When it comes to finding your security code for your American Express card, things aren’t always so straightforward, especially if you are used to other cards like those from MasterCard and Visa. That’s because American Express does things a little bit differently when it comes to credit card numbers and security codes.
In this article, I’ll break down the difference between an American Express security code and other codes you might find on cards like a Visa or MasterCard.
What is the American Express CID (CVV) code?
The CID (card identification number) is the four digit number located on the front of your American Express card.
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CVV codes overview
CID/CVV codes actually started out in the UK and they were initially an 11 character alpha numeric code. Eventually, the concept was adopted by the UK Association for Payment Clearing Services and they streamlined the code into the three digit code we are familiar with today. MasterCard started to use them in 1997, American Express in 1999, and Visa in 2001.
You might be wondering what exactly is the point of a credit card security code?
These codes can serve a few different purposes.
The main purpose is that these codes confirm with the merchant that you are actually in possession of the card. This is especially important for online purchases where you cannot supply a signature, pin, or any other type of in-person verification.
It’s possible that somebody could take an imprint of your credit card or obtain your credit card number through some other type of means and attempt to fraudulently use your card to purchase something.
If the fraudulent actor is required to supply the security code but they don’t have your card to get the number, then this enhanced security measure can help prevent fraud.
This can work well for a few reasons.
First, your CID is not stored on your EMV chip or magnetic strip. This means that merchants cannot obtain your CID simply by swiping your card, which helps cut down on credit card fraud.
Furthermore, your CID cannot be stored by a merchant when making an online purchase. (This is one reason why you are sometimes required to input your CID when auto populating your credit card account number.)
Since merchants can’t store your security code, in the event of a data breach you don’t have to worry about your security code being taken.
So these numbers can help heighten the security of your account.
Unfortunately, with the prevalence of phishing scams, a lot of fraudsters have been able to obtain CIDs so they are not quite as effective at preventing fraud as they used to be.
Also, not all merchants require CIDs and some fraudsters can simply guess the three or four digit code so these security numbers aren’t full proof.
Where are the credit card security codes located?
The credit card security code on your credit card could be located in a different place depending on the type of credit card that you have.
For American Express cards, as mentioned, the CID is a four digit code found on the front of the card, usually on the right side.
American Express CIDs are located on the front of the card.
But for other types of credit card issuers, typically you will find the security code on the back of the credit card where you find other details like the expiration date.
In a lot of cases, the security code will be directly to the right of where you would supply your signature and on some cards the three digit code will actually be inside the signature box/signature panel.
Sometimes the credit card will actually spell out the words “security code” so that you know you are looking at your security code number but in other cases you may simply find a three digit code.
The security digits should not be embossed like your credit card number or name and expiration date. This is to prevent people from obtaining your security code if they are able to take an impression of your card.
Three digit code for American Express cards
One area of confusion that comes in with American Express is what the three digit code on the back of those cards is.
An example of the three digit security code on an Amex card.
American Express takes extra steps to secure your credit cards by providing you with the security code on the front which is a four digit code and an additional security code on the back which is a three digit code.
When you are asked to provide your CID/CVV (or main security code) for your card, you will input the four digit number on the front of the card.
But other situations will arise when you need to provide the three digit code on the back of an American Express card. Typically, you will only have to do this when dealing with American Express.
For example, if you are trying to redeem points, American Express may ask you to supply the three digit number on the back of your card.
Different types of security codes
In case you didn’t know, there are a few different types of names for the security codes associated with your credit card.
Here are some of the more well-known security codes that you might encounter:
CVV Number (card verification value)
CSC (card security code)
CAV (card authentication value)
CVD (card verification data)
CID (card identification number)
CVC or CVC2 (card verification code)
CVV2 (card verification value code, 2nd generation)
Some payment networks like to use specific types of names. For example, American Express refers to the four digit code as the CID and Discover may do the same.
But other payment networks may go with different types of names. For example, MasterCard will refer to it as the CVC and Visa may refer to it as the CVV.
Just remember that when it comes to American Express, anytime you see something mentioned about a security code related to a purchase, it’s almost always asking you about the four digits on the front of your card.
Final word
If you ever need your security code to confirm a purchase for your American Express card, simply use the four digit number on the front of your Amex card.
But be prepared to use the three digit code on the back of the card if you are ever dealing with American Express as they may use that for an additional security feature.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
Amex Credit Limit Increase Guide: (How to Request) [2022]
Getting an Amex credit limit increase is pretty straight forward. However, there are a few things you should know like how big of an increase you should request and how long you need to wait before requesting your increase.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about American Express credit limit increase requests.
What is an Amex credit limit increase?
An Amex credit limit increase is an easy (and sometimes instant) way to increase the spending limit on your credit card by increasing the amount of available credit you have access to.
Tip: Use the app WalletFlo to give you auto-reminders of when to request credit limit increases!
Why would you want an increased credit limit?
There are a few reasons why you might want to increase your credit limit.
Increased spend power
An increased credit limit has the obvious benefit of increasing your spending power.
With a higher credit limit, you will obviously be able to make larger purchases and spend more on your card. This is great if you have spending discipline and will not be tempted to spend more than you can pay back.
Increasing your credit score
Getting a credit limit increase is also a great way to decrease your utilization and therefore raise your credit score. Utilization is 30% of your FICO credit score and it is based on how much of your total credit limit that you are using.
So for example if you have a $10,000 total credit limit and you are using $5,000 of that $10,000 limit, then your utilization is 50%. You typically want your utilization to be under 30% although I recommend to keep it under 10%.
By getting a credit limit increase you can decrease the percentage of your credit limit that you are using (i.e., your utilization) and therefore lower your utilization and improve your credit score. This is one of the easiest ways to instantly boost your credit score.
Requesting a credit limit increase online is easy.
You’ll be taken to a screen where you’ll need to enter in details to process your request.
Verify your card
On this screen, first verify that you’re requesting a credit limit for the right Amex card. You’ll see the name of the card and the last five digits of the card in the top left corner of the screen, as well as in the middle of the screen.
Enter your new proposed credit limit
You’ll be able to see your current credit limit for that card and then there will be a field for you to enter in your proposed new credit limit. Note that you are entering the amount for your desired total credit line for that card not the amount of the credit limit increase.
So for example if you have a $5,000 credit limit and you would like it increased to $10,000 then you should enter $10,000 in that field.
You’ll also be asked to verify your annual income. You usually will not be required to submit verifying documents for your income but once you start requesting higher credit limits, the odds of being forced to send in tax documents increase, so keep that in mind. This is especially true if you don’t have a long history with American Express.
(Typically, you may need to start submitting documents when your credit limits approach $25,000 and beyond.)
Also, note that income includes wages, retirement, investments, rental properties, etc. Alimony, child support, or separate maintenance need not be revealed if you do not wish to rely upon it.
If you are 21 years or older you can include all income available to you. This is known as “accessible income” and you can read more about that here.
When you are finished, click “Continue” at the bottom of the page.
You might be instantly approved for a credit limit increase or you might have to wait to hear back from Amex.
How soon can I increase a credit limit increase?
You can request a credit limit increase once your account has been opened for at least 60 days. There are some reports of people having to wait 90 days now so you might need to wait a little longer if you want to be safe.
However, if you’ve had a card with American Express for at least six months, you might be able to request a credit limit increase as soon as you’ve been approved for your new card — some have been able to request a credit limit increase within 60 days of opening their cards.
