Comments on: American Express Platinum Domestic Companion Ticket Test

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: Carnival of Money Stories

Carnival of Money Stories — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:32:32 +0000

[...] Mr Credit Card at Ask Mr Credit Card takes the American Express Platinum domestic companion ticket test [...]

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.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:54:13 +0000

American Express Platinum is doing away with the companion fare program as of November 15, 2008. My friend, also a card holder received a letter. I did not. It is posted on their website, but you have to dig for it. My wife and I got this card in July for $450, plus the $150 or $175 added card. We should have been allowed 8 companion fares. Funny how they can unilaterally take away the benefit of the bargain in this instance. This is a complete breach of contract and they deserve to be sued. What did we get for $600? - A ticket service no better than what you can do for yourself on ticketmaster, a flower ordering service - wow, gauranteed hotel upgrades that never work, and one companion fare of the eight we should have been gauranteed. If they wanted to phase out the program - fine, but to completely cut it when many people did not have the opportunity to use it for a full year is a complete breach of contract and borders on fraudulent activity.

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:29:30 +0000

I am a Business Centurion card holder. I called for a domestic ticket, EWR-RSW, and they found one for me and friend for $693. Since we are going on a golf trip, I didn’t want to put it on my Business card, so I asked the operator if we could put it on my friends Platinum card. She said no because Centurion members can get more seats than the Platinum ones can and that our reservation wouldn’t be available if we did it on a Platinum card. She said that there’s more “loss” for a Centurion than platinum (don’t know what that means). Anyone have any idea about this and potentially enlighten me further?

By: bina

bina — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:32:11 +0000

Anyone not using their companion ticket and want to give it away… let me konw.. we can work out something!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:53:33 +0000

I had a code for $150.00 off the first years membership. Lost it. Ouch. Does anyone have it? Also, if the 4 r/t companion are for the calendar year, does that mean I must use them all by 12/31/2008 or does itr start all over again on January 1st, 2009, meaning I really can use it EIGHT times if I join today.