entry policy for the Sydney American Express airport

15 replies

Palpal

Member since 23 Jan 2016

Total posts 10

entry policy for the Sydney American Express airport

Palpal

Member since 23 Jan 2016

Total posts 10

1. The American Express site no longer shows the CBA diamond card, westpac black or ANZ black cards to get entry. Anyone know if these cards still allow entry?

2. What is the kids entry policy if they accompany a cardholder?

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

Hi Palpal, could you kindly share a link to the web page you found which has this information (no ANZ/CBA/Westpac)?

We're not aware of any access changes, but can forward that link to AMEX HQ to ask if there has been a change or to flag that their website needs an update.

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

Google directs me to a page titled 'GoodGoing' on an amexnetwork domain but it doesn't seem to load at present (as per comment below)

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

Likewise (and that page has been unavailable for weeks), so am curious where Palpal saw this.

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

Unsure on point 1, can't load the Amex site at all.

On 2, I believe they count as a guest. Very few airlines/ lounges are as generous as Qantas

elliott

Member since 25 Sep 2015

Total posts 3

I am a Plat Amex card holder and I do not like to fact bank issued Amex cards gain access to Amex lounge in Syd.

As a Plat Amex card holder I pay a very high fee each year and feel the lounge should be for direct Amex members only not bank issued.

deanr

Member since 04 May 2015

Total posts 58

That "very high fee" (guessing $1,200) buys you unlimited use of this lounge throughout the year and many others. Other bank customers who pay $300-400 a year for their black cards get only two free visits a year and have to pay for the rest. Seems fair to me!

(Well, actually, it would be even fairer if you were willing to take the same approach: you pay 3-4x as much in annual fees so you can have 3-4x as many visits as bank customers... so in other words, 6-8 visits a year, and then you can pay too!)

Doesn't seem fair? Better stick with the current system then!

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

Just waiting for

"I am a Centurion Amex card holder and I do not like the fact that mere Plat Amex cards gain access to the Amex lounge in Syd. Please ban all Plat only members including elliott in the future"

They are the T&Cs live with them. FYI the bank issued Amex cards pay about the same amount as Amex direct Plat Credit cards - hence they both seemingly get 2/year

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 456

I think there's a bit of brand name confusion with the AMEX Centurion lounges in the US. Whilst it's Centurion in name AMEX makes it crystal clear:

Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for global Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members.

They don't even have a picture of a Centurion card on the pages! 

elliott

Member since 25 Sep 2015

Total posts 3

I just have a point of view that AMEX lounges should be for AMEX members....

Once the new credit card regulations come into effect, it will be interesting to see if the banks keep issuing AMEX cards!

Maybe we should open the qantas lounge to velocity members - haha.

deanr

Member since 04 May 2015

Total posts 58

But they are for AMEX members. The other banks also issue AMEX cards and it's only those top AMEX cards that can get you admitted.

Rock up with a Visa or MasterCard and you'll be told to disappear.

Again by your logic, with a platinum card, I'm sure you'd not be seen visiting the American Express Centurion lounges in the US? Those obviously should be for Centurion members, but they're just kind enough to let you inside too.

(Or do you actually pay $5,000 a year to have a card that's also heavy enough to be a paperweight?)

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

Hey Elliott, at least on your last point, stranger things have happened! :P

Qantas Perth lounge now open to Virgin Australia frequent flyers

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 456

Think of this as a sales exercise by AMEX. If, as you suggest the banks stop issuing AMEX eligible cards that gives the bank customer access to the AMEX lounge then they are probably likely to apply for a direct AMEX card - so AMEX ultimately wins! 

Eachschoolhols

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Jul 2016

Total posts 9

We went a couple of weeks ago. I used commbank platinum and my husband used anz black. We both took an extra adult in.

There were no questions about our two children (6 & 4) We certainly didn't need to use one of the our entries for them.

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