International Airline Program (IAP) 2 for 1 for Platinum/Centurion Members
Jan 16, 2011, 9:02 pm
#91
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: AA EXP 3.2MM, Hyatt Courtesy Card/Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 764
Jan 17, 2011, 7:23 am
#92
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
The 2-for-1 deal works, but you have to do your research and be flexible.
I am flying JFK-NRT-JFK in May with the AMEX 2-for-1 deal on JAL. I have had the card for years, but this is first time I have used the 2-for-1 because it was a better deal than trying to use my points. A travel agent quoted me $8,000 for (2) BC tickets on DL, but they were restricted. For my situation, the extra $2,000 was worth it to fly on JAL and on a fully-refundable, unrestricted ticket.
So, (2) Executive Class tickets -- VIA THE AMEX 2-for-1 deal -- on JAL for $10,676. The same itinerary on JAL's web site is $13,700 PER PERSON.
You can use websites as http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ or http://www.kayak.com/flights to find out who services the itinerary you want and to determine a baseline cost.
After you determine who services the itinerary you want, call up AMEX and determine the best deal.
Plan to spend about a few hours on the entire process. This includes your research time and the time on the phone with AMEX.
I am flying JFK-NRT-JFK in May with the AMEX 2-for-1 deal on JAL. I have had the card for years, but this is first time I have used the 2-for-1 because it was a better deal than trying to use my points. A travel agent quoted me $8,000 for (2) BC tickets on DL, but they were restricted. For my situation, the extra $2,000 was worth it to fly on JAL and on a fully-refundable, unrestricted ticket.
So, (2) Executive Class tickets -- VIA THE AMEX 2-for-1 deal -- on JAL for $10,676. The same itinerary on JAL's web site is $13,700 PER PERSON.
You can use websites as http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ or http://www.kayak.com/flights to find out who services the itinerary you want and to determine a baseline cost.
After you determine who services the itinerary you want, call up AMEX and determine the best deal.
Plan to spend about a few hours on the entire process. This includes your research time and the time on the phone with AMEX.
Last edited by DelrayChris; Jan 17, 2011 at 10:01 am Reason: clarification
Jan 17, 2011, 8:10 am
#93
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: AA EXP 3.2MM, Hyatt Courtesy Card/Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 764
you mean in matrix or kayak you find out the 10K cost or the 13K cost?
The 2-for-1 deal works, but you have to do your research and be flexible.
I am flying JFK-NRT-JFK in May with the AMEX 2-for-1 deal on JAL. I have had the card for years, but this is first time I have used the 2-for-1 because it was a better deal than trying to use my points. A travel agent quoted me $8,000 for (2) BC tickets on DL, but they were restricted. For my situation, the extra $2,000 was worth it to fly on JAL and on a fully-refundable, unrestricted ticket.
So, (2) Executive Class tickets on JAL for $10,676. The same itinerary on JAL's web site is $13,700 PER PERSON.
You can use websites as http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ or http://www.kayak.com/flights to find out who services the itinerary you want and to determine a baseline cost.
After you determine who services the itinerary you want, call up AMEX and determine the best deal.
Plan to spend about a few hours on the entire process. This includes your research time and the time on the phone with AMEX.
I am flying JFK-NRT-JFK in May with the AMEX 2-for-1 deal on JAL. I have had the card for years, but this is first time I have used the 2-for-1 because it was a better deal than trying to use my points. A travel agent quoted me $8,000 for (2) BC tickets on DL, but they were restricted. For my situation, the extra $2,000 was worth it to fly on JAL and on a fully-refundable, unrestricted ticket.
So, (2) Executive Class tickets on JAL for $10,676. The same itinerary on JAL's web site is $13,700 PER PERSON.
You can use websites as http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ or http://www.kayak.com/flights to find out who services the itinerary you want and to determine a baseline cost.
After you determine who services the itinerary you want, call up AMEX and determine the best deal.
Plan to spend about a few hours on the entire process. This includes your research time and the time on the phone with AMEX.
Jan 17, 2011, 10:14 am
#95
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: AA EXP 3.2MM, Hyatt Courtesy Card/Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 764
Apr 2, 2011, 9:47 pm
#97
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
Amex IAP Not Truthful?
Am I the only one finding shenanigans with the Amex International Airline Program?
