| by Mr Credit Card |
Update: Read my latest review of the Platinum Card from American Express
Having just got my new American Express Platinum Credit Card, I just checked the website and realized that they had a new “free companion ticket” feature! I did a little more investigation and found it very interesting. Here is how it works :
For up to four times a year, you can book a coach ticket on any of the big six carriers and get a free companion ticket. Sounds too good to be true? Well, there are a few criteria that you have to meet.
1. The ticket has to cost at least $299, $899 for flights to Honolulu and Anchorage.
2. The trip must be round-trip (multi-city, open jaw, one way trips are not allowed).
3. You have to book 7 days in advance.
4. You have to stay a Saturday night or have 2 midweek nights stay.
5. Reservations for the Domestic Companion Airfare Program must be made by calling, Airline Promotions South, Inc. (“API”) at 866-354-8386.
6. You may not get the flight you want as API will choose the flights that gives you the companion ticket.
I was pretty excited when I saw this because my 10th year anniversary with Mrs Credit Card is during the first week of April. However, as I scanned the website, I realize that there are blackout dates! And it falls on my anniversary! So no free companion flights for me this time. But still, I am excited about this program and will report after I get my hands on a free companion ticket.
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April 24th, 2007 at 21:57
Well…I wouldn’t get too excited about the Domestic Companion Airfare Program. I tried to book several different trips, PSP-HNL in May, June or July, PSP-JFK end of June to July, the companion fare price in all cases was the same or greather than if I purchased the tickets directly through the American Express Travel site. I’m going to keep trying too, but so far this appears to be a bait and switch.
October 15th, 2007 at 14:23
I am looking into the Companion Ticket for American Express Platinum Card program. I travel extensively shooting weddings between the US and Europe and could use the companion ticket for my assistant.
I called API and checked the availability of a number of dates but they were blacked out. Hummm. Not sure but this may be bait and switch.
greg allen
gregallenphotography.com
November 29th, 2007 at 21:19
All the API quoted rates are twice as expensive as booking through the airline, so it’s no deal at all.
December 3rd, 2007 at 01:15
I found a flight on Orbitz, then I called API with the flight info and they booked it at the same price. I received the free companion ticket and only had to pay the taxes, etc.
November 22nd, 2008 at 16:36
Forget it — tried to use companion ticket from Delta American Express Card and no companion seat was available within 30 days of our desired travel dates. Cancelled card with AM Express and they kept most of the $135 annual fee — currently apprealing the fee proration.
October 19th, 2011 at 01:21
Well as of October 2011, they have now changed the companion policy so that it only applies to Business class, international tickets. Domestic tickets, and international tickets in economy class are no longer covered. This is still a good perk if you prefer to fly business class overseas, but as these tickets are typically twice to three times as much as a economy class ticket, the benefit is dramatically reduced for cardholders that were typically using there companion ticket while buying a economy class for themselves. The upside is that with this card you can basically fly in business class for the same price as two coach tickets, but all things considered I prefer the old way.
August 22nd, 2012 at 17:39
I am brand new to the AMEX Platinum card. I just did a trial run with some international flights for next year in business class to compare other online site prices. The business class tickets were at least double the cost of airline sites directly. We did a 1-1 comparison. Business Class ORD to ATH on American Express Travel was 11K+ for 1 ticket which included the (free companion ticket)??? I looked at the same flights on the airline site directly and found the same flight was $3,400 for 1 business class ticket which included about 1K for taxes. This is pure BS! I am going to cancel this immediately. I was totally lied to on the phone by American Express when they suggested I upgrade from my Gold Premier. I would have never upgraded if the truth was told. Reading past posts it sounds like this companion benefit has been and will continue to be an illusion to bait people to pay $450 dollars for a credit card. Beware!!