When we recently announced new benefits for the Platinum Card®, we, of course, got a lot of questions. Some Card members asked when and how the new benefits would go into effect; others had concerns about existing benefits. Also, we received quite a bit of feedback on the overall benefits program for the Platinum Card. It’s this feedback that led me to want to write this post asking -- how could our benefits be better, more useful to you and your business? 

Here are the answers to some of the questions I received:

• Do we have to book through American Express Platinum Travel Services, or can we book on our own and use the American Express Platinum Card? To receive the 20 percent Travel Bonus, you would need to book your travel through  americanexpress.com/travel and use the Membership Rewards® Pay with Points feature to pay for either all or part of your trip. Then, 20 percent of the total points you used will be deposited into your points balance.

• If the $200 credit can be applied to airport lounge entries, does that mean the current benefit of free entry into lounges is going to be discontinued? These new benefits do not replace existing benefits, and Platinum Card members continue to have access to American Airlines, Continental (through September 30^th, 2011), Delta, and the recently added US Airways lounges. The Airline Fee Credit is an additional benefit that allows you to select an airline of your choice and enroll to receive an annual credit of up to $200 towards a range of incidental charges, such as, but not limited to baggage fees, ticket-change fees or airport lounge entry fees.  

• Will the $200 be reimbursed as a one-time credit or as we use it? The credit will then be applied as you use it. But first, you need to enroll here, where you can select the airline you wish to use the credit on. 

For some other questions, we’ve provided additional information online at www.open.com/nextgenplatinum or you can search for specific answers online. If you have a question you don’t see there, please let me know.

When we launched OPEN Forum, we did so partly to help business owners learn from each other, but also so we could learn from you. As we look to create new products, services, and benefits to help you run your businesses, who better to hear from than you? Please share your suggestions below or e-mail me at marcy@openforum.com.