I knew the program only applied to a full fare unrestricted J or F fare but when I called them tonight to quote a trip to COL the agent quoted me a fare $3000 more than the unrestricted F fare I find on the Emirates site. Hmmm.
Then it really got weird. She quoted the taxes on the companion ticket at $771. When I pressed for a breakdown to see how much of this was fuel surcharges she insisted it was all government taxes. She even went so far as to quote the taxes on the paid ticket and tried to tell me the taxes on the companion would be the same (I don't think so).
When I indicated that the taxes couldn't possibly be almost $800 on a "free" ticket and asked for a breakdown she again said it was. I asked her to read what that line was labeled on her screen and she said "taxes."
Does this sound right? Is there really that kind of taxes on the companion fare or is Amex lying to people by telling them the cost is a tax when it's not?
I knew the program only applied to a full fare unrestricted J or F fare but when I called them tonight to quote a trip to COL the agent quoted me a fare $3000 more than the unrestricted F fare I find on the Emirates site. Hmmm.
Then it really got weird. She quoted the taxes on the companion ticket at $771. When I pressed for a breakdown to see how much of this was fuel surcharges she insisted it was all government taxes. She even went so far as to quote the taxes on the paid ticket and tried to tell me the taxes on the companion would be the same (I don't think so).
When I indicated that the taxes couldn't possibly be almost $800 on a "free" ticket and asked for a breakdown she again said it was. I asked her to read what that line was labeled on her screen and she said "taxes."
Does this sound right? Is there really that kind of taxes on the companion fare or is Amex lying to people by telling them the cost is a tax when it's not?
Apr 3, 2011, 12:25 am
#98
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
who cares what you call it taxes, surcharge, etc it is extra. The only time the IAP program "pays off" is if you have a third party who is paying for your ticket and your morals or ethics do not conflict with the fact you will paying a higher price than normal The only other time the IAP is worth it is when you have to make several changes to dates and times of your flights.
It has been well documented you can almost always purchase two discounted first or business class tickets cheaper than Amex IAP.
It has been well documented you can almost always purchase two discounted first or business class tickets cheaper than Amex IAP.
Apr 3, 2011, 1:02 am
#99
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
I care. Maybe I'm the only one.
If they say the first ticket is priced to full fare then charge you $3000 more or tell you the cost for the second ticket is government taxes when most of it ends up in their or the airline's pocket, that is a problem regardless of whether it's a good deal or not.
I've got no problem with it being a a lousy deal but I do have a problem if they are promising one thing and doing another.
If they say the first ticket is priced to full fare then charge you $3000 more or tell you the cost for the second ticket is government taxes when most of it ends up in their or the airline's pocket, that is a problem regardless of whether it's a good deal or not.
I've got no problem with it being a a lousy deal but I do have a problem if they are promising one thing and doing another.
Apr 3, 2011, 1:28 am
#100
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
ahhh...airlines and amex are both guilty of doing this..You can find several flyertalk complaint threads on the IAP program and when amex had the domestic 2 for 1.
The airlines are guilty of loading fares that seem cheap but when you get done adding the extras that are not all taxes but usually a fuel surcharge put the fare well above advertised price.
So what if they say it is a tax? Amex has been charging transfers out of the MR to US airlines a tax fee to customers based on .001 per mile. Is this a real tax?..NO imho
If you want to help mandate changes in the USA I think you will find a lot of flyertalk members who agree with you but unfortunately I think the USA government has bigger problems to deal with right now.
The airlines are guilty of loading fares that seem cheap but when you get done adding the extras that are not all taxes but usually a fuel surcharge put the fare well above advertised price.
So what if they say it is a tax? Amex has been charging transfers out of the MR to US airlines a tax fee to customers based on .001 per mile. Is this a real tax?..NO imho
If you want to help mandate changes in the USA I think you will find a lot of flyertalk members who agree with you but unfortunately I think the USA government has bigger problems to deal with right now.
Apr 3, 2011, 11:54 am
#101
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
You're missing my point.
If the program is supposed to apply to unrestricted J and F fares then it should.
If the cost associated with the companion ticket is represented as taxes then it should be the taxes not anything else.
I'm not objecting to the program because it appears to be a poor value, but because they appear to playing very loose with following the rules of their own program (that's the charitable view).
Has anyone else had the experience I'm having? IAP was very clear that a full fare unrestricted ticket is supposed to be eligible and that it should never cost more than. As for the bloated cost of the companion ticket the agent was unambiguous that the computer showed the entire amount as "taxes" not fuel surcharge or anything else.
