Priority Pass - Change to exclude restaurants

[SeaWolf]

TGM is still appearing on the list here:

American Express

global.americanexpress.com

whereas other restaurants have been removed, so it's hopeful it might still be included.

 

[Daver6]

A few things/thoughts

1) I presume there will need be some official communication from Amex about this?
2) I understand this was abused. Surely implementing a once per day policy would have sufficed?
3) What does this mean for PP card that just include two free visits per year. Ie the one with Platinum Reserve card.

 

[SeaWolf]

1) I presume there will need be some official communication from Amex about this?

A few people on another forum I frequent are reporting that they're getting a banner about this when they log into their AmEx account on the website. Might be worth checking that.

 

[amaroo]

From what I can tell mrsamaroo's BOQ specialist issued PP is still good.... not that we've ever used this benefit.

 

[aikman]

I would have thought that Amex just purchases a 'Prestige' membership (which offers unlimited visits) from PP for a fixed price, in which case Amex shouldn't care how many visits a customer makes.

If high restaurant visits are indeed the reason for this policy change, then it must mean that Amex does not buy the PP membership for a fixed price and that Amex must have to pay for each visit despite offering an unlimited PP membership.

 

[dec540]

I would have thought that Amex just purchases a 'Prestige' membership (which offers unlimited visits) from PP for a fixed price, in which case Amex shouldn't care how many visits a customer makes.

If high restaurant visits are indeed the reason for this policy change, then it must mean that Amex does not buy the PP membership for a fixed price and that Amex must have to pay for each visit despite offering an unlimited PP membership.

That or PP noticed a discrepancy in the use of this benefit from AMEX cardholders vs other demographics and didn't offer AMEX the same fixed price to renew memberships this year. All speculation of course.

 

[daft009]

i find it unfair, all the negative changes of the US card come here, but none of the positives

 

[DavidFlynn]

1) I presume there will need be some official communication from Amex about this?
2) I understand this was abused. Surely implementing a once per day policy would have sufficed?
3) What does this mean for PP card that just include two free visits per year. Ie the one with Platinum Reserve card.

1. Banner went up on AMEX AU website this morning and also emails to cardholders were supposed to be sent today
2.I'd suggest that if people were abusing the system then once a day would still allow plenty of abuse – anybody who is abusing the system will with >1 visit per day will be in a position to still visit once per day. Maybe AMEX should have capped it at something like X visits per month, which could at least be more logically spread out by a true frequent flyer?
3. I believe this means zero f&b as of August 1, although lounge visits remain.

 

[DC3]

… and I thought that I had enough reasons, already, to cancel the Charge card next year.

 

[DavidFlynn]

… and I thought that I had enough reasons, already, to cancel the Charge card next year.

It certainly will make me re-assess the card's overall value. I've really begun to appreciate the lounge access when overseas and flying in non-J on airlines where I hold no status, but the Priority Pass f&b allowance was very useful for me in SYD T2.

 

[ndro777]

Does this mean that the only lounge Amex card holder can use in Sydney (flying non virgin) can only use Rex lounge? Pretty coughpy.

 

[Bell21]

Does this mean that the only lounge Amex card holder can use in Sydney (flying non virgin) can only use Rex lounge? Pretty coughpy.

Yep - that's my understanding, but hey, that Rex Lounge is pretty cool (I've never been, but assume it's very similar to the Melbourne one) - lol

 

[ndro777]

Yep - that's my understanding, but hey, that Rex Lounge is pretty cool (I've never been, but assume it's very similar to the Melbourne one) - lol

Thanks.
Hmm, I will definitely reevaluate continuing my platinum charge card in the next few months. I bet there are lots that will.

 

[Bell21]

Yes, no doubt, although I never seemed to have enough time to use the restaurants, so I typically use the lounge access, so given I haven't really used it, I'm not going to miss it, but from the sounds of it, others will - my sense is that restaurant access was a good idea, but it sounds like its implementation was poorly thought through from a 'process control' perspective and AMEX decided to pull the pin on it

 

[DavidFlynn]

Yep - that's my understanding, but hey, that Rex Lounge is pretty cool (I've never been, but assume it's very similar to the Melbourne one) - lol

As a certain airline might say, “some frequent flyers describe the Rez lounge as like a mini-Qantas Club”.

 

[opusman]

I would have thought that Amex just purchases a 'Prestige' membership (which offers unlimited visits) from PP for a fixed price, in which case Amex shouldn't care how many visits a customer makes.

It wasn't a standard Prestige membership though, because guests were free through Amex and are paid for under a normal Prestige.

 

[serfty]

Does this mean that the only lounge Amex card holder can use in Sydney (flying non virgin) can only use Rex lounge? Pretty coughpy.

Domestically yes, but there is the Amex Lounge airside at T1.

 

[kpc]

Well I guess if benefits get abused, they will end. I have heard of the following anecdotes:
1) airport workers going to restaurant every day for free lunch /dinner...before BP was needed 2) single traveller ordering 2x$36 worth of food (I'm sure the restaurant didn't mind as they got paid by PP), 3) going to multiple restaurants on the same day including at departure and arrival airports etc 4) ordering takeaway when arriving at destination airport 5) various permutations of above. It only takes 1 bad apple but in this case there were many bad apples...so there goes a great benefit for those who didn't abuse the system. Reminds me of the now ended "Qf lounge anytime access" which was abused eg where a non travelling Plat member would bring 2 mates every Friday evening for drinks...

 

[maccaisking]

Given this is a worldwide change, it’s likely it has been costing Amex a lot of money worldwide, not just in Aus. I feel bad for restaurants (the ones who did not allow abuse of the rules) as they are going to be very big losers from this change.

 

[amaroo]

Had another look at wife's BOQ visa card. It's good for unlimited priority pass visits for two people. The PP restaurants benefit is still active and valid for use.

The card is not for everyone, but if you fit the criteria and like the PP benefits .... it might work for you.