AMEX Platinum

[HooverPilot]

Well I'm glad I brought it up. I'm new to the card and wasn't fully in the know on the TSA/known traveler parts. Thanks for the gouge!

Like the others have said, once you have the card, you call and request the fee waivers. The take the info for the SCRA check and the fee is held off like a disputed charge until they confirm AD status.

 

[e6bflyer]

I called today and it took about 20 minutes on the phone. Once you receive the card (as mentioned above) you call and they start the process to waive the fee. I suppose you could apply online and achieve the same result. Either way, it is a great deal.

 

[magnetfreezer]

What I was noting was that only 6 airports allow military members to use CAC cards in lieu of actual registration and membership at the PreCheck line. Hopefully the program will continue to expand.

Some other airports (ORD seems to be relatively consistent for one) may let you use the crew security check line with mil ID as well - not necessarily less screening (vs PreCheck) but shorter lines in general.

 

[insanebikerboy]

I've had an AmEx gold card since 2003. When I deployed last year my wife called all of our credit cards/loans to check on any deployment deals, that's how we found out about the hook-up that AmEx gives. She and I both have gold cards and we got a refund of almost $2,000 from past fees, etc, which was pretty freaking awesome. Also, no future fees.

Never occurred to me about the Platinum card and waiving those fees too.

Anyways, I just called tonight to upgrade. First guy I talked to was absolutely adamant that it wasn't possible and actually told me that I must've misread my statement for the gold card refunds. Hung up and then called back an hour later, I just got off the phone with them again, at first the operator said not possible but I asked to speak to her supervisor. She puts me on hold for a few minutes and comes back and says yup, all is good, no fees at all for the Platinum. Since I already had been verified for the gold card I didn't need any other verification. Best part is my wife's card was upgraded to platinum as well!

The number I called was 1-800-253-1720.

 

[gotta_fly]

I did the same thing yesterday. I had to wait on hold forever but I would guess that was due to the high volume of AW members calling in. The guy had to talk to someone in the platinum department to confirm it, but it was no problem. Since I was a gold member already they simply upgraded me to platinum and had me fax in my orders. He didn't say anything about a refund of past fees so I'm hoping that shows up later!

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[villanelle]

I've had an AmEx gold card since 2003. When I deployed last year my wife called all of our credit cards/loans to check on any deployment deals, that's how we found out about the hook-up that AmEx gives. She and I both have gold cards and we got a refund of almost $2,000 from past fees, etc, which was pretty freaking awesome. Also, no future fees.

Never occurred to me about the Platinum card and waiving those fees too.

Anyways, I just called tonight to upgrade. First guy I talked to was absolutely adamant that it wasn't possible and actually told me that I must've misread my statement for the gold card refunds. Hung up and then called back an hour later, I just got off the phone with them again, at first the operator said not possible but I asked to speak to her supervisor. She puts me on hold for a few minutes and comes back and says yup, all is good, no fees at all for the Platinum. Since I already had been verified for the gold card I didn't need any other verification. Best part is my wife's card was upgraded to platinum as well!

The number I called was 1-800-253-1720.

Wait, so as a dependopotumus, I can get in on this as well???

 

[Flash]

They ask for name, service, date of service entry, and then run an SCRA eligibility confirmation.

So can reservists do this or only when mob'd?

 

[insanebikerboy]

Wait, so as a dependopotumus, I can get in on this as well???

Should be able to. You'll probably have to open the card in hubby's name and add you on. That's what I did and her card is free too.

 

[zab1001]

So can reservists do this or only when mob'd?

Beats me. I'd at least call and ask.

 

[AllYourBass]

This card looks amazing. I'll probably look into it as soon as I am through with OCS.

 

[Cobra Commander]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the automatic SPG gold status or the 25k amex points with min spend. Has anyone here used a priority pass lounge? How did it compare to a typical lounge in the US?

 

[zab1001]

Priority Pass lounges are either actual Priority Pass properties (more common overseas) or participating airlines. I've used my Priority Pass Select in everything from TACA to KLM. I specified AA as my carrier of choice with AMEX, so I only need an AA boarding pass, my Plat AMEX and a gov't ID to get in to Admiral's lounges. Priority Pass participating lounges usually have a sign up, but there are a few that do not honor Priority Pass SELECT (the one you get with the AMEX Plat, I guess there is a level above SELECT, but with all the properties you can use, it isn't a problem). I've had this happen maybe once in the last 4 years. Priority Pass has a nice smartphone app that will tell you the closest participating lounge.

Lounges are lounges and I think they really depend on the specific location more than the parent company/airline. The Admiral's Lounge in Philly circa 2008 was a dump, reminded me of a trailer park. The flagship one in MIA is pretty nice (showers, food to order, solid well drinks and beers), and the satellite one in the same airport is also decent. The one in Santiago, Chile is phenomenal, with a serious spread of free (good) food, full serve-yourself bar, smoking lounge, blazing fast internet (good for streaming MLB.com or NFLTV on a long layover). But in the end even the worst lounge is better than the terminal.

The only "Priority Pass" branded lounge I use is in San Salvador, and it does the trick, 2 free premium cocktails (really 4 the way they pour), free snacks, bigger food to order (good, cheap), quiet, free internet, couches/workstations/bigger tables, fast and friendly staff, private bathrooms, and the rare and treasured power outlet.

 

[squeeze]

Even though some don't allow the Priority Pass Select (United for example), if it happens to be your airline reimbursement of choice, lounge entrance fees are free. Since I have United as my airline, I can just buy a daily pass for ~$30 and Amex will refund it. Same goes for food/booze/etc on your flights. The refund is pretty fast - I got my last one within 2 weeks.

 

[insanebikerboy]

Same goes for food/booze/etc on your flights. The refund is pretty fast - I got my last one within 2 weeks.

Does the $200 they mention for airline incidentals apply to food/booze on the flights? I just took it to mean baggage fees, etc.

 

[zab1001]

Does the $200 they mention for airline incidentals apply to food/booze on the flights? I just took it to mean baggage fees, etc.

Yes, $200 with the airline you specify, food/booze on flights, and in the lounges of the airline you've named (apart from whatever freebie snacks and well drinks they may or may not provide). I've also had inflight internet applied, but not always.