Reduction in Amex lounge benefits?

[Arowana]

This is absolute bs, now I don't know what to do, there's always 3 of us travelling and we are able to get into many PP lounges thanks to the supp card having a membership. Now this won't be possible unless we get a second card with Priority Pass or just pay for the 3rd person.

100% this is exactly my issue as well.

 

[bullerdude]

This is the tipping point for me that now brings me to the end of my Amex relationship, I have decided to dump the card, the priority pass for the additional card holder was a key benefit.

Likewise. This means no more ability to bring my immediate family into most lounges (I.e., 2 adults, 2 kids). Very disappointing and very likely I will be cancelling this in the near future when the benefits actually end.

 

[Aeryn]

If each adult gets a card in their own right (not the companion card) then each of you can still guest one child.

 

[Hunter4vr]

If each adult gets a card in their own right (not the companion card) then each of you can still guest one child.

Yeah, so now you're forced to pay an additional $1450 per year to continue receiving the same level of benefit as you did prior to this change... heaps good.

 

[Aeryn]

Yeah, so now you're forced to pay an additional $1450 per year to continue receiving the same level of benefit as you did prior to this change... heaps good.

There are cheaper Amex cards that come with lounge access, especially when perhaps all 4 of you dont fly together as frequently as you may solo.

You could also cancel and look at separate priority pass membership, if that is going to be better value?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There are cheaper Amex cards that come with lounge access, especially when perhaps all 4 of you dont fly together as frequently as you may solo.

You could also cancel and look at separate priority pass membership, if that is going to be better value?

Or just question whether lounge access is really a necessity?

PP lounges are so packed these days… often see queues out the door at airports in Europe, India, China and Hong Kong. Even Sydney has lines out the door and inside good luck finding seats for 2.

While I use the AMEX lounges regularly, I’ve only used PP maybe two or three times in the last couple years.

 

[Chrizztofa]

Disappointing changes but I'll hold my fire until I see how Amex compares to the rest of the market. I imagine the banks will start cutting benefits on their top tier cards as well (complimentary visits etc).

Like many here I've used the companion Priority Pass to help my family get into lounges. Looks like VA lounge access is unaffected at this point which is a small win, at least.

Not really relevant to my circumstances, but I wonder if the changes also affect Centurion cards...

 

[Superhappykid]

Likewise. This means no more ability to bring my immediate family into most lounges (I.e., 2 adults, 2 kids). Very disappointing and very likely I will be cancelling this in the near future when the benefits actually end.

You can still bring in kids under 17 for free right? It's just if you have adult kids it's an issue.

On a related note, I understand the upset because as my kids get older it will become an issue for me. So I am wondering to those who are cancelling. What card will you sign up to which allows lounge access for 4 people (I assume this is the issue at hand?)

 

[HMcM]

I don't use the AmEx lounges all that often, but has that been a problem at SYD and MEL?

I did almost get turned away from the Melbourne lounge on a Monday afternoon earlier in the year. My issue with the Melbourne lounge is that it really is quite small, much smaller than the Centurion lounges in the US.

 

[Arowana]

I have never come across the 17 rule, I guess it depends on the lounge, for us even with younger kids we have had to have them go through as a guest on the PP card

 

[GrahamBRI]

You can still bring in kids under 17 for free right? It's just if you have adult kids it's an issue.

That is based on the local rules for each lounge. Typically they refer to kids under 2 as free.
The PP App has the age in the App under conditions

 

[Kilo]

they have absolutely gutted the platinum benefits in the past 12 months

 

[AdMEL]

Sydney is a zoo. But at least Sydney has Plaza Premium, and The House as alternative options

So does MEL.

 

[cwd]

all these enhancements for oz with the highest annual fee in the world

The Australian card doesn't have the highest annual fee. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore cards are all higher, and arguably offer less.

 

[Johnxx]

Tightening up lounge access will help with overcrowding, so the changes do have a silver lining

and both changes I see as reducing kids in the lounge so a double bonus - these changes are actually benefits for solo travellers

 

[Captain Halliday]

I doubt the timing of this announcement is a coincidence.

Amex will be banking on plenty of people blaming today’s RBA announcement on surcharges.

 

[playbargain]

The RBA change today is just an excuse for Amex to cut all these benefits. It doesn't bloody affect them at all.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I understand it's the retailers who are banned to pass on a card surcharge, they'll now recoup this cost via increase in price you pay for the product / service instead. The banks are still charging payment processing fees right, just being passed on via another means by the retailer. How is this affecting Amex.

I'd have been ok if they placed a limit on additional PP visit to stop abuse. The PP is useless in Australia most time unless flying Virgin, so it only gets used when flying international for me which is only once or twice a year. To cut it completely is just low.

 

[Saizo]

The RBA change today is just an excuse for Amex to cut all these benefits. It doesn't bloody affect them at all.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I understand it's the retailers who are banned to pass on a card surcharge, they'll now recoup this cost via increase in price you pay for the product / service instead. The banks are still charging payment processing fees right, just being passed on via another means by the retailer. How is this affecting Amex.

I'd have been ok if they placed a limit on additional PP visit to stop abuse. The PP is useless in Australia most time unless flying Virgin, so it only gets used when flying international for me which is only once or twice a year. To cut it completely is just low.

It does affect them. To maintain market share they will need to maintain competitiveness in interchange rates or see sliding in AMEX acceptance by merchants. Essentially this is case of RBA regulating "the market" and the market then influencing AMEX.

 

[Brucetiki]

Sydney is a zoo. But at least Sydney has Plaza Premium, and The House as alternative options

Sydney was a zoo when we used it the other week, but there seemed to be a fast turnover as it was only a 5-10 minute wait to get a table, and there were several staff sorting out tables to people as they came in.

So while very busy, the staff were very efficient in accommodating patrons

 

[Brucetiki]

I have a Qantas Amex Ultimate, and so far have only been advised of the increase in the foreign currency fee.

Nothing on any reduction on Centurion lounge access