The card, offered by a group of banks which includes Ameriprise, Citibank, and Morgan Stanley, offers upgrades and free companion tickets for premium air travel, as well as other travel benefits through a partner travel agency, Virtuoso Travel. The annual fees vary with the issuing bank starting from about $150 with Ameriprise. Here’s a rundown of the card’s notable features.
Free Companion Tickets: The card is limited, offering 2-for-1’s only to Europe and the South Pacific, in Business Class. Tickets are available on Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Iberia, Icelandair, Qantas, and US Airways. First Class tickets are available on Air Tahiti Nui to New Zealand and Tahiti. Sounds like a good deal. However, if you book 30 to 50 days in advance to Europe, you can almost always find a discounted Business Class fare that costs less than half of a full-fare Business Class ticket. Where this card saves you money is when you have to travel on short notice—of course, the other person has to be able to travel on short notice, too.
Free Upgrades: They’re only available with a full-fare economy ticket. Most leisure travelers would do better buying a discounted, advance-purchase Business Class ticket. On the other hand, this is a good offer for the corporate traveler who books last-minute, or can’t meet the minimum-stay requirement. The free upgrades to Business Class are good on Alitalia, Austrian, Jet Airways, Lufthansa, Mexicana, and SAS, and from Business to First Class on Qantas to Australia and New Zealand.
Hotel Benefits: The card’s hotel benefits are a strong point as room upgrades can sometimes be confirmed at time of booking. Partner brands include Fairmont, Hyatt, and InterContinental. Other benefits vary, but can include: daily breakfast and/or lunch for two, early and/or late check out, food and beverage credit, welcome gift, free parking, free spa treatment, free admission to spa facilities, and seasonal free-night offers with Four Seasons Hotels. (The current promotion is a free third night at Four Seasons properties in Las Vegas and Miami).
Other Benefits: Cruise shipboard credit on lines such as Crystal, Paul Gauguin, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and the Yachts of Seabourn. Save $250 per-person on select tours with operators such as Abercrombie & Kent and Tauck. Receive a car-rental discount or a free car upgrade with National. Save up to 50% with chauffeured car service.
Conclusion: The card is worth it if you book at the last minute—and you have someone who can fly with you. It’s not a good deal if you can plan ahead, the other benefits notwithstanding.