kauppias

Very short sighted of them!

Is the Finnish AX the most expensive AX in the world? 😂😂😂

Come summer I will propably just continue with my SK MC/Diners combo as the benefits just are not that more appealing in the long run, perhaps once I travel less then it will become more important

NoWindowSeat

Experiences with my latest "stint" with AX Finland:
-took a lot of time and effort to get the 25k sign up MR reward posted, same with the comped fees
-Hertz match never worked, only available manually via the CDP code. However, this offers some savings (compared to AY Plat CDP) but most of my rentals are company travels so let's see how significant this will be in long run
-PP took a month to get sorted but value for me is close to zero as 99% has been/is OW anyway
-SPG match worked OK but little experience / need so far, hard to put any value yet
-HHonors match is a mess, online match failed 3 times and manual interaction seems to be a dead end too..

The Hertz plan is the best so far but, most likely, if nothing major comes up it seems there's no better combo for my use than AY DC+SEB MC.

AX has been very disappointing for years already, so totally agree with the overall tone in this thread.

Jainzar

The time it takes currently is ridiculous. In 2016 it took around 2 weeks to get the card after I applied for it.
Nevertheless if you fly via ARN T5 I liked the Amex lounge by Pontus foodwise there.Nothing for everyday since they have a very small fixed menu (3 options from 10a.m.), but I was very positively surprised compared to the other lounges.
I applied for all available hotel program status and I got all but Shangri-La's within of the promised 2 weeks. From what I can read on the net is that the latter will likely take 6-8 weeks.
Only HHonors mentioned that my status is tied to my Amex Plat status so let's see how the others manage it.

FFlash

Thanks for posting these experiences

FFlash

Mentioned how? Did they say it is tied to your validity of AX (checking how) or does Hilton ask to see your AX card`?

Jainzar

Well, the welcome email said
Also Amex says that they notify the programs if you are not eligible anymore. What the programs do with this information is another story.

hrnt

The nice thing about the SPG match is the ability to get Marriott Gold by the matching the SPG Gold with the Marriott program. SPG Gold is underwhelming in my opinion, but the Marriott tier is much better.

kauppias

The marriott tieup is good but SPG gold can be helpful too, I was treated better as SPG gold then as IHG or Club Carlson Gold all depends on The properties you go to and how many elites there are

intuition

These are very interesting comments. I am wondering if we can get more comments on the value of getting these hotel program statuses?
I am looking at getting AX plat, basically only for hotel and lounge perks, but the card is 600€ in sweden. A hilton gold does not seem very attractive (considering the number of posts I've read where Hilton diamonds complaining of watered down program).

WilcoRoger

Hilton Gold is good - upgrades come and go, but lounge/breakfast is guaranteed. Don't mind the Diamond whiners, who complain that they didn't get the royal suite
SPG Gold is a bit meh, you might get upgrade, the late checkout is IIRC guaranteed
Marriott Gold again is good, louge/bf guaranteed.

Obviously the top tiers are better, at one time or another I have/had top tier at all major programs.

These are from my experiences in Europe and Asia, USA might be a different kettle of fish.

If you wouldn't make these mid-tiers otherwise, for 600€ these are good - if you stay at these chains anyway. And because the tiers are "given" you're not tied to any of the chains, but can pick and mix as best fits.

SPBanker

intuition

Thanks all!
My situation is I have a great nordic program but need an international chain too. Mainly for Asia travel, and no NA-travel at all.

I could ask for Hilton challenge and they ought to give me diamond challenge, but it requires 8 stays in 3 months. That is 1000€ upfront, making the AX->HH gold actually cheaper!

Upgrades are nice, but these chains have such a standard that even cheapest rooms are usually OK. Guaranteed lounge and breakfast is appreciated though, so the Marriot way looks interesting.

WilcoRoger

With hilton you can also get Gold challenge, that's 4 stays only (IIRC) in 90 days. It could be very cheap, too, but given Hilton's non-existing coverage of Scandinavia, not very easy (HEL is well served, but not cheap) If you're in the UK during the 90 days, they have quite a few of their cheaper brands over there.

TTL

NB: HH Gold gives the lounge access only if upgraded to an exec room. Have to say that in my second home town London, even a non-plastic, stay-point-Diamond is rather vague in value. Except in those venues where I have more than 20 stays stayed. Managed also to snatch Nordic Choices Diamond in a status match lately against HH Diamond.

I find Melia Gold very useful. As well as Carlson Gold. Pity that they dropped Accor Plat.

remymartin