AMEX Launches Platinum Credit Card

[PaulZ]

I'll be the first black sheep and say that I think this card is not worth it for a number of reasons:

(a) This card is just like any other C/C except it's platinum and plus free airfares;

(b) The free airfares could worth as low as $29 (if you book on Jetstar) or as high as $400 (if you book on fully flexible fares). I value it at $79-$99 because that's the most common fares I could get.

(c) AMEX is STILL not accepted everywhere and the list only grows. My monthly expenses are now about 52% AMEX - 48% MC/VISA. It used to be 80-20.

and (d) if you're CPA AMEX member, why switch? If you still want it, wait till AMEX comes and ask for your business like they always do.

Dont forget the airline taxes and govt charges are included and that is probably worth at least $100 + the actual cost of the airfare.

Sure if you are a CPA member why change. I agree.

With regards to AMEX chasing us for our business - Doesn't happen. I have spent on average $175,000 p.a. with them and i never hear boo from them. Never offered anything special not even an 'invitation' to the platinum charge card (even though anyone can get now it).

 

[aasz1978]

That's strange. I've been offered a CPA Platinum Card twice.

Also if you want to include the taxes, if you're lucky enough a $99 plus $100 in taxes still equates $200. Isn't the annual charge for the card $250 at least?

But anyway, I see your point. If you're going to travel at least once a year anyway, a $250 will get you a free ticket plus credit card with rewards program might sound tempting.

 

[jasonja3]

FYI, Amex is also launching a Plat business card end of September, it is $1200 PA, with $300 off your charge card annual fee..... :roll: Some benefits include;
3 Magazine subscriptions
No charge business support calls ie wages Employment conditions etc
1.5pnts per $
Free seminars
Travel insurance that is more business focused
concierge an the other usual inclusions.

I was told this when I enquired about getting a supp Plat charge card to use for business expenses so I could get 1.5pnts instead of 1 using my gold business card, but I dont see the point in paying an extra $1200 less the $300 for another card. I guess they figure business owners & business can afford it....

 

[cssaus]

Re: Giving up VISA/MC?

I have noticed a couple of posts where people are considering giving up a VISA/MC and changing to the AMEX charge card.

I use AMEX for everything that I can thow at it - even more so when ANZ started capping points. My question is this - which VISA/MC do you plan on using when AMEX is not accepted? This is on the pretense you would carry a non AMEX just for those instances.

I have been using exclusively the Westpac VISA/AMEX cards up until now. The Westpac AMEX gave you two points for every $ spent but post March 2004 they were being redeemed at the ratio of 1 Altitude point for half a Qantas FF point so it actually gets back to the 1:1 redemptation rate.

The new AMEX Rewards Maximiser and the new Platinum Credit Card give you 1.5 points for every dollar spent but the redemption rate for Qantas is 1:1 so it would appear a better deal than the Westpac VISA/AMEX offering.

In applying for the AMEX Platinum Credit Card online I had problem when it came to the page asking about employment. I selected the option to say I was self-employed but when entering my company name, no matter what I put, a red-flag kept coming up and wouldn't allow me to proceed to the next page. In the end I gave up trying and called the service number and they faxed me out an application.

My intention is to use the Platinum for business and the Rewards Maximizer for private wherever I can and if I come across some place that doesn't accept AMEX, I'll fall-back to using my Westpac VISA.

 

[arun]

That's strange. I've been offered a CPA Platinum Card twice.

I assume that you were offered a Platinum (charge) card with $900.00 annual fee, am I correct? Or is it the new Platinum Credit Card at $350?

I have not heard anything from AMEX regarding the new Platinum card, and definitely not about a CPA Platinum Credit card. Not sure if it is by invitation only.
Regards
Arun

 

[aasz1978]

That's strange. I've been offered a CPA Platinum Card twice.

I assume that you were offered a Platinum (charge) card with $900.00 annual fee, am I correct? Or is it the new Platinum Credit Card at $350?

I have not heard anything from AMEX regarding the new Platinum card, and definitely not about a CPA Platinum Credit card. Not sure if it is by invitation only.
Regards
Arun

That is correct. The Charge Card $900 was offered to me, not the Credit Card. I thought it was a Centurion Card at first but I didn't think so.

It's only a matter of time before you'll get a post in your mail about it.

 

[Damien]

What about current Gold Credit Card members? Anybody received any interesting "upgrade offers" out there?

I have both a Gold Credit and Gold Charge, and received my invitation today.

The only incentives were the pre-approval (which is expected on an invitation) and a 5.99% balance transfer rate (which I wouldn't use anyway). I already get the free magazine because I was a "specially selected" Gold card holder.

I don't know if I'll take up the offer now, or wait a few months and see if they make a better one.

 

[PaulZ]

Got my new Platinum Credit Card in the post today. Looks great!!

However the best feature so far is their 24/7 call centre. I have rang the Platinum Call Center three times now and i got through to an Australian within 15 seconds. FANTASTIC Service.

Love it.

 

[aasz1978]

Got my new Platinum Credit Card in the post today. Looks great!!

However the best feature so far is their 24/7 call centre. I have rang the Platinum Call Center three times now and i got through to an Australian within 15 seconds. FANTASTIC Service.

Love it.

Does calling a call centre really excite you? I can't think of many topics to discuss with call centres except balance transfer offer, change of details and complaint.

 

[cssaus]

Got my new Platinum Credit Card in the post today. Looks great!!

Have you worked out yet how to use your free Qantas Flight?

 

[Mal]

Got my new Platinum Credit Card in the post today. Looks great!!

