Yesterday I let you know about changes to the AMEX Platinum card. And via Doctor of Credit, there’s another change we didn’t know about!
The AMEX Platinum cards, including the personal card, business card, or Mercedes-Benz card, will soon offer the cardmember AND 2 guests free access to Priority Pass lounges. Before, you had to pay $27 per guest. So this is great for folks who travel a lot with family and friends.
Here’s more about this news.
Another AMEX Platinum Card Update
Link: AMEX Platinum Changes: New $200 Annual Uber Credit, 5X on Hotels, Increased Annual Fee
Link: AMEX Platinum Updates
According to the American Express representatives I spoke with, starting March 30, 2017, AMEX Platinum cardholders can bring up to 2 guests with them into Priority Pass lounges for free. Previously, guest passes cost $27 per person.
Doctor of Credit reports these changes went into effect February 21, 2017, but AMEX didn’t publicize it. Commenters report being told different dates when they’ve called AMEX to confirm.
It’s strange they wouldn’t want to let cardmembers know about a positive change! And there are conflicting reports about when these changes happened. So I’d recommend checking with American Express and Priority Pass regarding your account if you plan to use the perk soon.
But it brings the AMEX Platinum card more in-line with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige cards, as far as lounge access goes.
Folks with the Citi Prestige can bring 2 guests or immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, children under 18 years of age) into the lounge for no extra charge. And the Chase Sapphire Reserve allows folks to bring traveling companions to the lounge for free.
And don’t forget, if you want to get the AMEX Platinum card before the annual fee increases, you need to apply before March 30, 2017!
Bottom Line
Starting March 30, 2017, AMEX Platinum cardholders, including folks with the personal, small business, and Mercedes-Benz card, can now bring up to 2 guests to Priority Pass lounges for free.
This is good news for cardholders who travel a lot with friends and family! Because Priority Pass guest passes used to cost $27 per person.
With this added perk, the AMEX Platinum cards are more in-line with the Citi Prestige and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, that both offer free lounge access to a certain number of guests.
What do you think of this change?
Not fully in line with Chase sapphire reserve, seeing as Amex is increasing their fee. They hint at additional benefits not listed in the email. But I’m going to have to wait and see if the total benefits package make it worth keeping the card at this higher price when I have the Chase reserve as well.
This still isn’t enough to tempt me into keeping the Amex Platinum which I’ve had for decades. I’m canceling it next month when I’m up for renewal. When they dropped Admirals Club (and the great benefit that offered for my additional cardholders), they just never made it up to me. It isn’t worth it anymore, especially with the fee increase. Reserve is a much better option for me (and its Priority Pass is still superior to the improved Amex version). It really depends on your travel patterns. I use Uber only on occasion, use AirBnB, etc. much more than hotels because we often travel for months at a time so the hotel status doesn’t effect me often. I’ve got 3 overlapping Global Entry/PreCheck bennies. The travel credit is lame (although I maximize it with gift cards). I’m using the 5x miles on airline purchases, but those are only small regional flights since long-hauls are usually on miles. I’ll miss Centurion Club, but not enough to justify $550/year. (I loved how the email from Amex touted “new benefits!” then finally got around to mentioning the increased fee…and 3 “free” additional Gold cards, i.e., $100 for the 3 Golds instead of $175 for 3 Platinums. Not impressed.)
Good information. A couple of questions, though:
Can you pay for the fourth person if you have a party of four? Presumably yes, but better to ask.
I remember hearing something about there being two different levels of Priority Pass. Is that correct, and if so, will platinum cards give partial or full access?
Here’s a question for you; What if someone has an authorized Amex Plat but it’s the Ameriprise version. Can the authorized user on that card also bring in two others?
In your last paragraph, you state that AMEX is now inline with Chase Reserve… I cannot find anywhere printed that states as a Chase Reserve cardholder with Priority Pass Select membership I’m able to bring in guests at no charge. Can you list a source for that, or correct if that in fact is not true?
Peter, that’s true, I do it all the time without issue.