The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is pressing American Express to undo a policy change that shuts travel advisors out of booking the card issuer’s Privileges programs through RezSaver.
The trade group has launched a public petition asking Amex to bring back a verified way for advisors to book those perks for clients. As things stand, Centurion and Platinum cardmembers have to book the affected portion of a trip through American Express Travel to get their qualifying benefits, which takes that piece of the itinerary, and the servicing that goes with it, away from the advisor handling everything else.
“When a large U.S. bank cuts off travel advisors’ access to benefits for their shared clients, cardmembers are the ones who suffer,” said Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA. “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.”
ASTA’s argument centers on what happens when a trip goes sideways. An advisor managing flights, hotels, cruises, and ground transportation can rework the whole itinerary when a schedule shifts. A hotel stay booked in a separate channel sits outside that oversight, and the association says the split makes mid-trip changes harder to coordinate.
Kerby also contends that the booking requirement is unnecessary on its face.
“American Express can verify a cardmember’s eligibility without requiring that person to move their booking to American Express Travel,” he said. “We are calling on the company to restore that choice.”
The petition is open to advisors, travelers, and industry partners.
Related Stories
Delta Adds New Nonstop Service from Salt Lake City to Flagstaff
Kayak: Thanksgiving Fares Bottom Out Five Weeks Before Holiday
Rick Steves: Santorini ⏤ Behind the Beauty
Royal Caribbean Unveils 2028 Summer Alaska Voyages