AMEX loses fast-track status for Shangri-La Hotels, Singapore Airlines
Your shiny American Express card will no longer include two valued hotel and airline status perks.
By David Flynn, January 6 2021
American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders are about to lose a popular perk which offered fast-track status at Shangri-La Hotels, Singapore Airlines and by extension all Star Alliance airline members (among them ANA, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, Thai and United Airlines).
That core benefit was complimentary Jade (for AMEX Platinum) and Diamond (for AMEX Centurion) membership of Shangri-La's Golden Circle rewards program.
Jade is Golden Circle's mid-level tier– sitting above Gold but below Diamond – and usually requires at least 10 hotel stays or 20 nights in a calendar year.
This delivered some welcome wins such as free breakfast, room upgrades and both early check-in and late check-out when staying with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts as well as Kerry Hotels, Traders Hotels and Hotel Jen properties.
Golden Circle Diamond status adds more comforts, led by access to Horizon Club and Traders Club hotel lounges and pressing for one suit upon arrival, once you reach 25 stays or 50 nights in a calendar year.
Both benefits are now for the boot, with Shangri-La confirming that "all membership acquisitions through American Express will be discontinued starting from March 31, 2021."
Shangri-La's KrisFlyer Gold shortcut
This also removes the ability of AMEX-minted Golden Circle Jade and Diamond members to leverage the Shangri-La group's alliance with Singapore Airlines to attain Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold status after as little as one Singapore Airlines or SilkAir flight.
And that unlocked valuable frequent flyer perks such as priority checkin and airport lounge access on all Star Alliance airlines.
Sadly, this cascading set of benefits will vanish as of April 1.
Any American Express Platinum or Centurion cardholders who've not yet taken advantage of the offer should make sure they enrol in Shangri-La’s Golden Circle Jade or Diamond membership before 31 March 2021.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
18 Jul 2018
Total posts 36
Disappointing but not really surprising. AMEX cards have consistently been increasing in cost and reducing the benefits included; while also devaluing the points. They must be testing loyal card holders; here in AU with such limited options to use the points with no international travel available it's getting harder to see the value in the cards.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
12 Sep 2011
Total posts 332
Yes too true major devaluation yet increased cost - and difficult to use the free trave lcredit - the Plat Charge Card is really only useful when you can travel. Amex USA are offering major incenticves and rebates to their much lower priced Platinum Charge Cards
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
12 Sep 2011
Total posts 332
And Bloomberg.com AmEx Revamps Platinum Perks Again in Bid to retain customers 05/01/20201 11.10 Easter Standard Time USA
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
12 Sep 2011
Total posts 332
link here https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-05/amex-revamps-platinum-perks-again-in-bid-to-retain-customers obviously US based cards
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2018
Total posts 3
They've reduced the card benefits on Platinum Charge/Centurion so much now - it's hard to see why anyone would want these now? Compared to, say, the Platinum Edge which is effectively 'free' with the $200 travel voucher.
08 Jan 2021
Total posts 1
Amex keeps removing benefits while their Annual Fee was not reduced. I am a Platinum Charge Card member based in Hong Kong. Over the past few years, they had removed HK$2,000 Grand Hyatt Hong Kong dining coupons, and the new Platinum Charge Card members are only given 2 Supplementary Cards (instead of 4 previously) and now the Shangri-La benefits are gone.
Amex claimed that they would try to find a replacement for Shangri-La but I don't think they would. They should either upgrade our Marriott Gold membership to Platinum (Gold is just useless with the 2pm late check out and that's it, and not even Club Lounge access or free breakfast like what Hilton Gold or Shangri-La Jade provide), or find a new partner such as Hyatt.
I am truly disappointed at Amex.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 Jun 2017
Total posts 4
yeah, its truly disappointing, i cancelled my card last year over the phone and all they said they will send me the final bill. then i received a email a few days later saying that they're sorry to see me go........lol
QF0779006
01 Oct 2012
Total posts 2
In Australia the benefits of full Platinum are totally diminished. When we had reciprocal Platinum status with Accor I felt the expense was worthwhile, although that was over 4 years ago now and everything has diminished since then. In the past 12 months with travel restrictions, the insurance as well as the ability to get travel goods not delivered as a ‘cash back’ for travel paid with my Platinum AMEX, has caused me more grief than I can describe - AMEX was totally useless and complaints to them caused me even more distress. The $1450 fee for Australians is outrageous for what is currently on offer in a low travel environment. My dealings with AMEX to reduce this fee in the current ‘no travel’ been useless ... AMEX platinum in Australia is not worth the money they charge
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