American Express Membership Rewards - AE Platinum and HH Hilton AE Platinum same?

What are the differences btween these two P cards, when one is free and the other is $300/y?

The "real" Platinum card is the one with the $300 fee, with all services and insurances included, extended ATM withdrawals, upgrades, lounge access, etc.

The co-branded "platinum colored" cards (with a blue Amex logo in the lower right corner) offer a lower level of service from Amex, but some exclusive services from the partners.

These cards are not considered internally by Amex as platinum cards in the 4 level hierarchy (Green, Gold, Platinum, Centurion). You should never be upgraded from one of these cards to a Centurion card, for instance.

The co-branded cards are good products, for people interested by the partner benefits, but the answer to your question is :
No, these "platinum" cards are not "true Platinum" cards.

no they are not the same. hence the $300 annual fee.

the one with the $300 fee is the original one. with all the service you can expect from Amex. the Hilton and Starwood Amex cards are OPTIMA platinum card. with less services. but you get the points. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Another important difference: AMEX offers two types of cards, charge cards (green, gold, platium, centurion) and credit cards (optima, delta, hilton, costco, etc...) Charge cards are considered an open line of credit and are generally paid off each month. They have higher annual fees, but better benefits and of course, no interest rate. Credit cards are standard, revolving accounts the incur finance charges if not paid off each month.

One co-branded card is a "true" platinum card: Fidelity Platinum. The card costs $225 per year and has all of the regular card's benefits. Also, Amex says that it can be upgraded to Black - I'm waiting.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bxwatso:
One co-branded card is a "true" platinum card: Fidelity Platinum.</font>

True : that's why the card has the standard Platinum design, and doesn't have the blue square Amex logo in the right corner.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bxwatso:
One co-branded card is a "true" platinum card: Fidelity Platinum. The card costs $225 per year and has all of the regular card's benefits. Also, Amex says that it can be upgraded to Black - I'm waiting.</font>

Check http://personal100.fidelity.com/products/stocksbonds/content/platinum.shtml.bvsr

for details.

Also the page says a plat. member can get an additional card for $150. Is this tied to platinum card holder's credit or can I get a plat. to "refer" me and get a real plat. card.

[This message has been edited by vickh (edited 08-08-2001).]