Platinum Card, what will I get for $900

[Keith009]

My membership fee was charged to the account a few days ago, and currently I am in the process of reviewing whether I ought to continue with Platinum or drop down to the Platinum credit card.

In order of priority:

- Travel insurance for myself and OH: Work pays for my travel insurance, so only the OH needs the insurance.

- Free plat credit card and free flight: can't argue with this, but it cost a lot less simply paying for the Plat credit card.

- Hertz #1 Gold: quite useful in discounting car rentals

- Priority Pass: have only used once when flying DJ. OH is *G and has PG membership so we can't see ourselves using PP all that much. (OK, maybe once end of year when we'll be flying JHB-KUL after visting the olds...)

- PC Gold: Have only stayed at a PC property once this past year. And OH prefers Accor when we're not at SPG.

- SPG Gold: I'm SPG Plat. OH took up SPG Gold but stays at Accor when traveling by himself.

- Concierge: hit/miss. Yet to use for travel arrangements as I've got a v competent TA. If they can't even fulfill simple requests like booking the correct restaurants at the correct times or tracking down various retail outlets, I don't trust them with my travels.

So all it really comes down to is the free travel insurance for the OH (a decent annual insurance policy comes to about $400) and the free flight. Also the fact that I really prefer the charge facility over credit cards - especially the inherent flexibility for business expenses. And last but not least - Ascent premium for QFF points.

I think I might just give the Plat card another year's grace.

 

[nlagalle]

QF009 ring them up and say you are thinking of cancelling due to the cost v value for money and see what they say..

 

[Ricardo]

I was also considering giving up my Plat amex charge and credit card package.

The main beef I have is that alot of the actual benefits are not that great. I have used the travel service once to book my accom at Fiji for my 40th last year and got the 'worst' room next to the bar. It was noisy and then got woken at 4am with the early brekky staff and vehicles. So I went to reception and upgraded to a suite. I sent an email with feedback to both the hotel and Plat travel - no response. They also forgot to book some travel within NZ some years ago. So they dont get my vote and I think I will write in and tell them.

Not to mention they have never given me any discounts on the quotes for car rental and accom as per the so called deals they have listed on the website.

I guess its what works foreach person, but I guess I did expect a little more for my $900, and I find it easier ( and generally cheaper) to book my own or through another agent/website.

On a positive note I have made use of the lounge scheme, although a Qantas club m/ship would be far better in my opinion. The priority club is also useful, never got any joy with rental car deals (if anybody has any advice they would be great as I will need some car hires in NZ soon). The concierge has been hit/miss also, and one time I asked about some local rugby tickets for a S14 game and they told me that I had to pay a fee of $30 or something stupid, so its was not worth using them so I did not bother using the booking service.

I do like the 1.5 points so I might keep it, but will challenge them to drop the price either by letter or phone. Will let you all know if I have any joy or otherwise.

R

 

[Keith009]

QF009 ring them up and say you are thinking of cancelling due to the cost v value for money and see what they say..

Rang them up today, and my fee has been reduced by half. Result! Given that my other option was going down to the Plat Credit Card, this now seems like a v nice deal seeing that 1) I do want a charge facility; 2) the free flight is always good; 3) travel insurance will come in handy for OH.

 

[Ricardo]

Oh behave ! Half price ?

Nice deal what was your strategy?

 

[Keith009]

I asked to be put through to the cancellations dept and spoke to a rather nice bloke there. I said I was thinking of cancelling as I didn't think the $900 fee is very good value in light of my circumstances and the peeves I've had with their customer service. They've apparently kept a log of all my complaints and as a result were more than happy to re-assess my membership fee.

 

[zig]

I asked to be put through to the cancellations dept and spoke to a rather nice bloke there. I said I was thinking of cancelling as I didn't think the $900 fee is very good value in light of my circumstances and the peeves I've had with their customer service. They've apparently kept a log of all my complaints and as a result were more than happy to re-assess my membership fee.

A good result, and one I would have expected, especially since they are offering the card for $450 for the first year for new applicants at the moment. It certainly makes the card a much more attractive proposition and worth hanging onto.

 

[aasz1978]

There was a recent promo called "blue moon". It gives you $450 on first year.

On this cost, in my opinion, it's worth to have a Charge Card for the following reason:

1. International Travel Insurance (Est. $150 per person)
You are covered much more generously than other Plat Cards (especially vs Citi Platinum after 30 June 2010). PLUS, you DO NOT have to use your charge card to buy your airfare in order to be covered. So this covers cash/EFT payment to your favourite travel agent in chinatown and saves you the cc surcharge.

2. Free Priority Pass (Est AUD$500 equivalent)
Don't need elaboration. You guys are much more of an expert than myself.

3. Companion Airfare (benefit dependent on primary airfare cost but up to 50%)
Can be used on Economy Fare (or even Discounted Economy Fare) as it has a competitive clause. Companion can fly at between 10%-50% off on the primary traveller airfare.

4. Platinum CC free flight/hotel (Est $150 per account)
Also don't need elaboration. It's crystal clear.

5. Free Roadside Assistance (Est $75-$150 per car)
Bye bye RACV/NRMA.

6. Preferred FX rate (benefit dependent on FX value)
Commission free and preferred rate although I am yet to use this and apparently can only be accessed via telephone. I can use some help on advice here.

