Cardholders of American Express’s Platinum Credit Card now can use the American Airlines Club Lounge at airports if they are an American Express Platinum Card holder and if they have bought an american airlines ticket.

If your spouse or children are travelling with you, they can also access the lounge. Alternatively, you can also bring two companion travellers with you.

Presently, cardholders of American Express Platinum Card have access to Continental Airlines Presidents Club, Delta Crown Room Club®, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs. This is a welcome addition to the airport lounge perks.

As a new incentive to get cardmember sign up, American Express Business Gold Card is offering 25,000 bonus membership reward points for those who sign up for the card.

25,000 points is enough get get you a free restricted economy domestic ticket around the continental USA. Alternatively, 25,000 points can be used to redeem an airline ticket that cost $250. Or use the points for any other stuff that is on the membership rewards program.

You do not actually need to have the business to get the card. Just use your name and social security number and you will be treated as a sole proprietor. The first year annual fee of $125 is waived as well.

Getting the gold card could be a prelude to be offered the American Express Platinum Card.

Apply for the Business Gold Rewards Card from OPEN^SM the small business team

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American Express Business Gold Card Review

I just got an email a few days ago from a reader asking me the following :

“Mr Credit Card - what is the difference between the American Express Blue Card and Blue Cash? I’m confused and would appreciate if you can explain to me

Well - here is my answer. The American Express Blue Card is a reward card whereas the Blue Cash is a cash rebate card. The Blue Card’s reward program is based on the Membership Rewards Option program. The Options program is the same as the regular Membership Rewards program except in one area, and that is in the airline reward programs. In the regular membership reward programs, you can transfer one point to one mile. In the Options program, you will need to use two points to get one airmile. The rest of the program is the same as the regular membership rewards program. Hence, you can treat the Blue Card as the no annual fee version of the Green and Gold charge cards.

The Blue Cash, unlike the Blue Card, is a cash rebate credit card card. In fact, it is one of the best cash back credit card in the market today. Once your annual spending exceeds $6,500, the Blue Cash allows you to earn 5% rebates when you use the card for groceries at supermarkets, gasoline and drugstores. You will also earn 1.5% rebates on regular purchases.

So though both cards look the same, they are very different - one is a reward card and the other is a cash rebate card.

While clearing my emails, I came across an email from American Express which intrigued me. It says that American Express is introuducing a project called Members Project. It invites every American Express Cardholders to join. For every cardholder that joins, American Express will contribute $1.00 to Members Project.

Members of Members Project get to discuss a worthy cause and do something good for the world. It could be sending “as the email says” sending meningitis vaccines to Africa or any worthwhile causes. Members are supposed to contribute ideas and there will a big vote that is to take place from 3rd of July.

American Express will give up to $5 million dollars for the chosen project.

This is one of the best emails I’ve got from Amex. Normally, most of their emails are about great travel reward deals of the month and stuff like that. But forming this group for a worthy purpose has certainly made a deep impression with me. I think I will sign and check out what is going on behind the scenes.

Check out their website here :

Members Project

The Discover Open Road Card (former Discover Gas Card) will be changing it’s rebate policy slightly on gas purchases from October this year. At present, cardholders can earn 5% rebates on gasoline purchases at any station for up to the first $1,200 in annual gasoline purchases from with the card.

This will change in the following way from October 2007. You can still earn 5% rebates on gasoline purchase for the first $1,200 in gasoline spending. But each month, you can only earn 5% rebate for up to $100 in gasoline spending. Essentially, Discover is forcing cardholders to spread out the gasoline spending over 12 months. This will probably be difficult for many cardholders because it cost close to $50 to fill up many vehicles these days.

This is becoming an issue for credit card holders who want to earn 5% cash rebates for gasoline purchases. In the past, the Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card and the Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa (now replaced by the Chase Freedom Card) gave cardholders a 5% rebates on gasoline purchases. The Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card now only pays 2% rebates on gasoline, supermarket and utility purchases, while the Chase Freedom^SM Cash Visa® Card pays 3% cash rebates. The other card that pays 5% rebates on gasoline is the Blue Cash® from American Express . But you have to spend above $6,500 (in annual spending) before you can earn 5% rebates.

The best card now that lets you earn unlimited 5% rebates on gasoline purchases (without any limits or tiers) is the American Express SimplyCash^SM Business Card. You not only 5% cash rebates on gasoline, but also on office supplies and wireless services. Yes, it is a business card. But you can apply for one as a sole proprietor. At present, this would be the card I would recommend to earn 5% rebates on gasoline spending.

