AMEX Complimentary Flight Booking

[HeavyElectricity]

Just following up with some booking experience:

I phoned to book PER-MEL, and was put through to Virgin Australia (previously it was AMEX travel who handled it). I was told that all the flight options are now to be completed online - and AMEX haven't updated their instructions/map which states you have to call for certain routes.

When I queried why a flight wasn't showing up as available, I was told that there has to be 'T' class availability (previously it was the more generous 'Q' class - and AMEX's current terms and conditions pdf live on their site - dated from 2017 - still specifies Q class availability).

Some flight options still didn't show online, even though ITA Matrix showed T availability for them, so looks like even that isn't too clear cut.

This marks another downgrade of the AMEX Velocity Platinum benefits (T is a 'getaway' fare, Q was an 'elevate' fare). T also has a lot less availability.

The compflight site also kept erroring out with "Service Temporarily Unavailable" - so all-in-all not a great experience. Think I'll cancel the Velocity Platinum card now and stick with the Explorer instead. Ever since they removed the restaurant/bar and accommodation bonus points earn it's had the same earn rate as the explorer anyway - and that has the bonus of having more points transfer options (and a better rate when transferred directly to Krisflyer).

 

[jch]

Did any points or status credits come through on these bookings. Got one locked in for MEL next month.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

No points or staus credits since the change to booking via the virgin compflights site unfortunately. I've since cancelled my card, as I found the explorer+platinum edge combo better for me. Although I'll have to re-evaluate that too with the upcoming April redemption changes.

 

[hossein_au]

Did any points or status credits come through on these bookings. Got one locked in for MEL next month.

I don't recall ever getting points or SCs from these flights when crediting to VA. I usually credit them to SQ.

 

[jch]

I don't recall ever getting points or SCs from these flights when crediting to VA. I usually credit them to SQ.

and the points came through on SQ?

 

[hossein_au]

and the points came through on SQ?

Sure did!

 

[jch]

Sure did!

Cool nice tip! I'm only doing SYD MEL but any KF miles always welcome.

 

[stm1sydney]

That's interesting! I'll enter my Delta number into my booking (June 2019) and see what happens.

 

[blackcat20]

They have previously credited to VA, but don’t appear to anymore.

 

[hossein_au]

That's interesting! I'll enter my Delta number into my booking (June 2019) and see what happens.

It is operated by VA, with a VA flight number. As long as the fare bucket earns with Delta, I don't see why it shouldn't post properly.

 

[Wezza]

That's a bugger about points and SC's no longer crediting. I'm booked on my free flight tomorrow TSV-BNE. Not all is lost though, managed to score an upgrade for $70.