Amex Plat Original: Insurance coverage??

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok, this the $900 Platimum Original card (though some forumites have had the $900 discounted).

With the Platinum Edge and Reserve cards it clearly states that Insurance Coverage is only.

Complimentary Travel Insurance with Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses and Repatriation up to $2,500,000.00 and Baggage up to $10,000.00 for you and your family when you pay for travel on your Card.3

But with $900 this not clearly stated. Is it just like seperately purchased Travel Insurance? ie will it cover for travel not purchased on the card?

Specifically with my circumstances my flights are usually redeemed awards.
accommodation may or may not be booked on Amex.

I normally use a TDI yearly policy to cover a family of 5. (Cost about $320)

But given the current 75 bonus to get this card at a reported $600 for existing Amex Cardholders (but not on this card) it would make sense to switch as long as it is TI that is not limited to travel paid by the card.

ie $600 would gain 75K plus flight and save $320 = net cost of only $280.

 

[straitman]

Ok, this the $900 Platimum Original card (though some forumites have had the $900 discounted).

But with $900 this not clearly stated. Is it just like seperately purchased Travel Insurance? ie will it cover for travel not purchased on the card?

To confirm that with the Amex Platinum Charge Card there is a very comprehensive Travel Insurance that covers points bookings, and bookings paid for by any other method. ie You do not have to use the card for the insurance to be valid.

That is my reading of the T&C and I have asked Amex about this a couple of times and they are consistent with their answer.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Many Thanks Bill.

That was how I was reading it. But it is good to have confirmation.

I have a trip to Thailand on Dec 18. So the current deal should work in well.

With 75K this will be a nice little point earning period for me after just having gained 30k on the Vodafone deal and will get 25K from the amex Hopscotch Promo. That is 130K and enough points for a J return to Europe

Looks like the GFC effects have washed through with Amex having good promos and bonii again.

 

[straitman]

Many Thanks Bill.

That was how I was reading it. But it is good to have confirmation.

I have a trip to Thailand on Dec 18. So the current deal should work in well.

With 75K this will be a nice little point earning period for me after just having gained 30k on the Vodafone deal and will get 25K from the amex Hopscotch Promo. That is 130K and enough points for a J return to Europe

Looks like the GFC effects have washed through with Amex having good promos and bonii again.

Remember that with the Platinum Charge Card you get a free Platinum Credit Card complete with free flight.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes the flight is nice extra bonus. However I won't value it at full value as the destinations are not ones high on my piority list for 2011. Might use it for an interstate footy trip though.

 

[straitman]

Yes the flight is nice extra bonus. However I won't value it at full value as the destinations are not ones high on my piority list for 2011. Might use it for an interstate footy trip though.

I'm posting from my iPhone so cannot see where you are based but have to wonder about you destinations comment. Under the new arrangement I can literally fly from MEL to most major centres in Oz and several in NZ so I'm not sure where you want to go.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

. Under the new arrangement I can literally fly from MEL to most major centres in Oz and several in NZ so I'm not sure where you want to go.

I fly out of MEL.

Yes it is a good offer.

It is just that I have a good bank of points to burn through at present and so all my likely leisure tips for 2011(and beyond) will be J long-haul international ones. Thailand this Xmas, and then Europe. Though i might use some QFF points to go to Broome.

My main limitation is leave time.
New Zealnd for weekend trip does not appeal. so I most liely will use it for weekend awy in Oz.

 

[equus]

Yes the flight is nice extra bonus. However I won't value it at full value as the destinations are not ones high on my piority list for 2011. Might use it for an interstate footy trip though.

Also remember it doesn't have to be a flight - can also be redeemed for a hotel room for a night (and I seem to recall quite reasonable ones). In many cases, the $ value of the room may well be significantly more than the flight (and flights are now DJ as well).

+1 on the insurance being comprehensive and not requiring purchase. Another nice feature (which may require pre-planning to activate), as the coverage applies to all card members - primary and supplementary, so the primary card member does not need to always be travelling with everyone needing cover, just as long as they hold a supplementary card. As the supplementary cards don't cost anything (IIRC for the first 99 cards), and as long as you trust the family members (not that you have to give them the physical card), this easily allows coverage for independent trips.

One caveat (as always, read the PDS), the Travel Insurance doesn't require purchase on the card, but the car hire excess protection DOES, so all car hire needs to be put through the charge card. Another thing to be careful of, the benefits for baggage delay / loss, delayed flights etc, whilst generous, only cover items charged to the charge card. These are the sort of catches you need to be aware of beforehand, but in my opinion are not restrictive enough to negate the value of the cover - even though it may be slighty less flexible than a purchased policy, I can work within the limitations.