How much of a credit limit increase can I get?
Typically, the maximum you’ll get from a credit limit increase is 3X your current credit limit. You can find many reports online of customers receiving 3X increases on their credit limit (or near 3X increases). So if you have a $5,000 credit limit, the max you will likely be allowed is a $15,000 credit limit (or a $10,000 increase).
Generally speaking, it is better to ask for more than you need because a lot of times banks will meet you in the middle. So if you have a $2,000 credit limit and you would like to be increased to $4,000 then I would probably ask for an increase to a $6,000 credit limit, while being completely prepare to only get an increase to $4,000.
How often can I get credit limit increases?
If you were approved for a credit limit increase you can try to request another increase six months later but note that getting approved for a second credit limit increase is often more difficult the second time around.
If you’ve had a substantial rise in your income then you’ll probably stand a much better chance of having success. So be sure to update your income appropriately when you make your second request.
What Amex cards can I request a credit limit increase for?
Credit limit increases for charge cards
Credit limit increases are for credit cards and not charge cards. In case you are not familiar, American Express has several cards that they issue known as “charge cards.”
These are cards that don’t have a preset spend limit and are intended for you to pay off the entire balance each month.
The interesting thing about charge cards is that sometimes American Express grants something called “Pay Over Time.” This is a perk that allows you to carry a balance on a charge card much like you could carry a balance on a credit card.
With Pay Over Time, you get an “effective credit limit” aka a “spend limit” and that spend limit can grow over time. The best way to increase the credit/spend limit for a charge card is to simply gradually increase your spend over time. Eventually, American Express will note your spending habits and recognize that you are in need of a spend limit increase.
You can also pre-pay your purchases on a charge card and that will free up your credit limit for that card. So for example, if you have been limited to $10,000 for your spending limit, you could make a $5,000 payment before you make any purchase and your new effective credit limit would be $15,000.
Credit limit increases for personal and business credit cards
Credit limit increases can be requested for both personal and business credit cards. Here are some popular Amex cards that you might request a credit limit increase for:
American Express Cash Magnet Card
Amex EveryDay Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express
SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!
Amex Credit Limit Increase FAQ
What is the 7 to 10 day message?
After requesting your credit limit increase, you might receive a 7 to 10 day message. This often means that you will be denied your requested credit limit increase but not always.
If you’d like to call in to check on the status of your credit limit increase you can call 800-567-1083 or 866-314-0237. They may or may not be able to tell you conclusively about the decision.
What if I’m denied a credit limit increase?
If Amex does not honor your request for a credit limit increase, all of your hope is not lost. You’ll just need to wait 90 days to try the process again.
They should tell you why your request was denied and those reasons will usually be the same type of reasons for denying a normal credit card application (e.g., too many hard inquiries, too high of utilization, etc.). So pay attention to why you were denied and try to adjust those factors before you apply again.
Do you get a hard pull with an Amex credit limit increase?
Amex will perform only a soft-pull on your credit report when you request a credit limit increase.
This is great because a hard pull would result in a temporary drop in your credit score but a soft pull will have no effect on your credit score. Because of this, many people request these credit limit increases without thinking too much about it.
Will Amex automatically increase credit limits?
Yes, Amex, like some other issuers, will automatically increase credit limits from time to time. If you regularly use a lot of your credit limit and then pay off that balance, you might be increasing your odds of getting an auto credit limit increase.
The trick here is to come very close to your credit limit each month and pay off that entire balance. Spending habits like that send a clear message to the bank that you need more credit and that you can responsibly manage your credit by paying off your balance each month.
Is it worth it to request a credit limit increase?
Because Amex will not conduct a hard pull on your credit report, you really have nothing to lose by requesting a credit limit increase.
The only people who have anything to worry about are those people that fabricate their income because Amex could request them to verify that income and that could lead to an interesting situation where credit limits could be lowered.
So it goes without saying, never lie about your income on a credit card application.
Do other issuers allow you to request credit limit increases?
Yes, many other issuers will allow you to request a credit limit increase and you can read about their policies below:
Amex credit limit increases are easy to request and I would recommend people consider getting them in order to increase their spending power and also lower their utilization. Just make sure you’re aware of all of the timing restrictions since there are several of them.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
How to Cancel American Express Cards (Avoid These Mistakes!) [2022]
Sometimes you get to a point where you just no longer need a credit card. In those instances, you might be very tempted to proceed with canceling your card. However, before you choose to cancel your card you need to be mindful of some factors.
In this article, I will show you how to cancel your American Express cards, but I will also provide you with some tips and tricks to think about before you pull the trigger on canceling a card. In many cases, you will be better off not canceling a card so you definitely want to check out this article before taking any action.
How to cancel American Express cards
There are different ways that you can cancel your American Express credit cards. I will explain each of these methods below but make sure that you keep reading to get some insight and tips on why you should not cancel your cards in certain instances.
How to cancel via phone
One of the easiest methods to cancel your cards is to simply call the phone number on the back of your card. You can also call the customer service phone number 1(800)528-4800 but you may need to have all of your card details with you.
Cancel American Express cards online?
You cannot cancel American Express cards online through your account. However, it is possible to cancel your cards via chat.
Cancel American Express cards via chat
Simply log in to your account and then pull up the chat feature which you can find in the bottom right corner of your screen. After a secure connection is established, you can enter in the reason for your chat which in this case would be canceling a card.
As you type in cancel you should see “cancel a card” automatically populate and once you select that reason, a representative will appear in the chat and will want to inquire about what card you would like to cancel.
Most likely, they will send you some disclosure information that you need to read about the closure of your account and then once you agree to the terms, your card will be closed.
Re-opening a canceled Amex card
In the event that you change your mind and realize that you actually did not want to cancel your American Express card you still may have a way to re-open the card.
If you have canceled the card within the last 30 days, American Express will likely allow you to re-open that card. However, you will most likely have to pay a $25 fee in order to reinstate the card. Worth noting, this reinstatement fee will not apply towards your annual fee.
Losing your Membership Rewards
In order for you to keep your Membership Rewards you will need to have at least one active Membership Rewards earning card. If you fail to keep at least one of these cards open then you will lose everything.
One of the best strategies for doing this is to open up the Amex EveryDay card which has no annual fee but still earns transferable Membership Rewards. This way, you never have to worry about paying an annual fee just to keep your points alive.
This Amex EveryDay card is special because it is one of the only cards that allows you to transfer points out to travel partners while not having to pay an annual fee.
Preserving your credit score
Whenever you cancel a credit card, there is a chance that you could hurt your credit score in a couple of ways. The most immediate way that you could impact your credit score is via your utilization.
Utilization
Utilization is how much of your overall credit limit that you are currently using. So for example if you had an overall credit limit of $50,000 and you were currently in debt $25,000, then you would have a utilization of 50%. Generally, you want to keep your utilization at at least 30% or below although I recommend to keep it at 5% to 10%.
When you cancel your card you are removing credit lines and that could increase your utilization and thus hurt your credit score. So you really need to be mindful about what effect that your cancellation will have on your available credit.
Something that you can do to prevent the damage done by this is to ask American Express if you can transfer credit from one credit card to another. In that case, you can transfer a good portion of that credit line and keep it alive so that you only end up losing a small amount of available credit.
