Review of Canadian Amex Plat

Just beware that the Amex Aeroplat insurance does not cover you when flying on an Aeroplan redemption ticket.

I've read all that here. I called either CIBC or Amex and got advice that I had the card insurance on Aeroplan redemptions. Posted it here and I quickly realized I got bad advice, many many posts on the subject. My 2 large trips are already covered under a rather pricy insurance package. Covers everything and then some, especially important is the $100,000 medical Evac. Going to 2 rather remote diving locals.

Unfortunately, I don't have any status in AC or other... Travel about 3-4 times a year, mostly from YQB to the states...

� YQB il faut la carte de platine pour entrer dans le lounge. � YUL le seul lounge accessible avec la platine est situ� aux d�parts internationaux. Avec l'a�roplan platine il y a des lounges � tous les niveaux � montr�al seulement, valide uniquement pour le d�tenteur de la carte (vous avez droit � un invit� avec la platine).

Not quite true anymore. You can now access the lounge in the YUL International gate area even if you're taking a domestic flight. The only time the regular Platinum won't get you into a lounge at YUL is if you're flying transborder.

And, for the benefit of others following this thread, you probably should've written your post I'm English.

While your points are valid, but OP state fly to US, the AeroPlat will only benefit mainly in Canada while Platinum will benefit in the US as well for lounge access. Also, being OP home city, I don't think OP will spend too much time at YQB, while OP might spend more time at other airports.

I don't read French, but I used Google Translate :P

Agree, the regular plat card is a much better option if OP fly a lot to the US.

For many infrequent flyers, the plat card is a good deal for the first year because of the big sign up bonus. But after the first year, the annual fee is a bit too much even with the $200 travel credit.　

Why not rotate between the Plat and Aeroplat? That's my plan. Just renewing the card and maybe getting a few MR miles thrown my way isn't in the cards.

I personally wouldn't rotate between the Plat and Aeroplat because they're so different. One certainly suits my needs better than the other. I also want to accumulate the same type of loyalty points as much as possible... I wouldn't want to earn Membership Rewards points one year and Aeroplan miles the next.

The net price for the regular Platinum is $499 after the $200 travel credit. If one is getting either of these cards, it's because one travels and consequently using the $200 travel credit is a given. So the cost for the cards is exactly the same. Again, if one doesn't have any status with AC and wants to enjoy some priority services while chasing status, the Aeroplat could make sense. Otherwise, the regular Plat offers way more IMO.

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.

There's only one annual travel credit. Yes, since it's based on a calendar year, you can claim 2 credits your first year of card membership, but it's not accurate to suggest 2 annual travel credits is a benefit of the Plat.

If that's all you want, then sure, alternating between these two cards could work for you. Not sure it's the case for most, however, especially as many of us look to find ways around Aeroplan's ridiculous scamcharges and limited availability.

A dozen posts have been exported:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...at-canada.html

I just visited the American express website to try to compare the vacation package or cruise prices with other website like selloff vacation etc. I can't find anywhere to check and book. the only choice is to book the air and/or hotel. did I miss something?

-Used the $200 travel credit towards a last minute hotel booking that was sold out but PTS confirmed a room, booked at a better rate saving over $300
-MPC used seat guarantee to confirm last minute V ticket from YYZ to HKG, had MPC GO regardless of platinum but its a nice perk for those who didn't get MPC through BIS. Saved over $1200
-Used Accor membership to confirm sold out hotel booking in Tokyo
-Travel concierge planned the entire Tokyo trip from start to finish, best experience I've had