Buy a Ticket Claim a Companion Aeroplan Reward Question

January 7th, 2009 by admin

I am thinking of going to CDG for a week in September and taking the wife along. ;) I was thinking of using the buy a ticket claim a companion ticket as a way of reducing the miles I would need to purchase my wife's ticket yet guarentee J class for both of us.

The problem is that it is only good for J, Y, or S bookings. The only booking coming up for YYZ-CDG is a C class booking. Do I have to pay the full J fare to get the discount or is it extended to the C class fare under the new rules. All the new rules with International and domestic differences have me very confused.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Is the Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum card valid with S?

Sorry, it has been changed this year. Last year, it was eligible presumably in conjunction with AC's roll out the "Club Class", now called "Premium Economy". "S" was dropped in this year's coupon, silently.

It is always a problem for nonSEs to deal with both award and revenue bookings with the same agent. This is because calls are routed to separate call centres and agents depending upon the type of transaction you are dealing with. This is partly a union thing, partly practical use of resources. And part as a result of the separation of AE into a separate company. AC/AE were able to overcome this issue for SEs through a special exemption with the union for a limited number of agents so it could offer one-stop shopping for both types of transactions.

As the link shows, there are a few other differences from past years.

As for not wanting to deal with Amex, that's a pretty expensive decision since you could have saved close to $5K and almost 100K AE miles by using the AeroPlat card's 2nd ticket fee. (Doesn't the CIBC AeroGold offer the same offer?)

Thanks Clipper,

I refuse to use AMEX over a delinquint issues of $0.02 (yes, you are reading it right 2 cents about five years ago) Anyway, I don't need the points so a 2 for 1 on BA would be a good option with my certificate from diners.

Thanks for the advice I may look at this one.

Can I add my 2 cents here? :p :D

AMEX has treated me both excellent and like crap.
I like the 2 for 1 deal plus the 50% bonus miles.I am just a number
to them and they are just a phone number to me as well :)

Fare basis must begin with J, S or Y. (So C won't qualify)

What if I buy a one-way Y class, upgrade to I and then want to book a one-way award companion ticket in economy (so I would sit in a different cabin from my companion). Is this still eligible for BATCAT?

As for the $0.02, principles are one thing, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face!

I guess we are different on this note. I will never use Amex again after being sent to their collections department and yelled at by someone over $.02 that should have never been put on my account in the first place since they made the error. I refuse to give these people any of my money, whether that is an annual fee or the percentage they get from any spending I do.

They are very stupid people from a customers service perspective and I am very well aware that I am not the only person this has happened too.

They are very stupid people from a customers service perspective and I am very well aware that I am not the only person this has happened too.

sad to hear that you had such a negative experience. i've been with amex plat since 1989 and i have never had a bad experience. in fact, if i could have done all my banking with them i would have. though you might get the occasional clueless individual, i have found them to be overall very helpful and respectful. the few disagreements i've had with them, they have always deferred to me. i can't understand why someone would have chewed you out over 0,02 cents? though it's none of my business.

anyway, just another viewpoint.

... As for not wanting to deal with Amex, that's a pretty expensive decision since you could have saved close to $5K and almost 100K AE miles by using the AeroPlat card's 2nd ticket fee. (Doesn't the CIBC AeroGold offer the same offer?)

The BATCAT for YHZ-PEK and HKG-YHZ was 75k AE points plus the various taxes and fees, which were a couple of hundred dollars.

As far as I can recollect from using my CIBC companion certificate last year (as Clipper801 points out, the only year they offered it), I had to pay all the regular taxes and fees as well. I presume the same thing applies to the AMEX companion ticket.

I understand your point, though. The AMEX AeroPlat card "costs" less than 75K AE points. I'm not always rational; it's part of my charm. :D My wife and I will probably make another big trip like this in 07, so I may reconsider my approach next time.

My PEK-HKG is booked on KA in J. Kinda looking forward to seeing what they offer in business.

