Originally Posted by
Raffles
Amex Plat is kind of an 'all in one' travel package. However, you do NOT actually USE the card because the earnings rate is poor!!
Free BA Silver card (well, actually a Cathay Gold but it gets you all the BA Silver benefits inc BA lounge access)
Decent travel insurance albeit with restrictions
Starwood Gold
Carlson Gold
Accor Platinum
Free car hire insurance and a decent Plat deal with Hertz that gives a 4 hour grace period
Special deals at luxury hotels via Fine Hotels & Resorts
Odd freebies like a free night (no catches) at a Melia hotel we got this year and £70 credit to spend on clothes at Matches
2 x Priority Pass cards that get 4 people into airline lounges between them, unlimited free visits
Eurostar lounge access
30,000 Amex points for signing up, convert into 30,000 Avios
Whether that lot is worth £450 is up to you. However, the fee is refundable pro-rata if you cancel so there is ZERO risk given the fat sign up bonus.
More background in my review here -
http://www.headforpoints.com/2013/03...m-charge-card/ and more discussion at the Amex FT forum as mentioned above.
They are getting rid of CX Gold at end of March 30th, 2014. For people who hold a CX Gold, they are providing lower quota for obtaining the CX Gold.
I wouldn't say the earning rate is poor per say, they often have great promotion on MR (i.e. if you spend £400 on AMEX travel you get extra 2,000MR and additionally you get 2x on travel (air, rail and etc) and 3x on grocery and gas. The MR would give you flexibility in transferring your MR points - it could be to BA, SPG, Hilton, Carlson and etc.
I actually carry both AMEX Plat and BA PP and use it accordingly (i.e. travel, gas, grocery and etc).