PRG HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!

[09Lexie]

Benefits of the PRG:

1. 24-hour Roadside Assistance, plus pretty extensive rental car insurance.
2. Baggage Insurance to cover loss or damage of your checked bags.
3. Global Assist Hotline, which is like a travel concierge that will take care of any issues you might have while away from home. Lose your passport in Argentina? Just call and have it taken care of.
4. Preferred Treatment and seating at concerts, sporting events, etc. Get exclusive access to tickets before they go on sale, and sit with the other big spenders close to the action.
5. Purchase Protection, which means AmEx will reimburse you if something you just bought gets damaged or stolen
6. Return Protection will give the same coverage if you want to return an item and the seller won’t accept it
7. Warranty Extension will, as the name implies, extend a manufacturer’s warranty for one year

The AmEx Gold Card earns 3 points per $1 spent on airfare, 2 on gas and groceries and 1 point elsewhere

[eagles08]

Thanks Lexie!  Are you at all familiar with the Gold Hotel Collection?

[enharu]

Don't pin your hopes on getting your room upgraded for free, until it actually happens.

With the platinum and certain other cards, your chances are probably higher, but even then its still quite a crapshoot.

If you happen to have some form of status or membership level with that hotel / casino, then your chances will be higher. More importantly, it depends on where and when you are going. If you are traveling to a busy/popular destination and/or during peak season, certainly don't expect any free upgrades just because you have the PRG.

[eagles08]

I got yahhh. I guess what I really want to know is that the only possible way to benefit from this perk of the PRG? It has to be booked through this specific collection? Or could I just use the regular AMEX travel and book a hotel through that?

[lhcole77]

Congratulations Eagle! The card is beautiful. I remember when it came in the mail I was like OMG.

Amex also has a really cool travel agency attached to the card. I was able to find flights through them that weren't being offered to the general public and they were cheaper too. There's a nominal fee to use the service but it's really good.

Enjoy your card!

[enharu]

You are supposed to book it through them. If you need a larger suite, its best to just book a larger suite directly. You might find those rooms for a discount sometimes on travel sites.

If you happen to be going to Vegas, usually a good tip will help you get a larger suite. I usually tip about 30-50% of the cost between the suite I booked vs. what the person at reception could give me. Not a free upgrade, but nevertheless still a nice discount, until the casino comps your hotel stay....

[eagles08]

If I book it though AMEX but not specifically the Gold Hotel Collection then I have forfeited that perk correct?

[enharu]

Yup that's my understanding of how it works. Same for chase's luxury hotel collection.