 

[haydensydney]

Another thing to be careful of, the benefits for baggage delay / loss, delayed flights etc, whilst generous, only cover items charged to the charge card.

Are you sure? When our bags went AWOL in Paris, we both received the $800 limit for emergency supplies and we just sent in receipts for mostly cash purchases. The card is centurion, not plat - there may be some variance in the policy wordings...

 

[equus]

Are you sure? When our bags went AWOL in Paris, we both received the $800 limit for emergency supplies and we just sent in receipts for mostly cash purchases. The card is centurion, not plat - there may be some variance in the policy wordings...

I suspect there must be differences in the policy. The Platinum card insurance limit is only $700 per person, and under the Terms and Conditions applicable to that portion, the first point is:

1. Accommodation, restaurant meals or refreshments, emergency purchase of
essential clothing and requisites must be charged to Your American Express
Platinum Charge Card account.

​

 

[mockopalooza]

Ok, this the $900 Platimum Original card (though some forumites have had the $900 discounted).

With the Platinum Edge and Reserve cards it clearly states that Insurance Coverage is only.

Complimentary Travel Insurance with Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses and Repatriation up to $2,500,000.00 and Baggage up to $10,000.00 for you and your family when you pay for travel on your Card.3

But with $900 this not clearly stated. Is it just like seperately purchased Travel Insurance? ie will it cover for travel not purchased on the card?

Specifically with my circumstances my flights are usually redeemed awards.
accommodation may or may not be booked on Amex.

I normally use a TDI yearly policy to cover a family of 5. (Cost about $320)

But given the current 75 bonus to get this card at a reported $600 for existing Amex Cardholders (but not on this card) it would make sense to switch as long as it is TI that is not limited to travel paid by the card.

ie $600 would gain 75K plus flight and save $320 = net cost of only $280.

Hi lovetravellingoz,

I just wanted to ask where you have seen the offer for $600 annual fee for existing cardholders. Is this offer definitely available together with the 75,000 points?

I have just applied and been approved for the card, which I was happy to pay $900 for and would attempt to have it discounted in later years. If you could refer me to this offer though, I'm sure I'll be able to get them to match it as I have another AmEx card...

Thanks

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Another nice feature (which may require pre-planning to activate), as the coverage applies to all card members - primary and supplementary, so the primary card member does not need to always be travelling with everyone needing cover, just as long as they hold a supplementary card. As the supplementary cards don't cost anything .

Nice one..... and very useful for me.

1/ My eldest daughter is 19 and for example when we were in Europe in July she arrived and left separately to the rest of us...up to a week different each time and so I bought a separate policy for her.

2/ It is often hard to get 4 or 5 J rewards at once. So travelling on different flights and days is a lot more achievable. Current policies often state that you are covered if the travel is "substantially" the same. This would remove any grey area.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Many Thanks Bill.

That was how I was reading it. But it is good to have confirmation.

I have a trip to Thailand on Dec 18. So the current deal should work in well.

With 75K this will be a nice little point earning period for me after just having gained 30k on the Vodafone deal and will get 25K from the amex Hopscotch Promo. That is 130K and enough points for a J return to Europe

Looks like the GFC effects have washed through with Amex having good promos and bonii again.

Hi lovetravellingoz,

How long after receiving & qualifying for the card did you receive the 75k points

Cheers M.P.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Hi lovetravellingoz,

How long after receiving & qualifying for the card did you receive the 75k points

Cheers M.P.

Hi,

I have not yet applied. I may only retain it for a year (depending on what discount is on offer in 12 months) and so am delaying when I apply due to this (ie to have the insurance cover a more useful period for me).

I fly on Dec 18, and members have reported that it takes 2/3 weeks for the card to be processed. So I will apply soon.
Others who have already applied might be able to answer you on when the 75K posts.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Hi,

I have not yet applied. I may only retain it for a year (depending on what discount is on offer in 12 months) and so am delaying when I apply due to this (ie to have the insurance cover a more useful period for me).

I fly on Dec 18, and members have reported that it takes 2/3 weeks for the card to be processed. So I will apply soon.
Others who have already applied might be able to answer you on when the 75K posts.

