The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has launched a public petition in hopes of reversing American Express' recent decision to eliminate travel advisor access to its Privileges programs through RezSaver.
The organization is seeking a verified pathway that allows professional travel advisors to book eligible Privileges benefits on their clients’ behalf.
The current restriction forces eligible Centurion and Platinum cardmembers to choose between qualifying travel benefits and having their advisor book and service that portion of their trip.
"The consequences extend beyond the initial reservation. Travel advisors recommend suppliers, coordinate complete itineraries and assist clients before, during and after travel. When a cruise or hotel booking must move to American Express Travel to qualify for benefits, the itinerary becomes fragmented," the petition states. "Booking ownership and advisor compensation may be jeopardized, and the advisor’s ability to manage changes and resolve disruptions across the entire trip can be impaired."
"When a large U.S. bank cuts off travel advisors’ access to benefits for their shared clients, cardmembers are the ones who suffer," ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby said in a statement.
"Travel advisors coordinate complex trips in which every connection matters. American Express is forcing travelers to pull part of that journey out of their advisor’s hands simply to receive their card benefits," he added. "That introduces unnecessary complexity and creates more opportunities for service disruptions when timing and coordination are critical."
"Cardmembers should not have to surrender the advisor relationship they value to use benefits for which they qualify," said Kerby. "American Express can verify a cardmember’s eligibility without requiring that person to move their booking to American Express Travel. We are calling on the company to restore that choice."
Click here to learn more and sign the petition.
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