Is the Amex Plat Worth the Annual Fee?
Nov 27, 2014, 4:36 pm
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Nov 29, 2014, 3:30 pm
#152
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 309
After 1 month of use, my vote is "absolutely not". In particular, Boingo kills my phone battery. Also, I didn't find a Boingo option in Charles De Gaulle two weeks ago, despite the promise on the website. The "no foreign transaction fee" hasn't worked out in my favour, and my card was twice called in for fraud protection after making foreign transactions. The business class companion ticket doesn't make economic sense. I can't bring a guest to the Priority Pass lounges without paying 27 USD. I would rather sit with my companion in an airport restaurant.
Last edited by GarlicFlyer; Nov 29, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Dec 1, 2014, 1:36 pm
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,746
After 1 month of use, my vote is "absolutely not". In particular, Boingo kills my phone battery. Also, I didn't find a Boingo option in Charles De Gaulle two weeks ago, despite the promise on the website. The "no foreign transaction fee" hasn't worked out in my favour, and my card was twice called in for fraud protection after making foreign transactions. The business class companion ticket doesn't make economic sense. I can't bring a guest to the Priority Pass lounges without paying 27 USD. I would rather sit with my companion in an airport restaurant.
How has the no-FTF not worked out in your favor? If you were erroneously charged a FTF, that is absolutely something Amex should correct quickly if you call in. If you fly with the same companion a lot, it may make sense to secure an additional card for them so they get their own PP.
Or, this particular set of benefits may just not be the best match for you. Which is also perfectly fine.
Dec 1, 2014, 2:46 pm
#154
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 309
Re: Boingo - how does that kill your phone battery any more than any other wifi hotspot? And IIRC at CDG, you just connect to the airport wifi, then select Boingo as the roaming partner and log in.
How has the no-FTF not worked out in your favor? If you were erroneously charged a FTF, that is absolutely something Amex should correct quickly if you call in. If you fly with the same companion a lot, it may make sense to secure an additional card for them so they get their own PP.
Or, this particular set of benefits may just not be the best match for you. Which is also perfectly fine.
How has the no-FTF not worked out in your favor? If you were erroneously charged a FTF, that is absolutely something Amex should correct quickly if you call in. If you fly with the same companion a lot, it may make sense to secure an additional card for them so they get their own PP.
Or, this particular set of benefits may just not be the best match for you. Which is also perfectly fine.
At Charles de Gauille, I did not find Boingo in Terminal 2F as of last week.
On the No Foreign Transaction Fee, I am currently comparing against similar "fee free" Visa and Mastercards. The transactions will post tomorrow. On the lounge access, well, I don't see the value in paying 175 USD for an additional card just for lounge access . I would rather just go to an airport restaurant.
In my experience, the Platinum is not worth the annual fee, not even close.
Dec 1, 2014, 3:40 pm
#155
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,966
Dec 1, 2014, 6:21 pm
#156
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
My experience with Boingo has been mediocre at best. I get kicked frequently, and the speeds leave a bit to be desired. I'm probably going to have to cancel this card when the fee kicks in. I do enjoy upgraded National Status and liked the Global Entry applicatoin fee credit.
Dec 2, 2014, 10:42 am
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,746
The card isn't for everyone, and it's perfectly understandable to spend your $175 on airport restaurants vs. lounge access for your companion (particularly if you often travel with different companions).
Net result: makes great sense for some, less for others. YMMV.
Last edited by mia; Dec 3, 2014 at 7:32 am
Dec 2, 2014, 1:54 pm
#158
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,224
Platinum member for 20 years and, yes, the fee pays off for me. Routinely book FHR with the excellent bennies (early checkin, late checkout, included breakfast, often $100 credit for food, occasional upgrade). $200 annual refund for airline fees. Now, Centurion lounge at SFO.
The free biz/first companion international airfare can be difficult to use pragmatically. Last summer, despite booking ten months in advance, we could not get nonstops in and out of CDG from SFO. Instead we were routed outbound through Salt Lake City (!) and the connect time was only 65 minutes. Inbound we were to have connected through Amsterdam.
The free biz/first companion international airfare can be difficult to use pragmatically. Last summer, despite booking ten months in advance, we could not get nonstops in and out of CDG from SFO. Instead we were routed outbound through Salt Lake City (!) and the connect time was only 65 minutes. Inbound we were to have connected through Amsterdam.
Dec 2, 2014, 8:47 pm
#159
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 60
Just got back from a long international trip, really loved having the Amex Platinum as my card of choice:
- Centurion lounge access at LGA and SFO now, I believe MIA and Seattle are in the works as well
- Global Entry and TSA Precheck are so awesome
- $200 reimbursement for airline fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Boingo wireless access (although I agree the connection speeds and stability are subpar)
- SPG Gold status
- Centurion lounge access at LGA and SFO now, I believe MIA and Seattle are in the works as well
- Global Entry and TSA Precheck are so awesome
- $200 reimbursement for airline fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Boingo wireless access (although I agree the connection speeds and stability are subpar)
- SPG Gold status
Dec 3, 2014, 10:24 am
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,746
The free biz/first companion international airfare can be difficult to use pragmatically. Last summer, despite booking ten months in advance, we could not get nonstops in and out of CDG from SFO. Instead we were routed outbound through Salt Lake City (!) and the connect time was only 65 minutes. Inbound we were to have connected through Amsterdam.
I suppose this works well if you are already purchasing full F/J for work or something...
Dec 3, 2014, 1:24 pm
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
There have been many reports of people getting any airline credit that they claimed deducted from their fee refund. I'm not sure how uniformly this is enforced though.
Dec 3, 2014, 2:01 pm
#163
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,966
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Dec 3, 2014, 2:01 pm
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,935
Just got back from a long international trip, really loved having the Amex Platinum as my card of choice:
- Centurion lounge access at LGA and SFO now, I believe MIA and Seattle are in the works as well
- Global Entry and TSA Precheck are so awesome - $200 reimbursement for airline fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Boingo wireless access (although I agree the connection speeds and stability are subpar)
- SPG Gold status
- Centurion lounge access at LGA and SFO now, I believe MIA and Seattle are in the works as well
- Global Entry and TSA Precheck are so awesome - $200 reimbursement for airline fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Boingo wireless access (although I agree the connection speeds and stability are subpar)
- SPG Gold status
Thus on average it's worth $20 a year. Whoppee.
Dec 3, 2014, 2:38 pm
#165
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871