American Express introduces Domestic Meet & Greet Services

By | September 7, 2021
Amex Platinum Meet & greet

American Express has been adding a lot of value to Amex Platinum Cardholders and here’s one more new benefit added to the metal card: Meet & Greet (Domestic departures, only for now)

Meet & Greet Benefit

Here’s what you could expect with the new Domestic Meet and Greet Service for departures at Delhi airport,

  • Personalised welcome for up to four people at Domestic Departure Terminal
  • Assisted check-in inside the airport
  • Dedicated porter and buggy transfers.
  • Detailed T&C

The service is currently provided by Allways VIP (Plaza premium group), the same company that used to serve Citi Prestige meet & greet.

Given that they have an Amex lounge in Mumbai as well, we may likely see the service expand to Mumbai soon.

The limits & restrictions

  1. Complimentary Access limit: 4 per year (1 per quarter)
  2. Upto 4 members per access (1 primary cardmember + 3 guests)
  3. Only applicable for Cardmembers booking their flights through the Platinum Travel desk
  4. Valid till 28th Feb 2022

While the benefit looks decent, there is very little value with it because of:

  • Revenue bookings: For those like me flying only on points, this is of no use as you need to book via Amex Platinum travel desk to avail this benefit. Makes sense for international meet & greet access, but not for domestic.
  • Delhi Only: Eligible only for Delhi airport at the moment.
  • Domestic Departure only: We could get maximum value if we use it at International departures, so limiting it to domestic departure makes it less valuable.

The way the benefit is designed, it’s useful only if you carry lots of bags or if they take you via business class line for security screening (very likely).

One advantage of Amex over Axis is each person is counted for access with Axis whereas Amex gives it free upto 4.

Final Thoughts

As I’ve mentioned it earlier, I personally see Airport meet & greet service to be the next big differentiator in the super-premium card segment and I’m happy to see Amex testing the waters in this area.

But quite disappointed to see how the benefit is designed. Ideally I would expect it to be something like what Axis Magnus has done. It’s simple with lot less t&c.

If Axis Bank can give the benefit (8 times, no quarterly limits) on a 12K fee card, I’m sure Amex could do a lot better on a 70K fee card.

Assuming this benefit ends by Feb 2022, I’m hoping for a better version on renewal.

What’s your thoughts on the new Meet & Greet benefit on Amex Platinum Cards? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Author: Siddharth

Helping Indians to choose right credit cards, pick right offers and enjoy luxury vacations for less. Day & night exploring the spiritual reality of our human existence.

22 thoughts on “American Express introduces Domestic Meet & Greet Services

  1. MT

    i would peg the value at 2500rs , this is what mumbai airport charges for domestic services

    Reply
  2. Saurabh Patel

    I still feel meet and greet services have few benefits other than having bragging rights or trying to impress co-travelers. Maybe I will never get rid of my middle-class sensibilities.

    Also Sid, could you please consider covering Golf privileges of premium cards too. Those seem like another under-utilized privileges.

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      Security fast-track is god-send at times and that’s what I see as a major advantage when it comes to meet & greet.

      I’ve not used Golf myself, so have nothing much to say. Those who have used too don’t share any “wow” moments. Anyway, let me see if I could cover it.

      Reply
      1. Manish Jain

        Have used it multiple times, not even once did they give me fast track security. Not with Citi Prestige not with Magnus. The person just stood there holding my bag.

        Reply
        1. surya

          that sucks. Thanks to covid, even priority ques have been stopped and business or FF elite members have to go through the same que at the airport. The meet and greet becomes pointless imo without priority security; especially at Delhi airport.

          Reply
  3. Amit

    4 per year (1 per quarter) and offer ending by Feb end. So max this can be used 3 times.

    Reply
  4. Vish

    As stated, this is of limited value in the way it’s designed. Most of my domestic travel is using points redemptions or using HDFC points to cover 70% of the ticket cost. So I will probably never end up using it, unless I book Indigo tickets using Amex and then try and use it.

    It would be great for international travel I guess. I really hope they can sort something out for international, even if they keep the 4 per year limit. Although, a lot of my international travel is also points redemption based, surprisingly.

    Reply
  5. Parantap

    I’ve used the services by Axis Magnus at Mumbai and I recently used the Amex Delhi departure Meet-and-Greet. I think the Amex version is slightly better than the Axis one as the Buggy service was provided till the boarding gate and included drop-off/pick-up from the lounge.

    Reply
  6. Yogi

    Hi Siddarth. I have a LTF Hdfc Regalia First. I am now offered LTF Millennia Card. It is worth opting for this upgrade? I use my card only for Target based spends and very urgent expenses. Kindly advise.

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      It’s a “no” in most cases. Please check respective reviews.

      Reply
  7. ismail

    i have been asked for a financial review by Amex. Did anyone face it? what are the consequences? I guess i know why I am facing it, but would like input from all

    Reply
    1. Shivi

      Risk mitigation tactic. Were u using your card to max limit?

      Amex wants to confirm if the information provided on your application is indeed true and that you have the ability to pay back the debts owed to them.

      Reply
  8. Akshat

    “For those like me flying only on points, this is of no use as you need to book via Amex Platinum travel desk to avail this benefit.”

    Sid, i didn’t see any clause which said flight ticket needs to be booked through Amex.

    The way i read it, i think it says only the meet and greet needs to be booked through TLS

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      It was mentioned on the email and re-confirmed with concierge as well.

      Reply

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