If the program is supposed to apply to unrestricted J and F fares then it should.
If the cost associated with the companion ticket is represented as taxes then it should be the taxes not anything else.
I'm not objecting to the program because it appears to be a poor value, but because they appear to playing very loose with following the rules of their own program (that's the charitable view).
Has anyone else had the experience I'm having? IAP was very clear that a full fare unrestricted ticket is supposed to be eligible and that it should never cost more than. As for the bloated cost of the companion ticket the agent was unambiguous that the computer showed the entire amount as "taxes" not fuel surcharge or anything else.
Apr 3, 2011, 12:52 pm
#102
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Most likely the fare you found on the airline website is not unrestricted. Have you looked at all of the published fares on the route using Expert Flyer or similar? If you don't have a subscription I can look it up if you mention the route and dates.
Apr 3, 2011, 1:32 pm
#103
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
But it is a "real" tax that's being paid to the government, and not something like a "fuel surcharge" or "resort fee."
Apr 3, 2011, 1:39 pm
#104
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
who cares what you call it taxes, surcharge, etc it is extra. The only time the IAP program "pays off" is if you have a third party who is paying for your ticket and your morals or ethics do not conflict with the fact you will paying a higher price than normal The only other time the IAP is worth it is when you have to make several changes to dates and times of your flights.
There are lots of situations where IAP makes sense. What it doesn't do is allow you to find the cheapest possible fare under any circumstances, then get a 2-for-1 off of that fare - but it's never been promoted as doing so.
Apr 3, 2011, 1:42 pm
#105
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
https://www.americanexpress.com/home...um-tandcs.html
International Airline Program:
Companion ticket requires purchase of qualifying First- or Business-Class ticket through American Express Travel Services with an American Express® Card issued in the U.S. Platinum Card or Centurion member's name on a participating airline. [Participating airlines include : Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LAN, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss International Air lines, Virgin Atlantic]. Travel must originate in and return to a U.S. gateway (excluding Puerto Rico and overseas territories) or Canadian gateway. One-way travel permitted on some participating airlines where routing originates in U.S. Available service class (First or Business) determined by participating airline. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Card member and companion must travel on the same itinerary. Non-refundable $78 American Express service fee applies to purchase and all ticket changes/refunds with Platinum Card (fees are waived for Centurion members). Companion ticket subject to government taxes/fees from $50 to $500 roundtrip, including a September 11th Security fee of up to $10. Total charge for the companion ticket may also reflect airline imposed fuel surcharges of up to $800 roundtrip. Companion ticket must be returned/cancelled before full-fare ticket is refunded. Not combinable with any other promotion, discount, negotiated group, or corporate-contracted rate, and may not be available on participating airline's code-share partners, i.e. flights marketed by the ticketing airline but operated by its partner airline. Participating airlines reserve right to modify fare rules/program participation prior to booking. Limit one companion ticket per Card member traveling. Tickets are not transferable or endorsable.
Companion ticket requires purchase of qualifying First- or Business-Class ticket through American Express Travel Services with an American Express® Card issued in the U.S. Platinum Card or Centurion member's name on a participating airline. [Participating airlines include : Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LAN, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss International Air lines, Virgin Atlantic]. Travel must originate in and return to a U.S. gateway (excluding Puerto Rico and overseas territories) or Canadian gateway. One-way travel permitted on some participating airlines where routing originates in U.S. Available service class (First or Business) determined by participating airline. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Card member and companion must travel on the same itinerary. Non-refundable $78 American Express service fee applies to purchase and all ticket changes/refunds with Platinum Card (fees are waived for Centurion members). Companion ticket subject to government taxes/fees from $50 to $500 roundtrip, including a September 11th Security fee of up to $10. Total charge for the companion ticket may also reflect airline imposed fuel surcharges of up to $800 roundtrip. Companion ticket must be returned/cancelled before full-fare ticket is refunded. Not combinable with any other promotion, discount, negotiated group, or corporate-contracted rate, and may not be available on participating airline's code-share partners, i.e. flights marketed by the ticketing airline but operated by its partner airline. Participating airlines reserve right to modify fare rules/program participation prior to booking. Limit one companion ticket per Card member traveling. Tickets are not transferable or endorsable.