Hi lovetravellingoz,

I received my card in early Sept,put $1500 thru it so I qualify for 75k points,but as yet no points .
That was why I was wondering if you had the points, I did not realise you had no applyed for the card yet.
Thanks & Regards Gary.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Hi lovetravellingoz,

I received my card in early Sept,put $1500 thru it so I qualify for 75k points,but as yet no points .
.

From T&C:

and spend $500 in the first two months of Card membership. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for the 75,000 Bonus Points to be awarded to your account once the spend benchmark has been met.

Amex may post in advance of that though, or may not.

Looks like it may be a nice Xmas present for you.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

From T&C:

and spend $500 in the first two months of Card membership. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for the 75,000 Bonus Points to be awarded to your account once the spend benchmark has been met.

Amex may post in advance of that though, or may not.

Looks like it may be a nice Xmas present for you.

Hi lovetravellingoz
Thanks for that info, I can stop worring about having to fight for the points again,unlike the last
big promo, and yes I will put them to good use.

Regards Gary.

 

[beardoc]

+1 on the insurance being comprehensive and not requiring purchase. Another nice feature (which may require pre-planning to activate), as the coverage applies to all card members - primary and supplementary, so the primary card member does not need to always be travelling with everyone needing cover, just as long as they hold a supplementary card. As the supplementary cards don't cost anything (IIRC for the first 99 cards), and as long as you trust the family members (not that you have to give them the physical card), this easily allows coverage for independent trips.

Another thing that's often overlooked about the Platinum Charge Overseas Travel insurance is that it's quite liberal with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMCs). My partner has had Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), and most travel insurance companies will cover it, because the IHD is stable, but it inevitably means a trip to the doctor to fill in an insurance form, not being able to purchase a "family" insurance policy (because a PEMC requires that a separate application is made for just that person, making it more expensive), the additional PEMC premium loading, and the extra time to get it processed.

Amex Platinum has the following definition:

Pre-Existing Medical Condition means any medical or mental condition existing prior to the booking of Your Trip affecting You or any travelling companion
without whom Your Trip cannot be taken. This means any condition causing You
pain or physical distress or severely restricting Your normal mobility, including
(but not limited to):
(i) a condition for which You are on a waiting list for hospital in-patient Treatment;
(ii) a condition referred to a medical specialist or the cause of hospital in-patient
Treatment within six (6) months prior to booking of Your Trip (excluding regular
ongoing check-ups where there has been no significant change in condition);
(iii) pregnancy within eight (8) weeks of the estimated date of delivery; or
(iv) a condition for which a Doctor has provided a terminal prognosis.

This means that if you have something like Ischaemic Heart Disease, providing you haven't been admitted to hospital or been to see a medical specialist for anythiing more than a checkup in the last six months, it's all covered. No checks, no forms - it's just covered. Very useful in my circumstance and will save me bucketloads.

 

[mitchy123]

Another thing to be careful of, the benefits for baggage delay / loss, delayed flights etc, whilst generous, only cover items charged to the charge card. These are the sort of catches you need to be aware of beforehand, but in my opinion are not restrictive enough to negate the value of the cover - even though it may be slighty less flexible than a purchased policy, I can work within the limitations.

Hi equus, are you certain that the baggage loss etc coverage only applies to items charged to the charge card? I couldnt find anything in the T&C's on this. The terms I am looking at are effective from 11 August from AMEX website.

I would interpret this as; say if you had a laptop stolen whilst travelling, where the laptop was not purchased with the card it would then not be covered. Have I misinterpreted?

 

[equus]

Are you certain that the baggage loss etc coverage only applies to items charged to the charge card?

This is the Travel inconvenience part of the cover - i.e. reimbursement for emergency supplies you buy because of your baggage delay or loss (the $700pp and the additional $700 after 48 hours). To be covered, the emergency supplies must be purchases on the Amex Charge card.

The Baggage, Money and Documents cover (which covers actual loss, not just temporary and emergency replacement) doesn't have this exclusion.

An interesting variation, which I picked up after reviewing the policy after one of my bags decided to go to SYD-PER instead of SYD-BNE, is that there is no exclusion on the baggage delay if you are returning home - so theorectically (as there were 2 of us) we were entitled to up to $1,400 of emergency supplies because our bag was delayed (even though we had returned home). The reason I believe this to be explicitly the case, is that the next clause which allows for further supplies if the delay extends beyond 48 hours expressly excludes eligibility if you have reached your residence. The entitlement to claim for emergency expenses even when you have reached home seems very generous.