A credit card offer worth considering....
If you're at all like us, you probably get literally 3 or 4 credit card offers per week if not more. Most of them get shreded and thrown away without even being opened, but the other day we did get a credit card offer that seemed to be a pretty decent deal if you're a business owner.
It's American Express's Business Platinum card. It's got a pretty steep annual fee ($400), but the rewards pay for itself pretty quickly. Here's the things we really like about it....
1. 4 Complimentary Domestic Companion Flights Per Year. So when you buy a ticket, you get a free companion flight four times a year. The airlines that apply are American, United, Northwest, Delta, US Airways, and Continential. Pretty good deal for Katie and I since we travel together all the time now. The $400 annual fee gets covered automatically with this feature alone.
2. Free access to airport lounges on select airlines. If you've ever searched around in an airport terminal looking for a stupid outlet you know how nice the cool luxury lounges are! :) This card gets you (and 2 companion fliers in your group) in for free at the American Airlines Admiral's Club, Delta's Crown Room Club, and Northwest's World Clubs. It's a bummer United's Red Carpet Club isn't on the list, but maybe the'll add that one later. We almost always fly American anyway though, so it works out well for us.
3. Automatic Room Upgrades. Again, we travel a lot so this is a nice feature. Automatic room upgrades at over 600 locations (given availability upon checkin), guaranteed 4PM checkout, complimentary continential breakfasts, etc etc.
4. Complimentary International First Place Companion Seats. So if you ante up and purchase a first class or business class seat you get a free one for your spouce or whoever is flying with you.
The other cool thing is that if you pay an extra $200 you get another card (since there are two of us, it's nice for us to both have one) and with that other card you get an additional 4 complimentary Domestic Companion flights. The guy at Amex clued us into this when we called. The main reason we decided to get the second card was because the particular offer we had gave us a $200 statement credit when we signed up, so essentially the $200 fee for the card was cancelled out with the statement credit.
Don't worry--I'm not getting paid to endorse this card or anything, but we decided this might be a good one to jump on board with and for any of you other husband-wife teams who travel quite a bit, this might be a great opportunity. Hope it helps!
Just found your site by looking at template-based photography site hosts...your work is absolutely amazing! I love your "Lifestyle" portfolio.
I've also enjoy browsing through your blog...I like how there is so much variety to it...I've added you to my list of feeds to keep up with.
Question about that card: I went to American Express and the very same card you mentioned says it comes with "No Annual Fee" and doesn't mention anything about those "pluses." I know I'm missing something somewhere, but I can't find it. Could you possibly give a link, or a number to call to find out more?
Thanks!
Posted by: Brandon Price | January 31, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Excellent!
Posted by: J Sandfier | January 31, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Chris,
Amex is sweet! One of my favorite companies. I had this card for two years, and really never used all the benefits. I found the JetBlue Amex worked way better for me, due to my location in the country. http://www.jetblue.com/about/corptravel/about_corpOpenBusiness.html
You are totally smart to post this! Every photographer should have one of these in their pocket!
Posted by: erich camping | February 01, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Hey Brandon!
Try this...
https://www143.americanexpress.com/cards/home.do#CARDS/137/1/0/3
Posted by: Chris Humphreys | February 01, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Darn, I have this card.. how did I miss this? Thanks for posting this Chris.
Posted by: Brian Khang | February 03, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Great tip!! We use AMEX in our business already, but this card's perks are definitely worth the fee. Sweet!! Thanks!
Posted by: polina | February 06, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Hmm, that's strange.. On their website it says no annual fee.
http://www133.americanexpress.com/osbn/landing/cardbenefits/pb002_benefitsListing.asp#rewards
Maybe that is something different? Thanks for the info, though!
Posted by: Stacy Reeves | February 06, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I'm a big fan of Amex cards. Have you received your companion certificates? I'm curious because it used to be that they only applied to tickets booked in "full fare economy" class (which almost no one does). If they have changed this, its really a fantastic deal for couples.
Two other cards to keep in mind are their SPG card, which is the absolute best in terms of accumulating miles (1.25 miles per dollar), and their Delta one is a pretty close second (they ran a lot of 2x1 and 3x1 mileage specials on it).
-Dave
Posted by: David Wittig | February 06, 2008 at 04:08 PM
ooooh ooh, good stuff man!
Posted by: rachel@mergeweddings.com | February 07, 2008 at 09:01 AM
this card is sweet, i have one and they are insanely cool, good on your for sharing this!
Posted by: mike larson | February 08, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Hi, Chris!
Just a note to say HOWDY from your writer friend at Rangefinder Magazine. I've kept an eye on you and you've be blooming and growing at a wonderful rate! Take a minute and tell me what's new, okay? Maybe tell me THREE NEW THINGS!
And also, inquiring minds want to know if my personal writing and interviewing, for you helped you in any way. Are you going to WPPI this year? I hope so--I'll get you a latte or a merlot and we could chat. I am a speaker for the first time, in such a large forum. I have a masters class in --you could guess this! WORDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I call it SWAT--for Speaking, Writing And Teaching (about photography.) Check it out at WPPI online.
This post comes with all my best wishes for 2008! Smiles from CharMaine
Posted by: CharMaine Beleele | February 09, 2008 at 02:27 PM
http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2007/open_plat.asp
Complimentary Domestic Companion Airfare(1). OPEN from American Express is offering a new Domestic Companion Airfare Program that allows Card members to receive a complimentary companion airfare when they take a business associate, friend or family member on a Coach Class flight to and from any of the 50 United States. Business Platinum Card members can enjoy this benefit up to four times each year.
________________________________________
Complimentary ticket must have the same itinerary with departure and return on the same flights as the paid ticket, and is subject to all government fees, taxes, charges.
Fares lower than $299.00 and $899.00, respectively, do not qualify for this offer.
Companion travel award limited to domestic coach class round-trip fares only.
Reservations require a minimum seven (7) day advance purchase and a Saturday or two-night stay at your destination.
Posted by: rachel@mergeweddings.com | February 11, 2008 at 12:42 AM
some more info:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/03/08/platinum-card-finally-gets-me/
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=666178
Posted by: rachel@mergeweddings.com | February 11, 2008 at 01:26 AM
There are a lots of card companies sending out cc's to people or business owners. Not all are attracted to this credit card for some reasons like annual fees and hidden charges
Posted by: Free 3 Credit Reports | February 03, 2009 at 01:21 AM
Their are tons of great credit card offers sent on email. But the sad thing on it despite of the fabulous offers, most people don't tend to open when they see from the title itself that it was another credit card offer.
Posted by: Best Credit Cards in Australia | March 21, 2009 at 09:55 AM