If you are ever canceling an American Express card with a very high credit limit, this is usually a very smart move.
Credit history
Another way that your credit score can be impacted is by lowering the average age of your accounts. Credit history makes up 15% of your FICO score, and the most influential factor of that is the age of your oldest account. This is why you never want to cancel the oldest account that you have.
Currently, FICO allows a canceled account to continue to age for several years even after it is canceled. But after that, it will fall off your credit report entirely. So while your average age of accounts might not be immediately impacted by a cancellation, down the road your credit score will be impacted by it.
So be sure to have a long-term perspective when it comes to canceling credit cards. Otherwise, you could be setting yourself up for trouble down the line.
Payment history
The most important factor in your FICO score is payment history and it makes it 35% of your credit score.
By keeping your card open and making on-time payments every month you are able to continue to build up your payment history. So just keep it in mind that if you cancel your card you no longer will be able to improve this factor with that card.
If you have late payments currently on your credit report and you don’t have many other cards with good payment history to help “dilute” those late payments, then you should highly consider keeping your card active.
Canceling cards can have a big impact on your credit score.
Avoiding annual fees with retention offers
A huge driver for why people cancel their cards is because they don’t want to pay the annual fee. This is really understandable for cards that have annual fees in the $200-$500 range. But did you know that you can avoid these annual fees sometimes or at least get them effectively cut down?
You can do this by getting something known as a retention offer. These are offers that go out and are usually based on things like your spend in a given year and also your history with American Express.
So let’s say that you have put $50,000 worth of spend on a Platinum Card and you have had that card for a handful of years.
In that case, you could expect to get some kind of offer with the annual fee waived, partially waived, or given an offer of Membership Rewards.
Sometimes you might have to put additional spend on your card to earn the Membership Rewards but other times they will just give them to you outright.
You don’t always have to put a significant amount of spend on the card to get a retention offer, though. But generally the more spend you put on it the better your odds of getting a retention offer. Click here to find data points on past retention offers.
To inquire about a retention offer the easiest way is to just simply call the number on the back of your card and let them know that you were thinking about canceling your card but wanted to see if there are any incentives to prevent you from canceling.
Some people just out right ask for retention offers and you can do that if you feel comfortable doing that but other times you might have more luck going with a more subtle approach.
A quick phone call could result in a waived annual fee!
Canceling before the annual fee
I highly suggest that you avoid canceling your American Express cards before you have been hit with the annual fee. For example, some people like to cancel American Express cards right after they receive a welcome bonus.
Doing this could really hurt your relationship with American Express.
It could potentially lead to your account being under review which means that your earnings in other cards could be at risk for getting shutdown. Also, you may not be eligible for other bonuses in the future if you partake in this.
Getting refunded for the annual fee
If you cancel the card within 30 days after the statement containing your annual fee, you can get a full refund. Keep in mind that American Express no longer prorates annual fees if you wait until after 30 days to cancel. They can be very strict about this timeframe so even waiting one day longer could put you at risk for paying that annual fee.
Tip: If you product change outside of the 30 day window you likely will still get a prorated refund. So product changing can be a smart way to save yourself on the annual fee if you have decided to no longer use that card after that 30 day window.
Downgrading
Rather than cancel a card you might simply just want to downgrade the card. This is one of the easiest methods for avoiding an annual fee and it very simple to do.
For example, if you had a card like the Amex EveryDay Preferred and you wanted to avoid the annual fee you could simply downgrade to the Amex EveryDay.
One issue with changing to a different credit card though is that you could remove yourself from eligibility for the cards welcome bonus. Another thing to note is that you cannot downgrade or product change between personal and small business cards.
If you would like automated assistance when trying to figure out downgrade options, then I would create a free account with the new credit card tool WalletFlo. Once you input the cards you have, you can see options for upgrading and downgrading and the corresponding annual fees. It’s very handy and easy to use.
Charge cards
American Express is known for its charge cards which are cards that don’t have a set credit line and instead require you to pay them off every month (although you can enroll in programs like Amex Pay Over Time).
If you have American Express charge cards there are some additional considerations. You should not have to worry about utilization because most credit reports do not factor in charge card credit lines into your utilization. However, your average age of accounts can still be affected in the same way with charge cards.
Something that you should know about the charge cards is that you cannot convert them into credit cards.
So for example if you had the American Express Gold Card and you wanted to convert that into the Amex EveryDay Card that is not possible. Instead, you will need to downgrade from one charge card to another charge card.
If you are looking to downgrade a charge card then a popular option will be to look at the American Express Green Card — if you were looking to avoid the higher annual fee of the Platinum Card or the Gold Card then this can be a good option.
Upgrading
If you are thinking about closing a card, the last thing you probably want to do is upgrade the card.
But in some cases you can get some very lucrative offers for upgrading your cards with American Express. For example, many people get special offers to upgrade the Hilton Surpass to the Hilton Aspire and they get a great bonus to go along with that.
Sometimes you can end up coming up with a lot of extra value that will easily offset any annual fee that you would be paying. So don’t forget to entertain the possibility of upgrading if you are on the brink of canceling a card.
In some cases, you may need to cancel a credit card so that your total number of cards will be under four in order to make yourself eligible for another credit card.
In this case, you would likely want to consider canceling your newest card first so that your oldest card can continue to age.
But in some cases, you may be getting so much value from your newest cards that you don’t want to cancel those. So it often comes down to a balancing act of: how much value are you getting from your cards versus how much value do you think you will get from the age of your account?
Final word
There’s a lot to consider before choosing to cancel American Express cards. Basically you want to make sure that you have considered the following:
You are not losing your Membership Rewards
Impact on your credit score
You have inquired about retention offers
You know your product change and downgrade potential
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
Amex Centurion Lounges: What Are They & Where Are They Located? [2022]
Advertiser Disclosure: UponArriving has partnered with affiliate partners and may receive a commission from card issuers. UponArriving does not display all credit card offers and affiliate relationships may impact how offers are presented. Amex Disclosure: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
If you’ve read any articles about The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ve probably heard about Centurion Lounge access, which is one of the most valuable benefits of the Platinum Card. But what exactly are Amex Centurion Lounges and why should you care about them?
What are Amex Centurion Lounges?
Centurion Lounges are American Express airport lounges known for being some of the nicest and well-equipped lounges found in the US. You can find them at many major airports in the US and across the globe but to get access you’ll need to hold an eligible card like The Platinum Card® from American Express.
The Las Vegas Amex Centurion Lounge — the first Centurion Lounge opened in 2013.
How can I get access to Amex Centurion Lounges?
In order to gain access to a Centurion Lounge, you’ll need to have one of the following Amex cards:
Authorized users with a Centurion or Platinum Card get access as well, which is a great deal because you can add up to three authorized users to the Platinum Card for just $175 per year (rates & fees).
Currently, you cannot purchase a membership for the Centurion Lounge.
**Note: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members are only eligible to visit The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight and eligible lounges only include all Centurion Lounges located in the United States, Hong Kong, and London.
All information about the Centurion® Card and Corporate Platinum Card® has been collected independently by UponArriving.
With the Platinum Card, you can only visit the Centurion Lounge if you have a departing flight or are arriving for a connecting flight (same-day round-trip itineraries are not considered connecting flights.)
Also, you can only get in within 3 hours of the departure time stated on your boarding pass. In my experience, you can get in more than three hours before your flight if it is delayed but that’s probably a YMMV situation.
