American Express Membership Rewards - Basic qualificaitons for Platinum Card

I'm currently using a Corporate Card for all my travel expenses (Green) with approximately 50k in travel expenses and personal expenses. I'd prefer to get the additional benefits of a Platinum Card (hotel and airline,travel, etc), but want to verify my spending habits would put me into qualifications. I did a search through the forum but was unable to see anything. Any help will be appreciated.

Just ask to upgrade they will give it you no extra requirements except for the 300 dollar annual fee. The only card that has a min. spend is centurion which is 250k in order to be accepted. I was looking at the corporate green or plat card myself and was wondering if you could list all the benefits.

Just ask to upgrade they will give it you no extra requirements except for the 300 dollar annual fee. The only card that has a min. spend is centurion which is 250k in order to be accepted. I was looking at the corporate green or plat card myself and was wondering if you could list all the benefits.

?? Why are you answering a question and then asking one if you know the answer?

And in the USA it is $395. :rolleyes:

The corporate platinum card is 300 .

Requirements? Nada...

Amex gives the PT Card to everyone who is willing to pay the annual fee and is somewhat credit-worthy.

My GF hat a free Gold Card, spending volume was more or less nothing (100 Euro or so) and got an invitation to "upgrade" to Platinum.

When I got my first Amex Platinum in 1990, I still was a student. Unbelievable? Yes, but true.

The plat card is nothing... AS long as you have Green, Gold or any other Amex card and your in good standing they will give you plat. . no questions asked.. not even a credit check. just pay them the $300 odd dollars and they would happly exchange your green for a silver card....thats all your really getting besides a few other small perks.

The plat card is nothing...

There are 3 standard levels of personal cards (Green, Gold, Platinum) and one "by invitation only" level (Centurion).

On many smaller markets, only 2 standard levels exist (Green, Gold) and one "by invitation only" level (Platinum). It was the case everywhere until the first Centurion card was launched in 1999.

Upgrading from Gold to Platinum charge card is a better deal in Europe than in the US (due to Priority Pass, the free Platinum AC/ Platinum plus card, the free supplementary Platinum and up to 4 free supplementary Gold or Green cards).

I have to have the corporate contact ask for the request. So for a corporate card, I've had to initiate the request to see if they will "allow" me to have a corporate card and pay the difference in fees, as my company pays the green card fees.


Perks I'm looking for are the SkyTeam lounge access (as I was about to buy a CRC membership) free membership rewards, and the platinum business class comanion tickets to start with. With this starting to cost at $400, the card makes the most sense for myself. If corporate doesn't allow it, I'll just go for the personal version.

Perks I'm looking for are the SkyTeam lounge access (as I was about to buy a CRC membership) free membership rewards, and the platinum business class comanion tickets to start with.

Couple of minor points:

* You don't get SkyTeam lounge access. You get DL/CO/NW access when flying on a same-day ticket with that carrier. Just as a note, this means you cannot access a CO lounge if you are on an NW ticket (this would could happen, for example, at SFO, FLL, or ATL, for example)

* Make sure you really understand the companion rules before you assign it value. Specifically, the only place where I've seen it make sense is where you are travelling very last minute. You have to pay *full* J fare, which, in
all but a limited number of markets, is significantly more than available business class fares. It's usually only close to the same, as I mentioned, for last minute, short stay trips. Fares are also ex-USA only, so you cannot capture some of the far less expensive ex-Asia fare basis.

Steve

Couple of minor points:

* You don't get SkyTeam lounge access. You get DL/CO/NW access when flying on a same-day ticket with that carrier. Just as a note, this means you cannot access a CO lounge if you are on an NW ticket (this would could happen, for example, at SFO, FLL, or ATL, for example)

* Make sure you really understand the companion rules before you assign it value. Specifically, the only place where I've seen it make sense is where you are travelling very last minute. You have to pay *full* J fare, which, in
all but a limited number of markets, is significantly more than available business class fares. It's usually only close to the same, as I mentioned, for last minute, short stay trips. Fares are also ex-USA only, so you cannot capture some of the far less expensive ex-Asia fare basis.

Steve

In regards to your first comment, I'm not sure if that is true with my experience. I have flown on a Continental ticketed flight and was able to access the Northwest lounge in DTW when I flew CO from IAH to DTW. All I did was provide them my next ticketed segment, which was a CO boarding pass with an NW flight and they allowed me access. Maybe they made a mistake, as all they really have to do is swipe the card.

I don't get to travel internationally for business nearly as much as I wish. Most of the flights from my home airport (MCI) are on Delta and there is a CRC in the secure area. CO and NW do not have lounges in their gate areas (different terminals and different secure areas). Most of my flights go through ATL, so CRC wouldn't be a problem. I do have the occasional flight through Memphis, Houston, or CVG, and would be on the respective airline for the hub, so I don't "forsee" it being an issue.

As for the business class, I would weight the options of what tickets make the most sense before purchase. I won't pay nearly double a business class ticket just to receive a free one. It would be for the occasional, possibly last minute, flights that I would want the service for.

Thanks for the info all.

Basic qualificaitons for Platinum Card

Being able to use a spell checker? :p

Seriously though, I don't think there are any qualifications provided you have a good credit history and you can pay the annual fee.

I won't pay nearly double a business class ticket just to receive a free one. It would be for the occasional, possibly last minute, flights that I would want the service for.

Thanks for the info all.


This is a valid point, (and very smart!) but many plats also like the idea of the expensing the first ticket and then paying for the second (companion) ticket out of pocket. Not all travel departments are up on the game...and not all companies have travel departments. :)

I would not allow the full fare expense in my company unless it was verified this was the best priced ticket. There are many (legal) ways to bring the ticket price down on a full RT international business or first ticket without losing flexibility and not all involve consolidators either. (I have even seen consolidator tickets turned in for expense noted at full fare.)

So, to stay on topic, the 2 4 1 is not always a good deal, and you are only supposed to enter DL/NW/CO operated clubs when you are on their ticket for that day.


(Former AMEX Plat Travel Agent) :)