[QUOTE]I like the 2 for 1 deal plus the 50% bonus meals.

I only get bonus miles...you must have cut a good deal with them. ;)

I am just a number
to them

Can we have the expiry date as well? :D

and they are just a phone number to me as well :)

hmmmmmmmm there's a good shot in there somewhere. :D

No, the CIBC Aerogold Visa no longer has this feature and that was the primary reason why I ditched the CIBC Aerogold for an Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum. In addition, you get 1.25 point for each $1 charged with Amex. I have found the 2-for-1 feature most valuable. It's like flying business class at half price.

You can also fly 2-for-1 on BA with Diners Club Master Card.

Yeah, but if you a "regular" Amex platinum, you get 1.5 points per 1$ spend on the points accelerator, and they are transferable at 1 to 1 for points, or can be used for whater you like.
Note our company flies a J3, or JCorp or some combinatin thereof indicating a discount or negotiated fare for business class - this is not eligible for BATAC.
I have to pay the difference myself - which opens me up to our auditors, and i'ts messy!
The couple of times I have used it over the years, it's been a challenge with the call centre.

stinger, I just booked YHZ-PEK and HKG-YHZ in J for myself and used BATCAT for my wife's ticket. (I considered getting an AMEX card with the companion certificate but decided I didn't really want to deal with AMEX.)

Two things to mention: the AC agent I finally dealt with was quite specific in saying that the revenue passenger had to book in full Y or J (ie, definitely not C). And the second point, which I mentioned in a post yesterday: I found the AC and AE staff I dealt with helpful, but not familiar with the BATCAT benefit. I'll spare you the details, but it took a couple of calls, both of which included an attempt to transfer me from the AC res agent to AE. AE wasn't having any part of it and tried to transfer me back to AC reservations. Somewhere in there the connection was broken ... In the end, AC reservations booked me in J and issued my e-ticket immediately. They then booked my wife, also in J, but her e-ticket was issued by AE 48 hours later.

With luck your experience will be a little smoother.

I just flew yyz-pvg using AE+ Plat AmEx, couldn't find a discounted Exec. First fare.

I think the 2 - 1 works great for me in this case. Wish I get more than one.

I have been thinking of switching to regular Plat. AmEx, but it does not work with AC, and unfortunately, since we all live in Canada, however we hate AC, it is still the most convenient/frequent airline in Canada, I want to stay in AP.

The only complain I had was with their credit officer in Feb (just switch from gold to Plat., but have been with Gold AmEx for a couple of years) when I was using my AmEx at a trade show, threaten me and say I can not use it for purchase of resale merchandise, wants to block my card. When I offer to pay first (over US$ 40K) and use later, he refused as well, totally unhelpful and rude. Told me don't even charge my hotel bill on the card, didn't care if he left me stranded in AZ. I was furious and frustrated. I offer for him to cancel my card on the spot, lucky for him, he didn't dare to do that.

Well, too bad for them, because then my Avion Plat Visa got over US $40K business out of this trip, all for resale merchandise, all paid, and I wll get another 100k miles conversion to BA at the end of the year when they offer the 50% bonus.

When I phone AMEX back after the trip, the customer service supervisor acknowledge that they should have taken my money first (what a surprise! why wouldn't anyone take my money first!) and allow me to charge the card later (didn't care if it was for resale goods), and offered a very VERY weak apology. I wouldn't call that Platinum service.

So guess which card I will use for purchase in my June trade show?

They should realize as consumers, we DO have a choice. Unless AmEx starts to hand out STATUS AC miles, I wll use my Avion first, and only pay the $399 a year fee so I can get a $3500 discount on my yearly trip to PVG.

What if I buy a one-way Y class, upgrade to I and then want to book a one-way award companion ticket in economy (so I would sit in a different cabin from my companion). Is this still eligible for BATCAT?

You cannot upgrade on an Amex 2 for 1.... You can upgrade the revenue ticket of a BATCAT.