If your flight departs after the lounge closes for the day, they will admit you as early as 3 hours prior to the lounge closing.
Centurion® Card holders have more flexibility with access.
For example, they can enter beyond three hours and even enter when arriving at the airport. As long as they have a same-day boarding pass and access to the terminal they can get in.
Getting into the lounge
Once you show up to the Centurion Lounge, you must present the Centurion agent with:
Your American Express card
A boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier
A government-issued ID
During busy hours, there may be a wait list. In that case, you’ll put your phone number down and then get a text message whenever the lounge is ready for you to enter.
Sometimes the wait may only be 5 to 10 minutes but other times you could be waiting over 30 minutes.
It doesn’t matter what carrier you are flying with or if you’re flying first class or basic economy, as long as you have your American Express card with you and your boarding pass and ID, you can get access to the lounge.
Tip: If you don’t have your physical card you can still probably get in with mobile check-in which can be done through the American Express app.
Centurion® Card holders also have special privileges for access. They often can get in even when the lounge is at capacity and sometimes they even have special reserved tables or even special rooms they can access.
All information about the Centurion® Card and Corporate Platinum Card® has been collected independently by UponArriving.
What airports have Amex Centurion Lounges?
Currently, you can find Amex Centurion Lounges at the following locations below. As you can see, they typically open around 5am to 7am and stay open until late but none of them in the US are open 24 hours.
Almost all lounges are located after security, but keep in mind that if you’re coming from another terminal like at MIA, you might have to re-enter security to get back to your terminal after accessing the lounge.
Here are all of the current locations for Amex Centurion Lounges:
Location: After clearing TSA in TBIT, walk towards the bridge to the Great Hall. Once there, immediately turn left and enter the elevator lobby. Take elevator from level four to level two where the lounge is straight ahead
Location: Terminal 5, after the Security Checkpoint, between the A and F Piers, take the stairs across from Oak Cafe up to the entrance on the Mezzanine Level
Hours: Monday – Friday & Sunday 5:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday 5:00am to 7:00pm
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Location: Terminal 2, Domestic on Level 3 across from Burger King in the Domestic Departure Area
Hours: 24 hours every day
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Location: Terminal 3, Domestic and is adjacent to Gate 27 and 28
Hours: 24 hours every day
Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE)
Location: Terminal B, take the stairs near Gate 15 to the entrance on Level 2
Hours: 10:00am to 12:00am
Sao Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Location: Terminal 3, after the Security Checkpoint and Passport Control, turn left and follow the signs to the ‘VIP Lounges’
Hours: 11:00am to 3:00am
Melbourne Airport (MEL)
Location: Terminal 2, International. After the Security Checkpoint and Passport Control, take the escalator opposite Gate 7 down to the entrance on the lower level
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Location 1: Terminal 1, International pre-Security between Gate 8 and F1, beside Flap’s restaurant
Hours: 5:00am to 10:00pm
Location 2: Terminal 1, Domestic Departure area between Gates 17 and 18
Hours: 5:00am to 10:00pm
Location 3: Terminal 2, after Security, proceed to the Mezzanine Level via escalators or lift. The entrance is down the hall and up the stairs
Hours: 5:00am to 11:00pm
General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY)
Location 1: Terminal A inside Security. Go to the Departure Level, near Gate 4
Hours: 5:00am to 9:00pm
Location 2: Terminal B in the Departure Level, near the Food Court in front of Gate 4, next to Starbucks
Hours: 5:00am to 9:00pm
Sydney Airport (SYD)
Location: Terminal 1, International Departures near Gates 50-63. Take the escalator or lift down to Level 1 to access the lounge
Hours: 6:00am to 10:00pm
Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong.
Centurion Lounge guest policy
Over the past few years, the guest policy has changed several times so it’s always good to brush up on the latest policy.
Currently, the guest policy depends on what type of credit card you are using for entry:
Platinum Cardmembers may bring in two guests for free.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardmembers may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
Centurion Cardmembers may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.
Platinum Card and Centurion Members may purchase a day-pass for any additional guests for $50. This day pass will be good at any Centurion Lounge on the same day as long as the guest is still accompanied by the Card Member.
Just remember that the guest policy is based on your status as a cardmember and not cardholder.
This means that even if you have both the personal and business version of the Platinum Card, you still are only limited to two guests and not four.
New guest policy update for 2023:
Beginning February 1, 2023, U.S. Platinum Card and U.S. Business Platinum Card Members will be charged a $50 fee for each guest (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age).
U.S. Platinum Card and U.S. Business Platinum Card Members will qualify to bring in two free guests if they spend $75,000 on their card between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and in each calendar year thereafter.
The new guest fee is just another reason why you should consider adding someone as an authorized user to your Platinum Card. That way, they will still be able to get through those blue doors for free.
Remember, you can add up to three for only $175 total per year (rates & fees).
This will get them free centurion lounge access and also Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta.
Centurion Lounge at SFO.
What amenities are offered by Centurion Lounges?
You can find the following features at some Centurion Lounges:
Member Services Professionals to assist with you with various needs
Dining developed in partnership with renowned local chefs
Signature cocktails, premium spirits, and curated wines
High-speed Wi-Fi
Semi-private workspaces
Computer bar with printer/fax/copier
TVs, magazines and newspapers
Spa services*
Wine tasting area*
Conference room*
Shower suites*
Family room*
Luggage lockers*
*Available in select locations.
Decor and vibe
Aside from the perks discussed above, I think the Centurion Lounges are bit unique because they’re just simply nicer than a lot of other domestic lounges.
Aesthetically speaking, I find the design, decor, and furniture more visually appealing and often times more comfortable than other standard airport lounges in the US.
And who could forget about the amazing scent….
As long as the lounge is not overcrowded, it feels like one of the best places to be in an airport.
IAH Centurion Lounge.
Service
The service in Centurion Lounges is also great, too.
The staff members are usually exceptionally friendly, enthusiastic, and professional and will attentively serve you drinks and take requests.
They can also assist you with your travel itinerary and even help you make restaurant reservations. If you travel frequently, the staff will quickly become acquaintances with you.
That’s definitely not something you get in every airport lounge.
There’s also a certain “exclusivity factor” since you need to hold a premium Amex card to get in, although with the crowding issues at some of these Centurion Lounges, you may not necessarily feel so “exclusive.”
Dining and drinks
Centurion Lounges offer free dining and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
For the dining, Amex teams up with renowned local chefs to deliver its cuisine.
For example, at DFW the menu features cuisine designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Dean Fearing and consists of locally-inspired dishes like Texas Migas.
However, if I’m being honest, the food in the Centurion Lounge can be a bit hit or miss for me.
There’s usually some decent options to choose from and sometimes they really hit the spot like the perfectly seasoned pot roast dish I once had at IAH.
But sometimes there’s just not a lot of food that I care for.
Centurion Lounges usually serve both healthy and “less healthy” dining options (I’ve seen fried chicken served up), so it’s not that difficult to “be good” at this lounge.
Overall, the food is usually acceptable to good and well beyond the finger food or snacks that you often find in some other US lounges.
It’s just not always knock-it-out-of-the-park delicious and I think they could step it up a little bit.
As for drinks, Centurion Lounges definitely know what they’re doing.
