AMEX Platinum Charge Benefits - Q&A

[Jfordi]

I was hoping some of you may be able to let me know what benefits additional card members can access?

 

[sudoer]

I was hoping some of you may be able to let me know what benefits additional card members can access?

The big ones: hotel status matches, Amex Lounge & Plaza Premium access (official), VA lounges (unofficial), one nominated additional member gets a Priority Pass membership

 

[shuuy]

I was hoping some of you may be able to let me know what benefits additional card members can access?

@Jfordi - a complete list (I think) is here

 

[Ktan89]

With the +1 priority pass, can I assign this to card 1 for 6-12 months and then change/allocate to card 2? Or will it be locked in?

 

[yangry]

With the +1 priority pass, can I assign this to card 1 for 6-12 months and then change/allocate to card 2? Or will it be locked in?

Yes you can.

I've had it changed from secondary card holder 1 to secondary card holder 2 (and then back to card holder 1) without any problem. You can either call or chat online with Amex to have it changed.

I asked them some time ago whether there was a limit in term of number of changes, or whether there's a minimum period one needs to hold the Priority Pass membership for, and I was told there aren't any restrictions, other than the time it takes for the card to be sent out from Hong Kong.

 

[Ktan89]

Thanks @cacbm great info!

 

[straitman]

Yes you can.

I've had it changed from secondary card holder 1 to secondary card holder 2 (and then back to card holder 1) without any problem. You can either call or chat online with Amex to have it changed.

I asked them some time ago whether there was a limit in term of number of changes, or whether there's a minimum period one needs to hold the Priority Pass membership for, and I was told there aren't any restrictions, other than the time it takes for the card to be sent out from Hong Kong.

The card timing isn’t an issue as you can get an electronic copy.
My daughter’s card is at our house and she is in Bulgaria and won’t be coming home anytime soon.

 

[SeaWolf]

So my card will expire in the coming months and I'll get sent a new one. Previously I would have simply cut up the old card, but with the metal card that's going to be hard to do without a set of bolt cutters. What have people been doing to dispose of the old card? Does AmEx send you any advice on how to go about doing it?

The other idea I had was to simply get some sandpaper and use that to rub off all the details before tossing it in the recycling bin.

 

[andye]

So my card will expire in the coming months and I'll get sent a new one. Previously I would have simply cut up the old card, but with the metal card that's going to be hard to do without a set of bolt cutters. What have people been doing to dispose of the old card? Does AmEx send you any advice on how to go about doing it?

The other idea I had was to simply get some sandpaper and use that to rub off all the details before tossing it in the recycling bin.

Last time they sent me a prepaid envelope but I've used strong scissors after bending previously

 

[straitman]

Last time they sent me a prepaid envelope but I've used strong scissors after bending previously

They have sent me an envelope the last few times and we used a grinder once.

 

[sudoer]

What have people been doing to dispose of the old card?

I don't dispose of them. I have a big pile of old cards

The other idea I had was to simply get some sandpaper and use that to rub off all the details before tossing it in the recycling bin.

If the card is recovered it could still be used to for tap payments...

 

[bits]

So my card will expire in the coming months and I'll get sent a new one. Previously I would have simply cut up the old card, but with the metal card that's going to be hard to do without a set of bolt cutters. What have people been doing to dispose of the old card? Does AmEx send you any advice on how to go about doing it?

The other idea I had was to simply get some sandpaper and use that to rub off all the details before tossing it in the recycling bin.

When then new card comes, they include a small (and quite flimsy) self addressed return envelop for you to return the old card to them for disposal. How safe this, no idea and I have my doubts!
The back side of the card itself with the magnetic stripe is just a laminate that you can peel off (starts to peel off with age anyway) and cut that up. You'd have to smash the chip, maybe a hammer and nail? But like others, I just have a pile of old cards lol

 

[ss2106]

Hi All

Apologies if this is answered elsewhere - I have had a bit of trouble locating advice on the subject. I've recently signed up to the platinum card recently (v excited) and have enrolled in all the relevant hotel / car hire benefit programs.

My question is generally - how best can you maximise this in terms of using the status and also booking through the Fine Hotel and Resorts Program (i.e. if you book through Amex with a hotel with which you have status with, how can that be maximised)?

Secondly - I have an upcoming holiday to the middle east and Europe - which of the hotel partnerships are best able to be utilised in these areas, as am I correct in saying the Accor Plus value is limited to Asia Pacific?

Appreciate any help

 

[sudoer]

My question is generally - how best can you maximise this in terms of using the status and also booking through the Fine Hotel and Resorts Program (i.e. if you book through Amex with a hotel with which you have status with, how can that be maximised)?

During the booking process there is a loyalty number field and most chains (certainly Hilton and Marriott I believe) recognise status on FHR and THC bookings. Note that they do NOT usually recognise status on standard AmexTravel.com bookings outside of FHR/THC as these appear as coming through an OTA (Expedia from memory).

If you are booking through FHR, you're likely getting all the benefits of your Hilton Gold / Marriott Gold anyway, so you may not see any tangible difference, but you will earn points and nights from the booking at least.