I will be going to Atlanta at the end of May over the weekend with my friend Jim for a seminar. It also occurred to me that my American Express Platinum Credit Card has a domestic airline companion ticket program that allowed me to get one free ticket. So I decided to see this works. This is my little story two days ago on how I saved money on two airline tickets :

I checked for flight availability from Philadelphia to Atlanta and it turns out that US Airways was the best choice. I then keyed in my preferred itinery into US Airways’ website and the total cost came up to $292, with taxes, it was about $312.18 (if I recall correctly).

So I called American Express Platinum’s 1-800 number. I selected travel and then chose the Domestic Companion flight menu and was taken to a travel agent. The company that runs this program for Amex is API (can’t remember what it stands for).

I was told that the minimum cost of an airline ticket (without the taxes) is $299. Hence for the flight that I wanted, I still had to pay $299 even though it was quoted at $292. But there were other taxes and fees as well. Here is the breakdown :

$41.18 - tax per ticket (multiplied by two since I was getting a companion ticket)
$15.00 - ticketing cost per ticket (ditto)
$411.36 - total cost

Being who I am and that fact that I wanted to blog about this experience, I asked the agent what the $41.18 tax consist of. This was the breakdown he read from his cheat sheet :

$20.38 - US Airways Tax - (huh! kinda like the ‘bogus tax’ that cell phone operators charge?)
$6.80 - airport tax
$5.00 - fuel tax
$9.00 - federal tax

If I had bought two seperate tickets, it would have cost $624.36. Hence, both Jim and myself saved $106.50 each. Had Mrs Credit Card been my companion, we would have saved $213.00. Given that the annual fee of the card is $395, I guess that a couple more free companion flights would cover the annual cost (By the way, you can use the companion ticket feature four times in one calendar year).

This was a very pleasant experience for me. I must say this feature is impressive because I can choose my own flights, unlike some other reward programs that only give you the flights if they have not sold out their ‘allocation’! I will using definitely be using this feature again later this year. It really looks like the $395 annual fee will be covered by my next trip with Mrs Credit Card.

Every couple of months, I get an ‘urgent’ mail from American Express ‘Publishing’ informing me that the American Express Cardmember $1,000,000 prize money in the Super Million Dollar XIV Sweepstake remains unrewarded! There is a nice reply form for me to fill out.

When I first got the original sweepstake mail, I was rather excited. But after getting tons to mails saying the reward has not been awarded, you realize that there is no sweepstake and all they are after is to try to get you to sign up for some magazines. But this is what they letter says (verbatim) :

We have registered in the name of Mr Credit Card (ok, my real name),the $1,000,000.00 Prize Entry of Number : 1234567890…….If this number matches the pre-selected winning Prize Entry Number, and you return it before May 28 2007 deadline (the latest mail I got!), you will win $1,000,000.00 (yeah, what’s the probability of that happening)………you will be able to choose a LUMP SUMP Payment of $501,000.000 CASH or annuity paymentof $33,333,34 for 30 years.

But that is not all, it turns out there are over 1,000 other prizes as well! Like a BMW 325i Sedan, a Bose Lifestyle Home Theatre System, Tivo Plus Cable Service for 1 Year, a DeLonghi Coffee Bar & Expresso Maker and a Helbros Dress Watch and a few other stuff.

I am absolutely getting sick of these deceptive mails. I have never known anyone who has won any of this. I think the real kicker is to actually get you to sign up for the Travel and Leisure Family club which apparantly gives you great benefits and savings when you travel! You get two months free membership and if you decide to continue, you will get 12 months of membership at the ’special rate of only $69.95″! At least, they are honest enough to say that purchasing does not improve your chance of the lottery.

Has any other American Express cardholders got this mail (I would think so). What do you think about it? Do you send in the reply form hoping for that million dollar windfall?

Last week, I while checking my online statements and my Amex Platinum Card bill, I realize that I had not sent any online payments to my Blue Cash account.

I quickly looked through my files but could find the March bill. I called Blue Cash immediately (this was late at night) and spoke to a customer service rep. This was how the conversation went.

Mr Credit Card : Hi - this is Mr Credit Card (my real name off course). I was just checking my Amex Platinum Card bill and my online banking account and realize that I have not got my March Bill for my Blue Cash card and I may have missed paying my bill. Can you please check.

Customer Rep : Let me check sir. (After about 20 seconds) Sir, you have not paid your March bill, which is $1066.