You’ll find premium spirits and curated wines, and if you’re into cocktails you can look into ordering the specialty cocktails that each lounge serves up.
One popular Centurion Lounge drink is the “Blue Door,” a name inspired by the lounge’s iconic doors.
It’s made with Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whiskey, Myer’s Rum, Herbal Liqueur, Lemon Juice, and Anise-Flavored Liqueur.
Unlike a lot of other airport lounges, you don’t have to pay for these signature cocktails.
Some of the newer lounges may offer special experiences like wine tasting.
You can usually get tea and coffee, too. Also, they usually have a container with some kind of infused water.
Infused water at The Centurion Lounge.
Tip: If you want to bring a little bit of the Centurion Lounge flavor to your home you can check out these recipes.
Nap rooms and relaxation
Another nice perk that some lounges like the one in Houston (IAH) have is a place to rest and take a nap on comfy chaise lounge chairs.
The lounge at IAH has also incorporated wellness into the lounge and has a new room offering free access to Calm content and a health and wellness menu with health-conscious beverage options, including hot Calm Relax Tea and Calm Focus Tea, coconut water, and other options.
IAH nap room.
Seating and work stations
If you’re in the mood to just sit in a comfortable chair, you’ll find those in the lounge, too.
Many of the lounges also have cubbies as seen below that offer you a semi-private experience.
In addition, you can usually find monitors displaying flight information in various parts of the lounge so you can stay updated on your flight status.
Assuming you can find an open workstation, it’s a great place to get work done with high-speed Wi-Fi, semi-private workspaces, and computer bars with a printer/fax/copier. Conference rooms might be available at some lounges as well.
Amex Centurion Lounges FAQ
How can I get access to Amex Centurion Lounges?
In order to gain access, you’ll need to be an Amex Platinum cardmember, Delta Skymiles Reserve Card member, or Centurion cardmember.
All card types are included so Business Platinum Cards and Corporate Platinum Cards will get you access, too.
Can I get free food and drinks in Centurion Lounges?
Yes. One of the great perks about the lounge is that you are offered free hot meals and free drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
In fact, each Amex Centurion Lounge has its own specialty cocktails you can request.
Do Centurion Lounges have showers and spas?
Many of the Centurion Lounges have showers and a couple of them like the ones in DFW and Miami do have spas.
Does Priority Pass get me access to Amex Centurion Lounges?
Priority Pass will not get you access into the Centurion Lounge.
Do Centurion Lounges have free wifi and work stations?
American Express Centurion Lounges provide high speed wifi on a complimentary basis and usually have tables and other work stations that you can use.
They also typically have a computer bar area equipped with printer, fax, and copier.
Do Centurion Lounges have family/kid rooms?
Some of the Centurion Lounges offer special rooms filled with things to keep your kids occupied. They usually have a transparent wall so you can keep an eye on them from the outside.
Do I have to be 21 years old to enter?
No, but in order to be served alcoholic beverages you must be 21.
Can I bring food into the lounge?
No, you are not allowed to bring outside food into the lounge.
Final word
American Express Centurion Lounges are some of the nicest domestic lounges that you’ll probably come across. There are more popping up each year and now it looks like they are expanding overseas, which is great to see.
I personally put a lot of value in my frequent visits to The Centurion Lounge at IAH and at PHX, since they give me a comfortable working space, quality wifi, and complimentary drinks and food.
Advertiser Disclosure: UponArriving has partnered with affiliate partners and may receive a commission from card issuers. UponArriving does not display all credit card offers and affiliate relationships may impact how offers are presented.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analysis & recommendations are UponArriving’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Amex Disclosure: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
Make Out like a Bandit with Amex FHR
Advertiser Disclosure: UponArriving has partnered with affiliate partners and may receive a commission from card issuers. UponArriving does not display all credit card offers and affiliate relationships may impact how offers are presented. Amex Disclosure: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
There’s nothing better than wiping out an entire annual fee with one use of one perk.
Below, I’ll show you an example of how to make out like a bandit with the American Express FHR benefit. It’s all based on a special offer that is still active and that you can still take advantage of if you have the right credit card.
Amex FHR program
Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, also known as “Amex FHR,” is a luxury hotel program that offers special perks at world-class properties all around the globe.
The perks are very similar to what you receive as a typical hotel elite member but the perks get even sweeter as you’ll see below.
When you stay at an FHR property, you’ll receive the following:
With the addition of the $200 hotel credit on the Platinum Card, it’s now more tempting for cardholders to utilize FHR. As long as you book the prepaid route, you’ll trigger the $200 credit which essentially gives you a $200 discount.
Many popular luxury resorts in the desert drop their prices by a large margin when those crazy summer temps arrive which can work out very well with this credit.
Last year, I used this credit to cover a $200 stay at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson and this year I used it to cover a night at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
It’s a really cool historic property that every US president has stayed at since Hoover and was known for being a hotspot for Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe.
It also has unique qualities like a mystery room that once housed a hidden speakeasy and the resort boasts a thrilling (by my standards) 65 foot drop water slide.
With all of the taxes and fees, the first night came out to $336 so with the $200 FHR credit I was out of pocket about $136 (earned 5X on the $136).
The slide at the Biltmore is no joke.
Finding special promotions
Another way to sweeten the FHR deal is to find properties offering special promotions.
You can often find properties offering additional benefits like the third night or fourth night free or offering you property credits that stack in addition to the $100 property credit you receive automatically.
We jumped on a promotion offered at the historic Arizona Biltmore which offered a $250 property credit on top of all of the other benefits. (This offer is going through October so you still have time to take advantage of it.)
So going back to the $136 out-of-pocket I spent for the first night at the Arizona Biltmore….
Take a look at the line-up of credits that came along with that:
$60 FHR breakfast credit
$50 Diamond food and beverage credit
$100 FHR Property food and beverage credit
$250 FHR Promotional Property credit
Two free drink coupons up to $25 in value each
All of that was just for the first night so we had $510 to spend in food and beverage credits in 24 hours.
The biggest challenge was actually using the credit but luckily, my brother-in-law accompanied us one night so we didn’t leave anything unspent.
So it’s pretty crazy that with the $200 credit and all of the special $500+ FHR benefits, I offset the entire annual fee with a one night stay — at least from a value received perspective.
Adding other cards to the mix
You can also make these FHR redemptions workout by utilizing other credit cards.
For example, for the second night we used one of our free night certificates issued from the Hilton Aspire.
Our upgraded room total ended up coming out to around $488 with all taxes and fees so that was pretty good value for the free night certificate.
Obviously, we didn’t receive all the FHR benefits but we did get a $50 food and beverage credit and the additional night helped us to really enjoy the resort a lot more.
The other great thing about the Aspire and Hilton resorts like this is that you can use the $250 resort credit. So you could use that towards the room rate or for charges such as the resort fee.
The Los Muertos cocktail.
Final word
Benefits like the FHR program can already be really lucrative. But when you can combine these with additional credits and time them with special promotional offers, the value you receive can start to get ridiculous. If you can handle the desert heat, look for amazing deals to use this credit in the desert during the summer.
Advertiser Disclosure: UponArriving has partnered with affiliate partners and may receive a commission from card issuers. UponArriving does not display all credit card offers and affiliate relationships may impact how offers are presented.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analysis & recommendations are UponArriving’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Amex Disclosure: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
What Does Amex’s “Member Since” Date Really Mean? [2022]
Offers contained within this article maybe expired.