And I am sure you guys can fill in more but the nutshell is the card is good for at least one year after which, it becomes arguable.

 

[jingles]

There was a recent promo called "blue moon". It gives you $450 on first year.

It is still going http://www.americanexpress.com/aust...?vanity=americanexpress.com.au/bluemoon_offer

There is no indication in the terms and conditions as to when it will end either.
The only date mentioned is "All information is correct as at 7 January 2010" which would indicate the offer has been running for a long time now

 

[Ricardo]

3. Companion Airfare (benefit dependent on primary airfare cost but up to 50%)
Can be used on Economy Fare (or even Discounted Economy Fare) as it has a competitive clause. Companion can fly at between 10%-50% off on the primary traveller airfare.

Any idea on what class/where these companion fares apply. I recently got the Plat Travel to quote me on flights to NZ and back near Christmas and they were about $500 more that if I was to go with Air NZ direct, for me, wife and 3 year old son.

Bris - Invercargill $930 with Air NZ 15 Dec
Chch - Gold Coast $625 Air NZ 1 Jan 2011

Same flights Plat Travel around $2000 with Air NZ go figure ??

So to me alot of what they promote with the Plat card is rubbish (I was trying to find a more polite word ) lol

 

[davidj]

It is still going The American Express® Platinum Card

There is no indication in the terms and conditions as to when it will end either.
The only date mentioned is "All information is correct as at 7 January 2010" which would indicate the offer has been running for a long time now

I am trying to apply using this link, however it needs a current AMEX card number to let me apply. Is there any way around this?

 

[Sunchaser]

The travel insurance on the charge card is far superior so that in itself may be worth it for you depending on how frequently you travel and how you pay (or don't pay) for your flights.

The charge card automatically qualifies you for higher status in a number of programs (e.g. Gold SGP status, Hertz #1, etc). The Priority Club card is also useful for those who don't already have lounge access (although it is limited).

In terms of what purchases should be made on the charge card, in addition to the ones already mentioned, some hotels offer extras such as upgrades & late checkout to bookings made on the charge card. The Amex website has some more info: dubdubdub.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/australia/FrontServlet?request_type=TravelHome (sorry I'm too new to be allowed to post URL's properly yet)

Hope this helps..

 

[LuisT]

Hi folks, quick question...

So I've just received my platinum card (through the blue moon promotion). Now, I know you have to apply for the CC to get the free flight, but didn't get a form with the package. If I just send an application in, will they realise that I've got the charge card and waive the annual fee, or do I have to apply through a special mechanism?

 

[zig]

Hi folks, quick question...

So I've just received my platinum card (through the blue moon promotion). Now, I know you have to apply for the CC to get the free flight, but didn't get a form with the package. If I just send an application in, will they realise that I've got the charge card and waive the annual fee, or do I have to apply through a special mechanism?

I think you should have received the forms with the welcome package, however if you didn't either ring and ask for them, or you can access the form via the platinum section of the Amex website.

 

[jingles]

Hi folks, quick question...

So I've just received my platinum card (through the blue moon promotion). Now, I know you have to apply for the CC to get the free flight, but didn't get a form with the package. If I just send an application in, will they realise that I've got the charge card and waive the annual fee, or do I have to apply through a special mechanism?

You are supposed to be able to get the form from here
American Express - The Advantage of Platinum

But it has never worked for me..

 

[ejb]

Hi,

Just give Amex a call using the number on the back of your card and they will arrange the application form to be emailed or mailed to you.

Then make sure you don't get charged the annual fee, I was twice, as they need to put a code in against your card number and without it they will charge you the annual fee.

ejb

 

[Flashback]

The travel insurance on the charge card is far superior so that in itself may be worth it for you depending on how frequently you travel and how you pay (or don't pay) for your flights.

The charge card automatically qualifies you for higher status in a number of programs (e.g. Gold SGP status, Hertz #1, etc). The Priority Club card is also useful for those who don't already have lounge access (although it is limited).

In terms of what purchases should be made on the charge card, in addition to the ones already mentioned, some hotels offer extras such as upgrades & late checkout to bookings made on the charge card. The Amex website has some more info: dubdubdub.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/australia/FrontServlet?request_type=TravelHome (sorry I'm too new to be allowed to post URL's properly yet)

Hope this helps..

How restricted is the travel insurance? E.g. if I'm away travelling for the next 12 months would it cover that? A lot of annual insurance policies have stipulations for example, that it will only cover if the trip is less than 3 months.

 

[Foreigner]

American Express and US Airways Partner to Add US Airways® Club Access for Platinum Card® & Centurion® Members | Business Wire

Additional benefits for Platinum (and Centurion) charge cards.

 

[Flashback]

American Express and US Airways Partner to Add US Airways® Club Access for Platinum Card® & Centurion® Members | Business Wire

Additional benefits for Platinum (and Centurion) charge cards.

I have a feeling that will only apply to US-issued cards..

 

[Foreigner]

I have a feeling that will only apply to US-issued cards..

I don't believe so. The charge cards all look alike, unlike co-branded cards and those Amex cards issued by banks.