Platinum Card, what will I get for $900

[Foreigner]

Having read through T&Cs looks like a reasonable policy (dated 10 Aug 10).

Couple of comments on what I saw as positives and negatives.

Roadside Assist. Only applicable if on a Trip. A Domestic Trip is more than 150km from place of residence. Does however have provisions if under 50km from home.

Special Sports. Surprisingly only Solo Diving is listed, so Scuba Diving is assumedly covered (Which is rare)

Inconvenience cover. Kicks in at 4 hr delay on departure.

Medical Emergency Expenses cover. Excludes any costs incurred in Australia, so if you are medivaced back to Aus but need further treatment you are on your own.

Resumption of Journey cover. Only for original itin where at least a fortnight left.

Personal Baggage. $30k cap with $5k for any one item

And my biggest negative find.

Loss damage waiver.
Not cover loss if retail purchase price of vehicle is in excess of A$70k. (per exclusion 6) :!::!:
So the potential class upgrade you may get as a result of status may mean your insurance disappears.

"Excludes any costs incurred in Australia, so if you are medivaced back to Aus but need further treatment you are on your own." - Rightly so, don't you think? Once you are back in Australia, medicare or private medical cover should take over. That's what I believe. As for other positives and negatives, I don't have much to say.

 

[franky3844]

Hello to all and thank you for all your wonderful comments over the years - i have learnt a great deal so far although never actively posted before. This is my first so please go easy on me
like many I am also considering the Platinum Amex Charge Card - we already have the Platinum Credit Card and I feel if I can purchase for the Blue Moon price - it is only an extra $150 on top of my yearly fee now with many more additional benefits.
I'm happy with the credit card and feel for the $295 annual fee, I get value from that just with travel insurance and also the extended warranty.

My question is this in regards to the Priority Pass which is included
I wsill be travelling with a friend around the US next year and as I will be the supplementary card holder - will we both be able to access all lounges for no additional charge? or will I have to pay for my friend. Reading from the PP website - I will have to pay - but it seems Delta and some of the other complimentary lougnes also have lounges here in Australia - so I gather we can use everywhere - would that be correct?
I hope this makes sense

​

 

[ma1trix]

US based airlines are extremely generous with their lounge access. American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways allow the cardholders immediate family and upto two guests into their lounges (by showing that carriers boarding pass and your Platinum Card).

You can other wise use your Priority Pass card for lounges that accept it and entry permission will be the same (except you can use any carriers boarding pass).

Mathew Richards

 

[Foreigner]

US based airlines are extremely generous with their lounge access. American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways allow the cardholders immediate family and upto two guests into their lounges (by showing that carriers boarding pass and your Platinum Card).

You can other wise use your Priority Pass card for lounges that accept it and entry permission will be the same (except you can use any carriers boarding pass).

Mathew Richards

With the PP card though, the card allows just the cardholder with free access. Charges apply for guest(s) of cardholder. The PP website has comprehensive info on each lounge and their "rules".

 

[franky3844]

Thanks for your responses - it's always nice to get things clarified from others.
Much appreciated.

Now another question - in the PP lounges, are both cardholders (main and supplementary) allowed access or just the one??

Regards
K

 

[zig]

Now another question - in the PP lounges, are both cardholders (main and supplementary) allowed access or just the one??

Regards
K

Only the main card holder gets complimentary PP membership. Membership is available to the supplementary card holder for a fee of US$249, or they can visit the lounge with the main card holder and pay a fee for each visit. Obviously it is up to you to determine which is the most cost effective approach.

 

[Fifa]

So, if the cardholder earns $100,000 when they apply, but retires in a year or two on a lesser yearly superannuation pension are they still eligible to keep the Plat card?

 

[straitman]

So, if the cardholder earns $100,000 when they apply, but retires in a year or two on a lesser yearly superannuation pension are they still eligible to keep the Plat card?

Hi Fifa,

I do not know Amex's thoughts on this but must ask how would Amex ever know that the situation had changed :?:

 

[Fifa]

Hi Fifa,

I do not know Amex's thoughts on this but must ask how would Amex ever know that the situation had changed :?:

Hi Bill!
So, no mention is made about your income on the renewal date???

Also, a quick question you may be able to answer about using Prioriy Pass in The Lounge - the PP website states:

"Conditions Limited to one guest per cardholder".

Does this mean one guest is free or you can have one guest at US$27?​

​

 

[straitman]

Hi Bill!
So, no mention is made about your income on the renewal date???

Also, a quick question you may be able to answer about using Prioriy Pass in The Lounge - the PP website states:

"Conditions Limited to one guest per cardholder".

Does this mean one guest is free or you can have one guest at US$27?​

​

The card holder is free, however you have to pay for the guest. I have never actually used the card but have found this hidden in the T&C.

 

[Ricardo]

I think some lounges allow a guest free of charge. Check the website or booklet that comes with your membership card.

 

[Foreigner]

Hi Bill!
So, no mention is made about your income on the renewal date???

Also, a quick question you may be able to answer about using Prioriy Pass in The Lounge - the PP website states:

"Conditions Limited to one guest per cardholder".

Does this mean one guest is free or you can have one guest at US$27?​

​

On two occasions I went to Virgin Blue lounge at T2 Sydney with guest, i was charged for the guest.

 

[franky3844]

I noticed this on one of the sites I was looking at -


In addition to the Priority Pass membership, you can enjoy the best airport club lounges. Receive complimentary access to:

• American Airlines Admirals Club®
• Continental Airlines Presidents Club
• Delta Sky Club® (formerly Delta Crown Room Club and Northwest WorldClubs) locations in airports around the world2

Simply present the club agent with your Platinum Card, your valid ticket for same day travel on the corresponding airline that is operating the flight, and a government issued ID. Your spouse and children under the age of 21, or up to two traveling companions, may join you as complimentary guests in the club room.

