American Express Membership Rewards - Platinum Consensus

I did a lot of searching in the AmEx forum and read some interesting threads going back to 1999 (and some quite recent). Just to clarify, the consensus seems to be that unless you can make use of the companion First/Business Class ticket, it is not worth the $300 annual fee. Of course there are many differing views and I am not intending to dredge up another whole discussion of the same issues, my apologies in advance if that happens. But I received my "invitation" today, read all the old posts and the AmEx website, and I just don't see the benefit to paying that $300 fee. Is that the general consensus? Also, when checking the AmEx web site I see that have a Platinum Optima Corporate card with no annual fee. Obviously it does not have all the benefits, but no annual fee is attractive and it does have the benefits I use (i.e. FedEx, Mobil, Hertz discounts, quaterly summaries, etc.)

Plat is worth $300 to me.

1. Airline clubs. This alone makes it worthwhile - if you travel CO, NW, TW. I am CO gold and frequently fly on NW metal... so I am using either the CO or NW clubs 2-3 times a week.

2. Membership Rewards $45 fee is waived.

3. CO is offerring TRIPLE miles to plats on the current promotion. That will net me at least 30K extra miles this quarter. That is worth at least $500 to me.

4. Say what you want about PTS (the travel service) - but they were able to get me into an otherwise sold-out hotel.

5. Ever try booking a restaurant reservation in NYC? Having Amex do it for you (for free) is a great benefit for those of us without personal assistants.

I haven't used the intl. 2-for-one yet, but if you use it ONCE every 5 years, you're still ahead.

The way I look at it, I'd have a gold ($75) + membership rewards (+45) ANYWAY -- so I'd be spending $120. For $180 more, I get all these benefits. To me, it's worth every penny.

IF you travel or do big-time business entertaining, it has tremendous value. Otherwise, you may be better off with a different product.

cpd

Also, with some of the travel I do, I clearly would want evac insurance, so I'd need to pay for that. I've found that, like everyone else, I've had poor experiences from time to time with their customer service, Plat is better than any other Amex, and they're better than any other CC I have. (I know, I know, DC is better, but I use my Amex as a general purpose cash management card, and DC just isn't as widely accepted around town).

I've also used them to get hotels in tough cities @ tough times.

Frankly, PTS' care of my wife and me last year on our honeymoon was enough to justify everything I've paid for Amex for the last 11 years and probably for the next 5 (they procured some amazing rooms for us in Asia - including the Presidential Suite @ the Ritz-Carlton HK @ USD140 and an enormous bouquet for my wife in the arms of the hotel manager at the door).

Like CPD, they've helped out a great deal w/ restaurants in the Bay Area.

I think it's worth it, to the extent that I have an add'l Plat card for my wife. Just in case she's ever traveling on her own.

Greg

>5. Ever try booking a restaurant reservation in NYC? Having Amex do it for you (for free) is a great benefit for those of us without personal assistants.

* In some very good and popular restaurants there is often an AMEX table - reserved for platinum card holders.

Has anyone had experience with the evacuation insurance? That is the primary reason we got the card.

I have occasionally used the airport club feature and have found it worthwhile.

I've had my platinum card for a few years ... it has a lot of good benefits and insurance and features.

Truth be told, I'd probably get rid of it now, except I hope to get the vaunted Centurion Card at some point, and I figure my chances are better if I keep my Platinum Card than if I drop down to the Gold Rewards Plus card ...

I have a question on the Two for one int. ticket. If anyone has used this benefit, what did you have to pay for the first ticket? My thinking is that if you have to pay full ariline fare to get the second one free, there is really no special benefit since you could get the same two tickets by purchasing them elsewhere at more reasonable prices. what do you think? This is benefit and the airport lounges are the two main reasons I'm considering platinum, but $450 a year (for mine and spouse's card) needs to be justified in my mind.

Originally posted by pointman:
My thinking is that if you have to pay full ariline fare to get the second one free, there is really no special benefit since you could get the same two tickets by purchasing them elsewhere at more reasonable prices

try this:

AA JFK-SJU first/business r/t = $1582.60 (for 2 people)
AA JFK-SJU unrestricted Y r/t = $1270.60 per person

Using amex intl 2-for-1 is significantly cheaper than buying 2 Y fares.

Of course, in discounted coach, the prices would be cheaper....

Don't forget this deal is for business or first only.

You have to do the math - since some routings have surprisingly low differences bewteen the fares...

SOME people only book unrestricted fares... this is a big benefit for those who can take advantage of it.

cpd

As previously stated, it depends on your own travel pattern. For me, it has been a great value.

Used a benefit for the first time last month in St. Thomas. Short on cash (do not have ATM card) the local office handed me $500. A very simple transaction free of fees and interest charges.

I'd prefer carrying the green card, but every year the platinum card has more than paid for itself.

[This message has been edited by hedoman (edited 03-04-2001).]

Here in the UK I am quite happy to pay the £225 annual fee for my AmEX Platinum Card by simple maths:-

£450 Comprehensive Annual Travel Insurance for 6 Adults including Winter Sports Cover (Assuming cost of £75 per adult, likely to be more)
£149 Unlimited Priority Pass for 1 person per year
£150 a year in Annual Fee's for the 4 Gold Supplementary Cards on my account
£23.50 Annual Fee for Membership Rewards

Unable to put a cost to the following:-
-Concierge Service 24/7/365 (Shall we say £365, £1 a day for doing errands)
-Access to Virgin ClubHouses, British Midland Lounges and TWA Lounges regardless of class of travel (Shall we say £300 easily, this benefit is worth it on its own, as I know that I can use more than £225 worth of services in Virgin when I make my flights)
- Hertz No 1 Club Gold (Shall we say £75 if used once a year)
- 2-for-1 on various airlines or free upgrade on purchase of qualifying ticket (Shall we say £2500 if used just once a year)

Instant Hilton Gold VIP and Starwood Gold (Both not difficult ot get with offers from flyertalk but nonetheless we'll say a benefit of £250 if used once a year).

