Comments on: American Express Platinum Domestic Companion Ticket Test

By: Marcia

Marcia — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:37:44 +0000

In reference to the Travel & Leisure offer for companion tickets. I tried it with no success. I was NEVER able to find any flights that were not “unavailable”.

In the end, I tried major city to major city (Chicago to New York) everyday of the week for a month … just as a test … and nothing was ever available.

By: D Duke

D Duke — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:14:21 +0000

Yes, my husband and I used it when I needed to travel to Asia on business. I love it and we got an $8k complimentary business class ticket to Tokyo on Japan Airlines. We have used it on a few occasions and the service was great and well worth the fee.

By: MrDee

MrDee — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:59:10 +0000

Hello all,
has anyone on this site used the international companion ticket and how was the expreience.

By: Venky

Venky — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:43:04 +0000

I was sold the upgrade to American Express Platinum and bought it mainly on Domestic Companion air ticket. When I tried to use it a few days back, I was told it was discontinued last November. I do not remember to have received any mail to that effect.

I feel cheated as the agent who talked to me sold me mainly on the companion air tickets to pay off for the card fees.

Does any one know of any class action law suit in this regard? If not, I would like invite all the affected members to take American Express to court on this.

Your thoughts?

By: Brian Gallagher

Brian Gallagher — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:12:58 +0000

Just sent off for companion ticket in regard to receiving trial offer of travel and leisure. I would be interested in any other experiences people have had?

By: JB

JB — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:29:11 +0000

I got two invitation letters from mail for the platinum card for 50,000 Membership Rewards Points (equivalent of $500?) after the 1st purchase. Since platinum cut it companion ticket program, is it worthy to join?

By: Al

Al — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:47:37 +0000

So, question for others, as I am too about to call and cancel my Amex Platinum given cancellation of this perk that “few” of us (I sure did) use… For things I’ve already bought using the card and have the warranty doubled, etc., if I cancel and need to get the item repaired, will they cover it, or tell me I’m out of luck since I am no longer a cardholder?

thanks…

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:38:52 +0000

I just got off the phone with AMEX Platinum on the removal of the Domestic Companion Program. They said that only 20% of its cardmembers were actually using this program and that they were going to replace it with something that more people would use. I called their rep out on this as it was complete BS. It’s a nice story to tell but if this REALLY was the case then they should have had the replacement program ready to go. So when we received the letter cancelling the companion program we would have known that we were getting someting “better”. To be perfectly honest with you all, this companion program was my only justification for paying the card fee. When I called to cancel, they had the nerve to tell me that the card would pay for itself and used the following example: “if you were injured while travelling and had to be air lifted somewhere the card would pay for the cost”. I laughed and said that I was willing to take that chance…

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:52:45 +0000

Greg, I understand cardholder agreements and that the creditors always reserve the right to amend or change any terms of the agreement. For the ordinary credit card, I am OK with that (e.g. a change in interest rates, fee changes, etc.), but when a card advertises and represents that for a fee of $450 / year you will be allowed to use 4 companion tickets, then decides to pull the rug out from under you a few months later, I have a real problem with that. In my opinion, the companion fare program was a material term of the deal, if not the most material. Would your position be different if AmEx knew they were going to abandon the program when you signed up for your card? My hunch is that they did. Thanks for the Merrill Lynch suggestion, I’ll check it out.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:02:43 +0000

Matt, actually, it’s not a breach of contract. Our contracts with Amex says that they can change the benefits at will. By applying and keeping the card, we agreed to that risk. Sometimes our risks pay off, other times they don’t. As cardholders, we have a choice–to agree to that term or to use another card.

I am not happy about it, especially since I just got my Platinum two months ago, primarily for that benefit. I plan to revert to the Gold Card in 10 months.

After much research, I found the Merrill Lynch + card to be a better bargain based on my benefit usage. Because of how that program works, you should keep at least one premium card for the first year since the benefits kick in for the next year.