When I checked the Delta Membership locations in Australia - they show up as the Virgin Lounges - so instead of using the Virgin Lounges in Australia under your PP membership - why couldn't you use your Delta membership and take in an extra for no $$????

 

[Dave Noble]

When I checked the Delta Membership locations in Australia - they show up as the Virgin Lounges - so instead of using the Virgin Lounges in Australia under your PP membership - why couldn't you use your Delta membership and take in an extra for no $$????

The Virgin lounge is not actually a Delta lounge, just a lounge for which they offer access to their members; doesnt mean that there is indirect access via American Express

 

[Rono]

I have two somewhat connected questions....

I keep renewing my Amex Plat Charge card at $900 p/a in the belief that the travel insurance is worth it...

First question is - whats the general experience of members claiming back?
Second - am I stuoid to take out zero Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for car cough if I have the Plat card?

regards

Paul R Ronis

 

[straitman]

I have two somewhat connected questions....

I keep renewing my Amex Plat Charge card at $900 p/a in the belief that the travel insurance is worth it...

First question is - whats the general experience of members claiming back?
Second - am I stuoid to take out zero Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for car cough if I have the Plat card?

regards

Paul R Ronis

Paul,

I am no expert with this but I do what you do so I'll be interested to hear about any actual claims.

At the first AFF get together in MEL a few years ago there was a guest from AMEX (Louisa I believe) who was quite passionate about the TI value offered by the Plat Charge Card.

 

[Foreigner]

I have two somewhat connected questions....

I keep renewing my Amex Plat Charge card at $900 p/a in the belief that the travel insurance is worth it...

First question is - whats the general experience of members claiming back?
Second - am I stuoid to take out zero Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for car cough if I have the Plat card?

regards

Paul R Ronis

If you have been platinum charge card holder for a number of years and/or been putting what you believe to be not-insignificant value of charges, you may consider approaching Amex to halve the fee. I did and fee was reduced to $450.

As for insurances...I have not made any claim on covers provided through numerous cards I have. I rely on corporate cover provided by my broker which though costly covers all employees, my family, for all domestic and international travel.

 

[Rono]

Paul,

I am no expert with this but I do what you do so I'll be interested to hear about any actual claims.

At the first AFF get together in MEL a few years ago there was a guest from AMEX (Louisa I believe) who was quite passionate about the TI value offered by the Plat Charge Card.

Thanks for the reply straitman, one way or the other, I've been with Amex since 1985.
I was thinking that with the volcanic ash fiasco that fellow AFF members may have had to make claims. My worry with all insurance is that what you think you are covered for and what ends up being the case when you make a claim, is completely different.

Likewise my question with zero CDW, I never used to worry about it until one day I was at the Hertz counter when some Yanks were returning a hire car that someone had run into the back of (ie not their fault at all). I was mortified by what I heard and saw and wondered what would happen to me during any of my o/s trips.

regards

Paul R Ronis

 

[lovestotravel]

First question is - whats the general experience of members claiming back?
Second - am I stuoid to take out zero Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for car cough if I have the Plat card?

regards

Paul R Ronis

I have claimed twice on travel insurance and it was quite painless, both for baggage that was delayed.

The car hire cover from the PDS on Amex's website.

Firstly "Covered Rental Trip means a journey that commences and ends in Your Country of Residence and includes the hire of a Rental Vehicle, where the period of hire shown in the Rental Agreement is thirty-one (31) days or less, of which the entire cost has been charged to Your American Express Platinum Charge Card account"

However then

"Geographical Scope means worldwide including country of domicile provided the rental takes place further than two hundred and fifty (250) kilometres from the permanent or temporary place of residence You are currently residing in.

Also you are not covered when:

"Damage sustained whilst not driving on a sealed public road"
"Rental Vehicles with a retail purchase price in excess of AUD70,000 or vehicles
over twenty (20) years old."

1. So no good for anything overseas
2. You need to charge the full amount to your Plat CC
3. No good if you rent some of the nicer cars from Hertz or Avis, as they can be over $70,000.
4. No good if you are renting in your home area

Basically a waste of time in the majority of cases for me!

 

[Diesellife]

I have claimed twice on travel insurance and it was quite painless, both for baggage that was delayed.

The car hire cover from the PDS on Amex's website.

Firstly "Covered Rental Trip means a journey that commences and ends in Your Country of Residence and includes the hire of a Rental Vehicle, where the period of hire shown in the Rental Agreement is thirty-one (31) days or less, of which the entire cost has been charged to Your American Express Platinum Charge Card account"

However then

"Geographical Scope means worldwide including country of domicile provided the rental takes place further than two hundred and fifty (250) kilometres from the permanent or temporary place of residence You are currently residing in.

1. So no good for anything overseas

It does cover overseas hire.

"Covered Rental Trip means a journey that commences and ends in Your Country of Residence and includes the hire of a Rental Vehicle". This simply means the trip has to be originated & end in Australia. E.g. You can't go to the U.S. for over 180 days (as it voids your travel insurance by term definition) and it disqualifies your "trip" as ending in Australia.

The geographical scope has further clarified that the cover is for "Worldwide including the country of residency", provided it's 250km away from your postal address.

All in all, you are covered anywhere outside the radius of 250km of your home. Provided that the trip starts & ends in Australia within 180 days. And other bits that you mentioned above.