AMEX used as a travel agent
 

I have a question, not exactly sure where to post it, but my SO wants to use American Express as a travel agent because you get special perks, evidentally, by using them (Platinum). We have 6 trips planned this year alone, and I would like some feedback as to if anyone has used this service
AMEX provides, and with what success. How reliable are they and how responsive. Since they are a big outfit, and have a good reputation, that is good, but one does lose the personal aspects of a one on one relationship with one person, someone you can sit down with and explain your needs. My SO and I have a difference of opinion on this...I think I would prefer a 'personal' relationship with someone. Any thoughts?

CecilBD,

We've used AMEX pretty often in the last few years. The service varies according to the agent you get on the phone. Just last week, I had an agent give me the wrong information on a 2 for 1 offer.

If you use their service enough, you are assigned a "personal travel counselor", but again, that person's expertise seems to vary widely.

By the way, the 2 for 1 offers are not as good as they may seem at first glance unless your workplace or your husband's is picking up the tab. I've found that we can usually get the same fares or cheaper ones by booking our tickets directly through the airlines or a website.

Also, as far as I know, you don't get miles when you book the 2 for 1 offers. You get points instead which can be used toward future trips or other perks, but I think these are not as useable as miles.

American Express Platinum Travel Service (PTS) does do a good job for booking hotels in their "Fine Hotels & Resorts" program. This is a collection of several hundred 5* hotels around the world, and you will get amenities such as free breakfasts and upgrades on arrival if available at them if you book through PTS. However, there are no such amenities if you book hotels not in their program.

You put your finger on the downside of PTS. You don't have a "personal relationship" with a travel consultant. You typically get a different person on their 800# each time you call, so you have no chance to build a relationship over the years in which your consultant gets to know you and your preferences. You have to start over each time you call them with the general parameters of the experience you're looking for.

I think a better option, if you want to work with a travel consultant, is to find one associated with Virtuoso. Virtuoso has an even larger collection of luxury properties than the AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts, and you get the same kinds of amenities. BUT... once you find an agent you like to work with, you can keep him or her. (I can offer suggestions by email). So you get all the benefits of a luxury consortium of travel agents that AMEX offers ... and all of the personalized service that your own travel consultant can come to give you over the years.

Why not work with a travel/tour consultant who understands what you are looking for and you can charge the trip on your Amex card for the points? In general, travel agents seldom spend much time exploring an area. They are usually stuck in an office selling travel, instead of traveling.

Well, I had that AMEX Platinum service (for which I paid about $300 a year) for exactly one year before I said thanks but no thanks to that.

I had exactly one request for the Platinum Concierege Service in the year that I was a member - can you you get me the contact info for the airline magazines for UA, Air France, Lufthansa, and a couple of others.

Nope, they couldn't. Oh well, not worth paying $300 a year for some mythical "platinum" service. I'm now a Premium United Member and get loads more benefits as a FF.