In addition to expiration dates, some credit or debit cards may display how long you have been a member with their banking establishment. One of the most well known banks that shows you this date is American Express which states it as “Member Since.” But what exactly does this date mean and how is it determined? The process might surprise you.
In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about your Member Since date.
What does “Member Since” mean for Amex cards?
The American Express Member Since date may indicate the year that you first became an American Express customer or the year that you opened up a specific American Express card account.I will explain the differences between these dates below so keep reading for more!
Note that there is also a Member Since American Express program just in case you were looking for that.
This is said to be “A destination for Amex Card Members where we’ll be curating an exciting, ongoing collection of what’s happening in the worlds of art, design, entertainment, dining, travel, and more.” It’s essentially a blog with articles that highlight some interesting locations like Capitol Hill in Seattle.
Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!
How is the Member Since date determined?
There is a lot of confusion about the Member Since date because it has been determined in different ways and also has been used in different ways for credit reporting. I’ll try to clear up some of the confusion below.
The Member Since date may be determined in the following ways.
Year you first opened an account with American Express
Many times the Member Since date will be based on the year that you first opened an account with American Express. So if you first opened a Green Card in 2012 and then opened up a Platinum Card in 2019, it’s possible (and likely) that your Member Since date will display as 2012 on your Platinum Card.
So in that case the Member Since date is an indication of how long you have been an American Express customer and not necessarily a cardholder of a particular card. You could chalk it up to marketing but that is just how American Express does it.
When you initially apply for an American Express card and get approved, that card may be sent out to you with the current year as the Member Since date. So using the same example as above, your Platinum Card could also say Member Since 2019.
However, if you had American Express cards in the past then your Member Since date may be updated when your card is re-issued.
For example, if you had the Green Card in 2010 but closed it in 2012 and then applied for the Platinum Card in 2019, your Platinum Card may initially show Member Since 2019. However, if you were to request a new Platinum Card, it is possible that your Member Since date would change to your first year with American Express which in this case would be 2010.
Presumably this is just caused by systems that need to be updated after your account is opened.
If you are added as an authorized user, then your Member Since date could be determined based on when you were added as an authorized user on a specific card. So if you were added as an authorized user in 2014, then your Member Since date would be 2014.
But your Member Since date could also be based on the first year that you were ever an authorized user/customer with any American Express card. So let’s say you were added as an authorized user to a Green Card in 2014 but you were previously added as an authorized user to a Platinum Card in 2010. It is possible that your Green Card would show that you have been a member since 2010.
Also, in my personal experience, the Member Since year is based on when you were added as an authorized user and not when the primary card holder’s account was open.
However, that might not always be the case. I know some people who have Member Since dates that pre-date their own birth and they received their Member Since date based on when their primary card members a.k.a. their parents opened up their accounts.
I think this may have to do with the fact that American Express used to backdate accounts.
In the past, American Express would backdate the account history to when you first opened up a card with them.
That is, they would use the date of your earliest opened account and choose the month that you opened up the account and then report that to your personal credit report. So for example if you had an account opened up from 2010 and then opened up a new account in October 2014, that new account would report back to October 2010 as the open date.
Again, this was not just what showed up as your Member Since date, this is what actually reported to your credit report.
Don’t ask me how this was legal or allowed but that is just how things were done. This offered people a great way to boost their credit score since they could get approved for more American Express cards and therefore increase their average age of accounts.
Your Member Since date will not necessarily reflect what is on your personal credit report.
This is very important to realize because it could lead you to make bad credit decisions.
For example, if you see that your Member Since state is 10 years older than the account actually reported to your credit report, you might be tempted to keep that card open in order to preserve the average age of your accounts since that can affect your credit score.
In that case, you might end up paying for an expensive annual fee that you don’t need to pay for each year or perhaps just holding onto a card that you don’t need to hang onto any longer.
So my advice would be to just avoid what date is displayed on your credit card for the most part. If you are going to make any type of decision regarding closing or opening up credit card accounts, make sure that you use the date on your credit report.
Final word
The Member Since date on your American Express cards is essentially a badge of honor used to remind you of your loyalty to the brand since you first became a customer. In many cases it has nothing to do with the age of your account and so you should refer to your personal credit report if you are curious about the age of your account.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
American Express Return Protection Guide: (Exclusions, Claims) [2021]
Offers contained within this article maybe expired.
One of the great perks about using a credit card to make a purchase is that you’ll usually receive built-in protections for that purchase. This is especially the case with Amex cards which offer great return protection.
In this article, I’ll explain what Amex return protection is and how it works. I’ll also show you how to file a claim if you need to and talk about some of the limitations and excluded items, some of which you might not have expected to be excluded.
What is American Express return protection?
Return protection is a special perk that allows you to receive a refund from American Express when the store you made the purchase from has refused to allow you to return the product.
If you try to return an eligible item within 90 days from the date of purchase and the merchant won’t take it back, American Express may refund the full purchase price, up to $300 per item (excluding shipping and handling charges).
Amex will reimburse you up to a maximum of $1,000 per card member account per calendar year based on the date of purchase. So the key limitations are that the return attempt must be made within 90 days of purchase and that you can reimbursed up to a maximum of $300.
Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!
What Amex cards offer return protection?
Not every every Amex card will offer return protection. Here are some of the different Amex cards that you might look to for this coverage:
Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card
Amex Gold Card (Senior Version)
Business Gold Rewards Card
Business Platinum Card
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
Delta Reserve Credit Card
Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Platinum Card from American Express (different versions)
Plum Card
Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Amazon Business American Express Card
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Centurion Card from American Express
Business Centurion Card from American Express
You do not have to enroll your Amex card into any special kind of program as the protection is built in to your card’s benefits.
You can search for the terms for your specific card here.
Amex return protection limitations
As you would expect with a benefit like this, there are going to be quite a few restrictions on the benefit.
Location
The first restriction is related to the location of the purchase. The terms and conditions state that the purchases must be made in:
50 United States of America,
District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa,
Federated States of Micronesia,
Marshall Islands,
Palau,
Guam and
Northern Mariana Islands
Must use your card
You must also charge the full amount on your eligible Amex card to get a full refund.
Refund limits
As stated, refunds are limited to $300 per eligible item, and $1,000 per Card Member account per calendar year based on the date of purchase, not during the year the claim was filed.
Condition of the product
The item that you purchased must be in the original purchase condition (not visibly used, defective, or damaged in any way) and must be in working order.
Denied attempt for the return
To get coverage, the merchant from which the item was originally purchased must also have denied an attempted return of the item.
Any item purchased from a merchant that has an established return/satisfaction guarantee program which is greater than or equal to the terms of Return Protection, and provides coverage for your claim, will not be eligible for a refund.
Product rebates, discounts or money received from lowest price comparison programs will be deducted from the original cost of the item. The maximum you will be compensated will not exceed the amount charged to the eligible Card Account.
Amex return protection exclusions
There are quite a few items that are excluded from the Amex return protection program. Some of these items are items that you would expect to be excluded like living animals. However, there are a number of items that you might think would otherwise be returnable.
I’ve bolded some of the items that I didn’t expect to be excluded by this program and/or items that you should be aware of.
