American Express purchased the travel company LoungeBuddy in 2019. It wasn’t exactly clear what AMEX needed or wanted with the website and app-based service, which lists and sells passes to airport lounges worldwide. AMEX was transforming the Platinum Card into a lifestyle product back then, and it could have been seen that having access to a global database of lounges would be helpful for those members. At the time, Chris Cracchiolo, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty and Benefits, gave this explanation for the purchase: “With the acquisition of LoungeBuddy, we will be able to leverage its cutting-edge platform to develop additional ways to become an essential part of our Card Members’ digital lives.”
While LoungeBuddy’s listings were integrated into the AMEX app when searching for lounges with the Platinum Card’s Global Lounge Network, the service was also available to the public through the LoungeBuddy website and app.
Some AMEX exclusives were created as LoungeBuddy passes can now only be purchased with an AMEX card. In addition, since the refresh of the AMEX Green Card, cardholders receive $100 in statement credits per calendar year when using the American Express Green Card to purchase lounge access directly from LoungeBuddy through the LoungeBuddy website or LoungeBuddy app.
Problems just under the surface
It appears that AMEX is losing interest in LoungeBuddy.
Regarding the LoungeBuddy app, AMEX pulled the plug on the service on July 1st.
As of July 1st, 2024, the LoungeBuddy iOS app will no longer be accessible. On this date, all user account data will also be removed. To all our loyal travelers out there, thank-you for the past many years and for living this app.
The website remains available, but news has surfaced that there’s another change coming for LoungeBuddy.
AMEX Green Card Losing $100 Credit
When logged into your AMEX Green Card account, you’ll see this notice when clicking on the LoungeBuddy credit:
Effective January 13, 2025, the $100 Loungebuddy Credit benefit will no longer be available.
The LoungeBuddy credit is also no longer listed as a card benefit for new applicants, meaning only existing cardholders will get the remaining $100 credit.
I personally never thought the LoungeBuddy credit was very useful since I have access to the same lounges with my Priority Pass card from other accounts. But some have said that using a LoungeBuddy pass is helpful to get into a lounge when they’re turning away Priority Pass cardholders due to capacity controls.
This leaves the $199 CLEAR credit as the only benefit to cancel out the Green Card’s $150 annual fee.
Final Thought
As the LoungeBuddy credit resets annually, existing cardholders can use it in 2024 and 2025. Reservations for LoungeBuddy can be made up to two months in advance, allowing for payment of lounge entrance fees before January 13th to be used until early March.
It’s only been 5 years since AMEX purchased LoungeBuddy, so it’s curious that they’re giving up on it so soon. The product has excellent name recognition and is well-regarded as a reliable source to get information easily about airport lounges, locations, hours, and services available.
Regarding removing the $100 credit for the Green Card, it’s unclear how many cardholders were utilizing it. While it’s likely that experienced travelers found ways to maximize its value, American consumers generally don’t have the same inclination to pay for lounge access as their European and Asian counterparts, for whom purchasing lounge access is more customary.
H/T: Doctor of Credit
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.