Amex Platinum dropping American Airlines and US Airways lounge access

I have written a fair bit on Head for Points about the lounge access benefits of the American Express Platinum card.  Indeed, my other post today reminds you that you can even use it to access Eurostar business class lounges.

The Cathay Pacific Gold card (= BA Silver) and the two Priority Pass lounge cards are also very useful.

There has, though, been another lounge benefit for Amex Platinum cardholders.  You would receive access to lounges operated by American Airlines and US Airways if you were flying with them on an economy ticket.

This email was just received by Amex Platinum cardholders in the US though:

And, with Amex, what happens in the US tends to happen in the UK at the same time.

The pill has been sweetened for US cardholders with a $200-$500 cashback offer for the purchase of American Airlines or US Airways ‘incidental fees’ such as luggage charges or lounge passes.  I doubt that will be available here, if only because cardholders would have made less use of the benefit.

Access to Delta lounges is still available, however, when flying Delta.  And, according to the Amex Platinum UK website “bmi Business Lounges”.  Good luck with that one ….

Amex also has, interestingly, ‘American Express Platinum’ branded airport lounges in Argentina, Brazil, India and Mexico.  These can be used for free with your Platinum card – I did pop in to the Mexico City one about 8 years ago!  They have also recently started rolling out their own lounges at various US airports (eg Las Vegas) although it is not yet clear if UK Platinum card members can get access.  (EDIT: yes you can, according to the comments below.)

You can, of course, continue to gain access to American Airlines lounges for now with your Cathay Pacific Gold card.  However, these are unlikely to be renewed beyond February 2015, given that Cathay will stop issuing them to new Amex Plats in March 2014.

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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 update

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You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

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British Airways American Express Premium Plus

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The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

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Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

American Express Business Platinum

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Capital on Tap Pro Visa

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