American Express Platinum Card vs cancelling Qantas Club

[WayneJ]

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking for a year or so now whether it's worth it to signup for the AMEX Platinum card at $1200 per year.

My rationale is this.

I currently pay $540 per annum for Qantas Club and am only Bronze member status and will likely always remain so.


Amex Annual Fee = $1,200
Amex give you $300 annual travel voucher for Flights/Accom
3 membership points per dollar spent
Access to over 1,000 airport lounges for myself and wife.
80,000 points bonus points in signup
Can transfer points to 10 airlines instead of only OneWorld with QF
Travel insurance and Purchase protections.

So basically $1200 less $540 and the $300 AMEX Travel Credit my out of pocket cost would be $360.

Does anyone think this is a good deal?

Thanks

Wayne

 

[Daver6]

A few points.

Firstly, you don't get 3 MR points for all transactions. That's just for restaurants. Secondly, the card won't get you into any Qantas lounges. You'd need to shift your flying to Virgin domestically as the card will get you into VA lounges.

You can also apply for a free Plat Reserve credit card too, which has a $400 travel credit. So even more value there. I believe you also get road side assistance so you could cancel NRMA or whatever your state's version is. More savings.

Additionally, you and up to one supplementary card holder can get full Priority Pass membership valued at US$399/year each.

If you travel a bit and dine out a bit, you can easily get more than $1200 value from this card.

 

[straitman]

A few points.

Firstly, you don't get 3 MR points for all transactions. That's just for restaurants. Secondly, the card won't get you into any Qantas lounges. You'd need to shift your flying to Virgin domestically as the card will get you into VA lounges.

You can also apply for a free Plat Reserve credit card too, which has a $400 travel credit. So even more value there. I believe you also get road side assistance so you could cancel NRMA or whatever your state's version is. More savings.

Additionally, you and up to one supplementary card holder can get full Priority Pass membership valued at US$399/year each.

If you travel a bit and dine out a bit, you can easily get more than $1200 value from this card.

You beat me to it Daver6.

The value is there if you can use it correctly.

$300 & $400 in travel credits so you only need to look for $500 of other value. It easily works for me.

I keep my points in Amex until I need them and then try and do a transfer when there are bonuses for transfers. VA are normally twice a year and Qantas then normally match them.

 

[opusman]

Now that there are finally a few Priority Pass things in Australian airports the card is even better value than it was before.

Still a lot more expensive than the US version though!

 

[robtemt]

You can also apply for a free Plat Reserve credit card too, which has a $400 travel credit. So even more value there. I believe you also get road side assistance so you could cancel NRMA or whatever your state's version is. More savings.

The roadside assistance is for 50km+ away from home, so not great for most people on a day to day basis.

But, as for Qantas Club vs Amex I think I'd rather use the Priority Pass option then the Qantas Club (or fly VA and use their lounge).

 

[boomy]

Amex Plat charge definitely worth the high cost at lest for the first year if you use the bonus points correctly. Try to cut a deal with someone who already has the card as they get 30k referral.

As to lounge access, apart from VA you get unlimited access to the PriorityPass network which also includes restaurants in BNE and SYD far superior than any domestic lounge.

Probably the strongest advantage of this card is the generous travel insurance and relative ease of claim which is the main reason I chose to keep this card beyond the first year.

 

[Dr Ralph]

A couple of points for you to consider:

1) Remember that Qantas Club is not just about lounge access.

2) Check carefully for any exclusions with the travel insurance product offered by AMEX.

3) Can you get Qantas Club cheaper via a corporate/work scheme?

4) Remember if you leave Qantas Club it will be a LOT more expensive to rejoin.

5) AMEX card is NOT 3 points per dollar for all spend.

6) 80,000 bonus points is not a lot. Other AMEX cards (eg. Explorer) have offered this amount or more for a much lower fee.

 

[Happy Dude]

One of the members here has had a lot of problems with this card recently - particularly around travel insurance.

Note there is a separate thread where you'll find plenty of referral links to choose from.

 

[straitman]

One of the members here has had a lot of problems with this card recently - particularly around travel insurance.

Note there is a separate thread where you'll find plenty of referral links to choose from.

The travel insurance is changing web late November so it needs to be revisited to see its ongoing value.

Also Amex will have their International Lounge open later this month in Melbourne. (No date yet)

 

[BAM1748]

I would say not worthwhile unless you want that particular card. But then I wouldn't pay $1200 for any card.


Matt