Amex Platinum Edge Complimentary Flights - Worth It?

[Renato1]

I hit a snag. It transpires from two Amex people I spoke to today that my version of the Platinum Edge card only allows the yearly complimentary flight if all the points I earn go the Virgin Ascent program. I can't look up the terms and conditions for what I signed up to, as my Association no longer offers the Edge card at their site. The Amex person said that I can change which airline program I send my points to once a year.

So it's a choice of earning the same points in a year with either Qantas or Virgin, but only getting the free flight if I stay with Virgin. My choice seemed pretty simple - I switched to Virgin Velocity. I can't see that I'll ever find it worthwhile changing to Qantas.

Have I missed something? Did I make the right choice?

I don't know much about Virgin, as I've only ever flown with Virgin once - but that wasn't representative, as I was booked into economy by my employer, and when I checked in, the lady gave me a lounge pass and told me I was upgraded to first class. I walked away mystified.
Regards,
Renato

 

[AviationNZ]

I hit a snag. It transpires from two Amex people I spoke to today that my version of the Platinum Edge card only allows the yearly complimentary flight if all the points I earn go the Virgin Ascent program. I can't look up the terms and conditions for what I signed up to, as my Association no longer offers the Edge card at their site. The Amex person said that I can change which airline program I send my points to once a year.

So it's a choice of earning the same points in a year with either Qantas or Virgin, but only getting the free flight if I stay with Virgin. My choice seemed pretty simple - I switched to Virgin Velocity. I can't see that I'll ever find it worthwhile changing to Qantas.

Have I missed something? Did I make the right choice?

I don't know much about Virgin, as I've only ever flown with Virgin once - but that wasn't representative, as I was booked into economy by my employer, and when I checked in, the lady gave me a lounge pass and told me I was upgraded to first class. I walked away mystified.
Regards,
Renato

That doesn't sound right. The Platinum Edge card allows you to credit a number of airline/hotel loyalty programs. Your choice has no impact on the free VA flight, that is included no matter what.

Are you 100% sure it's the Platinum Edge card you have?

 

[coolkid101]

Hi Renato1
I have used the plat edge flight and plat reserve flight successfully for a number of years. The plat edge gets you as for north as Brisbane. I always book two at a time ie waiting til the end of the year and on anniversary day of the card booking 2 flights one for the past year and one for the forthcoming year. They automatically allow you a 2 week window after card anniversary day to do this which I have had extended to 4 weeks on request. Last week I booked for Mrs UXB and mini UXB to go to see the inlaws in the gold coast (ie to BNE) in the Sept school hols, the virgin price for the seats I wanted $1100+. Even better as I get my plat edge fee free with my small business green
Hope this helps

which small business card is this? having a look on the website it doesnt appear it is a standard offer?
thanks!

 

[Renato1]

That doesn't sound right. The Platinum Edge card allows you to credit a number of airline/hotel loyalty programs. Your choice has no impact on the free VA flight, that is included no matter what.

Are you 100% sure it's the Platinum Edge card you have?

Thanks for your thoughts.
According to my on-line account, I have the "Professional's Platinum Edge" card.
Your comment has prompted me to write to my Asociation querying this. They advertised it as a Member Saving because the annual fee is $149 instead of $195. But it is a lesser saving if one is getting a lesser card.
I await their response.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Danger UXB]

which small business card is this? having a look on the website it doesnt appear it is a standard offer?
thanks!

This one

https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/the-american-express-business-card/?filter=sbsyes

The invite for the Plat Edge arrived in the mail about 2 weeks after I activated the Green. Second anniversary of the plat edge has just happened and no annual fee yet. Business Green is $109 per yr. I was not aware of the deal when I signed up for the green but very happy to accept. The green was set up by a consultant in Amex Small Business Services, not sure if that had anything to do with it.

 

[Danger UXB]

Thanks for your thoughts.
According to my on-line account, I have the "Professional's Platinum Edge" card.
Your comment has prompted me to write to my Asociation querying this. They advertised it as a Member Saving because the annual fee is $149 instead of $195. But it is a lesser saving if one is getting a lesser card.
I await their response.
Cheers,
Renato

My professional association card is a plat reserve. None of my points have ever gone to VA but they do go to Ascent not Qantas. Never had an issue with the flights

 

[Renato1]

My professional association card is a plat reserve. None of my points have ever gone to VA but they do go to Ascent not Qantas. Never had an issue with the flights

Thanks. My Association is now only offering the Platinum Reserve card too.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Is there a requirement with the Amex Plat Edge card that you need to have charged airline travel (with the airline whose free ticket you're about to use) to that card before they will book the free ticket?

