Is the Amex Plat Worth the Annual Fee?
Oct 12, 2014, 6:51 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Not quite as much of a no-brainer if you already have GE (Global Entry). Like I said before, GE is good for 5 years, so if you already got it within the last 2 or 3 years, you have absolutely no need to spend on it this year (or next year) anyway, so the GE benefit is useless to you the first year.
Oct 12, 2014, 8:26 am
#32
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
.... Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department can assess the medical need for transportation ... to a more appropriate medical facility or to a hospital near the person’s home as determined by the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician. The Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician, in consultation with the local medical service provider or facility, will determine whether such transport is medically necessary and advisable. The event must be within the first 90 days of the trip and cannot be a pre-existing condition.
Oct 12, 2014, 10:33 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
can i ask you what city the virtual office is in? we have a number of those, some markets being a good bit more expensive than others.
Oct 12, 2014, 1:58 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
Not worth it for the average user. I'm canceling mine between when the airline benefit resets on 1/1 and when my AF is due on 1/15, unless they literally pay me to stay. I think it's hurting my ability to get better cards too, due to the pay over time feature (which is credit). At least I got 15000 MR points for that, though!
Oct 12, 2014, 6:55 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Not worth it for the average user. I'm canceling mine between when the airline benefit resets on 1/1 and when my AF is due on 1/15, unless they literally pay me to stay. I think it's hurting my ability to get better cards too, due to the pay over time feature (which is credit). At least I got 15000 MR points for that, though!
Oct 13, 2014, 7:50 pm
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
I'm considering the Amex Platinum. I would like to get an additional card for the wife.
Just to be be clear, which lounges do I have access to without charge? Would my wife be able to utilize it if I'm not traveling with her?
** Lounge access is important to us. I'm not familiar with "Priority Pass", "Centurion Lounge", etc so a detailed description of which lounges are available for use would be helpful.
Thanks!!
Chris
Just to be be clear, which lounges do I have access to without charge? Would my wife be able to utilize it if I'm not traveling with her?
** Lounge access is important to us. I'm not familiar with "Priority Pass", "Centurion Lounge", etc so a detailed description of which lounges are available for use would be helpful.
Thanks!!
Chris
Oct 13, 2014, 8:02 pm
#39
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...n-lounges.html
Oct 13, 2014, 8:20 pm
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
Thanks MIA.
Looks like there is a fee for my wife for using both the Delta Lounges and Priority Pass -- No thank you. I will stick with my United Clib Card. Great benefits, cheaper and almost no airport that doesn't have a lounge I can use with my wife for no additional charge.
Looks like there is a fee for my wife for using both the Delta Lounges and Priority Pass -- No thank you. I will stick with my United Clib Card. Great benefits, cheaper and almost no airport that doesn't have a lounge I can use with my wife for no additional charge.
Oct 13, 2014, 9:05 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
Thanks MIA.
Looks like there is a fee for my wife for using both the Delta Lounges and Priority Pass -- No thank you. I will stick with my United Clib Card. Great benefits, cheaper and almost no airport that doesn't have a lounge I can use with my wife for no additional charge.
Looks like there is a fee for my wife for using both the Delta Lounges and Priority Pass -- No thank you. I will stick with my United Clib Card. Great benefits, cheaper and almost no airport that doesn't have a lounge I can use with my wife for no additional charge.
Oct 13, 2014, 9:22 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
Programs: Cruise addict and AirBNB Plat :)
Posts: 3,312
Amex Plat is an AWESOME card to have if you can find friends / relatives that want to share the cost of the card. It costs $175 to add 3 additional users.
So basically, you'll pay $450 + $175 = $625. Then $625 - $200 airline credit per year (though this year I received $400 credit on AA/US). So $425 / 4 = $106.25. I'd say the $106.25 annual fee is soooooo worth it to own the card, which grants me access to Delta lounges (when flying DL) and free Priority Pass Select membership. (great when traveling to Europe and Asia)
The additional perks, such as no fee on foreign transactions, Global Entry, TSA pre-check, Boingo wifi, SPG gold and elite status on car rentals can be pretty helpful too. Last but not least, top notch customer service from the Platinum desk.
ps: You can set spending limits on the additional cards.
So basically, you'll pay $450 + $175 = $625. Then $625 - $200 airline credit per year (though this year I received $400 credit on AA/US). So $425 / 4 = $106.25. I'd say the $106.25 annual fee is soooooo worth it to own the card, which grants me access to Delta lounges (when flying DL) and free Priority Pass Select membership. (great when traveling to Europe and Asia)
The additional perks, such as no fee on foreign transactions, Global Entry, TSA pre-check, Boingo wifi, SPG gold and elite status on car rentals can be pretty helpful too. Last but not least, top notch customer service from the Platinum desk.
ps: You can set spending limits on the additional cards.
Oct 13, 2014, 9:42 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
Oct 14, 2014, 12:38 am
#44
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: UA GS, *G, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond, Platinum on Blockbuster, GameStop, several library cards
Posts: 703
I have to admit, I don't see the point of the Plat card. It's expensive, yet has no prestige or unique features. Personally I use the SPG card because of its ease in redeeming points. It is not the perfect credit card either, but at least I get more value out of it than the plat.
Oct 14, 2014, 7:15 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I have to admit, I don't see the point of the Plat card. It's expensive, yet has no prestige or unique features. Personally I use the SPG card because of its ease in redeeming points. It is not the perfect credit card either, but at least I get more value out of it than the plat.
Even though the benefits have dropped off for this card recently, please tell me what other credit card out there at a similar or lower price point offers a comparable amount of lounge access, travel credits, hotel programs, hotel/car status, additional protections (higher LDW, baggage insurance, purchase protection), etc. Perhaps we can cobble together a collection of cards, but I'll also pay a premium for simplicity.
Based on how we normally travel and what we normally buy, Mrs. Lee & I get far more than $625 of value out of our cards each year. This is a calculation each individual needs to make for him/herself. For some it is not worthwhile. For others, it very much is.