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The investment has paid off (to my way of thinking at least) just for access to the airport lounges. I discovered that are are two airport lounges operated by Amex itself. One in Mexico City (which I have used) and one in Buenos Aires (which I will). These are not listed on the Amex site, BTW.

Whatever, Bert’s experience with the BOGO on Biz Class might have been, I had a good experience using their travel services. I use ITA software (they provide the underlying software for many online booking engines) to get the best fares from multiple airports within 100 miles of my home. However, when the best fare/routing involves more than one airline, booking online can be a problem.

I called Amex, gave them the routing and fare codes and they reproduced the fare ITA had quoted, no problem, no premium.

As to Amex not being accepted everywhere, what’s so hard about carrying two (or more) credit cards?

So all in all, I’m satisfied and I haven’t had the card that long.

BTW, ITA’s fare search can be found at:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch

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Really? Do you have a link to the description of this benefit?

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I think it is fairly easy getting an American Express, as long as you have good credit (started building since 16). I ‘m currently 20 and had it since 18 and worked probably only 3 weeks out of those 2 years..tax return of like $8, so income is not significant (in my case). I had the Gold Business card for 6 months and then upgraded to the platinum afterwards. **TO CLARIFY**. The Platinum UPGRADE is $200. It is an promotional upgrade annual fee. To start off with the platinum card from “scratch”, it would be $395/bus. $450/personal. The gold personal card fee applies but the gold business card is (not sure as of now) waived for the first year. The upgrade was offered on my 6th month of having the gold business card.

And to all small business owners/entrepreneurs, the platinum card will save you a lot of time and money. Currently in the process of starting my own s-corporation, the platinum card benefits has already paid for the card many times over.

Hope that helps!

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But I was moved to leave this note because I worked for the assistance company that provided all of amex’s customer service as my first job out of college. And in case you haven’t figured out these little tidbits (which they don’t advertise), they keep special tables reserved for plat members in some of the best restaurants worldwide. They will find “anything, anytime, anywhere” for you. In one such case, I was asked to find the mule on page 56 of a nieman marcus catalog because the plat member wanted to adopt it (I found it– in a small town in mexico- owner wouldn’t part). I was asked for a vial of red sea water for a school project. I created marriage proposals, birthday parties extraordinaire.

And perhaps, of most interest for travelers out there, is their rx transfer, dr referral and evacuation services. I evacuated a gal who had been gored by a bull, one bitten by an ape, someone stabbed in a turkish hotel room, from cruise ships, etc etc etc. It has its fine print, to be sure, but it is a wonderful safety net.

And no, I don’t work for Amex : ) This just triggered some memories.

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This is a misleading promotion. They claim if you have a Platinum American Express Card than you can buy 1 business class airline international ticket and receive 1 companion ticket free.

They have a list of 18 international airlines that participate in this program. You must use one of these carriers.

I tried to do this and found out it is a phony program.

First I got the business fare on two of the approved airlines and I was told that you must book thru American Express Platinum Travel Services. When I called them I was told that my fares were not valid because they were not unrestricted. American Express told me that the fare for the flights I wanted would cost me more than the airline price for two Business Class tickets.

I went back to the airlines and priced the cost of unrestricted airfare. The new higher price was $8,434.56 for Swiss Air. When I re contacted American Express they advised me that they did not have any seats in Business Class for my travel dates. There were seats available in Business class but not American Express seats.

I went to Lufthansa and found good flights for a new higher fare of $8744.68. The flights were Lufthansa 463 connecting with Lufthansa 2954. The return was Lufthansa 2941 connecting with Lufthansa 462. This price was for unrestricted business fare. I contacted American Express again, only to be told no good, because Lufthansa flight number 2954 was a code share flight with South African Airways and not eligible.

I tried South African Airways from Washington DC. I got a price of $8424.26. I would have to get my own airfare to and from Washington, but I would be flying only South African Airways which is American Express Approved. This fare is also unrestricted.

Once more I was turned down by American Express. They would book me on the same flights but for a fare in excess of $13,000.00. When I questioned why, American Express said you have to use their own special prices. These fares are not even published.

In other words you can buy one and get one free, but only at a price created by American Express and costing in some cases more than double the airline price.

I am sure this is not only misleading, but a case of fraud.

What do you think?

###

Hi Bert,

I agree that this is ridiculous. I’ll be experimenting with this soon, and if I have a similar experience, you can bet that it will come up on this blog for a few million eyes to see.

Thanks!

Tim

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A couple of clarifications. For the 2 for 1 flying special, the card holder has to be one of the passengers, so the only thing you’d be able to trade on Craig’s list would be for someone to tag along on a flight with you (and the same return). And you are still responsible for all taxes and fees associated with the 2nd ticket, which can add up.

I’ve also read on flyertalk.com that many people have had difficulty getting the company that does this (Amex outsources it) to give them decent itineraries. IE, they’re required to do the cheapest itinerary for that day, even if it means you depart at 5AM and take 4 connections. So the recommendation is if you use it, figure out the exact flight(s) you want and call them up and ask them for it directly.

The free remote office included with the Platinum card gets you into the general business area of Regus’ offices; it does not get you a private office. That is extra, albeit at a discounted rate. Conference rooms are extra too. I do not know what the prices are, but a call to Amex Plat customer service would probably get that information for you. For me, the general area is perfectly fine. You get a desk, Internet, coffee, etc. It’s very much like the airline clubs that also come with the Platinum Card.

Oh, speaking of Airline clubs, in addition to Delta, Continental, and Northwest, American is offered as well. I sure wish they’d add United and US Air. The only thing I’m not sure of is whether or not you can use, for example, an American club if flying a Delta ticket. Do you have to be flying that airline or any of them?

I hope this helps everybody make a more informed decision.

–Frekwentflier in Indy

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Neil

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