Aren't you forgetting the 2 annual travel credits on the Plat?

I just look at the cost per Aeroplan mile (I transfer all MR into AP). Any return over $0.015 is what I'm after. Even the Aeroplat's bonus can be taken out as gift cards with a few Ap miles left over should one wish to go that route.

Returns are :
0.08c for the Aeroplat
0.04c for the Plat (once the $200x2 travel credits are used)

I still get the 1.25x miles on all spending. I won't really need the Plat's hotel benefits until well over a year from know. I'm not going to renew and lose the bonus. I'm essential chasing the bonus miles, maybe I don't need to but I assume I'm in Amex's better graces by always having a platinum card on hand when I churn the free gold cards?

We travel twice a year and very familiar with Aeroplan so all the miles go there. I know there are other options (Avios springs to mind) but I know the ins and outs of AP.

I'm just using these cards for Aeroplan miles only really, everything else is just gravy.