American Express sent out a notice to its Platinum Card holders informing them that a major benefit of holding the card — which costs $450 a year — is being cut.
Effective Nov. 15, the “domestic companion airfare program” disappears. That’s the perk that allowed card holders to book free companion tickets four times a year, based on availability (which was always very limited, but still…).
The card still offers rewards points (as do other, cheaper airline and travel-loyalty credit cards), free access to participating airline clubs for ticketed passengers of said “participating” airline on day of travel, and various concierge services.
Lookit the intelligence-insulting, disingenuous way American Express words its notification that a key benefit of the card is being slashed: The first sentence of the letter speaks of “a change to one of your Platinum Card benefits.”
A “change?” What, the corporate spell-check can’t handle the word “elimination?”
What, they think card holders who pay $450 a year won’t read on through the palaver and ascertain that they’re getting stiffed?
“We evaluate the benefits offered on the Platinum Card regularly to ensure we are delivering services that Card members want, value and that meet their needs,” the letter says, explaining why the card is … well, no longer as valuable.
Its corporate mind-set tuned to Goodspeak, there is no explanation from American Express of why this perk has been cut, but I gather they want card holders to believe it’s … in their best interests.
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October 14th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I just wanted to let all Platinum cardmembers know that there are many more perks to having the Platinum card. I am an employee of AMEX and think that the benefits of the card are wonderful.
You have Purchase Protection which covers for accidental damage or theft on most items purchased for 90 days from the date of purchase. Regular AMEX cards are eligible for 1000.00 per occurance, however, the Platinum card and the Centurion card are eligible for 10,000.00 per occurance. There is the Extended Warranty Program, which extends the terms of your origional MFG WTY for the same period of time up to one year. Meaning, if you have a one year WTY that comes with your item, AMEX will extend it by another year with the same terms and conditions. You have the Return Protection, which guarantees product satisfaction on most items for 90 days from the date of purchase. If the merchant will not take it back in any way, AMEX will have you send the item to them and reimburse the purchase price up to 300.00. You have the Baggage Insurance Plan that covers your baggage for loss, theft or damage. This includes your checked baggage for up to 2000.00 per trip, 3000.00 for carry on baggage per covered trip with a combined total of 3000.00 per covered trip. High risk items such as furs jewelery and electronics are eligible for 250.00. These are just a few to give you an idea of what else your are paying for with the PLAT card.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:55 am
It’s funny, as a Platinum cardholder, I was very willing to accept the elimination of that program – I’ve never been able to find availability. The card pays for itself by eliminating the need for lounge memberships and through the purchase protection system.
I say was – because that was before I saw that some of my fees have clearly gone to pay AMEX employees to write boilerplate on blogs. Now I’m not so sure I’m getting value for money.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Dear Dancer – I am glad you are an employee of Amax. I will begin by telling you that I paid for a PLAT card only because of the companion air deal. Only because of that. Yes I know there are other benefits – none worth the price of the card.
Be that as it may, since you are an employee you ought to be able to get your hands on the “evaluation” that was done – you remember, the one to “ensure we are delivering services that Card members want …” You will also remember that “based on this evaluation” you decided to “discontinue” the benefit.
I have been loyal to Amax since 1972. Without the evaluation I think Mr. Linville passed on a falsehood. I may be wrong but I question whether there was an “evaluation.”
So Dancer – how do I get in touch with you to get the evaluation?
November 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I just got off the phone with Platinum desk at Amex. They have now put a limit on my account and, if we don’t pay our bill multiple times a month I get stiffed while renting a car, paying for dinner, etc. Another benefit of Amex has now disappeared as well. The lady on the phone (a supervisor that I asked to speak with) couldn’t give me one good reason to not cancel my card and was very willing to do just that. I had to wait 15 minutes to get them on the phone and she admitted this is because everyone else is calling and angry at this change in policy. They are treating EVERY customer the same, even their best customers. Pretty darn incredible that a company like Amex would treat their best customers like low-lifes. I am going to go on a cruise in December, get my $150 shipboard credit an then cancel to get back my pro-rated card fee…which she would GLADLY do! By the way, you can get the same cruise credit by just booking the cruise through the cruise line directly and asking for it. You don’t need to card for that benefit.
By the way, the supervisor said that they put the credit limit on me because they received a “derogatory comment” on our Experian statement. They never told me what it was and just did it without contacting me. My credit report has no comments like they said is VERY high. CRAZY!!!
So, LET’S ALL CANCEL OUR CARDS AT THE SAME TIME AND PUT AMEX OUT OF THEIR MISERY OF HAVING TO TAKE THE RISK ON ALL OF US RISKY CUSTOMERS.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
My father’s gold card was just cancelled despite teh fact that he ahs not once been late, he has money in the bank, house ,etc. And they took away all his points. Looking for people who want to be part of a class action lawsuit to get Amex for all their illegal activities. several Attys are already interested.
Enough is enough please contact me at ssa1169113@aol.com
December 20th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
please be aware that the platinum card is not good for ages 18-20 in any of the airport lounges by themselves. I paid the extra to get this card so that my daughter who is in college in snow country would have a quick, safe little place to get away if snowed in, in route and sure enough first snow in for the Christmas break and she could not get in to Northwest lounge that she was flying due to the open bar policy in the lounge. I understand all of the nw lounges are like that. So you pay and get No International companion as promised, no domestic companion as promised. No lounge privilages for the 18-20 year olds and just as an added I tried to get tickets to a concert twice and the seats were better and exactly the same price as the ticketmaster site. Come on America Express! with your reputation and advertising for this “great card privileges” We got a great big goose egg. Bad choice especially for all those parents spending the money for the benefit for their college kids.
Been a member for 10 years and have always used American Express travel sevices and that will stop now.