Comments on: Is Visa’s new Black Card worthy of the hype? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Airport photo: No Amex Black Cards accepted | Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-28996 Airport photo: No Amex Black Cards accepted | Upgrade: Travel Better Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:16:37 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-28996 [...] - Is Visa’s new Black Card worthy of the hype? - How can I upgrade flights using American Express? - In defense of reward-earning credit cards [...] [...] – Is Visa’s new Black Card worthy of the hype? – How can I upgrade flights using American Express? – In defense of reward-earning credit cards [...]

]]> By: SF Kevin http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-28690 SF Kevin Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:38:17 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-28690 Actually, as a current Amex Platinum cardholder, I can tell you from personal experience that you get both the "baked in" lounge access with the card, plus the ticket from the same airline, AND Priority Pass membership. Actually, as a current Amex Platinum cardholder, I can tell you from personal experience that you get both the “baked in” lounge access with the card, plus the ticket from the same airline, AND Priority Pass membership.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-26717 Hannah Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:33:21 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-26717 I talked to the pr staff of Barclay's Bank, which issues the Visa Black Card, to get some more details -- particularly on the concierge service. The concierge service seems like a pretty good deal. Here's what I found out. Love your blog by the way. http://blog.inc.com/quick-hits/2009/01/the_skinny_on_the_visa_black_c.html I talked to the pr staff of Barclay’s Bank, which issues the Visa Black Card, to get some more details — particularly on the concierge service. The concierge service seems like a pretty good deal. Here’s what I found out. Love your blog by the way.

http://blog.inc.com/quick-hits/2009/01/the_skinny_on_the_visa_black_c.html

]]> By: Roundup: Jenn Brown names best L.A. bars to watch the Super Bowl; Southwest sale; Is the Visa Black card for you? - Travel - LATimes.com http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-26716 Roundup: Jenn Brown names best L.A. bars to watch the Super Bowl; Southwest sale; Is the Visa Black card for you? - Travel - LATimes.com Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:17:29 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-26716 [...] travel | Were you considering applying for the Visa Black Card? Upgrade Travel Better analyzes its merits–and weighs it against the black Amex Centurion card–so you can be [...] [...] travel | Were you considering applying for the Visa Black Card? Upgrade Travel Better analyzes its merits–and weighs it against the black Amex Centurion card–so you can be [...]

]]> By: Wandering Aramean http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-26664 Wandering Aramean Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:09:23 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-26664 The Amex Platinum Card in the USA doesn't include a Priority Pass. It includes access to Continental, Delta, Northwest and American lounges when flying on the operating carrier. The benefit is VERY different. Still, I agree with the assessment that this Visa card is pretty much a joke at the price they are asking. Heck, the free Sak's card offers the basic PPass membership ($27/visit). The Amex Platinum Card in the USA doesn’t include a Priority Pass. It includes access to Continental, Delta, Northwest and American lounges when flying on the operating carrier. The benefit is VERY different.

Still, I agree with the assessment that this Visa card is pretty much a joke at the price they are asking. Heck, the free Sak’s card offers the basic PPass membership ($27/visit).

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-26663 Mark Ashley Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:12:21 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-26663 Thanks, Xeon. The Citi Platinum Amex you mention sounds like a solid card, indeed. Here's a link: https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=927 As you point out, the Citi Platinum Amex has the "entry level" Priority Pass membership, with a few day passes included, just like the Barclays Visa Black Card. With regard to the "regular" platinum Amex, I just checked the <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=EReIzb1idUs&offerid=169618.10001770&type=3&subid=0" rel="nofollow">fine print</a> regarding airport lounge benefits, and there is no mention of Priority Pass at all. Instead, if you're flying on American, Northwest, or Delta, you have access to <em>most</em> of their lounges. If you're flying other airlines, you're out of luck. BUT, you don't have any additional fees, and you can bring guests for free. Here's the fine print: <blockquote>Access airport lounges around the world, including American Airlines Admirals Club®, Continental Airlines Presidents Club®, Delta Crown Room Club®, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs®, compliments of the Airport Club Access Program. The Platinum Card® member must be traveling. Name on ticket must match name on Platinum Card. The Platinum Card member must be 18 years of age for American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounges and 21 years of age to enter into all other Airport Club Lounges without a parent or guardian. The Platinum Card member's spouse and children under the age of 21 or up to two companions may enter the club as complimentary guests. Code-share and affiliated lounge agreements do not apply. Special industry reduced revenue tickets are not eligible with Delta and American Airlines. The Platinum Card member must present his or her valid Card, government-issued I.D., and airline ticket to club agents. Complimentary access is specifically for the airport club that corresponds to the airline operating the flight (access pertains to the aircraft, not the flight number) except with respect to American Airlines marketed code share flights with an American Airlines flight number which are also eligible for complimentary access to the lounge. Note that amenities may vary among airport club locations. Meeting rooms may be reserved for a nominal fee. Card members must adhere to all house rules of participating clubs. For a list of participating airport club locations, call 800-525-3355. Partners and locations subject to change.</blockquote> Thanks, Xeon. The Citi Platinum Amex you mention sounds like a solid card, indeed. Here’s a link:
https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=927

As you point out, the Citi Platinum Amex has the “entry level” Priority Pass membership, with a few day passes included, just like the Barclays Visa Black Card. With regard to the “regular” platinum Amex, I just checked the fine print regarding airport lounge benefits, and there is no mention of Priority Pass at all. Instead, if you’re flying on American, Northwest, or Delta, you have access to most of their lounges. If you’re flying other airlines, you’re out of luck. BUT, you don’t have any additional fees, and you can bring guests for free. Here’s the fine print:

Access airport lounges around the world, including American Airlines Admirals Club®, Continental Airlines Presidents Club®, Delta Crown Room Club®, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs®, compliments of the Airport Club Access Program.

The Platinum Card® member must be traveling. Name on ticket must match name on Platinum Card. The Platinum Card member must be 18 years of age for American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounges and 21 years of age to enter into all other Airport Club Lounges without a parent or guardian. The Platinum Card member’s spouse and children under the age of 21 or up to two companions may enter the club as complimentary guests. Code-share and affiliated lounge agreements do not apply. Special industry reduced revenue tickets are not eligible with Delta and American Airlines. The Platinum Card member must present his or her valid Card, government-issued I.D., and airline ticket to club agents. Complimentary access is specifically for the airport club that corresponds to the airline operating the flight (access pertains to the aircraft, not the flight number) except with respect to American Airlines marketed code share flights with an American Airlines flight number which are also eligible for complimentary access to the lounge. Note that amenities may vary among airport club locations. Meeting rooms may be reserved for a nominal fee. Card members must adhere to all house rules of participating clubs. For a list of participating airport club locations, call 800-525-3355. Partners and locations subject to change.

]]> By: Xeon http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/01/26/is-visas-new-black-card-worthy-of-the-hype/#comment-26662 Xeon Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:40:25 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2135#comment-26662 Citi's Platinum Amex comes with the same Priority Pass level, and costs only $125/yr, with the first year fee waived, and actually has some good rewards - an unheard of 3 TY points per $ on EVERYTHING for the first 2 years, and 5 points per $ on Gas, Groceries, and Drugstores. Even with the elimination of fixed point flights, it is still a much better deal than the Barclay's card. Citi’s Platinum Amex comes with the same Priority Pass level, and costs only $125/yr, with the first year fee waived, and actually has some good rewards – an unheard of 3 TY points per $ on EVERYTHING for the first 2 years, and 5 points per $ on Gas, Groceries, and Drugstores. Even with the elimination of fixed point flights, it is still a much better deal than the Barclay’s card.

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