Some decent perks coming soon for American Express cardholders at YYZ

[FunSave22]

For American Express cardholders:

* Access to fast-track lane at security in Terminals 1 and 3, previously open only to frequent flyer programs. (The security process is the same as for everyone else, but people can skip to the head of the line. The partnership also allows this to expand across all security points in the airport. Pearson previously only had the fast-track line at selected points.)

* Free valet.

* 15 per cent off parking.

* Fast-track taxi and limo line at Arrivals.

* Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and other special lounges (for premium cardholders).

For everyone else:

* American Express-sponsored free WiFi Internet throughout the airport

* “Entertainment experiences” inside the terminal that will help make wait times at the gates more enjoyable. Ideas for these are still in development.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/american-express-pearson-team-up-for-airport-perks-campaign/article4299652/?cmpid=rss1



I wonder how well this will go. I can honestly see a lot of angry people when large numbers of other people cut in front of them in the security and taxi lines.

[n3o321]

I wonder if it's for all Amex card holders..or if it's just for Platnium and above :(


when does this go live? it doesnt say in the article.

[nalababe]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/american-express-pearson-team-up-for-airport-perks-campaign/article4299652/?cmpid=rss1



I wonder how well this will go. I can honestly see a lot of angry people when large numbers of other people cut in front of them in the security and taxi lines.

Actually, I don't see much of a difference than is already now in place.

With my Amex, I can alrady bypass the hundreds of people in the queue and be next in line for security screening.
At the gate with my Elite, I board first or get priority checkin.

It is just something that people expect now at the airport....as long as there is a separate line and it is clearly marked.

[Manatus]

How fast is the fast-track security line going to be if everyone with a Costco Amex can get in there? I'd be pretty mad if I already had access.

[gilboman]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/american-express-pearson-team-up-for-airport-perks-campaign/article4299652/?cmpid=rss1



I wonder how well this will go. I can honestly see a lot of angry people when large numbers of other people cut in front of them in the security and taxi lines.

not really, this has been in place for a while already. They have express lane for J-class pax as well..but you just skip the security line, still wait forever for US immigration (if going to US and no nexus)

[porphyra]

Yea, fast track has already been in place. In the US, it is at nearly all decent sized airports. If you have status with AC, then your corresponding *A status will show up on your boarding card and you can use the faster track security line. It is a boon for sure.

I wonder if these features are only going to be limited to certain AMEX cards. Seeing as how many people probably hold the vanilla one or the Costco Amex; it will negate any advantage those fast track security lines used to provide.

[FunSave22]

There's a difference between the small number of people who currently get to skip the security line and the much larger amount that will be able to skip it once this is in place. I can see the potential for a lot more people who don't get the skip the lines becoming more vocal with their displeasure. But maybe I'm wrong.


And I don't believe there currently is a separate line for taxis. So this would be completely new. Or have I not been paying enough attention and it's already there?

[Toule]

They are increasing the price of the AMEX platinum to increase benefits, so what is mentioned above will be for plat and centurion card olders.

[gilboman]

They are increasing the price of the AMEX platinum to increase benefits, so what is mentioned above will be for plat and centurion card olders.

Probably, but that is already in place (line bypass for platinum amex holders)

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Def Platinum amex/ Centurion amex only.

I'm happy with the new AMEX changes and this announcement is yet another step in the right direction.

[kasianman]

They are increasing the price of the AMEX platinum to increase benefits, so what is mentioned above will be for plat and centurion card olders.

Regular American Express Platinum or does it also include AMEX Air Miles Platinum holders as well?

[GateGuardian]

You can also get express security / customs if you have a Nexus pass

[Paulfistinyourface]

Regular American Express Platinum or does it also include AMEX Air Miles Platinum holders as well?

I can't see them taking the time to check every single card to ensure they are valid and entitled to the benefit. A quick flash of the card should be all that's required to jump in the priority screening line. If they have to screen each and every cardholder then that will just suck all the good out of this benefit. Next thing you know there will be an Amex Verification Line.

Good thing I keep all my old expired/cancelled credit cards. I'll dust one off just to flash at the airport. All right, that's a lie. I don't keep my old cards. But I know RFDers who will try it.

I wonder if Amex forces a cardholder to purchase their ticket(s) using their Amex card, so that it could be printed right on the boarding pass. That would be the logical answer, and makes sense from an Amex point of view. Like any other huge corporation, they don't give away anything without expecting something in return.

[mjl_toronto]

I can't see them taking the time to check every single card to ensure they are valid and entitled to the benefit. A quick flash of the card should be all that's required to jump in the priority screening line. If they have to screen each and every cardholder then that will just suck all the good out of this benefit. Next thing you know there will be an Amex Verification Line.

Good thing I keep all my old expired/cancelled credit cards. I'll dust one off just to flash at the airport. All right, that's a lie. I don't keep my old cards. But I know RFDers who will try it.

I wonder if Amex forces a cardholder to purchase their ticket(s) using their Amex card, so that it could be printed right on the boarding pass. That would be the logical answer, and makes sense from an Amex point of view. Like any other huge corporation, they don't give away anything without expecting something in return.

It could be a hassle for employees to check which credit card you have, but according to AMEX Canada's Website (https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/content/the-platinum-card/), the benefit looks to be for their regular Platinum Card (annual fee of $699), Aeroplan Platinum Card (annual fee of $499), and Business Platinum Card (annual fee of $399). It wouldn't be that hard for an employee to differentiate those 3 cards from the rest.

Anyone have real world experience with a card other than these three mentioned? I have the Air Miles Platinum and will be trying it out later this year.

[Conquistador]

I don't believe that these benefits are new. I have been utilizing the fast track security benefit and MLL access for the last three years with my Aeroplan Platinum card. I don't know about the benefit for taxis/parking/valet because I usually only transit through YYZ.

[jerryhung]

My experience at YYZ, with AMEX Plat

Security: NEXUS >> AMEX Plat >> regular pax

Parking: for $6 parking I got back $0.90 (for $3 parking I got back $0.45). didn't try Valet

Lounge: PP or AMEX Plat will get you into Plaza lounges (better than MLL I think)

[plucky duck]

This is not Canada wide, at least this Amex perk does not apply to YYC.

[vim]

When you guys say that this applies to Amex Platinum Card holder, do you mean that my "American Express Platinum Cash Rebate" card will be accepted ? Or there is "another" platinum card?

[transitguy1]

When I fly out of T1 or T3 to International destinations (not the US), it takes me 5-10 mins normally at the regular security line.

I fly economy, and I don't need to use the special lounges which frequent flyers need.

I really don't see why I would need a card, I fly to EU mostly so its ok.

[GangStarr]

Just flew to the usa via T3 @ yyz.

So if you have nexus you can cut through the US preclearance line.

Afterwards everyone merges to go through general canadian security (shoes off bags on xray stage).

That is where the new amex line is. Yes they check your card, closely (line was empty)

I presented my amex airmiles platinum and was rejected. I played dumb and said, but its platinum.

His reply was centurion only.

Which considering the popularity of rfd and amex / airmiles / costco amex cards, looks like the line will continue to be empty and not full of rfd cheapskates ;)

I flew on a wednesday mid afternoon and spent about 15 minutes in line for canadian security and about 8 minutes in line for us pre clearance.

Hope that helps and sorry guys, step up to a $500/year card or line up with the peasents.

Coming back to toronto there was no amex line for canadian customs.