Finland, Finnair, and credit cards - pre 2020 discussion
Jan 8, 2013, 11:01 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,107
These perks are not listed on the Amex FI site at all.
Carlson Gold is not much of a perk as they seem to match all comers. SPG Gold is nice
Carlson Gold is not much of a perk as they seem to match all comers. SPG Gold is nice
Jan 9, 2013, 1:51 am
#92
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Hilton gold card offer was good for one year only. Have to earn it the hard way in Europe. Requirements for gold and diamond also went up this year 
Jan 9, 2013, 3:17 am
#93
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,270
It's been discussed to death but I cannot do anything but wonder why on earth would someone pay 550eur for the AX PLT in Finland..maybe just for bragging purposes?
Jan 9, 2013, 3:46 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,107
I don't know if the concierge service is of any value to some - I have the gut feeling that Finns are not very good at using such a service.
The insurance - well, it's been discussed here, that it's been downgraded
So I agree - I see no 550€ value for the card over a free Gold. If you have a partner card AND don't get the Gold free, the equation is somewhat different, partner card being free with Plat: 550€ vs 240€ (170€+70€)
I tried to negotiate (well, not really negotiate, just asking over the phone) for getting it free, they declined.
Jan 9, 2013, 5:18 am
#95
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Bragging purposes of course, and it is also nice to have in the card member since 92, to distinguish from the new money 
. Those days even obtaining the green card required considerable earnings and had to be demonstrated by sending in a tax statement.
Travel insurance used to be good. And still is good when buying the leisure travel using the card. Partner card is nice. Five additional gold cards are nice.
And particularly nice is the free PP prestige for two people.
Conversion rate to BA Avios is also tolerable, sometimes with bonus offers, even good.
Style begins with shiny shoes, nice watch, and classy plastics!
. Those days even obtaining the green card required considerable earnings and had to be demonstrated by sending in a tax statement.Travel insurance used to be good. And still is good when buying the leisure travel using the card. Partner card is nice. Five additional gold cards are nice.
And particularly nice is the free PP prestige for two people.
Conversion rate to BA Avios is also tolerable, sometimes with bonus offers, even good.
Style begins with shiny shoes, nice watch, and classy plastics!
Jan 9, 2013, 5:58 am
#96
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,270
I absolutely love your honesty and attitude! Not all things in life need to make practical/financial sense! ^
Jan 11, 2013, 5:19 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,790
I thought it was Carlson Silver Elite, not gold? And that was valid for only 6 months 
In e.g. the UK you still get the A-Club Plat card with AX Plt. I don't know why they axed it here.
In e.g. the UK you still get the A-Club Plat card with AX Plt. I don't know why they axed it here.
Mar 15, 2013, 3:33 am
#98
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,790
AX Plt revamped :td:
Just got snailmail today.
Summary:
Customer service isn't that great these days and the insurance programme was severely diluted this year. I don't see the additions explain the price increase.
Summary:
- Priority Pass now free for first guest too ^
- Comp'd Accor LeClub Plat card
- 100€ credit when booking from their travel magazine
- Preferred Golf programme
- Price now 700€ effective 15th May
Customer service isn't that great these days and the insurance programme was severely diluted this year. I don't see the additions explain the price increase.
Mar 15, 2013, 3:49 am
#99
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Something more yet:
AA Admirals club / US Airways Club / Delta Sky Club entrance for plat card holder + two guests.
Apart from Accor Plus Plat, also SPG Gold for plat card + partner card holders.
AA Admirals club / US Airways Club / Delta Sky Club entrance for plat card holder + two guests.
Apart from Accor Plus Plat, also SPG Gold for plat card + partner card holders.
Mar 15, 2013, 4:01 am
#100
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,790
SPG Gold has been around for as long as I remember, but is the partner card a new benefit?
Also noticed the Carlson card is now Gold Elite instead of Silver Elite ^ but HHonors Gold has been dropped altogether
Mar 19, 2013, 3:59 am
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,107
SPG Gold is good.
Carlson is also good, but for that you don't need a 700€ fee AMEX, roughly said it is enough if you have a golden video rental card, they'll match it
Accor Plat is given away nearly continously, also no reason for 700€ outlay of money
Carlson is also good, but for that you don't need a 700€ fee AMEX, roughly said it is enough if you have a golden video rental card, they'll match it
Accor Plat is given away nearly continously, also no reason for 700€ outlay of money
Now who would pay 700€ to use a plastic?
Mar 23, 2013, 11:09 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 7,968
Apr 5, 2013, 5:29 am
#104
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 230
Apr 5, 2013, 7:26 am
#105
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,790
The US card is actually 450usd. Meaning we now pay DOUBLE!