Mr Credit Card : I did not get my March bill in the mail and I did not mean to be late on the bill. I will pay the bill right this moment from my online banking account. Could you please waive the late charges and any finance fees?

Customer Rep : Let me see here. Yes, you have a finance charge of $22.16 (or something like that) and a late fee of $35. I’ll waive it for you. Just give me a second. (After a few seconds) Alright Mr Credit Card, I have waived both the late fees and the finance charges. You have been a very good customer and your payment record is great. That will not be a problem.

Mr Credit Card : Thank you very much. Can you please send me a copy of my March Statements just for my records. And also, is this late payment reported to the credit bureaus?

Customer Rep : Sure, I will send you a copy of your March statement. No, we do not report to the credit bureaus unless you are overdue by 60 to 90 days.

Mr Credit Card : Thanks once again.

Customer Rep : (Doing the upsell) Mr Credit Card, before you go, I just wanted to let you know that we have a new offer that allows you to get a $500,000 (or something like that) travel insurance when you use your Blue Cash card to buy any airline ticket. Would you be interested?

Mr Credit Card : No thank you. I use my Platinum Card for travel. Bye, and have a good day.

Phew! Simple as that. Just ask Amex to remove your finance charges and late fees and it was done. Nice friendly customer rep as well (not the Indian reps you get on some night calls from other credit cards). I guess I get away with this because I have been an American Express cardholder since 1994. I have mostly paid in full on my Gold Card and Blue Cash Card. If you a record of late payments, you may not get away with it. But you can see why I am such a fan of American Express.

About while ago, John Chow posted an article The Ultimate Bling Bling - Black Centurion Card on his Make Money Online Blogwhere he posted a photo of his friends American Express Centurion Card. I got in touch with John Chow and he was kind enough to introduce me to his friend Tyler Dikman, the holder of the American Express Black Card and who currently is with Cooltronics. I got on the phone with Tyler and spent one and a half hours with him. He gave me all the details of the Centurion Card. I normally “review credit cards” in a certain format. However, I do not think that I can really call this a review because firstly, the details of this card is only available for those who have the card (with a special password to access American Express website). Secondly, given that I do not have the card, it is really hard to put a value judgement, especially when the annual fee is $2,500. But without wasting any more time (or space), let’s get down to the details of this card.

Firstly, we have to point out that like the American Express Green, Gold and Platinum Card, the Centurion’s Card reward program is based on the membership rewards program. But this card obviously comes with tons of extra perks. So here is the long list :

Travel Perks

Gold Status for Delta, Continental and US Airways

Centurion cardholders qualify for Gold status for Delta Skymiles, Continental Onepass and US Airways Dividend Miles program automatically without having to fly the required miles or number of flights. Gold status brings its perks like check in at First Class counters, double miles when you fly, free upgrades.

New : Gold Elite Status with Virgin Atlantic Airways

Centurion has just announced that cardholders will now automatically qualify for Gold Status in the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program. Being a Gold member allows you to earn 50% extra Virgin miles and other extra perks. Secondary cardholders also get this benefit.

Centurion Airport Lounge

Cardholders can also access Continental’s Presidents Lounge, Delta Crown Room Club and NorthWest Airlines World Club when you are flying on their airlines. You also get access to Priority Pass Lounges regardless of which airlines you fly. Priority Pass has over 450 airport lounges worldwide.

Elite Car Rental Program

Complimentary memberships are available to centurion holders for both Avis and Hertz.

Elite Hotel Status

The elite status available to centurion members has been the latest controvesy among cardholders. When the centurion card was first marketed, cardholders automatically qualified as Diamond (Elite) status for Hyatt, Gold Status (mid-tier) for Hilton HHonors program, Platinum status for Starwood Preferred Guest Program, and also elite status for Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts.

The perk that was coveted by centurion members was the Platinum Status of the Starwood Preferred Guest program. That was because Starwood has probably the best hotel frequent guest program with no blackout dates and suite upgrades for platinum members. Centurion cardholders often sited the room upgrades from Starwood Hotels essentially cover the cost of the card. Starwood also allows members to transfer points into airmiles at very favorable terms.

However, there has been some changes (or rather reduction) to the elite status perks that cardholders now get that has infuriated many centurion members. Firstly, Hyatt is no longer a partner with the centurion program. Hence, cardholders no longer get Gold status membership with Hyatt. But the most important changes are that from February 2007, centurion cardholders will no longer be automatically qualified for platinum status for the Starwood Preferred Gues Program. Instead, they now only qualify for gold status. Gold status can be easily gotten just by having a Starwood Preferred Guest credit card and just charging it in one calendar year. It is harder to get room upgrades and many centurion members are upset about this.

