Smid

(hoping not OT, or should go in the 2 for 1 discussion thread).

Ok, so back in the day, I think you had to use the BA Amex to book your reward flights if using the 2 for 1 voucher. So I held onto the premium card, booked the flights in first, and then downgraded the card to the free one (I'd wasted 240 quid the year before not even getting close to half the required spend).

I'd been using the amex platinum, valuing it's insurance as a major thing (at least 200 quid worth), but since the "trip" has to be paid for with the platinum card, I'm now in the position of having no insurance for the trip. I think using the BA Amex one did provide some sort of insurance (I remember 1500 quid per lost luggage), but does that cover count as the time of booking, or the card owned at the moment? I did look at single trip cover, but the likes of the Post Office wants about 200 quid for that anyway.

I suspect I could go back the BA reward line, and get the amount uncharged from ba amex, and onto platinum, but I'm not even sure if a reward flight booked with a platinum amex is fully covered (given it's paid for partially in points).

Any advice to proceed? Recommendations for single trip travel insurance?

jaro

> I'm not even sure if a reward flight booked with a platinum amex is fully covered (given it's paid for partially in points).

Yes, even if you put 1c on the card you get the cover

flarmip

There isn't actually a requirement for the Amex Platinum to be used for the Platinum Travel Insurance's cancellation provisions to kick in. You merely need to use an Amex card whose account is in your name.

The relevant term is as follows:
So in essence you need to have used the "Card". That is defined as:
And "Account" is defined as:
So as you can see, there is nothing that requires the card used to be your Platinum one. It merely needs to be an Amex UK card in your name.

Incidentally, medical emergency cover (the bit that covers your potential largest liability, esp. for trips to the US) is not dependent on the payment method used.

kingcole974

Just to add to this. If the Amex plat is in a company name, then all insurances are good, even if you make payment on a Visa or Mc.

Smid

It's a personal one, I did have the business one, but never trusted the cover (they took away the non-card use for personal one after I'd got the business one).

Thanks for the info, I'm covered. Woot.

Ldnn1

Not entirely sure about that interpretation, it’s messy wording so looks potentially arguable. But in any case, for future reference OP and others, you can definitely use your Amex Plat (rather than BA Amex) to pay for a 241 booking.

flarmip

Doesn't really seem messy to me - the key bit "Your consumer and small business cards issued by American Express in the UK" clearly envisages multiple cards and makes no mention of any of these needing to be Platinum cards. Any such restriction would have to be clearly stated to be effective.

Duck1981

I especially asked AXA insurance once if I am covered by the Platinum insurance when paying a flight with another AMEX and yes, the other AMEX 'only needs to be in your name' for the AMEX Plat insurance to kick in. I have it in writing. We talk about UK AMEX cards.

Ldnn1

If you don't think the wording quoted in your post is messy then I really hope your job isn't in customer comms.

I'm not saying your interpretation is wrong, just that it's far from obvious.

flarmip

Oh well yes, they could clearly make it more obvious that it's what they mean, but if you read what the definitions are that Amex has chosen to use, I can't see any other logical conclusion. And above another poster has said they have it in writing that Amex agree.

davidcamp6

Same here, found out when I went to get the download of the cover summary for flying during Covid and called them first- Plat and BA plus Amex, one in my name as sole trader, one personal.

zen100

Unfortunately the wording is messy - to Amex

When making a claim for trip cancellation, I was told (by Amex) that I could not include the BA flights, as I paid for them on the BA Premiun Plus Amex card, not my Platinum card - citing those exact T&Cs, but interpreting them differently.

Amex eventually agreed with my interpretation, but it was too late, as I had to take a voucher for the BA flight, thinking I might not get paid out by Amex.

Duck1981

Today I got a settlement from AXA for a trip cancellation paid by BA Amex using the Platinum Insurance. Probably you had a bad case handler.