How Does the Amex Platinum International Airline Program Work?

The American Express Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card from American Express are among the most popular and powerful premium credit cards in Canada.

Despite their recently increased annual fees, these two cards come with a plethora of benefits, which can easily offset the cost of holding the cards year after year.

One of these benefits is the Amex Platinum International Airline Program, which is available exclusively to holders of the aforementioned cards.

What Is the Amex Platinum International Airline Program?

The Amex Platinum International Airline Program offers discounted fares on select airlines when booked through Amex Travel, either online or over the phone.

The benefit is available to both primary and supplementary cardholders of the Canadian-issued American Express Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card from Ameriacn Express, as well as up to seven additional passengers travelling on the same reservation.

Eligible fares include First Class, business class, and premium economy – economy fares aren’t eligible for the program.

The following airlines are included under the International Airline Program available on the Canadian-issued cards:

As per the terms and conditions, your flights must originate in and/or return to select Canadian airports. However, if you search routes that don’t include a Canadian city, you still may find discounted rates through the program.

Note that not all routes and tickets come with a discount, since only certain fares qualify. In fact, you might notice that sometimes the discount only appears when tickets are purchased as one-ways and not as round-trips.

The discount you’ll receive by booking through the Amex Platinum International Airline Program reflects only the base fare component of the flight, although Amex Travel displays prices inclusive of all taxes and fees.

How to Book Flights with the Amex Platinum International Airline Program

To book tickets under the Amex Platinum International Airline Program, you’ll have to either book your flight online through the Amex Travel website or over the phone at (800) 263-1616 (press 2). Make sure that you’re browsing the website of Amex Travel in Canada or calling its Canadian hotline, since Amex Travel has a separate agency for US customers.

If you opt for the phone option, you’ll be connected to the travel advisors at Amex Travel, which is a locally registered…