American Express will double the annual fee on its Centurion card, colloquially called the “Black” card, while adding additional benefits. Is it worthwhile? While the Centurion card is considered by many to be a status symbol more than anything...
Last Call: British Airways 40% Transfer Bonus From American Express
We’re just a few hours away from the end of the most lucrative American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus we’ve seen this year. This is your last call to take advantage of the 40% British Airways transfer bonus from...
Review: Plaza Premium Lounge Brisbane (BNE)
Since waiting for the Virgin Australia Lounge in Brisbane is like Waiting for Godot, I occupied my long layover in BNE by relaxing in the Plaza Premium Lounge. The Virgin Australia Lounge in Brisbane has been delayed almost as...
Review: Point The Way Café LAX (Priority Pass Restaurant)
Point The Way Café, the newest Priority Pass restaurant at Los Angeles International Airport, is worth a stop if you find yourself near Terminal 6. The restaurant accepts non-American Express issued Priority Pass cards between the hours of 1:00PM...
Why I’m Thrilled Qantas Is Now An American Express Transfer Partner
American Express Membership Rewards added Qantas as its latest airline transfer partner. That news is spectacular to me personally for many reasons, but for one reason in particular. First, points will transfer on 1:1 basis with no federal excise...
How AMEX Botched The Priority Pass Restaurant Issue
While American Express is perfectly free to tinker with its Priority Pass benefit, its choice to eliminate all restaurants with such short notice represents a foolish and short-sighted move. Effective August 01, 2019, you will no longer be able...
Final Hours For Lucrative Flying Blue Transfer Bonus
You only have until the end of the day to take advantage of a 25% transfer bonus to Air France/KLM Flying Blue from American Express Membership Rewards. This is a transfer bonus I have personally taken advantage of, hence...
Priority Pass Model Could Enhance WeWork, American Express Platinum
American Express recently added a WeWork membership to their Platinum card benefits. But the coworking program could be improved if they followed the Priority Pass model. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
A Superb Southern California Airport Lounge
I just found a superb airport lounge that had better food than American Express Centurion Lounges but was empty…totally empty. Ontario International Airport, in Southern California’s Inland Empire, offers and Escape Lounge in Terminal 2. It’s not part of the...
“Minor Refurbishment” In American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle
The American Express Centurion Lounge in Seattle is temporarily closed. But the reason why is a head-scratcher. The AMEX Centurion Lounge in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has been closed since Monday. AMEX provided little info on why except this short...
New American Express Lounge Policy Is Absurd
American Express announced fairly draconian new Centurion Lounge access restrictions yesterday. I view the policy change as a huge mistake. First, I note that American Express has recognized the problem of overcrowding and is attempting to ameliorate it. That...
A Timely Suggestion For American Express
A quartet of new American Express Centurion Lounges offers a perfect opportunity to test how to best limit crowding. American Express recently announced it will open a new Centurion Lounge in Charlotte. AMEX also plans to open lounges in...
What I Transferred To British Airways During American Express Transfer Bonus
Time is running out on a lucrative 40% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to British Airways Executive Club. If you have not yet moved over any points, check out my earlier post, which outlines why you may...
Competition For Lufthansa First Class Heats Up
If you read my blog regularly, you know that one of my favorite mileage redemptions is for Lufthansa First Class. It’s not that Lufthansa offers the best first class product in the world (though I love it). Rather, Lufthansa...
The Death of Airline Lounge “Memberships” Makes American Express Platinum More Attractive
With American, Delta, and United cracking down on how/when “members” can use their lounges, I question whether membership is even the correct term to describe what airlines now offer. Think about it. If you’re a member of a gym,...
My Experience Using American Express Premium Cabin Airfare Discounts
Is the American Express International Airline Program worth your time? At Award Expert, we are seeing an increasing trend: more and more bookings directly through the American Express or Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portals. While transferring points to airline programs...
I’ll Get The New Amex Gold Card, But Not Yet
There has been a lot of hoopla about the the new American Express Gold Card. Here are my thoughts on the new card. First, let’s review the benefits. On the spending side, you’ll see a nice return on purchases...
How To Maximize The 40% Transfer Bonus From AMEX To British Airways
In short, the shorter the route, the more valuable the redemption. The British Airways redemption chart is distance-based and longhaul flights in premium cabins rarely make sense, especially when competitors offer the same flights for so much cheaper. But...
Review: American Express Centurion Lounge Mexico City (MEX)
I spent five hours in the The American Express Centurion Lounge in Mexico City and wished I had stayed longer. I visited the Terminal 2 location during my recent extended layover in Mexico City, not really knowing what to...
My New Favorite AMEX Centurion Lounge
Mexico City is home to my new favorite American Express Centurion Lounge. I enjoyed a great massage, shoe shine, haircut, and meal between Aeromexico flights. Talk about a productive layover! The Mexico City AMEX lounges are run a bit...
