AMEX Platinum Charge Benefits - Q&A

[daft009]

Does anyone know if supplementary cardholders can make use of the Virgin Domestic Lounge access?

T&C's say this: 2. Virgin Australia Lounge Access. Access is complimentary for Primary Platinum Card Member and one complimentary guest only. The Primary Platinum Card Member and guest must be travelling with Virgin Australia domestically. Access is to Virgin Australia-branded lounges in Australia only. Name on boarding pass must match the name on the Platinum Card.

Does anyone have experience with supplementary cardholders getting in on their own? (or trying and getting rejected?

Thanks

No issues with supps getting in solo

 

[DC3]

Does anyone know if supplementary cardholders can make use of the Virgin Domestic Lounge access?

How does the Lounge determine that the card is issued to a supplementary card holder?

 

[Infrequent traveller]

No issues with supps getting in solo

No issues with supps getting in solo

I never tried but am also aware of additional card members being admitted with no issue. However, please keep this low profile as in the eyes of Virgin and Amex, this is a loophole to be closed.

 

[Infrequent traveller]

How does the Lounge determine that the card is issued to a supplementary card holder?

The last 5 digits of the card can tell, if they really want to enforce the rule

 

[Bell21]

I never tried but am also aware of additional card members being admitted with no issue. However, please keep this low profile as in the eyes of Virgin and Amex, this is a loophole to be closed.

I agree - why don't we revert to PM for further queries - happy to provide input via PM

 

[DC3]

The last 5 digits of the card can tell, if they really want to enforce the rule

When I held the Platinum charge card, until a couple of years ago, my card and my supp holder had only a one digit difference in the numbers, i.e., consecutive numbering. Maybe the numbering system has changed?

 

[Infrequent traveller]

When I held the Platinum charge card, until a couple of years ago, my card and my supp holder had only a one digit difference in the numbers, i.e., consecutive numbering. Maybe the numbering system has changed?

Definitely not insider information but on the cards I hold (Charge, Reserve, Edge, Gold), the primary card is always x1xx_, and additional cards are x2aaa, z3bbb and so on. However, it would be even better if that’s not definitive at all (in view of the Virgin lounge discussion)

 

[sudoer]

However, it would be even better if that’s not definitive at all

Not sure it is definitive, my primary plat is x1x03 and supp is x1x11

 

[Infrequent traveller]

Not sure it is definitive, my primary plat is x1x03 and supp is x1x11

Oh my dear. So embarrassing for me - you are right. That’s the same pattern I have on my cards. No excuse- I should just have checked before I wrote. Sorry, sorry, sorry

 

[DC3]

Definitely not insider information but on the cards I hold (Charge, Reserve, Edge, Gold), the primary card is always x1xx_, and additional cards are x2aaa, z3bbb and so on. However, it would be even better if that’s not definitive at all (in view of the Virgin lounge discussion)

Maybe things have tightened at the Lounge desk, but in my experience, the person checking the Amex Platinum cards didn’t show any reaction to the additional card that was presented along with the primary card.

 

[Bell21]

I have a few supps with my card and there's no real relationship between card numbers (ie the last 3 or 4 digits differ between the cards). I'd really prefer we PM further details re this topic and I'm happy to PM.

 

[equus]

Definitely not insider information but on the cards I hold (Charge, Reserve, Edge, Gold), the primary card is always x1xx_, and additional cards are x2aaa, z3bbb and so on. However, it would be even better if that’s not definitive at all (in view of the Virgin lounge discussion)

That doesn't hold true.

I think the sequence you are seeing is something to do with the order in which the cards were generate - with your primary being generated first (so getting the 1 sequence).

If the primary card is lost/stolen, and a new card generated, the sequence numbers are all different. (Have this scenario).

As a result, those sequences numbers cannot be used, The only way to tell is to connect to the Amex system. Unless the card number is sent to Amex to determine the status, there is no way for VA to tell if a card is a primary or a supplementary (the exception being the A/C additional card, which has that as part of the name - but since that is only issued to the primary cardholder anyway, it is irrelevant to this discussion).

 

[ole nimeton]

I never tried but am also aware of additional card members being admitted with no issue. However, please keep this low profile as in the eyes of Virgin and Amex, this is a loophole to be closed.

I didn’t think this was a loophole as one supp cardholder gets access to rest of the lounge perks and priority pass etc anyway. Seriously, if Amex were ever stingy enough to limit this benefit to primary cardholders only I would reconsider the value in keeping the card.

 

[Bell21]

I didn’t think this was a loophole as one supp cardholder gets access to rest of the lounge perks and priority pass etc anyway. Seriously, if Amex were ever stingy enough to limit this benefit to primary cardholders only I would reconsider the value in keeping the card.

Well if this thread continues as is, who knows

 

[TRS123]

This is probably me being really silly, but is anyone able to book the Shangri La Sydney under FHR?
I've tried multiple dates and combinations but I'm coming up empty... has it been removed, or have I missed something, somewhere?

Yes I've experienced the same thing an was wondering that as well. It would seem it has been removed. Would be great to find out from others if its the same for them?!

 

[Actos]

Yes I've experienced the same thing an was wondering that as well. It would seem it has been removed. Would be great to find out from others if its the same for them?!

Very bizarre.

Called the concierge team and they've confirmed it's still a bookable FHR property. Together, we both looked up a date and I couldn't see the Shangri-La at all (only Park Hyatt, Langham, Four Seasons & Sofitel), whereas the concierge could see it perfectly under their FHR banner. I have no idea why this is the case, but they've recommended just booking through them (for this property) for now.

 

[mswindells]

Very bizarre.

Called the concierge team and they've confirmed it's still a bookable FHR property. Together, we both looked up a date and I couldn't see the Shangri-La at all (only Park Hyatt, Langham, Four Seasons & Sofitel), whereas the concierge could see it perfectly under their FHR banner. I have no idea why this is the case, but they've recommended just booking through them (for this property) for now.

Just to add, I booked the Shangri-La in Sydney via the FHR amex booking system, earlier this month for a stay on the 13th of May, and it worked fine. Weird that it has changed since then!

 

[fantastikforce]

What do you guys think about having a free Uber Pass yearly subscription as a new benefit?

I think I'd pretty happy with that although Amex will definitely need to add better benefits value wise.

 

[Bell21]

Just to add, I booked the Shangri-La in Sydney via the FHR amex booking system, earlier this month for a stay on the 13th of May, and it worked fine. Weird that it has changed since then!

btw, the last 2 times I've stayed at the Shangri-La Sydney, I've booked rooms with lounge access, and thought the additional cost was well worthwhile given breakfast, afternoon tea and a fairly decent dinner and especially those views!

 

[albyd]

What do you guys think about having a free Uber Pass yearly subscription as a new benefit?

I think I'd pretty happy with that although Amex will definitely need to add better benefits value wise.

Is that the rumored new amazing benefit? How would that work exactly (I’ve only used Uber a few times, please be kind
)