 of this year? i know the domestic one is and i got the letter about it from amex but someone just told me the international one is ending as well? can anyone confirm it?

sbm12

It always states that the deals are only good through the end of the current calendar year until AmEx signs the contracts with the airlines for the following calendar year. I cannot imagine them killing this program. It is a win for both the airlines and AmEx. And they certainly haven't stated anything publicly. In fact, in the letter I got about the end of the domestic program they tout the IAP as still in operation.

xolinlevh

hehe ok good, that just kinda scared me when i saw it.

mdb

Does anyone know what the 2009 contract looks like for the 2-4-1? Meaning which carriers and what classes of service?

mdb

Updates???? Are there any changes for 2009? I have seen nothing yet.