That works out at over £4250 if each benefit is used just once a year.

In my case If I didn't have the card, I would still be paying £75 for my Travel Insurance and £149 for my Priority Pass, and thats £224 so it is worth it, well in the UK anyway. I think the US version of the Card gets a slighty more raw deal, but I'd still pay $300 for it on my own.

Thanks,
Richard

Richard,

nice calculation. ;-) Why do you thing Hertz Gold is worth 75 pounds? I seldomly see any benefits with Hetz. Hertz is expensive, and they never give Upgrades to me. They even dont manage to credit my FF account. And often enough, the car is not ready. Very disappointing.

Free upgrades? Where do you get this??

Joergi,

It was an estimation. If you book through AmEX, you will get an Car upgrade.

In terms of free upgrades for airlines, if you buy certain tickets, you will get a free upgrade or can take a companion. Eg. Last year I was quoted £1750 for a Economy ticket on Emirates, but then I would get a free upgrade to Business or could take a Companion. Now we all know that I could have got an Economy Ticket for say £600, but not a Business ticket for £1750. Sure 2 economy tickets would be £1200 if purchased elsewhere, but then you have to look around for airfares as they can vary greatly. Another example, Upper Class Return on Virgin Atlantic to LA, Virgin want £x, AmEx Want £x-600, Expedia want £x-1000. In this case, its better to go via Expedia.

Thanks,
Richard

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I made the decision to go Platinum. I have received everything and thus far am very pleased. Thank you again.

Originally posted by keithnj973:
...But I received my "invitation" today...

I didn't realize the US Amex Platinum was by invitation? Or had they offered it to you?

Chris - since that was back in February I don't exactly remember, but I recall receiving what I would describe as an "invitation" in the mail. It basically said sign here and we'll send you a Platinum card and you pay us $300. Of course I am over simplifying, it also said such things as, since you have been a loyal, good customer, blah blah blah. Does that answer your question? I was not sure I understood what you were asking.

Until about a year ago, the US Platinum card was "by invitation only," with no mention of it on the web site. Then, they decided to "go public" with it, and it appeared on the web site alongside their other offerings, along with an option to apply online. Now, the Centurion card is the one that's conspicuously absent from the web site (at least in the US).

For the FT'er poster JRBKK (?) - this thread has some good info that helped me make a decision. Everyone here was very helpful. Sorry did not know how to link the thread, so I am just bringing it to the top hoping you will see it and get some benefit.

Yeah I did some research too. I think it doesn't make sense to get Platinum unless you are the top-guy who is working so hard and has not time to do anything. By the way I had problems with my credit limit on my Corporate and meanwhile they kept me sending Platinum offers? That makes no sense.

Richard

Agree with your point on the insurance - add SLI on NA Car hire and your talking an extra $15 a day - we spend a couple of weeks skiing in the US most years, thats a saving of over $200. Almost pays for the card itself!

Shame the insurance with the platinum is not the same as the regular Amex (225GBP) - this includes CDW too!

(edited because I didn;t read your post on Virgin UC prices properly and nearly made a fool of myself - not hard!!)

[This message has been edited by matthewuk (edited 04-30-2001).]

<<Shame the insurance with the platinum is not the same as the regular Amex (225GBP) -
this includes CDW too!>>

Could someone please tell me which, if any, UK issued Amex cards cover CDW /LDW for car hie in the USA?
I was under the impression that my Plat Amex covered SLI, but not CDW.
Any advice gratefully received.

sorry - my post may have been misleading (and slightly off topic if we're talking insurance!).

The UK Platinum AMEX provides SLI in North America.

Amex's UK Travel 'Annual Premier Cover' Insurance policy (as opposed to card) additionally covers CDW in North America. I used to use this policy before I had the Platinum card for this sole reason. It used to cost 209GBP but is probably a few quid more now. You may want to check with them on 0800 700 707 for latest costs and coverage.

Shame the Platinum doesn't give you that CDW!!

[This message has been edited by matthewuk (edited 05-01-2001).]

Matthew

Thanks for clearing that up.
Sorry if I took the thread off topic.

Nick

carpeperdiem, your example specifically cited AA. But are you sure they participate in the program to all destinations?
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,2731,00.asp suggests to me that they perhaps participate only for service to the Caribbean, but not the rest of their network.

Back to the main topic; I am beginning to think no. Over the last several years, the quality and helpfulness of PTS continues to decline.

I have not used them in the recent past because I can handle most of my bookings online more easily. Two weeks ago, I got a brochure from them regarding limo services. There was a phone number you could call where you could connect to one of 3 different limo companies. Alternatively, you could call PTS and have them handle it for you (saving the time/effort to see which was the better deal and met your needs better).

I called PTS and the agent didn't want to even handle the booking! She basically told me that I should fax the hotel where I was staying (international) and have them handle it. I told her about the brochure and the new program to no avail. I talked to her supervisor who was not particularly concerned either!! Apprently the limo booking didn't generate enough comission to keep their interest.

I finally complained to regular Platinum Card customer service and am waiting to hear back. Fat chance....

Originally posted by pointman:
.... $450 a year (for mine and spouse's card) needs to be justified in my mind.

This may not be a big help, but may I suggest that your spouse can get a free Optima Platinum card based on your Platinum card. I can't think of a strong reason for a spouse to get the Platinum card also unless she/he travels extensively by himself/herself.