Animals and living plants
One-of-a-kind items (including, but not limited to, antiques, artwork, and furs)
Limited edition items
Going-out-of-business sale items
Consumable or perishable items with limited life spans (including, but not limited to, food, perfume, light bulbs, and batteries)
Jewelry (including, but not limited to, loose gems, precious stones, metals, and pearls)
Watches
Services and additional costs (including, but not limited to, installation charges, warranties, shipping, handling or memberships)
Rare and precious coins
Purchased used and/or altered items (including, but not limited to, purchases at auction sites and second- hand stores)
Custom-built items
Compact discs, digital video discs, mini discs, audiotapes, videotapes
Computer software
Firmware (including, but not limited to, console games, etc.)
Maps
Books, magazines or periodicals of any kind
Health care items and /or medical equipment (including, but not limited to, blood pressure machines and diabetes equipment, items or supplies used for maternity care)
Personal hygiene items (including, but not limited to, all electrical or non-electrical toothbrushes, razors, or any devices (medical or non-medical) that have been personally used and could be considered a health risk to others);
Formal wear (including, but not limited to, bridal wear, gowns, prom dresses, and tuxedos)
Tickets of any kind (including, but not limited to, transportation passes or tickets and event tickets)
Motorized vehicles (including, but not limited to, cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and airplanes), their parts and accessories (e.g. car battery) as well as those parts and accessories intended for use with the motorized vehicles (e.g. a trailer or audio or visual components)
Land, buildings and fixtures (including but not limited to, central air conditioner, built-in kitchen appliance and water heater)
Firearms
Ammunition
Negotiable instruments (including, but not limited to, promissory notes, stamps, and travelers checks)
Cash and its equivalent (including, but not limited to, gift cards and gift certificates)
Items permanently affixed to home, office, vehicles, etc. (including, but not limited to, garage door openers and car alarms)
Seasonal items (including but not limited to holiday decorations and costumes)
“Final sale”
It’s pretty common to purchase items that are “final sale” meaning that the merchant won’t allow you to return these items. When this happens, you should still be covered Amex return protection.
How to file a return protection claim
Once you have verified that the merchant will not accept the eligible item, you can file your claim over the phone.
To file a claim, call 1-800-228-6855 within 90 days of the purchase date to notify Amex of your request.
Within 30 days of that phone call, Amex will need you to send in the following:
A copy of the original store receipt
A copy of the American Express Card record of charge
Any other items deemed reasonable by us to process your request
Be sure to keep the item in an easily retrievable place because once your request has been reviewed and deemed eligible, you may be asked to send the item to Amex within 30 days for further evaluation.
You will also need to keep a record of your shipping receipt, as you will need to provide proof of shipping in the event that your eligible item is not received. Amex will reimburse you for all shipping costs.
In reality, you’re not always asked to send in your receipts or even the item you couldn’t return. This is true for cheaper items but if you’re dealing with more expensive items (i.e., those close to $300), Amex might require you to send them in.
If you don’t have to send any additional items to Amex, you might get reimbursed for your item very quickly — sometimes within just a couple of days.
Return protection phone number
If you have any questions you can call the return protection phone number at 1-800-228-6855.
Final word
American Express return protection is a solid benefit that you should definitely consider taking advantage of. The key with perks like this is to act promptly and to keep track of your documentation.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
New Hilton Promo: Up to 3X the Points!
Hilton has announced a new promotion for 2021 called “Power Up Your Points.” This is a very straightforward promotion which is extra lucrative for all of you proud Hilton cardholders. Below, I will break down the offer and show you just how much value you can expect to get from this promotion.
The Offer
Earn Double Points on stays completed September 7 to December 31.
Earn Triple Points when you use your Hilton Honors card to pay for your stays
Offer valid for stays completed September 7, 2021, through December 31, 2021 (“Promotion Period”) at any hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio.
Hilton Honors members must first register at HiltonHonors.com/PowerUp prior to completing a stay within the Promotion Period.
You must check out on or prior to December 31, 2021 to be eligible for this offer.
There is no limit to the total amount of Bonus Points that may be earned during the Promotion Period with this offer.
There’s a pretty long list of eligible Hilton cards including a few cards that I did not even know existed. Maybe some of you more “seasoned” credit card folks who have been in the game for a long time will recognize some of the cards below.
Hilton Honors Credit Cards include:
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Hilton Honors Visa Classic Sumitomo Card
Hilton Honors Visa Gold Sumitomo Card
Hilton Honors Visa Platinum Sumitomo Card
Hilton Honors American Express Premium card
Hilton Honors Platinum Barclaycard
Hilton Honors Credit Card issued by Deutsche Kreditbank AG.
Value potential
Let’s say that you stayed at a Hilton hotel for four nights at $100 per night and that you used the Hilton Aspire to book the hotel. Because you would be using an American Express Hilton Honors Card, you would be eligible for the triple bonus rate.
You would earn the following rates:
4,000 base points
4,000 Diamond elite bonus points
8,000 “Power Up Your Points” bonus points
5,600 Aspire bonus points
That is a total of 21,600 Hilton Honors points. At a WalletFlo valuation of .52 cents per point, that’s $112.32 in value. For $400 in spend that is 54X (approximately 28% back) which is a nice stack.
There are also a lot of Hilton Amex Offers you can stack with your savings right now. Check out WalletFlo to see all of the different types of saving opportunities!
Final word
Overall, this is a very straightforward promotion offering some pretty lucrative savings. The only drawback is that you have to use a Hilton card to get the most points which some people may not be able or willing to do. Be sure to register right now so that you don’t forget later on.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
American Express Uber Eats Pass Guide [2021]
Offers contained within this article maybe expired.
Food delivery services such as Uber Eats and GrubHub have exploded in popularity over the last few years. They make finding and ordering food much more convenient in many areas of the country.
The drawback is that they come with a lot of fees including delivery fees which can be quite pricey.
Luckily, there are ways to avoid these delivery fees with memberships like Uber Eats Pass.
And now it’s possible to get a free Uber Eats Pass membership with certain American Express cards.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Amex Uber Eats Pass including how to enroll and what to expect.
What is Uber Eats?
Uber Eats is a food delivery service app that allows users to order meals from various restaurants and have the meals delivered directly to their home or another desired location.
What is the Eats Pass Membership?
The Eats Pass Membership is a monthly subscription through Uber Eats that offers various benefits including $0 delivery fees, 5% off restaurant orders over $15, and $0 delivery fees on grocery deliveries over $30 in select markets.
Typically, this membership would cost $9.99 per month or $119 per year.
For a regular Uber Eats user, this perk can result in some pretty massive savings.
The delivery fees will change based on when and where you order your food from but it’s not uncommon to have to pay a few bucks per order.
If you order Uber eats once a week, it’s very possible that the waived delivery fees could save you over $200 in a year alone.
And when you also factor in the savings on restaurant orders over $15 and grocery delivery orders over $30, those savings can add up even higher.
So for people who are already using Uber Eats, this is really a fantastic saving opportunity.
Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!
What is the American Express Eats Pass membership?
If you have an eligible American Express card, you can get the Uber Eats Pass for free for up to 12 months!
The stipulation is that you must enroll by December 31, 2021.
Tip: Since this benefit is offered in a 12 month timeframe, you don’t want to activate the subscription until you are confident that you will actually be using it.
What American Express cards get the Eats Pass membership benefit?
You can receive the Uber Eats Pass if you have one of the following consumer American Express cards:
To enroll in the Uber Eats Pass offer, first make sure that you have downloaded or updated to the latest version of the Uber Eats app.
