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Bon Dia from Barcelona (And My Initial Thoughts on AA International Business Class Service)

March 10, 2011
•
4 min read
Bon Dia from Barcelona (And My Initial Thoughts on AA International Business Class Service)
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As many of you know, I am in Spain for the next couple days basking in the sun and taking in my fair share of jamon serrano and vino. I flew American last night on their 757 in their new business class seat and after my hugely disappointing first class flight on their 777 in January, I have to say my, expectations were low.

So were they met? Basically. It was an overall enjoyable flight: it left on time and arrived early, the food was decent (better than First class fare), in-flight entertainment was awesome (more on that later), standard headphones were Bose QC15, and the seat was comfortable enough.

The bad? Service was lackluster at best. I honestly don't think our flight attendants smiled once. It took about 10 minutes for someone to acknowledge us after we boarded and I was awoken abruptly from my Lunesta-enhanced bliss, by someone snatching my Bose QC15 headphones that were plugged into my iPhone. In their defense, they are the same ones they give out to business class, but they should have been more tactful about it. There were still 40 minutes left in the flight, so I don't know why they are always in such a panic to get them collected (this same phenomenon occurred last time as well).

What was even more disapointing was the Admirals Club lounge. I've been meaning to whine more about these clubs - when I was taking a business class redeye back from San Francisco a couple weeks ago, they didn't even give me free wifi. Apparently you have to be a paying member, which is really stingy to me. Someone paying thousands (granted I used miles, but that's besides the point ;-)) to fly business or first class has to pay to use wifi in the lounge? Also, they were hawking potato chips at $2 a bag. Seriously?

Well, the JFK Admirals Club wasn't much better. Granted, it's a beautiful club (I went to the one near gate 45), but they were equally as stingy yet again. At least this time when I begged for a free wifi code, the agent acquiesced, though I think that had more to do with the fact that I was flying international business class. To my surprise/delight/horror, she also gave me a single drink coupon. While I appreciated the gesture, it brought to my attention that drinks weren't free.

Seriously? Maybe I'm spoiled by Delta, the alcoholics airline of choice, but I think a cash bar at an international premium class lounge is just tacky.

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Anyway, I better stop my sleep-deprived, jet-lagged induced rant before I convince you all that I'm a high-maintenance traveler. It's my first time in Barcelona and it's gorgeous so I need to get off the computer and go explore the city. I'm staying at Le Meridien on La Rambla and they let me check-in 4 hours early and upgraded me to a Junior Suite, which is really nice (pics to come when I have time). The hotel GM is sponsoring a free paella tasting event for Starwood Preferred Guest elite members, so I am going to try to stop by that. Overall, this star treatment solidifies why I choose to build elite status - it really makes travel so much more enjoyable.

If you have any tips/recommendations for Barcelona, feel free to comment below or email me. We are only here for one night before going to Madrid for the weekend and I don't yet have dinner plans. So save me a trip to the concierge and recommend away!

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.