I have also had nothing but positive experiences with Amex over the last 28 years I've had one of their cards. Since I've had the Plat card (about 10 years) I've only ever had two or three issues, and they were immediately dealt with over the phone in a very cooperative and generous manner (even when something was my fault, they've usally bent over backwards to make it right).

Now, does anyone know where this year's Companion Certs are??? :confused:

You cannot upgrade on an Amex 2 for 1.... You can upgrade the revenue ticket of a BATCAT.

Thanks...I was referring to the revenue ticket of a BATCAT. However, when I called AC, they told me that there is no one-way redemption rate for BATCAT. So I'm better off using a one-way award.

This thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410841) might help OP a bit. :)

May be you want to consider getting an Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum card and use the 2-for-1 coupon to buy instead. It's valid on J, C, S and Y.

Is the Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum card valid with S?

The terms and conditions from the Amex site read:

Applies to purchase of Executive First or Executive Class fare (published J or C fare booked in C class) or published full Hospitality Service fare (Y fare booked in B class).

If using this coupon on a European route and where a YE9 fare will book in in S Class, where will you actually be seating if you are using the coupon on this fare?

H0MSHXCL AC H Round-Trip 1630.00
H0MSHWCL AC H Round-Trip 1700.00
B0MSHXCL AC B Round-Trip 1780.00
B0MSHWCL AC B Round-Trip 1850.00
U0LP AC U One-Way 1147.00
YE9 AC S Round-Trip 3233.00

No, the CIBC Aerogold Visa no longer has this feature and that was the primary reason why I ditched the CIBC Aerogold for an Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum. In addition, you get 1.25 point for each $1 charged with Amex. I have found the 2-for-1 feature most valuable. It's like flying business class at half price.

You can also fly 2-for-1 on BA with Diners Club Master Card.

Thanks Clipper,

I refuse to use AMEX over a delinquint issues of $0.02 (yes, you are reading it right 2 cents about five years ago) Anyway, I don't need the points so a 2 for 1 on BA would be a good option with my certificate from diners.

Thanks for the advice I may look at this one.

Do I have to pay the full J fare to get the discount or is it extended to the C class fare under the new rules. All the new rules with International and domestic differences have me very confused.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.Fare basis must begin with J, S or Y. (So C won't qualify)

For what it's worth, if you do enough spending on the card, say if you own your own business, etc..., the Amex Aeroplan Platinum card is a home run. With 1.5 miles per $1, spent, plus free companion tix, plus ML access (for those that don't have status yet), it's a great deal. I accumulate so many points, I can send friends and family members on trips, and have them cover the $399 fee. The companion tix is a great cherry on the Sunday if you can use it!
As for the $0.02, principles are one thing, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face!

I think the point here is that AC in C class to CDG as per the OP request is best served with an Amex 2for1 coupon vs a BATCAT on a J fare.

Stinger... if you want to try AF they have some awesome fares in J if you care to PM me.

As for the $0.02, principles are one thing, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face!

Not to drag the thread too OT, but I had a grievance with Citibank a while back that sounds fairly similiar and I refuse to deal with them again so I can understand stinger's stance.

May be you want to consider getting an Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum card and use the 2-for-1 coupon to buy instead. It's valid on J, C, S and Y.

(Doesn't the CIBC AeroGold offer the same offer?)

No, the CIBC Aerogold Visa no longer has this feature and that was the primary reason why I ditched the CIBC Aerogold for an Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum. In addition, you get 1.25 point for each $1 charged with Amex. I have found the 2-for-1 feature most valuable. It's like flying business class at half price.

You can also fly 2-for-1 on BA with Diners Club Master Card.

Here's the link to Diners Club's Complimentary Companion Ticket offer with BA:

http://www.dinersclubcanada.com/dce_content/personalcards/corebenefits/britishair

Wouldn't you know it - as soon as you complain, the cert arrives in the mail. Good thing, since I'm one of the .000001% of Amex users who actually use it every year.

#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.#

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