Amex Ultimate vs Plat CC

[Timtammi]

I have an Amex Ultimate and Mr Timtammi has a Plat Charge card with free Plat CC. We work together and usually travel together, for both business and pleasure. Aim is to maximise Qf points earn on spend.

Now that Amex has changed the partner airline for Plat CC holders to DJ I'm considering getting rid of my Amex Ultimate and swapping to Plat CC instead. Otherwise when we want to go together and use our free flights we can't travel together. Although I dont like DJ and will miss points/SC earn on the free flights the destinations are broader..

On the face of it seems like the earn rate for QF FF points is the same? (I know I have to manually trfr the Plat Card ones) and that the annual fee is lower on the Plat Card - $395 vs $450 for Ultimate.

Is there something I am missing? Or not taking into consideration?

Cheers

 

[straitman]

I have an Amex Ultimate and Mr Timtammi has a Plat Charge card with free Plat CC. We work together and usually travel together, for both business and pleasure. Aim is to maximise Qf points earn on spend.

Now that Amex has changed the partner airline for Plat CC holders to DJ I'm considering getting rid of my Amex Ultimate and swapping to Plat CC instead. Otherwise when we want to go together and use our free flights we can't travel together. Although I dont like DJ and will miss points/SC earn on the free flights the destinations are broader..

On the face of it seems like the earn rate for QF FF points is the same? (I know I have to manually trfr the Plat Card ones) and that the annual fee is lower on the Plat Card - $395 vs $450 for Ultimate.

Is there something I am missing? Or not taking into consideration?

Cheers

A good summary IMHO.

Remember the SC and points earn from the free flight is a bonus and only happens when it slips through, which is most of the time. Also the Travel Insurance on the Platinum Charge Card is supposedly superior than most (or all) others by Amex's own admission.

I agree that the destinations now available via DJ give much better options when planning trips.

 

[medhead]

I'm not sure that the Plat CC will allow transfer of points to Qantas. Isn't that only available with MR Ascent Premium, which is only available the Plat charge card? Or is there an option to transfer Mr T's MR account?

 

[Flashback]

I'm not sure that the Plat CC will allow transfer of points to Qantas. Isn't that only available with MR Ascent Premium, which is only available the Plat charge card? Or is there an option to transfer Mr T's MR account?

That's correct. You need the charge card.