AMEX Velocity card 2 for 1 business flights deal

[Moopere]

I don't see why they added Etihad as an option for the 2for1 flights if you can't fly through AUH?

I believe the use case is that you may be able to fly _through_ AUH but you can't stop there ... or something like this. Talk about fine print ...

 

[darraghk]

I believe the use case is that you may be able to fly _through_ AUH but you can't stop there ... or something like this. Talk about fine print ...

That's the only logical answer I can think of myself how else could you fly on an va/etihad codeshare whilst using the 2for1 offer.

 

[darraghk]

I spoke to an Amex rep about and he told me the offer is changing to a companion offer rather than 2for1, but it works fairly much the same. He also told me you could fly to AUH and also to Europe through AUH.
The catch seems to be the fare type a J Flexi is required but I doubt it is the J Flexi fare you can see by simply searching the Virgin Australia site but a more expensive one.
The main benefit is when you want to book a fare for 2 people closer to the date of travel - that's when you'll make significant savings. I have seen the same comment made in this forum somewhere.

 

[Moopere]

I spoke to an Amex rep about and he told me the offer is changing to a companion offer rather than 2for1, but it works fairly much the same. He also told me you could fly to AUH and also to Europe through AUH.

I can't see how one can fly to AUH, given the written T&C unless DL flies there ... and they don't seem to. I'd love to be proven wrong on this as it would make the particular benefit of the card useful for me (for the Euro trips).

 

[darraghk]

It changes from October when the offer changes to companion fares, you can fly to and through AUH but I doubt you will get %50 off unless you get a lucky last minutes deal.

 

[Moopere]

It changes from October when the offer changes to companion fares, you can fly to and through AUH but I doubt you will get %50 off unless you get a lucky last minutes deal.

Ahh. Presumably cardholders be notified at that time. I don't think I understand what a "companion" fare is though. Isn't this wording normally used in situations where there are two tickets issued for the same price as one?

 

[darraghk]

http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/campaigns/velocity/pdfs/pds_platbenefits.pdf

Seems like there are two options p40/41 ;
1: Complimentary Business Class companion offer - 50% discount no Abu Dhabi
2: Complimentary Business Class companion offer - varying discount but can fly anywhere with Etihad

So no 50% off flying to Europe

 

[Moopere]

Ahh. Thanks for the link. Obviously this is the new PDS, I'm pretty sure my Velocity Plats PDS isn't worded like that. Will check this evening.

In any event, presumably everyone will be notified.

Looks like good news to me. Having read the relevant section there seems to be two distinct, but similar sounding offers going on:

- Complimentary business class companion fare offer
- Discount business class companion fare offer

This is probably worth noting:

* Fees, taxes and surcharges payable for each seat are not
discounted. These will be advised at the time of booking and must
be paid in full for each guest.

So its never going to actually be a 50% cost saving for the DL based offer.


The Complimentary business class companion offer is the one which must be operated by VA or DL but cannot be to AUH when flying on VA metal. The fare purchased must be J class and the complimentary business fare is taken from C class stock.

The Discount business class companion fare offer, this needs to be a flight operated by VA, or DL codeshare, or EY codeshare. Looks like the flights need to be direct ... so presumably no transits through AUH to get to europe (???) .. the PDS says "direct formal connection flights" which I read to mean no transits in AUH. The discount is "discount offered may vary from time to time" ... which is meaningless unless one is really willing to put some serious effort into chasing the fare by continually ringing up Amex to find out whats what ... daily??

Still, I guess if one were going to buy two J tickets anyway then even a little discount is better than none. As mentioned in posts above though, discount business class buckets are almost certain to work out cheaper than the 'variable' discount on a full fare J ticket.

 

[darraghk]

The amex agent told me you could fly to AUH or to Europe on the discount fare wherever you want. However it's only beneficial if there is availability late sounds more like an upgrade fare.

 

[Moopere]

The amex agent told me you could fly to AUH or to Europe on the discount fare wherever you want.

Yep, sure, I can see that provision - but it has to be direct apparently, unless I am misunderstanding the phrase "direct formal connection flights". Not sure if EY flies Australia to Europe direct, I would have assumed (without checking) that they hub everything through AUH.

 

[Cyberon]

tried to claim this offer for Sydney to HK, but they said no.
This offer is extremely misleading I feel.