Just seeing if anybody else uses the service on thier AAdvantage card. Ive found it to be very useful lately, Id never really used it before... Does anybody know the specifics of this, like who these people are and where they get thier information. Also wondering how it compares to AMEX concierge? Has anybody expereinced and limits with the service?

ummmm hello?

Has anyone used a Visa concierge? It's an advertised benefit of my Visa Signature (The UA Gold Class variety), but I've never called them.

I'm familiar with the Amex Plat concierges (disappointing). I'm wondering if anyone has used them on the Visa side? And if so, what for? What was your experience?

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View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets

Anyone?

Nope. I've thought about it though... does that count? (I'm thinking this forum doesn't get much traffic, eh? In fact, this is the first time I've checked here in probably two months or so.)

I've used two credit card concierge services, but both are in Australia. One is the Platinum Visa, which was marginally acceptable at best, they will do simple requests, but anything complicated, or which requires them to not pay the highest price on the planet, they are hopeless.

The second was AXA Assistance, which came with my bank account. It was better, and they actually make an effort for most things, the only thing is they are not at all what you would call "exclusive", so they dont really get any special treatment or offers, but good for find out information, and the like.

In Australia Amex Platinum is still the best.

Since you've used them, can you explain what kind of things you've successfully used them for?

There's a concierge-like service I've heard the former Minnesota governor/boxer advertise on radio lately: It's called something like InfoPhone, and the numnber one adverstised feature is that you can get directions from them. Well, THAT to me sounds like the person at the other end of the phone is simply using a computer with MapQuest or such, no?

So I guess in the general sense it boils down to: When have you used a conceirge to do somehing you couldn't have done as easily if you were at a computer yourself at the time? (That would seem to require, at the very least, that the conceirge have access to, say, travel and entertainment industry online services that you as an individual don't. Ie, in some cases it may boil down to the old question of using a travel agent...)

Oh, and given the prevalence of outsourcing and common subcontracting in other areas (we all know how many different FF programs have credit cards that are all from the same couple banks, we all know how many different FF programs have dining programs which are all iDine by any other name), how many of these different cards' concierge services may actually be the very same one but just taught to answer the phone a different way? (And how many of the variations in quality could be due to the same variations in quality you already get any one airline or credit card call center depending on who you end up talking to?)


[This message has been edited by Stefan Daystrom (edited 07-11-2003).]

I use the AMEX Platinum (US) conceirge frequently and the Visa Signature conceirge occasionally. I called Visa to inquire about tickets to the Grammy's, and they said they'd go through a broker. I also asked, on a different call, for information on Coldplay concerts in TX, and they emailed me a list of Coldplay's remaining dates (none in the U.S.) on their current tour. They seem very professional and I have one person I can talk to (assuming he's working at that time) anytime I need assistance.

AMEX can be more hit-or-miss, but they've helped with some obscure things. A friend wanted a birthday cake delivered to a friend in San Diego the next day, and she wasn't willing to spend more that $35. AMEX's usual supplier charges $40 or $45, but told of the $35 cap they spent several hours calling bakeries in San Diego, ultimately finding one that didn't accept AMEX. They called me, provided the info, and we had the cake delivered. I've also used AMEX extensively to get restaurant reservations. They're great. The Pillar House, a restaurant in Massachusetts, was going out of business and told me they had no remaining bookings. AMEX called and got me a reservation even though the Pillar House had never been on their fine dining program. AMEX has also gotten me reservation at Au'jourd Hui in Boston and other top restaurants during Restaurant Week. I most often use them upon arriving at a restaurant to find a long wait. At the Clay Pit in Austin, a restaurant that's not part of AMEX's fine dining program, a call to AMEX turned an hour and a half wait into a 15 minute one. I've had similar results with fine dining restaurants in New York.

-Merrick

I'd be curious for more examples of how people use the concierge service. I have a VIPDesk membership (Citibank AAdvantage MasterCard).

VIP Desk provides my Concierge service as part of my Citi.You World Mastercard. I love them and they love me back, I know many of the frequently talked to concierges and they know me by voice much of the time. I use to to find out information on virtually anything, flowers, candy, movies, resturants and to make dinner reservation, appointments with the nail or hairplace. I use them as a 411 since they will also cnnect me for free. Need somethign research? no problem they'll do it.

Example: "Brad there is this resturant on 2nd ave between 10th and 11th next to a thai plce but I cant remember the name of it."

2 hours later - I have the name of it "Pangea."

Travel planning todays request was "When is it a good time to go to Warsaw" I had the info in my email box by end of day.

The Concierge service alone keeps me witht he card mainly because I don't want to switch to another service and have to re establish a relationship with all of them... I really don't use my card's points (which is blasphemy on FT I know...

-Vincent