Fine Resorts and Hotel Program

Centurion has over 550 hotel partners around the world. When you make a reservations through centurion travel service, you will receive room upgrades at check-in when available, continental breakast for two, guaranteed 4pm late checkout and complimentary amenities depending on the hotel property.

But the most important perks under this program comes from the Mandarin Oriental and Ritz Carlton. When you book a room at the Ritz Carlton, you will get a room upgrade at the time of your reservations and you will also get a $50 spending credit. For any reservations at the Mandarin Oriental, you will get a room upgrade upon reservation and also another room upgrade at check-in (ie 2 upgrades). You will also receive from centurion a “Buy One Get One Free Night” coupon for each and every Mandarin Oriental Properties (except Mandarin NY). So, if you travel a lot and stay at the Mandarin Oriental, you will get a fantastic deal for each Mandarin Hotel that you stay in.

New : Relais & Chateaux Club 5C

Centurion has also just announced that cardholders can enroll in the Relais & Chateaux Club 5C program without fulfilling the standard spend and stay requirements. But firstly, what is Relais & Chateaux? It is an association of 460 independent luxury hotels and restaurants with an average capacity of 30 rooms in 51 countries in 5 continents. Their properties are known for their charm, exclusivity and great culnery experience. Relais Gourmands, which is a group within the association, consists of the world’s finest dining establishments.

The Club 5C is Relais & Chateaux royalty program. Its main benefits are the VIP Welcome and Discovery Privilege. The VIP Welcome is a special welcome from the staff of the property. The Discovery Privilege is a customize experience prepared for members during their stay. It includes thngs like a perfume customized specially for you, behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen, fine wine tasting, and sybaritic spa treatment.

Annual Travel Benefit

Centurion cardholders will get a $100 statement credit when they book a qualifying vacation package with Centurion Travel service. This benefit can also be combined with other centurion travel benefits like the Cruise Privileges Amenities and Centurion Destination Vacations. This benefit is also available to Platinum Cardholders.

Centurion Cruise Privileges and Centurion Destination Vacations

Cruise privileges simply mean you will get a $500 shipboard credit when you book a cruise through Centurion Travel service. You can also earn up to 50,000 membership reward points when you book a one-of-a-kind taylored vacation through centurion travel to one of their exclusive resorts.

Baggage Insurance

If you book your travel tickets using your centurion card, you have up to $1,250 in baggage insurance for your carry-on luggage and $500 in checked-in luggage in addition to the insurance provided by the carrier. Tyler found this feature very helpful as he has had a few experience where he had a couple of damaged items on board a plane with his carry-on bags. American Express promptly reimbursed him the amount to replace his damaged items.

New : Domestic Companion Airfare Program

Both the Platinum and Centurion Card have just announced a new domestic companion airfare program. Under this program, you can get a free companion airfare when you use your centurion card to buy a ticket (which cost at least $299) on any of the big six carriers. You can request up to four complimentary tickets a year. You have to book through Airlines Promotion South Inc (API) and you have to meet a few restrictions. These include :

1. Ticket having to be roundtrips (multi-city, one-way and open jaw does not count)

2. 7 days advance booking

3. Saturday night or 2-night midweek stay.

4. A few fare restrictions and blackout dates

International Airline Program

This feature is actually also available to Platinum cardholders. This is how it works. For every full fare business or first class ticket that you purchase using the centurion card (using centurion travel service), you will get a free companion ticket. Tyler has not used this feature so far. On surface, it looks like a great benefit, but there are many occasions where 2 discounted business class tickets will cost cheaper than one full fare business class tickets. If you always book your tickets last minute and travel business class, you may find this a useful feature.

Centurion Villas

Centurion has partnered with a few very exclusive partners which enables cardholders to stay at the following exclusive places. They include the Four Seasons Residence Club, LaCURE, The Mansion at MGM Grand in Vegas (you cannot book at stay there even if you wanted to) and other Villas of distinction throughout the world.

Exclusive Resorts

Centurion has also partnered with many exlusive resorts in over 25 worldwide destinations. These can be booked through centurion travel service.

The Limousine Program

Booking a limousine through centurion travel service allows you to earn 3 membership reward points for every dollar that you spend on the service. The Limousine can be booked at 1-800-AXP-LIMO or through the centurion travel service.