Always check the FHR price compared with the direct price - often FHR will be almost exactly US$100 more than the direct booking price.. so you're effectively paying for the privilege of a US$100 property credit. Other FHR benefits you may be entitled to via status anyway. Booking through FHR and including status does not guarantee compounding benefits, i.e. you don't necessarily get a double-upgrade.

Secondly - I have an upcoming holiday to the middle east and Europe - which of the hotel partnerships are best able to be utilised in these areas, as am I correct in saying the Accor Plus value is limited to Asia Pacific?

IMO Accor is a waste of time outside Asia Pacific unless you want to hit a higher status level through your spend.

From the Amex Plat included status options, Hilton Gold is your best option for the included breakfast.

 

[zig]

They have sent me an envelope the last few times and we used a grinder once.

Interesting that others have received an envelope to return the card. I have had mine and supps replaced and have not received an envelope. I was pondering how to destroy the card.

 

[Berlin]

IMO Accor is a waste of time outside Asia Pacific unless you want to hit a higher status level through your spend.

From the Amex Plat included status options, Hilton Gold is your best option for the included breakfast.

Couldn't agree more, I'd say that even within Asia-Pacific, Accor is the worst of the bunch, both in terms of benefits and also just the general quality of their properties. Definitely Hilton being the best of the Amex status benefits, I'd agree there as well.

 

[albyd]

I've got "status" through my credit cards just like many others. This is as high as Hilton Diamond and Marriott Platinum. Not surprisingly, outside of "free" breakfast for companions or kids, I've yet to see many tangible benefits from Status like upgrades. I know this is at the hotel's discretion.

I've never received a meaningful upgrade having stayed in EU, US and Asia across many Hilton and Marriott brands. Some like Hilton Hawiian Village have it on their website "book the room you want as there are no upgrades" and then I got told I was upgraded on check-in (to the room I'd booked). Some like Hilton SYD are well known for not providing any upgrades even if they do have space available.

I've had my rant but my original question stands - what is in it for us (short of me being extraordinarily unlucky over many years not to have received a meaningful upgrade?

 

[Human]

I've had my rant but my original question stands - what is in it for us (short of me being extraordinarily unlucky over many years not to have received a meaningful upgrade?

It's a good question. I've stayed at Accors, Hiltons, Raddisons (I'm Gold with all three) ... booked directly with them to take advantage of status. I reckon I've been upgraded about 20% of the time if that.

I think part of the issue is that hotels are not entirely honest when it comes to what an "upgrade" is. Many/most hotels would consider an "upgrade" something like the same room but on a higher floor, or with a slightly better view (and I think I do receive those sorts of "upgrades" reasonably often).

Whereas I, and I think most customers, would consider an "upgrade" to be a different/better room.

 

[Berlin]

It's a good question. I've stayed at Accors, Hiltons, Raddisons (I'm Gold with all three) ... booked directly with them to take advantage of status. I reckon I've been upgraded about 20% of the time if that.

I had mainly used Hilton and Starwood (RIP) mid tier status through the Amex in the past and have received some very memorable upgrades over those years. Definitely not all the time but this is true even for Diamond status with Hilton which I also held for a while.

However, I have now switched almost all my hotel chains to Hyatt, simply because this status cannot achieved with any credit cards, bar some really crazy US-based ones that require an exorbitant amount of credit card spent to qualify for Hyatt Globalist status. It requires me to stay 60+ nights at Hyatt properties which given their recent expansions and acquisitions is not all that hard to achieve for me with my stay patterns. And the benefits make it at least as worth it as going for One world Platinum or *A Gold.

As a matter of fact, with all the above in mind, I actually think that hotel loyalty programs are an under-utilised part of the travel status game- I hear even seasoned frequent flyers book random hotels for a few Qantas points in return on Qantas hotels or, worse even, stay in overpriced Air Bnbs. Sure, everyone is different, but the hotel loyalty game works a treat for myself and my partner. Sure, there's stinkers like Accor but Hilton, even Marriott and especially Hyatt are totally worthwhile programs. The guaranteed suite upgrades alone that you get with Hyatt's highest status are worth it, alongside the free breakfasts you get with both Hilton and Hyatt top tier. Not to even talk about the "free" upgrades with the occasional suite thrown in and other niceties that individual properties might grant. I swear by it but again, everyone's travel patterns (and probably tastes, I see all the AirBnb and Ibis lovers having a hissy fit already...) are different. One thing works for some, and not for others.

 

[sudoer]

I'd say that even within Asia-Pacific, Accor is the worst of the bunch, both in terms of benefits and also just the general quality of their properties.

Interesting - I find ALL Gold is next to useless (bar a couple of free drinks) but have found ALL Platinum to be the sweet spot.

I have grown quite fond of some brands like Movenpick, Swissotel, and MGallery, and tend to find the status recognition to be pretty good at these brands. Generally speaking I've experienced better status recognition as an Accor Platinum than a Hilton Diamond throughout Asia, but it is very property (and brand) dependent.

Accor of course has a much lower floor when it comes to the quality of properties with the likes of Ibis Budget/Styles, Mercure, etc, but these are easy enough to avoid in major cities. I do appreciate having them as an option in most of regional Australia, where you definitely won't find a Hilton/Marriott!