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Air Berlin Blocking US Residents Pending Website Update
JT Genter
Contributor
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
Jan. 07, 2017
•
4 min read
Air Berlin Blocking US Residents Pending Website Update
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Last week, we got a concerning message from TPG reader Mike via Twitter. Unable to log into his Air Berlin TopBonus account, he contacted Air Berlin customer support and was told that the program was "being eliminated for US residents."
While it's generally not the most rewarding program for US residents, many TPG readers took advantage of Air Berlin's offer of four free months of Air Berlin Silver (Oneworld Ruby) status. Since we are just one month into this generous promotional period, we'd be disappointed if Air Berlin suddenly pulled the plug on the entire TopBonus program now. So, we immediately reached out to Air Berlin for comment.
The seemingly-overworked media team eventually got back to us with an explanation of the situation. The good news is that TopBonus program is not being eliminated; there's just a website update that's taking a very long time to complete. Until it's complete — which is expected to be in "mid-February 2017" — US-based members won't be able to use the TopBonus website.
Here's the statement we received from Air Berlin:
The topbonus website hosted under the domain name topbonus.airberlin.com is currently being revised and adapted to meet the requirements of the new US Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (improved accessibility and usability for people with disabilities). US citizens will continue to be able to participate in the general topbonus programme during this time.
However, until topbonus can ensure that the website complies with the new accessibility guidelines issued by the US Department of Transportation, use of the topbonus website will be temporarily (from 9 December 2016 until approximately mid-February 2017) unavailable to visitors from the United States. As soon as the necessary adjustments are completed, the website will once again be available to US citizens.
According to the statement, the following services will continue to be available "without any restrictions":
- Input of your FFP number into an airberlin flight booking (incl. login)
- Online check-in for an airberlin flight
- Award flight bookings
- Login to topbonus via the flyout/login page at airberlin
During the outage, the best way to access your account features will be to browse to Air Berlin's English homepage and log in at the top right corner. From there, you can view your mileage balance, view your progress toward elite status, select "My bookings" to view any upcoming Air Berlin bookings or "Book an award flight" to use your miles on a flight. For now, the "My profile" and "Change password" links will send you to the error page.
The block seems to be based solely on your IP address, rather than the country listed in your account profile. I was able to log into my TopBonus account with no trouble using an international IP address. If you want full access to all of the website's features, you can use a VPN connection to log in from another country.
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While we're disappointed that a website update is taking so long, we're happy to get confirmation that the TopBonus program isn't being eliminated entirely. If you need to access your TopBonus accounts during the extended downtime, you can access some features by logging in from the Air Berlin's English homepage. For full access, you'll need to log in from outside the US.
Featured image by JT Genter
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.