AMEX Platinum Travel Services

[bigfella]

Hi Guys,

Interested in some feedback on AMEX Platinum Travel Services.

I am a long time plat charge card holder (10+ years) but have only used their travel services for some very basic trips. I travel very frequently (most weeks) and the bulk of travel is international. Travel class is economy or premium economy and where possible I like to stay at Hilton or SPG hotels. I hold good status (QF Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold) with most of my preferred vendors and have generally booked directly with the airline/hotel.

Would their be any major pros/cons in using AMEX Travel Services?

Thanks,

BF

 

[serfty]

My only experience is with the platinum reserve free flights where they are booked via Amex travel.

I can't select seats or easily OLCI on the Virgin site - I must call to do the former and the latter requires a link that is not obviously available on the web site.

(I guess I prefer to avoid a 'middle man' if I can avoid it.)

 

[greenfrog86]

Hi Guys,

Interested in some feedback on AMEX Platinum Travel Services.

I am a long time plat charge card holder (10+ years) but have only used their travel services for some very basic trips. I travel very frequently (most weeks) and the bulk of travel is international. Travel class is economy or premium economy and where possible I like to stay at Hilton or SPG hotels. I hold good status (QF Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold) with most of my preferred vendors and have generally booked directly with the airline/hotel.

Would their be any major pros/cons in using AMEX Travel Services?

Thanks,

BF

I've found that Amex Platinum Travel are often on the expensive side of options for me as they seem quite good at the premium end of the market and I can't always afford a $300 hotel room :shock:

I would think that given you prefer staying at premium brands then Amex Travel should be able to assist - they won't be likely to offer the lowest rate (such as prepaid rates and advance booking specials etc) however it doesn't sound like this is an issue for you.

If you are looking for the standard rate with HH or SPG then I'd give them a go - should save you some time mucking around on the website yourself.

In terms of airfares they charge fees and I HATE FEES, especially when they are not particularly lateral in their thinking etc. If you said to them 'get me prices on a flight MEL-SIN next Tuesday in Eco/Premium with QF, returning the following Friday' then this is pretty simple and they can do it for you whilst charging a fee for the delight.

Given the fees issue I've never booked flights with them, and have been disappointed at their hotel offerings (other than SLH or FHR) and therefore have not used them for anything. On the other hand my mother is a Supp holder and has used them for flights to Europe and found this quite useful as she lives in a country town and the Amex person was good at finding different options for her budget etc etc.

My only experience is with the platinum reserve free flights where they are booked via Amex travel.

I can't select seats or easily OLCI on the Virgin site - I must call to do the former and the latter requires a link that is not obviously available on the web site.

(I guess I prefer to avoid a 'middle man' if I can avoid it.)

Serfty - I have found that the free flight is redeemed with a specific redemption team who are not the same as the Platinum Travel consultants (and sometimes with Plat Travel you will also get Cent Travel Executives answering your call/query).

The issues with the free flight all seem to be with Virgin's systems and are not a symptom of Amex Travel staff being incompetent...