I used to have the QF Amex Ultimate card and booked the free ticket (just prior to giving the card the flick I might add ) and the person booking the free flight said "just let me check to see if you've got some QF spend spend on your card".

Fortunately I had but some people may not if their company pays for your work travel on a company credit card or if your personal spend gets charged to another credit card which may be a requirement for you to be covered by their travel insurance.

 

[Renato1]

The lady from my Association rang me back. She got the old ad for the Professional's Platinum Edge card back up, and told me that point 3 of the terms and conditions detailed the complimentary flight, and that within it was a link to the Amex conditions, which in turn said I had to be a member of the Ascent program in order to get the complimentary Virgin flight.

So Virgin it is. Virgin would thus have to be pretty bad for me to switch back to Qantas Direct, because I'd miss out on the annual free flight, and because the number of Velocity points seem to take me around 10% further than the same number of Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Looks like I've been forced into a good deal.

Luckily, I've still got 100,000 Qantas points if I want to go somewhere domestically, where Virgin doesn't fly to.
Regards,
Renato

 

[AviationNZ]

The lady from my Association rang me back. She got the old ad for the Professional's Platinum Edge card back up, and told me that point 3 of the terms and conditions detailed the complimentary flight, and that within it was a link to the Amex conditions, which in turn said I had to be a member of the Ascent program in order to get the complimentary Virgin flight.

So Virgin it is. Virgin would thus have to be pretty bad for me to switch back to Qantas Direct, because I'd miss out on the annual free flight, and because the number of Velocity points seem to take me around 10% further than the same number of Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Looks like I've been forced into a good deal.

Luckily, I've still got 100,000 Qantas points if I want to go somewhere domestically, where Virgin doesn't fly to.
Regards,
Renato

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure the Ascent program allows you to put your Amex points into multiple hotel/airline programs and you're not restricted to just VA. With my Platinum Edge card, I'm a member of Ascent but get the choice where to put my points.

 

[Renato1]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure the Ascent program allows you to put your Amex points into multiple hotel/airline programs and you're not restricted to just VA. With my Platinum Edge card, I'm a member of Ascent but get the choice where to put my points.

Yes, you are correct. But Qantas isn't one of those airlines.
Which leaves me pumping points into Virgin, as there isn't any point taking the complimentary Virgin flight by myself, as I'd want my wife to come along with me - so I want the additional velocity points to pay for her flight.

I must say, Virgin seem to offer a lot of other value - like their Virgin Money card which allows four trips a year per couple at half price. If one didn't have many velocity points, for a couple, that card effectively offers the equivalent of four complimentary trips a year for one person, but having to pay full fare for that person's partner. If I lived closer to the airport, I'd be tempted to become an Australian jetsetter.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[AviationNZ]

Yes, you are correct. But Qantas isn't one of those airlines.
Which leaves me pumping points into Virgin, as there isn't any point taking the complimentary Virgin flight by myself, as I'd want my wife to come along with me - so I want the additional velocity points to pay for her flight.

I must say, Virgin seem to offer a lot of other value - like their Virgin Money card which allows four trips a year per couple at half price. If one didn't have many velocity points, for a couple, that card effectively offers the equivalent of four complimentary trips a year for one person, but having to pay full fare for that person's partner. If I lived closer to the airport, I'd be tempted to become an Australian jetsetter.
Cheers,
Renato

Ahhh, I see what you mean now. That's right, QF aren't included but in my opinion, VA provide better redemption value anyway so you're definitely better off.

 

[Renato1]

This Platinum Edge card is just full of surprises.

I checked my account today and there was a "New Card Member Spend Bonus", and Amex put an extra $100 into my account.

I never saw any reference to such a bonus in anything I'd read when I signed up.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[ozbeachbabe]

This Platinum Edge card is just full of surprises.

I checked my account today and there was a "New Card Member Spend Bonus", and Amex put an extra $100 into my account.

I never saw any reference to such a bonus in anything I'd read when I signed up.
Cheers,
Renato

The Amex Plat charge has a similar thing where the cardholder receives $200.00 of travel credit within their membership year so it's important to diarise that along with the date you need to redeem your free flight by.

When I had the QF Amex Ultimate card I booked the QF tickets on a PER/SYD/PER basis to get more bang for my buck then did two trips out of it by purchasing a BNE/PER ticket initially to position in the West then after the PER/SYD flight I bought a sector SYD/BNE to get home as BNE was not a destination ex PER (only ADL/MEL/SYD).

