American Express (Amex) advertised its International Airline Program (IAP) for Platinum Cardmembers as entitling them to purchase a specially negotiated ticket for first or business class air travel on a participating airline and receive a free, complimentary or bonus companion ticket entitling a second person to accompany the Cardmember on that trip.
The price charged by Amex suggested that the companion ticket offer was not free, bonus or complimentary.
The undertakings offered by Amex include:
writing to Cardmembers who were misled and offering a refund of one year’s Platinum Card membership fee or an amount of 10 per cent of the cost of the first fare purchased under the IAP, depending upon individual circumstances; and
a review of Amex’s Trade Practices compliance program.
