Amex Expands Economy Flight Discounts for Platinum Cardholders

Enhanced Benefits for Platinum Cardholders

Recently, American Express unveiled some changes regarding the American Express Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card®. These updates bring both good and not-so-good news for cardholders.

Economy Class Discounts

First up is the expansion of the premium flight discount program to include domestic economy fares. The newly launched Platinum Member Airfares portal will consolidate and replace the previous international airfare program. Now, eligible cardholders can access discounts from a variety of airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas.

Amex states that members can save about 10%, equivalent to $100 on each international flight ticket in premium economy, business, and first class. Notably, this program also includes savings on domestic economy tickets from participating airlines.

Bonus Points from Ticket Transactions

When booking tickets directly with airlines or through Amex Travel®, cardholders will earn 5 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent. This not only helps them save money but also allows them to accumulate miles for other airline loyalty programs. Additionally, customers can share these offers with up to seven other passengers on the same reservation.

End of Lufthansa Lounge Access

On the downside, starting October 1, Amex will terminate its lounge access agreement with Lufthansa. Under the current arrangement, American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can enter Lufthansa's Business Lounge when flying economy and access the more exclusive Senator Lounge when flying business class.

Centurion cardholders currently enjoy access to the First Class lounges at Frankfurt and Munich airports regardless of their ticket class. However, from October onward, these privileges will no longer be available. The only exception is if a Lufthansa lounge is part of the Priority Pass network, in which case cardholders can use their complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (registration required) for access.

Overall Assessment of the Changes

The launch of the Platinum Member Airfares platform will significantly benefit Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders, allowing them to enjoy discounts on domestic flight tickets. However, the loss of access to Lufthansa lounges is a major setback for frequent flyers of this airline.

Keep in mind that there’s only until the end of September to take advantage of this lounge access and to plan your trips for the upcoming fall season. Losing this perk will undoubtedly impact many travelers heading to Europe.

To learn more, you can check out detailed reviews of the American Express Platinum and American Express Business Platinum cards.