International Communications Solutions

This program allows you to receive special pricing when you buy a GSM cellphone (GSM works in more international countries) and use phone plan from Vodafone (at reduced rates). You also get to rent a GSM phone for free is you use the centurion card for 60 days when you are going overseas. I don’t think this is a feature that will be used too often by cardholders though.

Private Jet Service

The Centurion program has partnered with six leading private jet companies. If you decide to enroll in any of them either through charter, membership or fractional use, you will get extra benefits when you enroll with the centurion card.

Space Adventure Spaceflight Club

Centurion members receive a complimentary membership with Space Adventures, the world’s premier space tourism company (according to Amex - and probably the only one!). This club is obviously for space enthusiasts, where you get private tours of launch facilities and other perks. Plus you get annual credits that you can use to pay for a suborbital flight!.

New : Tour GCX Membership

Tour GCX is a membership that provides individual and corporate members with unique access to private golf clubs and other golf experiences. They are able to provide this service because of marketing and business relationships with various prestigious private golf clubs.

Centurion cardholders who purchase the membership is allowed to reserve up to 5 tee times (foursomes) at select private golf clubs. The membership cost $3,125. Members also have special access to unique golf experiences like tournaments, pro-ams, clinics, outings and travel packages. Most of the courses are located at the New York Metropolitan areas like Long Island, New Jersey, Weschester County. Courses are also available at Florida, Las Vegas and D.C.

Lifestyle Perks

Centurion and Departure Magazines

Centurion members will get two magazines. The first is the Centurion magazine which is published four times a year. This is kinda like a Robb’s Report on the world of travel, food, wine, fashion and culture. You also get the Departure magazine, which is published seven times a year. Platinum Card members also get the Departure magazine, which is a magazine on luxury lifestyle.

Equinox Fitness Club

Centurion members who purchase a membership at the Equinox Fitness Club get a centurion preferred rate and receive a package of additional benefits like complimentary personal training sessions, spa treatments, guest passes, Kids’ Club certificates. Platinum members also get this benefit.

By Invitation Only, Destination Shopping, Premium Seats and Luxury Seats, Gold Card Events

As a centurion card member, you will be getting lots of mails and invitations to exclusive events. Firstly, there is an By Invitation Only which apparantly has access to exclusive once-in-a-lifetime events. In their brochure, amex mentions events like sports, performing arts, epicurean delights, business symposium with distinguish speakers, private vineyard tours during harvesting season! According to Tyler, an example would be a semi-private meal with chef Thomas Keller at Per Se in NYC (I believe it was $1300 per person), or VIP tickets to Sting and backstage passes to meet him (Tyler can’t remember the pricing).

Members will also get access to premium seats and luxury suites for sports, entertainment and live events at venues in Los Angeles and New York. You can also have access to the Platinum Lounge from Amex at the STAPLES Center in LA.

Centurion has also partnered with many high end retailers where you will receive unique in-store amenities and perks like personal shoppers, VIP rooms, exclusive in-store events, private viewings of collections, trunk shows and private sales. Partners include Bergdorf Goodman, Bulgari, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

You will also get access to Gold Card Events where you will be given a chance to buy tickets to sports and entertainment events before tickets go on sale to the public. Amex Gold Card members already have this privilege and perk.

Personal Concierge Service, Dining Reservations, Centurion Travel Service

While the Platinum Card and other credit cards offer concierge service, the Centurion goes one step further by assigning you your own personal concierge. Tyler told me that all you have to do is to tell them what time are you most likely to call and Centurion will arrange for a concierge personel who works in the same time zone shift to be your personal concierge. That way, you will most likely to be speaking to the same person who will get to be familiar with your special requests, needs and querks! This is part of the package that Tyler likes the most because he says they are really good. For example, he mentions that on numerous occasions, he was able to get seats in very hard to get restaurants. They may not be the best seats, but at least, he got a table when normally there was no way that was going to happen. He also mentions another occasion where he had a show ticket in Vegas cancelled for no good reason, and conturion concierge managed to get him center seats on the eighth row!. On occasions where his personal concierge was not available, he did experience a couple of incidents where he felt the concierge personel could have done better, but these occasions (according to him) were rare.

Other Improved Features from Gold Card

The Centurion card also has features that are found in the regular gold card and even the Platinum Card. However, you get slightly better perks with the Centurion Card. For example, on the Buyers Assurance Plan, centurion cardholders get double the manufacturers warranty for up to five years. For the Gold and Platinum Card, the extention for warranty is only for one year.

