American Express Membership Rewards - Is US platinum card worth it?

I keep getting offers to upgrade to Platinum but I myself have not seen any reason to upgrade. Am I missing something?
Thanks,
Robert

Let me add to the question . . . Is the Fidelity Platinum card worth it? From what I can tell in the website the US Platinum card and Fidelity are similar but not exactly the same. With the Fidelity Platinum, there's no double points on everyday purchases. MR is free as with the US Platinum. By the way, the Fidelity Platinum is $395 - $75 = $320.

The obvious answer is that this depends on what your expected use of the Platinum benefits will be. For some people, it's well worth it. For others, it's probably a waste of money. You need to go over the benefits (or more importantly, the additional benefits that Platinum has over whatever card you currently have) and decide if it makes sense for you.

Main benefits I get from it are: airport club access (CO, NW, DL), Starwood Gold, no fee for Membership Rewards program, Hertz Gold (although that might be free on its own anyway, I don't know), FedEx discount (again that might be available on other AmEx products, not sure) and what I perceive to be a better level of customer support. Just my opinion, other peoples experiences might be different and like was said, it really depends what matters to you so YMMV.

Still no compelling reasons to fork out over $300 a year. But if someone has good reasons please let us all know.
Regards,
Robert

A couple of years ago it was worth forking out $300 a year for some of the features listed here, but I'm sure a quick search of the forum will turn up all of the complaints about a downgrade of service (concierge, PTS, lounge access) that make it not worth handing out almost $400 a year. My pet peave is having to pay PTS for arranging plance tickets...I just do it myself now.

Amex Business Plat seems to be a better deal (for me anyway) for the money.

A couple of other Platinum benefits which don't apply to everyone but are significant for those who can use them:
2-for-1 business class airfares (the equivalent of a free biz class companion ticket when you buy a biz class ticket) and the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, where room prices and amenities often (though not always) are a better deal than anything that can be booked through other channels.

I want to order the ticket from the radio station for the Christmas Spectacular. There are a promotion for the American Express Gold Card member, I just need the customer service phone number as password. Will any one know ? Thanks.

See the copied script from the website. Thanks.


The following American Express Cardmembers are eligible for this benefit:Gold Card, Platinum Card®, Centurion® Card, and select Business Cards for Small Business.

To purchase your American Express Gold Card Events tickets online, read the instructions below, then close this page and return to the "Look for Tickets" page:
Enter the quantity of tickets desired in the "American Express Gold Card Events" prompt.
In the "enter password" prompt, enter the 10-digit Customer Service phone number located on the back of your Card


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yan liao

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by I-flybynight:
Still no compelling reasons to fork out over $300 a year. But if someone has good reasons please let us all know.</font>

If you would otherwise join an affiliated airline lounge, it's pretty much a no-brainer. For example, CO's Presidents Club costs $250-375 a year, depending on your status. AA's Admirals Club is $250-400 a year, depending on status.

So, saving only one of those memberships nearly completely pays for the Platinum card, plus it also includes your Membership Rewards fee. I think this point drives the issue for many of the cardholders (it did for me initially).

The Fine Hotels and Resorts program and the 2-for-1 business class ticket benefits are a bit more nebulous, as unless you have fairly set travel plans, it's hard to estimate how often you'll use them. I can tell you in the first 3 years that I had Platinum, I used a FH&R booking that saved me more than the membership fee cost, plus I didn't have to buy an airline club membership. So, it worked out for me. Your mileage will vary.

The platinum card does not provide access to the American Express Admirals Club.

Sorry, I meant American Airlines Admirals Club.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LAXGUY:
2-for-1 business class airfares (the equivalent of a free biz class companion ticket when you buy a biz class ticket) and the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, where room prices and amenities often (though not always) are a better deal than anything that can be booked through other channels.</font>

Note that you can also get the same benefits from a well connected travel agent, without an annual fee.

d

The Platinum card from Fidelity has one "catch" at the end of the billing cycle your Fidelity account is debited for the full amount of your charges for the month. Also you must have $5000 on deposit(it does not have to stay that high)when you open the account.
Since the card provides free access to DL, CO and NWA airport lounges(provided you are flying with that company)(these cost several hundred dollars each to join)it has advantages. But since DL, CO and NWA are now affiliated having membership in just one lounge system gives access to all, this diminishes the "triple" value of the card before the linkup.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by clanson:
Sorry, I meant American Airlines Admirals Club.</font>
I thought the Platinum Card only enabled access to CO, NW, and DL clubs?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
I thought the Platinum Card only enabled access to CO, NW, and DL clubs?</font>

Yes, of course. My mistake for bringing the AA lounge into this thread. Since Amex Platinum gets you into CO, NW, and DL lounges, and since membership in any one of these lounges also gets you access to the other two, perhaps the value of this benefit is the cost of one membership, if you otherwise would be buying one if you weren't a platinum cardholder.

As I mentioned before, this benefit is the one that persuaded me to get an Amex Platinum card initially. The cost of lounge membership plus that for a baseline Amex card w/ Membership Rewards makes the deal about a wash. Only after I got the card did I realize that I'd make use of the FH&R program.

[This message has been edited by Steve M (edited 11-02-2003).]

Gave up Platium and saved $400.00. Poor level of service and a for ever voice mail system. You can purchase club access for 25.00 (day pass)

I've been thinking about Platinum...and was almost a go; but, the admittance to the CO, NW, and DL lounges are contingent upon taking said airline that day...in other words, if you don't have a delta boarding pass in tow, then you ain't getting into their club... Lounge access is the major benefit for me, and Priority Pass seems to be a much better investment.....although the double points are nice...

As it was said above, "your mileage may vary".

I researched a cruise price and called PTS (using the VIP member discounted price); I received the same rate, plus $300 cabin credit, and a $150 travel credit to my account. Hmmm, I'm already $55 ahead of me fee, not bad.

Also, there seem to be "hidden" bonuses (not sure why!). For example, there are airport lounges you can get into that are NOT NW/DL/CO (like the Centurion Club in MEX).

Add a couple of 2 x 1 business class trips (LA and CX), and I'm considerably ahead.

(Some mention was made hereabouts about a "connected" and presumably competent travel agent- they seem to be scarcer than hen's teeth hereabouts, so I won't even comment on that bit.)