Originally Posted by
kdm31091
It is actually crazy how limited the entertainment and hotel benefits are. Not surprising given this is Amex, but they are going really far with the breakage stuff at this point and the restrictions and coupon book style cards.
I think what made the news so disappointing is that everyone was speculating the entertainment credit can be used with any streaming service.
Originally Posted by
Adelphos
A few notes
- In terms of holding a single card, it is a massive win for me
- I already pay for an Equinox All Club Access membership, so $300 credit is useful
- I already pay over $20 a month for NYT and Peacock, so that works for me too
- I let my CLEAR membership lapse during Covid, will now reapply
- Airline incidental fee reimbursement is kept
- Prepaid hotel credit can be useful
- Hopefully the Resy benefits are actually meaningful (I doubt they are though)
- Saks, Uber Eats credits retained
- Most of the other benefits of the card (warranty, protection, hotel status, etc) appear to be retained. Hilton Gold by itself can be worth $100 or more with just a few nights
- What is hit, though, is the value of holding two or more flavors of Platinum, IMO
- Schwab Platinum transfer ratio to be devalued soon
- It doesn't seem to be possible to double up the Equinox Credit
- I can't really use two Clear credits (I forget how much it costs to add. a partner to Clear)
- I don't pay much more than $20 a month for NYT/Peacock, so the extra $20 monthly credit isn't that valuable
- Double Resy benefits would be redundant
- Not sure if you will get the full value of the extra $200 in airline or hotel credits
So one of my Amex Plat / Schwab Amex Plat will be downgraded or cancelled next year. However I am happy with the new benefits
How much are you paying for NYT and Peacock each month? Do you have elite status? I think UA and DL give their top-tier elites discounted CLEAR membership.
The good news is that I'm locked into last year's AF. I'm going to reassess the value of the Platinum to me when it's time to renew. I think I might just sign up for a Business Platinum instead since it's cheaper and still give me access to the Centurion Lounge. $695 wouldn't be so bad if the Equinox and entertainment credits were more flexible.
Originally Posted by
Klems
Also a win for me mostly because I'm already am Equinox member, so that's about 1.5 free month and it makes up for the annual fee raise.
Incredibly disappointed in the digital subscription credit. I guess they only went for services that not so many people use, if they went for Spotify or Netflix almost every member would get those.
I think AMEX went for the services where they were able to negotiate deals.