Throughout history, there may be no credit card that has been more celebrated and more spurned than The Platinum Card from American Express. Once considered the pinnacle of luxury cards, the Platinum Card offered one of the first flexible points systems (Membership Rewards), as well as one of the first to offer an airline credit on qualifying purchases – all for the low price of $450 every year.
Although the credit card does come with a number of underutilized travel benefits, including private jet service and roadside assistance, perhaps one of the more underappreciated perks is the International Airlines Program. For luxury travelers who demanding nothing short of business class travel, American Express can help their Platinum cardholders get there every time, while taking a companion along for the ride.
After my tour of the United Polaris lounge, it occurred to me that by paying for a higher class of service, I could enjoy the pleasures of a better flying experience. With the International Airlines Program, I could even bring a friend along and ultimately save money on my flight. Does the program really help me save money and actualize some of the cost of my annual fee? Like every companion pass program, it may vary from flyer to flyer.
Through the program website, travelers can search the destinations available from their home airport based on the region. In a search from my home airport of Columbus John Glenn International Airport (CMH), I was able to see which airlines participated in the program with business and first class availability. However, the website does not give an actual price for the flights – to book, travelers must call American Express.
As a travel agency, American Express does have some preferential pricing with certain airlines, allowing them to book travel potentially at a discount from buying on one’s own. Furthermore, the program boasts a roster of over 20 airlines to choose from, through the most popular airlines available through the program seemed to be Air France, British Airways and Delta Air Lines.
Without knowing the pricing available, could the International Airlines Program save me money on international travel when I go abroad with a friend? Searching flights from Columbus to London, the best price I could find was $3,606 aboard Delta, booked through Air France. Under the International Airline Program, I could book a companion ticket for the cost of taxes and fees alone and the obligatory $39 service fee. To bring a companion along for this trip, I would be obligated to spend $1,146.69, before any additional fees.
Even for the taxes and fees alone, the cost represents a two-thirds savings on the price of the ticket, saving me money for when I do pay for travel. In addition, if I were interested in collecting miles towards airline status, flying as a paid passenger in business class would help me get closer, as I would get a bonus multiplier for the amount of my ticket and full credit for the miles flown for status.
On the downside, the International Airlines Program seems limited in their reach of carriers. Even when selecting an itinerary to the Dubai or Doha, the luxurious “Middle East Three” carriers were not available as a companion pass selection, nor was United (goodbye, Polaris Class). Furthermore, flying within the United States on a companion pass ticket was not presented as an option. Although I could call to see if preferential pricing was available, I’d be paying full fare for both tickets, not just one.
While the International Airlines Program may offer some advantage, the value may only be to the extent of international travel – and somewhat limited at that. However, for those who plan on traveling internationally at the front of the plane and do not mind paying for it, the International Airlines Program could help travelers save some money on their next trip. When it comes to booking business class flights, cash-paying flyers may benefit from looking into this benefit of their American Express Platinum Card.
Have you used the International Airline Program to book an international flight? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com