Sydney Airport, the nation’s busiest, is not known for its efficient handling of immigration, security and customs.
In fact, it only gets three out of five stars from Skytrax for its queuing times, and the airport’s website recommends leaving at least two hours prior to departure to clear immigration and security.
It is a shame that the partnership started in January 2015 between American Express and Sydney Airport to grant access to Express Path expedited immigration and security to primary and supplementary Card Members of the Amex Platinum Card is ending on 31 July.
However, Platinum Card Members will continue to have access to the American Express Lounge.
Lounge access
As we’ve covered before, select American Express Card Members can gain access to the American Express Sydney Lounge before their departing international flight.
Access to Express Path expedited immigration and security (ending 31 July 2017)
The full list of eligible cards are:
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Business Platinum
- American Express Centurion
- American Express Platinum Corporate
If you have one of these cards, and do not already have an Express Path pass provided by your airline (due to the cabin you are travelling in and/or frequent flyer status you hold), then you and up to four travelling companions can use the Express Path facility at the International Terminal at Sydney Airport by flashing your card.
Summing up
Prompted by increased competition from banks, American Express should be aiming to up its game when it comes to providing benefits to make travel more comfortable.
This partnership with Sydney Airport was a step in the right direction, so let’s hope that there are some more benefits to come in the future.
Your mileage will always vary. Express is generally best however of course sometimes if there’s 20 people queuing in regular and 10 in express due to the quantity of lanes for regular, it’s the better option.
Got the email reminder from Amex that Sydney airport express path will expire on July 31. I think they have made up their mind not to extend this benefit.
I wonder why? I’m seeing diminishing value from this card (especially with the US having fee-free intl, cheaper annual fee, metal card etc.)
Change of pricing model and lack of competition. I most use only Express path, lounges and travel credits. Other benefits are less relevant to me. For me the benefit breakeven the A/F so really their value proposition don’t bring any additional value as it is funded by my money. I think you will need to use lounge roughly 30 times each year to beat the fee.
It looks like they have cancelled the trolley use and extended the Express Path to the end of July 2017.
Thanks for bring that to my attention, Patrick. I have updated the article accordingly.
np mate. you may also want to look at the summing up paragraph as well. It’s a bit disappointing that Amex is reducing Plat charge benefit in Australia instead of enrich it. We are so disadvantaged compares to those in States.
The one time I tried to use it, the Express Path lane (I think there was only one, maybe two) was much slower than the very many Australian-national lanes. From what I recall many “regular” passengers joined the lane queue because it was right out front and the staff didn’t give two hoots as-to whether you had an express pass slip or not.
Wow never knew about the Express Path benefit! Nice article 🙂