Once you are in the app, add your eligible American Express card to your wallet.
After you have added your card, you should be able to see a prompt to enroll in Uber Eats Pass.
If you have already added your eligible card, then all you have to do is claim your complimentary Uber Eats Pass within the app and confirm your enrollment.
You will see a tab for Eats Pass in the bottom right corner of the app and once you click on that you will see a call to action button that says “Start Eats Pass.” Simply tap on that to enroll.
If your card has been added you should see a slide up window that indicates when your billing will begin and that you qualify for 12 months free. Remember that this will auto renew when your 12 months are up.
Note: Some people including myself have experienced a glitch where the membership was only activated for six months. If this happens to you, you can try re-adding your eligible American Express card and if that does not work contact Uber Eats.
New change
In order to receive your Uber Eats Pass benefits you must use an eligible Amex card for payment. In some cases, this may mean you’ll have to miss out on bonus points (e.g., using the Platinum instead of the Chase Sapphire Reserve).
Monthly discount
A new discount will be applied to Uber Eats Pass members for Uber rides. You’ll be able to save 10% on your first 3 eligible rides of every month. Only UberX, UberXL, Uber Green, and Uber Comfort rides are eligible for the 10% rides discount. Only Uber Black rides are eligible for the 15% rides discount.
Other Uber benefits
You can save on Uber if you have an American Express Platinum Card or Gold Card with special monthly credits that are issued.
The Platinum Card receives a $15 monthly credit on Uber that comes in the form of Uber Cash ($30 for the month of December). This means that you can use this credit on Uber rides or on Uber Eats.
And starting early next year, the American Express Gold Card will provide card members with $10 monthly credits in Uber Cash which can also be used on Uber rides or Uber Eats.
Tip: If this is a lot for you to keep track of, I would recommend you use the free app WalletFlo to help you keep track of all of your credits.
American Express Uber Eats Pass FAQ
What happens when my Uber Eats Pass membership expires?
After you have used your membership for 12 months, you will be automatically charged $9.99 or the current pass rate.
This means that you need to remember to cancel your Eats Pass in order to avoid the fees.
If you would like to know the exact day that your pass ends, simply click on the Eats Pass tab and scroll down under “learn more” and you will see the exact date the offer ends.
When is the enrollment deadline?
You must enroll in this benefit before December 31, 2021. You will have the benefit for 12 consecutive months from the date that you enroll.
If you are already enrolled, simply select the Eats Pass icon to enroll in a complimentary membership through American Express.
Once you enroll, your membership will become complimentary at the start of your next billing cycle.
Will my membership auto renew?
Yes, Uber will auto-bill you for Uber Eats Pass starting 12 months from the initial enrollment in the benefit.
Final word
This is a fantastic way to save for someone already using Uber Eats.
If you are new to Uber Eats then it can also be a great way to save but you need to factor in that sometimes you have to pay other fees such as service fees or sometimes even deal with marked up prices.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
For those who frequently fly Delta Airlines and are interested in airport lounge access, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve is a great option. It comes with a number of different lounge access benefits but how exactly do these benefits work and what are the limitations?
In this article, I will break down all of the details related to Delta SkyMiles Reserve lounge access, including things like the guest policies.
Like many other credit cards with a high annual fee, one of the core benefits of this premium card is airport lounge access.
Over the past couple of years we have seen the lounge access for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve expand to include more options, thus bringing more value to cardmembers.
As a cardmember you are now given access to the following lounges:
Delta Sky Clubs
Centurion Lounges
Escape Lounges
However, there are a lot of terms that apply to your entry and to any guests you may want to bring along. So keep reading below for more details.
Delta Sky Clubs are the branded lounges for Delta Airlines that you can find in many locations. With the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, you will be granted two different types of Delta Sky Club access: 1) complimentary entry and 2) one-time guest passes.
Complimentary entry
Delta SkyMiles Reserve receive complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
This access is only for the individual cardmember which includes the primary cardholder and also authorized users.
Card members traveling on a Delta partner flight that is not marketed or operated by Delta can still access the lounge but at an exclusive per visit rate of $39 per person, per location.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve members can also bring up to two guests or immediate family members at the exclusive per visit rate of $39 per person, per location. (Children under 2 years of age may accompany the card member for free.)
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card must be used as the payment method to receive the exclusive per-visit rate.
Also, guests must be flying on same day Delta or Delta partners.
In order to gain entry you must present your card, same day Delta or Delta partner boarding pass, and your government issued ID. The name on your boarding pass must match the name on the card.
Also, individuals must be at least 18 years of age to access the Delta sky club and 21 years of age to access locations with a self-service bar, unless they are accompanied by a supervising adult who has access to the club.
Guest passes
As a Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardmember, you will also receive two one-time guest passes when you open up your account and each account anniversary after that.
This means that you can bring a guest with you for free up to two times every year.
You will be able to find these guest passes in your Wallet in the Fly Delta app and in My Profile on delta.com under Certificates, eCredits, and Vouchers.
These guest passes will expire within one year from the date of issuance. If your account anniversary month changes your passes will be issued within your new renewal month.
In order to use this guest pass, you must present your card, same day Delta or Delta partner boarding pass, and your government issued ID.
Something super important to note is that the Basic Card Member must be present in order to use the one-time guest passes. Also, the guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
You can only use two one-time guest passes per visit.
They are known for having some of the best food, service, and decor especially when compared to the lounges offered by the major domestic carriers. They are usually associated with Platinum Cards but access was opened up to certain Delta cards relatively recently.
When you book your Delta flight with the Reserve card, you can get complimentary access to Amex Centurion lounges. This applies to both the basic card member and the authorized users.
Note: the eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express charge or credit card.
You can also bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person but guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
To get access you will need to present your card, a boarding pass showing a reservation for Delta Airlines, and a government issued ID.
A card member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. If there is a self-service bar, the cardmember must be of the legal drinking age in the jurisdiction to enter without a parent or guardian.
Escape Lounge access
Escape Lounges offer complimentary food, drinks (including alcoholic beverages), high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations, and areas to relax and enjoy some comfortable space away from the crowds. Many of these lounges are found at smaller airports but you can also find these at bigger airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
They now go by the new name “Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner.”
It sounds a lot fancier but as far as I know this was just a re-brand of the name and nothing substantive about the lounges has changed as of yet.
However, one thing that did change with the re-brand is that access was given to Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders.
The key thing to note here is that access was given to card members when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
This is the big distinction between the Platinum Card which offers access regardless of which airline you’re flying on.
To access these lounges you will need to present your Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, a boarding pass showing your reservation for same-day travel on Delta, and also your government-issued ID.
If the cardmember is under 21 years old, they may need a parent or guardian to be with them for some lounges.
Something else to note is that the eligible flight must be booked on a US issued American Express credit card.
This means that you could still use the Platinum Card to purchase your airfare as long as you still had your Delta SkyMiles Reserve on hand.
As far as guests go, the terms state that card members may bring up to two guests at a per visit rate equal to the guest fee of the Escape Lounge location. You should also note that guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
Final word
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve continues to receive more lounge benefits and it is quickly becoming one of the best cards for lounge access. I would still go with the Platinum Card above this card for lounge benefits not to mention all of the other perks but the value is definitely starting to rack up in the lounge department for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
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