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Amex Platinum Cards Are Losing Free Boingo Wi-Fi

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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

 

If extra travel benefits are what you’re after, there’s really no better credit card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express. Between unrivaled access to airport lounges worldwide, up to $200 toward Uber rides, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and more, it has the richest set of perks you’ll find.

One of the lesser-known benefits from the Platinum card is free access to the Boingo Wi-Fi network, with 1 million hot spots worldwide. But those days are ending soon.

Doctor of Credit reports that Platinum cardholders will no longer be able to sign up for free Boingo Wi-Fi after April 30. Any existing users can continue using Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots for free through Dec. 31, 2019. 

A standard Boingo account costs $15 per month, so this is nothing to sneeze at if Wi-Fi access is important to you. If you have the Platinum card – or are considering it – you should sign up for Boingo sooner rather than later. That will allow you to stay connected through the end of the year. Register by entering your 15-digit card number on the Amex Boingo homepage.

Oddly, this Boingo perk has already disappeared from the “Benefits” tab in my Platinum card account. So be sure to use the link above to get signed up!

One note: This isn’t for in-flight Wi-Fi, but rather hotspots on the ground.

 

Our Analysis

Let’s be clear: Free Boingo Wi-Fi isn’t one of the best perks of the American Express Platinum Card. It might not even be in the top 10.

That said, losing any benefit hurts when you’re paying a $550 annual fee for the card. Boingo is among the largest and most reliable Wi-Fi networks worldwide, with more than 1 million hot spots concentrated in the U.S., western Europe, and Asia.

I’ve actually haven’t used my complimentary Boingo membership, though I’m told it’s easy to get connected and get to work. The ability to stay connected to Wi-Fi while traveling is potentially useful, depending on where you’re heading.

So while this benefit is still around through the end of the year, it just sweetens the deal on one of the best travel rewards credit cards.

Though its $550 annual fee is undoubtedly steep, that’s easily outweighed by the perks you’ll get. For starters, there are $200 in airline fee credits that cover things like seat selection, baggage fees, etc. You also get up to $200 in Uber rides, doled out in up to $15 monthly installments (plus up to $35 in December). Throw in another $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application once every four years, and $100 in credits to Saks Fifth Avenue in two, $50 sums.

But perhaps best of all is the lounge access. The Platinum card opens up more airport lounge doors than any card on the market. For starters, you can get into American Express’s incredible Centurion lounges. You’ll also get a membership with Priority Pass, the global network with more than 1,200 outposts. You can get into Delta SkyClubs so long as you’re flying Delta that day. And finally, you can use Escape Lounges – including our favorite lounge at our home Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) airport.

 

Bottom Line

Losing any benefit stings, but the loss of Boingo doesn’t change the fact that the American Express Platinum card is insanely valuable. And remember: You’ve got through the end of the year to connect to Boingo Wi-Fi for free. So get signed up now!

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

1 Responses

  • I think it’s a near useless benefit. I’ve often searched for it, but found it rarely available where I was at. Good riddance.

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