My recent stay at the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport validates my decision to retain my Starwood Preferred Guest ® Business Credit Card from American Express. Hyatt is my primary hotel chain and Hilton is my back-up. Once in a while, however, I find myself...
American Express Platinum Business 50% “Pay with Points” Rebate – Not too Late!
File this in “Marketing Failure 101”. American Express is cutting its popular 50% rebate on “Pay with Points” purchases on its Business Platinum Card. Effective 01 June 2017: Amex Business Platinum Card Pay With Points benefit drops from 50% to...
Yes, You Can Transfer AMEX Points Back to AMEX
Can you send your already-transfered AMEX points back to Membership Rewards? Where there is a will, there is a way. When you transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to an airline partner, you are met with this stark warning–all...
50% Off Southwest Bookings With American Express Platinum
This is not clickbait–I learned something new yesterday that may help Southwest flyers save some change. The American Express Business Platinum card offers 50% points back when you use your points to book through the AMEX travel portal. Thus,...
A More Civil Discussion on Children in Lounges
Yesterday’s discussion on children in lounges spiraled into a territory I was hoping it would not go. Exchanges became nasty and comments incendiary. So let’s try to reset today with a more even-balanced discussion. Here’s what I want to focus on:...
My Son Was an Angel in AMEX Lounge, Unlike Drunk Losers Nearby
Last month I wrote A Warning to American Express and a very feisty discussion ensued. The issue: should cardholders have to pay $50 per child for Centurion Lounge entry beyond their first child? On one side of the debate: families with children...
Why I WON’T Be Requesting a Metal AMEX Plat Card
Lucky shares helpful tips on how to get a new metal American Express Platinum card. But I don’t want one. Oh I do want one, actually, but not if I have to give up my existing one. Why? It is...
A Warning to American Express
Dear American Express, I’ve been a cardholder for 12 years and a Platinum cardholder for six. I am a strong advocate for American Express and have helped dozens of friends and family members also sign up. Last week you announced...
Why American Express Platinum Card Is Still Worthwhile
American Express has retooled its Platinum card. Let’s walk through the changes and then I will explain why I am keeping it. Here’s what changes, effective 30 March 2017– Two complimentary lounge guests when using Priority Pass benefit $15/month Uber...
How I Will Take Advantage of the Air France 20K Offer from AMEX
I woke up this morning to a dozen articles on a new “Amex Offer” in which you can get 20,000 American Express Membership Rewards points for spending at least $1,000 on Air France. So in case you missed it...
My American Express Strategy for 2017
I’ve been a long-time American Express customer but am making some changes in 2017 to the cards in my wallet. First, a disclaimer. I don’t have referral links and am not trying to sell you any cards. For the...
American Express Won’t Confirm New Centurion Lounge at LAX…Yet
Is a new American Express Centurion Lounge coming to Los Angeles International Airport? Brian Summers points to a recent LAX employee newsletter claiming that one is coming between Terminals 6 and 7. It does seem odd that American Express...
United Club Food Menu for Autumn 2015
Earlier this year, United Airlines announced some pretty sweet upgrades to the complimentary food menu in its airport lounges. Not that it had a choice, with Delta also enhancing its club food, but to United’s credit the new offerings...
New Priority Pass Lounge in T5 at London Heathrow
While I usually make a beeline to one of the British Airways lounges when traveling through Heathrow’s Terminal 5, lately I have been doing more intra-Europe economy class on BA (only 4,500 miles for flights under 600 miles). Having...
Photo Tour of American Express Centurion Lounge at LAS
American Express has a growing network of airport lounges including a spacious lounge at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas that is so enjoyable that I recently forced a connection in Las Vegas just to take advantage of it! With...
Last Call for 40% American Express Transfer Bonus to British Airways
We’re just a few hours away from the end of the most lucrative American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus we’ve seen in more than a year. Last call to take advantage of the 40% British Airways Executive Club transfer...
No Compensation from American Express for $200 United Airlines Gift Certificate Purchase
Just a small data point here — One of the many benefits of the American Express Platinum Card is $200 in annual airline credit on the major airline of your choice. This benefit is for “incidental fees, such as...
Air France KLM Flying Blue Cancelling Award Tickets for Transferring in American Express Points!
Numerous reports have sprung up recently concerning a “fraud crackdown” from Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France, KLM, Air Europa, and Kenya Airways. Here’s the situation– in more than one instance, a traveler has opened up a...
Flying Blue Promo Awards for January 2015
Each month Air France / KLM Flying Blue offer Promo Awards and I have highlighted the value of these awards on many occasions. While the January 2015 promotion is modest, Canadian travelers have a great opportunity to save on business class travel to Europe. Business...
Update: Still Not Too Late to Register for American Express Small Business Saturday
Earlier today I posted about American Express Small Business Saturday, noting that no further sign-ups were available (AMEX capacity controls the number of sign-ups). A short time ago AMEX re-opened sign-up: it is still not too late! Click the...