I agree. It looks very snazzy!

 

[straitman]

Got my new Platinum Credit Card in the post today. Looks great!!

Have you worked out yet how to use your free Qantas Flight?

From the welcome booklet ---

"Qantas Domestic Return Flight"

From 10 October 2005, Platinum Credit Card members can enjoy one domestic return flight with Qantas every year for travel to most capitol cities within Australia. As a privilege included in your annual Card fee, you will not need to pay any additional charges or taxes for your annual Qantas domestic return flight.

For more detail on the flight routes, please go to americanexpress.com.au/platinumcreditcard To book your flight, please call Platinum Priority Service on 1800 059 388.

For full details of the terms and conditions, please read the Insurance and Flight booklet carefully.

 

[PaulZ]

Got my new Platinum Credit Card in the post today. Looks great!!

However the best feature so far is their 24/7 call centre. I have rang the Platinum Call Center three times now and i got through to an Australian within 15 seconds. FANTASTIC Service.

Love it.

Does calling a call centre really excite you? I can't think of many topics to discuss with call centres except balance transfer offer, change of details and complaint.

No it doesn't excite me at all. I was simply pointing out the advantage of being able to understand the other person on the line and the speed of their service. I hate wasting valuable time on hold.

 

[QF WP]

Well I weighed up the benefits and think the extra cost over the Gold Card, versus the higher capped earning of $100K for QF points and free Supplementary card for wife as well as another for "other expenses", this will become one of my two "main use cards" (as my Citibank Plat is my other main card).

Logged on last night and went through the process on-line. Very simple except for understanding why the red flags didn't like my formatting of unit numbers (previous home address) or floor addresses (for work). You have to use the / instead of comma's.

I suppose I should have rung up and tried to coerce a call-centre person to give me some additional benefits for upgrading - but then again, would they have spoken English :roll:

Will keep this thread updated with time taken and any contact with Amex. Have warned my relative who doesn't live with me (brother) to expect a call.

I'm expecting to have to supply proof of salary...but that's not a problem. Last years PAYG Statement and a YTD payroll advice should suffice.

 

[oz_mark]

Well I weighed up the benefits and think the extra cost over the Gold Card, versus the higher capped earning of $100K for QF points and free Supplementary card for wife as well as another for "other expenses", this will become one of my two "main use cards" (as my Citibank Plat is my other main card).

(...)

Will keep this thread updated with time taken and any contact with Amex. Have warned my relative who doesn't live with me (brother) to expect a call.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I will be upgrading my gold credit card, so it will be interesting to hear any of your observations on how the process goes from this point.

For me, the return trip pretty much covers the cost of the card.

 

[cssaus]

I've now got my AMEX Rewards Maximiser card in addition to the AMEX BUSINESS card that I already had. I then asked if I could get my BUSINESS card upgraded to the 1.5 points per dollar spent deal that was going with the Rewards Maximiser card and they said that wasn't possible.

I'm now waiting for the approval to come thru for my Platinum Credit Card application in which I requested the BUSINESS card be rolled-over to the Platinum Card. No point in keeping the BUSINESS card any longer.

 

[straitman]

Well I weighed up the benefits and think the extra cost over the Gold Card, versus the higher capped earning of $100K for QF points and free Supplementary card for wife as well as another for "other expenses", this will become one of my two "main use cards" (as my Citibank Plat is my other main card).

Logged on last night and went through the process on-line. Very simple except for understanding why the red flags didn't like my formatting of unit numbers (previous home address) or floor addresses (for work). You have to use the / instead of comma's.

I suppose I should have rung up and tried to coerce a call-centre person to give me some additional benefits for upgrading - but then again, would they have spoken English :roll:

Will keep this thread updated with time taken and any contact with Amex. Have warned my relative who doesn't live with me (brother) to expect a call.

I'm expecting to have to supply proof of salary...but that's not a problem. Last years PAYG Statement and a YTD payroll advice should suffice.

Lindsay,

Having done this, I must say that the process was totally painless. Not sure if they even talked to anyone from work. Where the form asked for a work contact I assumed they wanted my manager (or someone) to provide proof of employment or income. Turns out they wanted my work number as they rang the number I provided to advise details of the card (all be it the day after the cards arrived).

Cards arrived with plenty of information about 10 days after I applied on line. As you said some of the formatting on the application was a bit xx_X. eg I could only put initials and surname for myself, whereas I was able to put full details for my wife :!: :roll:

Anyway, all very painless with a huge credit rating. Now I just need to find a few people who accept AMEX.

 

[Mal]

Got my "special" invite today. Interesting envelope and marketing spin "Are you ready for people to look at you differently?"

Hmmm. Oh well.

Now to decide what to do with my Plat CBA visa...

 

[straitman]

Got my "special" invite today. Interesting envelope and marketing spin "Are you ready for people to look at you differently?"

Hmmm. Oh well.

Now to decide what to do with my Plat CBA visa...

You probably need to keep it as there a huge number of establishments that don't/won't accept AMEX. ie Gas, Electricity & Council Rates to name a few. :roll: :evil:

 

[beardoc]

What about current Gold Credit Card members? Anybody received any interesting "upgrade offers" out there?

I got one through my Australian Medical Association Membership - I have had a Gold Credit Card for about four years.

It's the same Platinum Credit Card as available to the public, except it is pre-approved for a credit limit of $100,000, and the annual fee is only $295, $100 off the usual $395.

Traditionally, all the Amex offers that I've had in the past don't get better than their original offer to AMA members, which the exception of maybe a free travel bag or something like that. I'm giving it some thought.