AMEX Velocity Platinum Card - Free Flight Query

[blingy90]

Hello,

Look time reader first time poster. Im considering getting the AMEX platinum velocity card, the 50k offer + return economy flight seem pretty decent. However I just had a query re the complimentary flight and wondered if anyone had any experience. Ive looked through the T&Cs to the best of my ability and still unsure on the following...

The free return flight; while obviously has to be an economy ticket - can it be any economy type?
Once booked, I'm assuming you wouldn't earn any points on the flight, however would you earn SCs?

Cheers guys for the help. If no luck hear I'll just ask amex

 

[Jama]

It is a set fare unique to Amex. You will get no SC's. You can only get around this by booking the flight then cancelling and using the credit to book what YOU want.

The cancellation fees are pretty step though. But at least you can use the credit to get somthing that works for you better.

 

[Ausbt]

Might have been lucky, but scored points and SCs on SYD-MCY-SYD on an AMEX Plat CC fare Jan 2013. Booked it in my other half's name and her account pools to mine.

 

[VRC]

Yes I think you were. Recently used mine for other half for HBA-MEL-HBA and received nothing.

Might have been lucky, but scored points and SCs on SYD-MCY-SYD on an AMEX Plat CC fare Jan 2013. Booked it in my other half's name and her account pools to mine.

 

[blingy90]

Thanks for the information guys.

Out of curiosity, what sort of economy fare can you book? Is it just the cheapest or are you able to book a flexi fare?

 

[Jama]

You don't have a choice. It is a flexi, at least you get a flexi meal and can change it with an exorbitant fee, but that's where the similarities stop.

If you want to upgrade or get points or SC's you need to cancel it and then book a real flexi or saver.

 

[blingy90]

what is the exorbitant cancellation fee?

 

[Jama]

what is the exorbitant cancellation fee?

Cancel fee is $87 plus the rebooking fee is $27. But you should still end with a credit that will result in a discount on the fare you actually want.

 

[blingy90]

Cancel fee is $87 plus the rebooking fee is $27. But you should still end with a credit that will result in a discount on the fare you actually want.

What do you mean you end with a credit that will result in a discount? I may be wrong, but do you mean for eg. Book the original fare as say syd-per; cancel and get a decent credit. And then can use that credit say on a J flight from syd-Mel? Or am I missing the point here?

cheers for the help. Just trying to work the it's and out of not only this promotion but velocity too!

 

[Jama]

What do you mean you end with a credit that will result in a discount? I may be wrong, but do you mean for eg. Book the original fare as say syd-per; cancel and get a decent credit. And then can use that credit say on a J flight from syd-Mel? Or am I missing the point here?

well, if the credit is worth $300 and you lose a third in fees your left with a $200 credit. If you then purchase a $400 fare, your going to get that fare for $200 which is now a discount on the $400 it would have cost, rather than the freebie you started with.

you can purchase whatever you want once you have a credit.

 

[blingy90]

well, if the credit is worth $300 and you lose a third in fees your left with a $200 credit. If you then purchase a $400 fare, your going to get that fare for $200 which is now a discount on the $400 it would have cost, rather than the freebie you started with.

you can purchase whatever you want once you have a credit.

So, if you were going to go down this path. To get the best value; you would want to book the original free fare on a flight that is worth the most ie a long service rather then a quick service.

Or is the free flight value capped? Would Amex tell you any of this information or is just look on the VA website before booking the complimentary flight?

 

[blingy90]

Just following up to that; one of the routes you can select under amex's selected flights is per-syd. Saver light fares for these start at $239 one way. So if I was to book my complimentary return fare on this service it would be approx $480. Then cancel it (minus the $100 cancel fee). I would have a credit for approx $380.


This credit I could then use for whatever I want, which will be flights. These new flights would then be eligible for status credits? I'm guessing they wouldn't be eligible for velocity points.


Thanks for any clarification. If anyone has actually tried this, feedback would be great!

 

[pwae]

I'm also curious on these and the Status Credits.
I assume they aren't booking it into a class X P or Z which are currently able to get status credits are they?

Also another question here, what are the restrictions on someone purchasing PER->SYD if they lived in SYD? i.e. could you purchase SYD->PER on a separate PNR and use the free one back.

 

[smit0847]

Just following up to that; one of the routes you can select under amex's selected flights is per-syd. Saver light fares for these start at $239 one way. So if I was to book my complimentary return fare on this service it would be approx $480. Then cancel it (minus the $100 cancel fee). I would have a credit for approx $380.


This credit I could then use for whatever I want, which will be flights. These new flights would then be eligible for status credits? I'm guessing they wouldn't be eligible for velocity points.


Thanks for any clarification. If anyone has actually tried this, feedback would be great!

Oooh, thats a really good idea. Thanks for that. I would only probably use this to book MEL-SYD or MEL-ADL (being by far my most frequent flights) which would only be around $200/$250 value as a free return flight but if I can get a credit for $380 to then buy sale fares I could book 2 return trips, doubling the value.

Does this work with the Virgin Flyer 2-4-1 offer too? If I cancel, say, a 2-4-1 business class booking do I get a credit for the whole amount?

 

[Plutonus]

Does this work with the Virgin Flyer 2-4-1 offer too? If I cancel, say, a 2-4-1 business class booking do I get a credit for the whole amount?

Doubt it. The 2-4-1 is a 50% discount on the price you pay. You'd only get a credit for what you paid, not what a full fare costs.

 

[oz_mark]

Doubt it. The 2-4-1 is a 50% discount on the price you pay. You'd only get a credit for what you paid, not what a full fare costs.

I imagine you'd get two 50% credits!

 

[medipri]

Here's a link to a 17 page thread which discusses the best way to ensure you get a credit shell. http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ewards/amex-free-flight-upgrade-34297-13.html

 

[Jama]

The price of a saver fare is not indicative of what credit you will get. Amex get their own special rates from VA for these free flights.

Also, the more you publicly discuss getting the most out of the system the more chance someone will take note and the system will be changed.

 

[blingy90]

If you do get a credit for the cancelled flight, when you rebook with VA...do those flights earn SCs?

 

[Jama]

Yes because your not rebooking a special flight, your rebooking a normal flight. I was going to direct you to the Amex forum but medipri has kindly posted a link to it above.