Centurion here I come.....

[jyavenard]

It's discussed there:
american-express-rewards/change-platinum-card-travel-insurance-37231-15.html

damn thing doesn't let me post link even from the same site!

 

[haydensydney]

So its PLAT only at this stage then.... which is a relief.

The travel insurance is one thing that I would hate to see watered down / devalued for Centurion cardholders.

 

[jyavenard]

It isn't...
I called Amex today and when I asked if the centurion would be affected, he said yes.. The insurance change is occurring for *all* amex card.

Just wait.. it will come in the mail

I do have a centurion.

The letter I received was about my platinum card. I called to find out if it would affect the centurion, he said yes

 

[haydensydney]

So... because I don't really know how this new limitation will work, lets run through some theoreticals:

1. I use points and pay taxes with my Amex card for a return jouney to NZ. I lose my bag somewhere.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

2. We drive for a weekend away and don't use the credit card (I use my Visa for example). We need some kind of assistance.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

Let me think of some more.... *ponders*

 

[Homer]

It isn't...
I called Amex today and when I asked if the centurion would be affected, he said yes.. The insurance change is occurring for *all* amex card.

Just wait.. it will come in the mail

So we've been told different things. I appreciate you passing on what you were told but, on the basis that there is no solid information and the information we have received doesn't quite gel then on that basis it doesn't seem to me to be a sensible use of time and energy making plans for something like this when it may not eventuate.

 

[sparoz]

So... because I don't really know how this new limitation will work, lets run through some theoreticals:

1. I use points and pay taxes with my Amex card for a return jouney to NZ. I lose my bag somewhere.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

2. We drive for a weekend away and don't use the credit card (I use my Visa for example). We need some kind of assistance.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

Let me think of some more.... *ponders*

We don't know what changes will apply to the Cent card or the Plat Business Card yet. The only card they have actually pushed the button is the Plat Personal Card. They have an intention to change, but hopefully the feedback will stop them applying those changes to the other cards.

With the Plat changes:
1. The policy is unclear. Some people has been advised that it won't be, and some people has been advised if the points for the flight is derived from the MR points, then you would be covered.

2. Yes, because that's not under the TI policy.

 

[jyavenard]

So... because I don't really know how this new limitation will work, lets run through some theoreticals:

1. I use points and pay taxes with my Amex card for a return jouney to NZ. I lose my bag somewhere.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

right now, yes.. If you purchase your tickets after June 15th, no.

However, you are covered if you used your *amex* points to purchase the ticket, or if you transferred your amex points to an partnered airlines and pay with those points.
If you paid using FF points you accrued normally (e.g. by flying), then no, you won't be covered anymore.

2. We drive for a weekend away and don't use the credit card (I use my Visa for example). We need some kind of assistance.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

Let me think of some more.... *ponders*

Answer: Right now yes... As long as you hold a valid amex card, you are covered everywhere you do.
From June 15th, no.

I never referred to it as "Ace Insurance". Amex has used various insurance companies in the past, including their own. So as far as I'm concerned, this is an amex insurance

Let me give you another example of what used to be covered, but won't be from June 15th.

Q: I travel overseas with a ticket purchased not using the amex. I stay in a hotel which was purchased with the amex. Am I covered?
A: right now yes. You are covered for your entire journey provided it's less than 6 months
From June 15th: no.

Bottom line, if you travel and unless you pay the full fare of the ticket with your amex, you will need to get travel insurance.

You can get a yearly travel insurance for around $400-$500 a year... So basically, the value of the card dropped by $4-500 from June 15th

 

[awilcockson]

With the change in travel insurance cover from January 15th (same on the platinum card) how can they ever justify people paying such a high premium...

Before, to get travel insurance coverage, all you had to do is pay a hotel with the card on your journey, or pay the taxes on awards flight... Now you must pay the full fare with your cards..

Actually, before all you had to do was hold the Plat or Centurian card. You didn't have to spend anything on it.

But this is a bit OT for this thread.

 

[jyavenard]

Actually, before all you had to do was hold the Plat or Centurian card. You didn't have to spend anything on it.

But this is a bit OT for this thread.

My bad. you are correct , but only in the past 1.5 years... They made the policy even better. Before that you had to pay "something"

 

[awilcockson]

So... because I don't really know how this new limitation will work, lets run through some theoreticals:

1. I use points and pay taxes with my Amex card for a return jouney to NZ. I lose my bag somewhere.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

Only if you can prove that the points you used were originally created as part of your MR earn and transferred to the airline FF program.

2. We drive for a weekend away and don't use the credit card (I use my Visa for example). We need some kind of assistance.
- Am I covered by my Ace Insurance?

No.

Even worse, spend $16K on a J return to LHR all on your Amex, get in a cab for a 10 quid fare, taxi doesn't take Amex so you pay cash, taxi has an accident and you break both legs and puncture a lung. Guess what? You aren't covered because you didn't pay for the taxi on your Amex!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Actually, before all you had to do was hold the Plat or Centurian card. You didn't have to spend anything on it.

But this is a bit OT for this thread.

Not necessarily OT at all AW - that was one of the underlying reasons I took up Cent - you hold Cent - you were covered - now looks a bit like you hold Cent - you are screwed.

 

[awilcockson]

you hold Cent - you are screwed.

maybe, maybe not. Nothing in writing yet, but it wouldn't surprise me. I mean they have the gall to tell me that I'm covered by "world class insurance" in the first sentence of the letter where the remove just about every decent benefit from the policy.

 

[Homer]

Not necessarily OT at all AW - that was one of the underlying reasons I took up Cent - you hold Cent - you were covered - now looks a bit like you hold Cent - you are screwed.

Unless all of this discussion is just based on something that somebody said, which doesn't correspond to something that somebody else said . I think we should just take a step back and a few deep breaths on this issue until we get something in writing on Centurion letterhead. Until then it's all just speculation and the only thing it's good for is increasing your blood pressure and post count.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just received from my 'Amex Relationship Customer Care Professional':

Hi Cruiser,

I hope you are well.

Further to our phone conversation yesterday regarding the Centurion Complementary offers; please note I am still awaiting information from our database team. I should have the information by mid-day tomorrow and will send you a detailed concerning this matter.

Thanks in advance for your understanding Cruiser.

Have a great afternoon and speak soon.

Regards,
ARCCP

 

[straitman]

My bad. you are correct , but only in the past 1.5 years... They made the policy even better. Before that you had to pay "something"

Not correct.
This has applied to the Plat card for at least three years so it is a reasonable assumption the same applied to the Cent card.

 

[k3nnis]

Can I check with you guys? If I had AMEX plat charge card and I used my membership reward points transferred to say Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and then redeem an Upper Class Award return SYD-HKG, I am covered for lost baggage etc?

 

[haydensydney]

Lol Homer... your quite the difuser aren't you!

Lets see what Amex say. If it's affirmative, lets start a new thread.

 

[straitman]

.... another new thread :!:

 

[jyavenard]

Even worse, spend $16K on a J return to LHR all on your Amex, get in a cab for a 10 quid fare, taxi doesn't take Amex so you pay cash, taxi has an accident and you break both legs and puncture a lung. Guess what? You aren't covered because you didn't pay for the taxi on your Amex!!

nah!
it's not that bad
if you paid the full airfare on your amex, you are covered for your entire journey.

 

[awilcockson]

if you paid the full airfare on your amex, you are covered for your entire journey.

No you are not.

Go and have a read through the BIG thread on this, and you will find that what I've stated is correct.