FinalF137

I’m posting this in the CO/UA forum since it has to do with the loss of MR transfer and lounge access to CO/UA for AMEX Plat cardholders. Not sure if it’s targeted to certain AMEX Plat customers that fly on CO/UA.

Background: I have an AMEX Platinum personal card and also pay extra for 3 additional cards (I pay yearly $625). I transferred 110,000 MR points from AMEX and spilt it between my CO and my wife’s CO OnePass accounts right before the deadline in Sept. I was thinking of cancelling the Plat card coming up on renewal next month since CO/UA lounge access and points transfer was a huge benefits loss for me, but haven’t acted of it yet.

Today: I get a called from an unknown number, its AMEX out of the blue asking how I’m doing, if the point transfer went through fine, if I’m aware that it ended in Sept. I told him yes. He asked how much I travel, 2-3 times a year all on CO/UA. He then proactively asked if AMEX can sign me up and PAY for a year of US Airways Club membership, normally close to $500. That should get me into any *A lounge. He mentioned something about Gold, but I forgot what is was about. He said it should take a few weeks for the materials to get to me. Just asked to verify my email address, thats all. I asked if my additional card members can be signed up, but he said it’s only for the primary card holder.

Has any other AMEX cardholder that flies CO/UA experienced this?

frubio2012

Sounds fishy. You're AMEX PLT card already gets you into the US Airways Lounges without needing to fly them that day.

mahasamatman

But it won't get you into The United Club (or any other *A lounge). By providing a US club membership, it's a way to get into all *A lounges.

FinalF137

It does sound too good to be true, I admit. I’ve even trying a MR just to reach Gold on OnePass before the year end. But he specifically mentioned that by having the actually US Airways Club membership will allow me to get into Continental and United lounges since my card will no longer get me in and as a plus, *A lounges as well. It’s a workaround he offered to keep my lounge access to Continental and United, not to get into US Airways lounges.

exerda

Wonder if it's a "first year free, then it's $500 each subsequent year" sort of deal?

FinalF137

He didn’t discuss cost or any reoccurring billing as part of the deal; I gather it’s a $500 value from US Airways’ website, but I wouldn’t be surprised though if US Airways will ram up trying to get me to renew next year.

WineCountryUA

$500 may be a bit high on the value
US ran a sale earlier this year and has had dicounted prices before
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...nnual-fee.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-ua-match.html

escapefromphl

Given that they already give access to US Airways clubs the incremental cost to Amex for full club membership may not be nearly as high, probably closer to $100.

icydog

What other clubs will the Amex card allow you to access? I mean besides US?

RNE

Exactly. No way AMEX pays what we'd pay. They're probably buying thousands of US Club memberships and they're getting a sweetheart deal. It's AMEX's attempt to counter Chase's embargo of United Clubs and keep AMEX cardholders from defecting to the Presidential Plus card. It may work.

SF1K

Very smart of both AX and USAir. If AX offered this as a published benefit I might just switch to a Platinum Card.

snaporaz

It would be nice but if they did that I'm sure Chase would ask/make UA stop letting US Airways Club Members (which retails for $450 btw) into RCCs.

escapefromphl

That would have major repercussions, I don't think Chase could force it.

PaulMCO

Admirals Club (AA)
Sky Club (Delta)

Plus Priority Pass -- which gets you into many lounges worldwide (guests are extra). Priority Pass used to work in the RCC until 1 Oct.

Santander

How would US elites get into UA's *G lounges then? This would never happen.