Amex Platinum Charge fee up to $1450

[Jack_OC]

Are you aware though that you can do free and uncapped transfers between the different amex reward programs, which significantly increases the value of the platinum? (I don't know if it's always been that way though)

No, I was not aware of that! So points earned through Platinum Edge can go to Platinum and then onwards to QF, for example? If so that would certainly be nice.

 

[Bell21]

I can confirm that is accurate as I have done it very recently - some members have actually linked reward programs to be program of highest tier (eg ascent premium) although for various reasons, I prefer to manually transfer (you have to call and request transfer) and can take a week

 

[Jack_OC]

I just checked the insurance - unfortunately it definitely wouldn’t cut it for us. The definition of pre existing condition is extremely broad - it includes:
“Pre-existing Medical Condition means:
1. any past or current Medical Condition that, during the 2 years prior to You booking any Trip has given rise to symptoms, or for which any form of treatment or prescribed medication, medical consultation, investigation or follow-up/check-up has been required or received;”

And the list of pre existing conditions that are automatically included is extremely short. This is a common shortcoming of cc travel insurance (which as an aside I suspect a lot of people don’t think about - a large proportion of the population would have a “pre existing condition” by such a broad definition, even if they are quite healthy).

Another problem with the Amex Platinum insurance: “Cover is not activated until a return ticket has been purchased. Important: One-way Trips are not covered.”

So does that mean if I book two one way award fares to get to/from Europe I would have no cover? That’s how it reads to me.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I can confirm that is accurate as I have done it very recently - some members have actually linked reward programs to be program of highest tier (eg ascent premium) although for various reasons, I prefer to manually transfer (you have to call and request transfer) and can take a week

IME, based on opening the Platinum Charge account first, all subsequent cards (Edge and Reserve) were automatically linked to Ascent Premium.

 

[davestan]

Another problem with the Amex Platinum insurance: “Cover is not activated until a return ticket has been purchased. Important: One-way Trips are not covered.”

So does that mean if I book two one way award fares to get to/from Europe I would have no cover? That’s how it reads to me.

My understanding is that it doesn’t matter if the return trip is booked separately you are still covered. I checked this recently when I cruised from Australia and returned by plane. As long as both legs were paid by the card.
I have also booked reward flights out and back to Australia on different airlines and assumed I was covered.
It would be nice though if Amex/ Chubb provided a notice of activation ( as some other cards do), even if we have to apply for it by notifying confirmed booking of our trip arrangements. I really see it as an entitlement especially now in the light of increased card fees. Credit card insurance is fraught with uncertainty.

 

[Jack_OC]

My understanding is that it doesn’t matter if the return trip is booked separately you are still covered. I checked this recently when I cruised from Australia and returned by plane. As long as both legs were paid by the card.
I have also booked reward flights out and back to Australia on different airlines and assumed I was covered.
It would be nice though if Amex/ Chubb provided a notice of activation ( as some other cards do), even if we have to apply for it by notifying confirmed booking of our trip arrangements. I really see it as an entitlement especially now in the light of increased card fees. Credit card insurance is fraught with uncertainty.

Yes, one thing I’m not prepared to do is assume that I have coverage if it’s not explicitly clear. I wouldn’t be too concerned about a situation where everything was paid for on the card, but I would not be so confident about two separate award bookings, which may or may not have even used points earned through the card.

The pre existing conditions clause is a deal breaker for me anyway.

 

[Bell21]

IME, based on opening the Platinum Charge account first, all subsequent cards (Edge and Reserve) were automatically linked to Ascent Premium.

Thanks - yes, I've heard that too, although I believe they can be linked later if plat is not first card - just fyi, you can transfer points between gateway and premium, which is great...

 

[blueythecat]

IME, based on opening the Platinum Charge account first, all subsequent cards (Edge and Reserve) were automatically linked to Ascent Premium.

Yes this should definitely work for the Edge and the Reserve. If you apply for an Explorer card and want that linked too, because it normally earns into the Gateway program and not Ascent you need to ring up to have it manually done.

 

[muppet]

Hi all
I've tried to work it out.... but does anyone have an idea of what benefits a supplementary cardholder has?

I get they can access Amex lounges, plaza premium and priority pass after registering and travel insurance if booked on the card.

Is there any other good ones i should tell my supp cardholder about?

thanks
m

 

[Daver6]

Hi all
I've tried to work it out.... but does anyone have an idea of what benefits a supplementary cardholder has?

I get they can access Amex lounges, plaza premium and priority pass after registering and travel insurance if booked on the card.

Is there any other good ones i should tell my supp cardholder about?

thanks
m

One supp holder can also get Priority Pass membership. All get Amex lounge, Virgin lounge and Plaza Premium lounge. All get hotel status, travel insurance and AFR membership.

 

[andye]

One supp holder can also get Priority Pass membership. All get Amex lounge, Virgin lounge and Plaza Premium lounge. All get hotel status, travel insurance and AFR membership.

Tecnically only primary gets Virgin lounge access though I understand this is not enforced

 

[Bell21]

Hi all
I've tried to work it out.... but does anyone have an idea of what benefits a supplementary cardholder has?

I get they can access Amex lounges, plaza premium and priority pass after registering and travel insurance if booked on the card.

Is there any other good ones i should tell my supp cardholder about?

thanks
m

Daver6 is spot-on other than Virgin lounge membership isn't included strictly speaking. As well as hotel status, there is also upgraded status with Hertz and Avis (which isn't as useful as hotel status generally)

 

[Daver6]

Tecnically only primary gets Virgin lounge access though I understand this is not enforced

I believe that was previously the case (but impossible to enforce as there is nothing to distinguish a supp card from a primary), but with the increased fee, I think that was one of the specified added benefits now.

 

[andye]

Latest T&Cs on the website still say primary and guest only for VA lounge but doesn't get mentioned in the larger print now

 

[Bell21]

I believe that was previously the case (but impossible to enforce as there is nothing to distinguish a supp card from a primary), but with the increased fee, I think that was one of the specified added benefits now.

Confirming what Andye said that it isn't a specified added benefit of the card - I've spoken to a few different AMEX operators about this, but there seems to be a difference to what happens 'in practice' vs 'in theory'

 

[blueythecat]

I and many others here can certainly vouch for the fact that supplementary card holders can access the Virgin lounge even though it isn’t a listed benefit

Enjoy!

 

[muppet]

Thanks all for your advice. My supp is very impressed.

 

[mandja]

Mrs Mandja wants this card in her own right

Problems

1. Will she qualify for bonus points if she already holds Plat Velocity Amex and Amex Explorer?
2. Bonus signup is 80,000 points ,plus 10,000 via referral (and my 30,000 referrer). I see that it has gone down from 120,000 + referrer (to end Aug 2018). Should she wait ?

 

[andye]

Mrs Mandja wants this card in her own right

Problems

1. Will she qualify for bonus points if she already holds Plat Velocity Amex and Amex Explorer?
2. Bonus signup is 80,000 points ,plus 10,000 via referral (and my 30,000 referrer). I see that it has gone down from 120,000 + referrer (to end Aug 2018). Should she wait ?

She is very unlikely to get any bonus points if she is already a primary cardholder. Occasion people do but these are lucky glitches
I find holding my Amexes too valuable to serve out any waiting periods but it is possible to do that as a couple if you are both eligible

 

[Bell21]

mandja, there are a few reports of existing card holders getting welcome bonus points - it's a bit of a lottery though. You'd not want to count on it when applying for the card, but just treat it as a big bonus if you get lucky!