Based on remarks from a American Express agent we were overly excited about the 100k Platinum card $200 statement credit. We couldn’t wait for the card benefits so we applied and were approved for the 100,000 targeted offer for the Amex Platinum Card.
Initially an agent informed us that the $200 statement credit would apply to each card added to the account. We asked for clarification and he informed us that each new card would also receive a $200 statement credit. If that were the case, the $175 fee to add additional cards would net the card owner a $25 bonus for adding cards. This would have been amazing but was too good to be true. We received formal clarification from American Express regarding the $200 statement credit.
Terms For $200 Statement Credit
According to American Express the eligible charges where the statement credit will apply are outlined below.
- Checked baggage fees (including overweight/oversize)
- Itinerary change fees
- Phone reservation fees
- Pet flight fees
- Seat assignment fees
- In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, headphones)
- In-flight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet because it’s not charged by the airline)
- Airport lounge day passes & annual memberships
To have your airline fee credited back to your account you must first designate an airline preference. This can be done in a few moments by calling the American Express Platinum line.
Excluded fees and terms are outlined below.
- Fees not charged by the Card member’s airline of choice (e.g. wireless internet and fees incurred with airline alliance partners) do not qualify for statement credits
- Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees
- The airline must submit the incidental air travel fees under the appropriate merchant code, industry code, or required service or product identifier for the charge to be identified
- Purchases made by both the Basic and Additional Card members on the enrolled Card account are eligible for statement credits
- Each Card Account is eligible for up to a total of $200 a year in statement credits, regardless of the number of Cards on the Account
- Please allow 2-4 weeks after the qualifying incidental air travel fee is charged to your Card account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the account
- We rely on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions, so please call the number on the back of the Card if statement credits have not posted after 4 weeks from the date of purchase
While airline gift cards are listed as an excluded item, it is widely reported that gift cards will work with the statement credit. In addition, the initial agent informed me that “anything airline related that is not a flight” will be credited back to the account.
Priority Pass Membership Received
We received the initial card priority pass member card this week. The priority pass account provides the card holder with free access to over 600 club lounges world wide. This is great because there is a United Club lounge in Atlanta which I passed by the other day. Now we have access to American, Delta, and United club lounges in Atlanta, fantastic!
Additional Credit Card Offers Received
It seems that when it rains it pours. Since applying for the 100,000 American Express Platinum Card, Mrs Weekly has been bombarded with additional credit card offers. None of the offers have been application worthy, but at least now Mrs Weekly Flyer is saving each and every card application for me to review before shredding.
Bottom Line
The $200 statement credit for additional cards is not as good as it seems, but it is still a great benefit. Priority Pass account gives access to United Club lounges. The best part about the targeted offer is the 100,000 bonus membership rewards points. We are already dreaming of ways to spend these points to get to exotic locations and amend our trip report page.
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About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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Do you know what benefits, if any, accrue to the secondary card holders? Starwood gold, priority pass, global entry, car rental company status, etc?
i can confirm starwood gold, priority pass select, and global entry are extended to secondary card holders. the others i cannot comment on.
Are you sure you can get into United Clubs with Priority Pass? I have seen signs in U Clubs at the front entrance ever since the CO/UA tieup went final stating that Priority Pass holders from USA based credit card holders would not be admitted into the United Club.
And remember that the $200 airline incidental credit is per year. So if you are planning on cancelling prior to the 1 year mark, you can get it this year and next and only pay 1 year annual fee.
Ron is correct, no UClub access with priority pass select
The Priority pass works mostly in international destinations where you’re likely to see contract lounges, with some random airline branded ones in there as well. But the Global Entry alone is worth the price of admission (10 minutes through Immigration and customs, usually!). The airline credit is indeed only per account – so when I use it, the charge shows up on my account, but the credit appears on the primary number. I used it to offset the airline lounge fee for UA as I use those lounges domestically and the Priority Pass isn’t accepted there. Pays for itself – mostly
What are the charges for accessing United clubs with priority pass?
I would check your statement that United lounges are included in Priority pass. Unless something has changed in the month since I cancelled, AMEX Platinum cardmembers only get Priority Pass select, which specifically excludes the United RCC.
United Clubs are NOT included in the Priority Pass Select membership provided by Amex Platinum. Continental Presidents Clubs were included thru Sept 30 of last year. Domestically, the Plat card will let you into Delta Sky Clubs (with same-day boarding pass), American Admirals Club (with same-day boarding pass) and US Airways clubs (regardless of carrier you’re traveling) with one guest or family members traveling with you. Priority Pass Select card will let you into participating lounges (which you can find on their site — make sure you specify your membership level) and these are generally contract lounges abroad.
Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but I get my AA gift cards, when bought $50 at a time, reimbursed by my Platinum Amex, up to the $200 yearly limit. Key seems to be buying in the smaller denominations, at least with AA.
Also, Priority Pass is only for the primary card holder, companions pay a $25-$29 fee per person upon entry to a club. United will reject Priority Pass Select without even apologizing. Sky Clubs, US Air Club, and Admiral Clubs will allow family members or two none-family member companions with you.
@OG Thanks!
Great read. Good post!