On their purchase protection plan, centurion members are covered for any product that they purchase on their card for up to 90 days if they are lost, stolen or even damaged by accident or vandalism. You are covered up to $10,000 per occurance and up to $50,000 per year per cardholder account.

Their return policy is similar to the Platinum and Gold Card in that you can return an item you bought and if they retailer or manufacturer refuses to accept it, Amex will refund you for up to $300 per item. You have to return within 90 days. You are allowed to claim up to $1000 a year.

Is this worth $2,500?

Well, is this card worth the $2,500 annual fee. At first glance, I would say that if you made use of the business class companion ticket (if the price makes sense), if you stay regularly at either the Ritz Carlton or the Oriental Mandarin, I would say that airline flight and hotel room stay upgrades can easily cover the cost of the annual fee.

Tyler got this card when it was first launched the he has been grandfathered at the original annual fee of $1,000. He likes the card, the very good customer and concierge service that he gets. He thinks that Amex probably has the best customer service for any big company (you might get better service from your own personal concierge for example, but no big company comes close to beating American Express, in his opinion). Previously, when centurion cardholders were automatically platinum (or gold) members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, Tyler said that room upgrades alone on that program more that paid for the annual fee.

How to Get the American Express Centurion Black Card?

So how do you get the American Express Centurion Black Card? Well, you can’t apply for one. It is by invitation only. You need to get the American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card first (you get 10,000 bonus points). If your credit is not exactly stellar, try the American Express® Preferred Rewards Green Card. Or you could jump right into the American Express Platinum Credit Card.

Word has it that if you spend $250,000 a year on the card, a centurion card in a fancy box will be sent to you. If you really want to get your hands on this card and are a business owner, perhaps getting the Business Gold Rewards Card from OPEN^SM the small business team and charging all your business expense on it (and paying your bills in full off course) will get you this card sooner than you think. Furthermore, you get 25,000 bonus points, which is enough for a free airline ticket. (Note : you do not need to have a business to apply for this card. Use your name as the business name and your social security as the tax id and you will be treated as a sole proprietor)

Latest Update

Tyler just received a letter the other day that stated beginning in May of 2007, all charter members (including him) will receive a fee increase from $1000 primary/$500 secondary to $2500 primary/$1500 secondary per year. Any new members into the program will pay the $2500/$1500 rate + a $5000 initiation fee. Tyle hasn’t made up his mind yet, but he is leaning towards dropping the Centurion Card and moving back to the Platinum Credit Card.
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Followers of my blog know that I have just got an American Express Platinum Card. A few weeks ago, I had my first experience using the concierge service. So here is the story.

I was at the Philadelphia International Airport going to Orlando for a conference. My flight was on Southwest Airlines (I paid for it because it was cheap and did not warrant during any membership reward points or using my Chase Flexible Reward Points). It turns out that there was a flight delay and that it was going to take a few hours.

So while my friend Jim, who was travelling with me, and I sat at the terminal, a thought suddenly came to my mine. Since I had just got my Amex Platinum Card, I should call the concierge service and check if they could get me into an airport lounge to chill out the next few hours.

As it was my first call, the concierge operator (whatever you call them) kindly took down my details and told me to wait while she checked to see if she could help me. After a few minutes, she told me that there was a Delta Crown Room just outside the security check point and I should be able to use it by just “flashing my Amex Platinum Card”. I asked her if she was sure as I am not flying with Delta. She said she was positive and even checked with her colleagues!

So Jim and I made our way out and went into the Delta Crown Room. We told the receptionist our situation but we were politely told that it was not possible to use their lounge. It was only possible if we were flying on Delta. We said that American Express told us it was possible. She then said that everyday, about 20 Amex Platinum or Centurion Cardholders come in thinking they could use the lounge without a Delta ticket. She took out the rules and showed them to us.

We felt a little embarassed and made our way out. I then called concierge again and told them my experiences. This time, the lady who answered my call was more experienced and told me that the earlier information I was given was wrong and she apologized for the error and confusion. She told me it was a common error made by a new members of the team!

Jim and I then actually took a walk all the way from terminal E to I believe terminal B where the Marriott was. We chilled out at the Marriott for a while before heading back for our flights.

Well, it sure wasn’t the best impression that Platinum Concierge made with me. Having said that, I am not going to get upset or anything like that. Having been a American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card for the last 13 years, I have been satisfied with the service. I have lost a card overseas (and a new card arrived within one day), got Amex not to accept a bill in which I felt I was ripped off and did not have to pay for car rental insurance whenever I rented a car. I will overlook this incident, but will report to you all any of my new adventures with this card.