American Express Sending Some Platinum Cardholders $295 BLADE Giftcard

Update 5/24/19: American Express is sending out more BLADE gift cards, this time for $295. Blade rides are currently $120 from Manhattan.

On occasion American Express sends out gifts to select Platinum cardholders, for example last year they sent out Amazon Echo’s. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of rhyme or reason why some cardholders are selected and others aren’t (e.g even those with really high spend aren’t always if ever targeted).

Some TPG readers have reported receiving a $250 gift card to BLADE. BLADE provides helicopter transport and airport transfers via helicopter. Rides start at $195 for scheduled flights between JFK and Manhattan, a BLADE Ultra passport will set you back $20,000 (but comes with $20,000 in BLADE credit and other freebies).

From the datapoints I’ve seen, only personal cardholders are receiving this $250 gift card and it seems to be highly targeted as well. It’s also not a true gift card as it expires on July 15th, so the window to use it is small. It would also be useful to know how this arrived if any readers also received one. I like these freebies, but I don’t think it’s a smart play to send out high value items to only a few select cardholders as it ends up causing resentment across the cardholder pass. I think Discover does a better job of this by sending small occasional gift cards to some cardholders.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

26 Comments
newest
oldest most voted

Peter
Peter (@guest_764084)
May 28, 2019 15:22

It’s not eligible for the $195 flights from Manhattan to/from JFK

Mark
Mark (@guest_1495009)
November 24, 2022 07:58

JetClass: #1 private jet charter sourcing & booking platform. Fly to 8500+ destinations on 7000+ aircraft | Charter private jets at best in-market prices.

Brian
Brian (@guest_763172)
May 25, 2019 23:15

If someone has an code to trade for an Amazon gift card, let me know!

Dave
Dave (@guest_762906)
May 25, 2019 10:59

Actually, I have the Amex Gold Personal card, and I received a $295 Blade gift certificate coupon.

Eric Wong
Eric Wong (@guest_762842)
May 24, 2019 22:21

I have a flight out. Would appreciate if i can get this

Dan
Dan (@guest_762907)
May 25, 2019 11:01

send me the code

KY
KY (@guest_762844)
May 24, 2019 22:29

Me!

K F
K F (@guest_762845)
May 24, 2019 22:36

I can use the code!

Ant
Ant (@guest_762846)
May 24, 2019 22:38

Please!

Drivesabrowntruck
Drivesabrowntruck (@guest_762832)
May 24, 2019 21:26

I feel like this is going to crash.

J T
J T (@guest_762835)
May 24, 2019 21:38

What you did there, I see it.

Chaser123
Chaser123 (@guest_592456)
May 9, 2018 17:15

So my boss just handed me one of these that expires July 15, 2018.
Do you think I will be able to use it. It does say non transferable but curious if it is enforced. I do have a platinum card.

Leo
Leo (@guest_762795)
May 24, 2019 18:38

Your boss gave you a gift certificate that expired a year ago? How generous!

Clarence Chen
Clarence Chen (@guest_762803)
May 24, 2019 19:13

Timestamp, pal.

Leo
Leo (@guest_762811)
May 24, 2019 19:38

Hahaha. I didn’t realize this was an update of an old post. Doh!

SB
SB (@guest_411242)
May 27, 2017 16:32

to clarify it’s 195 from Manhattan TO JFK. Not available other way around

sb
sb (@guest_416212)
June 6, 2017 23:23

100 percent agree haha

jamesb2147
jamesb2147 (@guest_411190)
May 27, 2017 12:43

You know, considering the targeted “offers” we all get from AmEx, I’d bet these are extensions of the same program. That is, it’s not American Express purchasing and providing these “gifts” but an advertiser targeting their desired demographic.

Alexa is just another way to bring the Amazon point of sale into the home and remove barriers to spending money. A $250 gift card won’t get you a free helicopter ride, but it might get you to try the service, and I’m sure every trip is profitable.

windyfly
windyfly (@guest_411174)
May 27, 2017 11:46

Luggage tags and stickers with advertisement are only extra things I received from Discover.

TomTX
TomTX (@guest_411169)
May 27, 2017 11:09

Wait, Discover sends out bonus gift cards? I have 2 Discover cards that are 20+ years old and have never seen one.

Chris
Chris (@guest_411956)
May 29, 2017 22:02

A bit over a year ago I got a $5 Starbucks gift card from them, but that was about it. It seems pretty random and I have no idea what triggers it. Had a Discover card for ~7 years.