AMEX Platinum Charge Benefits - Q&A

[samh004]

Gold charge is still around.

Interesting you say from the website. Maybe something I've missed but can you "downgrade" to, say, Gold charge from Plat internally?

Yes, if you ask to cancel they'll offer the Gold also.

Out of curiosity, what are the benefits like? How much does it cost per year, what rate does it earn at, who can you transfer to etc?

 

[sudoer]

Out of curiosity, what are the benefits like? How much does it cost per year, what rate does it earn at, who can you transfer to etc?

Gold Charge Card Benefits | American Express Australia

Your Gold Card isn't just a way to pay, it's a way to live. From expanding your travel horizon to enjoying rewards, explore the benefits of your Card here.

www.americanexpress.com

1.5 MR per $
Not much in the way of benefits other than HHonors Silver and access to The Hotel Collection
I believe the transfer partners and rates are similar or the same as Platinum, without the QFF option.

I'm not overly familiar with it other than from conversations with a colleague who holds one. Not sure on the annual fee, I think it was around $200-250. I'll confirm when I next see them.

 

[Jousams]

The other part of this That hasn’t been considered here is whether some of these changes have been made to ensure easier compliance with the upcoming design and distribution obligations that are going to apply to financial institutions from October. The obligations require financial institutions to ensure that products are not acquired and/or systemically held by people outside of a reasonably defined ‘target market’. I wonder whether AFR subscription contributed to a target market too narrow?

 

[ole nimeton]

One US article I was reading was suggesting that AMEX is repositioning the (US) card to be more a 'lifestyle' card than a travel card and that specific news subscriptions would be replaced with an 'entertainment' credit to spend on a broader range of products (Eg: newspapers, magazines, Netflix etc). Wouldn’t be the worst thing to have more flexibility...

 

[CallMeHoju]

Agreed, wouldn't be opposed to more generic credits like the Uber ones offered on US Plat

 

[Chimp]

The problem with the generic credits is that there is no value-add. It's getting a bit pointless to pay $1400 then clamour to use $1150 of credit each year and hope your still up elsewhere.

 

[Daver6]

If they have a plans, why not come out and let us know what the new benefits are. This whole taking away benefits while hinting at some new great benefit reads to me as the new benefit will be poor in comparison and we hope you forget about what we took away by the time we announce it.

 

[Poojou]

If they have a plans, why not come out and let us know what the new benefits are. This whole taking away benefits while hinting at some new great benefit reads to me as the new benefit will be poor in comparison and we hope you forget about what we took away by the time we announce it.

This is what i don't get too - why would you stagger the reveal like this, only to drive a lot of nervousness and consternation - and potentially people pulling the plug?

 

[sudoer]

Commercials behind whatever the benefit is may not be finalised yet so I can understand why it can't be announced til locked in. There may also be NDAs involved during negotiations.

Feels like they were caught off guard by AFR pulling the plug and have scrambled to get something else together.

 

[auflier]

based on the trend, unlikely anything substantial

 

[fantastikforce]

based on the trend, unlikely anything substantial

I guess it is better that we lower our expectations.

We'll be blown away if it is anything substantial in that case.

 

[foggy]

i was offered 60k pts to keep this card, has anyone received a higher offer?

 

[Infrequent traveller]

Perhaps Amex has engaged some PR experts to actively manage our expectation

Don't get offended - just having fun...

 

[zig]

i was offered 60k pts to keep this card, has anyone received a higher offer?

There is a seperate thread for this which you can check out:
amex-im-going-to-cancel-my-card-bonus-points-given-thread.71493

 

[Poojou]

Just logged into my account and got an ad for Chris Hemsworth's new training program - apparently a benefit for amex members (free 12m trial, 129.95)

Not sure if this is part of this whole new deal?

 

[sudoer]

Just logged into my account and got an ad for Chris Hemsworth's new training program - apparently a benefit for amex members (free 12m trial, 129.95)

Not sure if this is part of this whole new deal?

Centr has been offered to all Amex card holders (not just Plat) since February

 

[zig]

Just logged into my account and got an ad for Chris Hemsworth's new training program - apparently a benefit for amex members (free 12m trial, 129.95)

Not sure if this is part of this whole new deal?

This has been available for months, so definitely not new.

 

[Poojou]

Haha! Well shows how long since it's been me logging into the web portal!!!

 

[Actos]

This is probably me being really silly, but is anyone able to book the Shangri La Sydney under FHR?
I've tried multiple dates and combinations but I'm coming up empty... has it been removed, or have I missed something, somewhere?

 

[Brooksnk]

Does anyone know if supplementary cardholders can make use of the Virgin Domestic Lounge access?

T&C's say this: 2. Virgin Australia Lounge Access. Access is complimentary for Primary Platinum Card Member and one complimentary guest only. The Primary Platinum Card Member and guest must be travelling with Virgin Australia domestically. Access is to Virgin Australia-branded lounges in Australia only. Name on boarding pass must match the name on the Platinum Card.

Does anyone have experience with supplementary cardholders getting in on their own? (or trying and getting rejected?

Thanks