Similarly I had to buy a sector BNE/SYD to link up with the SYD/PER flight then bought a PER/BNE ticket for the last leg of the 2nd PER trip.

 

[kamchatsky]

The Amex Plat charge has a similar thing where the cardholder receives $200.00 of travel credit within their membership year so it's important to diarise that along with the date you need to redeem your free flight by.

When I had the QF Amex Ultimate card I booked the QF tickets on a PER/SYD/PER basis to get more bang for my buck then did two trips out of it by purchasing a BNE/PER ticket initially to position in the West then after the PER/SYD flight I bought a sector SYD/BNE to get home as BNE was not a destination ex PER (only ADL/MEL/SYD).

Similarly I had to buy a sector BNE/SYD to link up with the SYD/PER flight then bought a PER/BNE ticket for the last leg of the 2nd PER trip.

It is only good for people who are already going to PER though. I went there once and found it boring .... (wearing flame suits now).


I went to BME from PER using my free flights and it was great.


Also I maxed the value as of my Amex Plat Edge card as it would have costed me like $700 to do PER-BME.

 

[Renato1]

The Amex Plat charge has a similar thing where the cardholder receives $200.00 of travel credit within their membership year so it's important to diarise that along with the date you need to redeem your free flight by.

When I had the QF Amex Ultimate card I booked the QF tickets on a PER/SYD/PER basis to get more bang for my buck then did two trips out of it by purchasing a BNE/PER ticket initially to position in the West then after the PER/SYD flight I bought a sector SYD/BNE to get home as BNE was not a destination ex PER (only ADL/MEL/SYD).

Similarly I had to buy a sector BNE/SYD to link up with the SYD/PER flight then bought a PER/BNE ticket for the last leg of the 2nd PER trip.

Thanks for your input. I wish I could follow all that - but I'm just a novice at these things. More study required.

Though my $100 credit was straight cash, with no restrictions on it being used for travel.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Warks]

I got the Velocity AMEX card last year on the big sign up bonus of 50 000 points plus some SCs (100?) and there was also the complimentary flight. I was getting towards the end of the year and I hadn't used it but had to go to a family funeral in BNE (from SYD) so it was a good way to get there for free. The annual fee on this card was $349 so the value without the bonuses is marginal I would think. I don't quite know how far you can fly on the complimentary leg from Sydney. Assume as far as TSV or ADL? Not PER?

Anyway a little OT as it's not the same card.

 

[Renato1]

I got the Velocity AMEX card last year on the big sign up bonus of 50 000 points plus some SCs (100?) and there was also the complimentary flight. I was getting towards the end of the year and I hadn't used it but had to go to a family funeral in BNE (from SYD) so it was a good way to get there for free. The annual fee on this card was $349 so the value without the bonuses is marginal I would think. I don't quite know how far you can fly on the complimentary leg from Sydney. Assume as far as TSV or ADL? Not PER?

Anyway a little OT as it's not the same card.

Yes, I keep wondering what will happen as one gets toward the end of the year and one hasn't used it. I guess figure out somewhere to go with one's wife and use the next year's trip to go somewhere together. My brother and his wife keep telling us how fabulous Sydney is - I might have to explore it further, because it was mainly a place I flew into for work, and used to drive through to get back to the airport.

There is a little map thing on the Virgin site (which I know I've bookmarked but have now misplaced), where you enter your starting airport for the complimentary flight, and it tells you the airports that you can go to. It excludes Perth from Melbourne or Sydney.

One new discovery though - when I checked offers and rewards at the Amex on-line site for my account, I thought I had seen everything on offer.

But last night I came across this page, which had those offers and other ones as well,
https://network.americanexpress.com/connect/au/en/prop_home.html
and I was immediately grabbed by the Amex Hertz Gold Awards.
It'll be interesting to see if I do get the 10% discount when I get to Italy, since I usually spend $5000 with Hertz.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[morfergus]

I have had great success in booking my complimentary flight with my Amex Platinum Edge over the last few years. The call centre has always been very helpful and I have managed to get the flight times I wanted when booking anywhere from about 2-6 weeks out, normally BNE-ADL. For the most recent one I booked a Virgin Award ticket for my wife and the complimentary Amex flight for my daughter. I got them both on the same flight and, as my daughter would have been an unaccompanied minor if travelling alone, the call centre managed to link their bookings to ensure they were seated together. I called them back with my wife's seat number (selected when booking the award flight) to make sure. Nothing was too much trouble, so I was impressed with seat availability and service.

 

[Spongbob]

You should be able to select the seats yourself with the VA website.