At the end of 2013, I wrote about the unfortunate news that American Express Platinum cardholders were going to lose American Airlines and US Airways lounge access starting March 22, 2014.
I know many are very disappointed about this change in perks, myself included, but the good news is that American Express was offering cardholders anywhere between $100 and $500 credit to use on American Airlines or US Airways “incidental” purchases. I personally was only targeted for the $100 credit. If you did not receive any communication from American Express regarding this, I highly suggest you call to find out your targeted offer. This credit opportunity started this past Saturday March 22nd.
This credit is in addition to the $200 yearly incidental credit you already receive. The only difference is that this credit is only valid with American Airlines and US Airways purchases. Incidental credits include:
- Membership fees in the Admirals Club program and US Airways Club
- One-day passes to Admirals Club lounges and US Airways Club lounges
- Other American Airlines and US Airways incidental fees like baggage fees or flight change fees (I was told from an Amex representative that it will work exactly the same as the annual $200 reimbursement benefit)
You should receive a statement credit within a few days after your qualifying purchase is made.
Going forward, your American Express Platinum card will still give you access to the following airport lounge networks:
- Participating Delta Sky Club® lounges
- Priority Pass(TM) Select: When you enroll in Priority Pass(TM) Select, you can access over 600 participating airport lounges worldwide – no matter what class or airline you fly
- Airspace Lounges in New York (JFK), Cleveland (CLE) and the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airports (learn more at airspacelounge.com)
- American Express is also excited to announce that Platinum/Business Platinum Card Members now have complimentary, unlimited access to the Centurion Lounges as a new benefit. This benefit began on September 30, 2013. The current lounges are in the Las Vegas McCarran airport and the Dallas/Fort-Worth airport. The lounges are the first of several American Express airport lounges that will open in major U.S. cities, and offer complimentary gourmet food, signature cocktails and curated wines, high speed Wi-Fi, a computer bar, and more. For more information, visit thecenturionlounge.com.
Remember to claim your extra incidental credits!
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I hope by “work exactly the same” will not mean you somehow have to change your selected airline, because that would not be possible. For example, I have United selected, so I’m locked into United until next January at the earliest. I hope their system will recognize $200 from United + $XXX from AA or USAir. Time will tell! Any confirmations of such?
@Mark – I was told by Amex that it doesn’t matter what airline you have selected as your annual $200 statement credit option. This is separate and will work only on American and US Airways.
i got the additional $100
Thanks for this reminder! I was told that I was targeted for a $100 statement credit for both my personal and business platinum cards – no purchase required, airline selection irrelevant. I’m glad for the cash, and the amount since right since I haven’t been a super heavy user (5-10 visits using my platinum cards in the last year). Unfortunately, I will still be cancelling when these cards renew in April, since AA is my airline of choice and now have a Citi Executive Elite card providing AA lounge access.
Any news on whether the purchase has to be $100+ (if you were targeted for the $100? I just paid a $75 award ticket ticketing fee and wonder if that will count.
@Heather – You are reimbursed up to $100 (if you received the $100 offer). So you should be reimbursed for the $75 fee and then you have another $25 eligible for reimbursement.
can you go in the Delta skyclub even if you are flying a different airline?
@Bo Hale – No you cannot. Although if you have a refundable Delta ticket you can (and then cancel the Delta ticket).
I fly Delta a couple times a year to Italy
Should I get the AE platinum card or the Delta CC?
thanks
carmine
@carmine – I’d actually had the amex business gold rewards card. You’ll get 3x points on airfare purchases and you can then transfer your miles to Delta.
If that works the same as the 200 incidental charge, can I use it to cover the gift card purchases?
@Yi – I haven’t yet tested it, but my understanding is that it should work.
Have there been successful reports of people being reimbursed for a GC purchase? (I haven’t seen any yet, but I assume should work the same…)
I got only $ 100 extra. They did note in my file htat I may require more…
Is southwest early boarding a incidental fee on the amex platinum card?
@ray – typically with Amex you can call and let them know that it was an incidental fee and many times they will take it off, especially since they will see that it is a small amount so clearly not a flight purchase.