Unspecified new benefits for USA AMEX personal Platinum coming Spring 2015?
#61
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
I already got it for free in 2014. I paid $450, I got $100 Global Entry, $200 airline gift cards in 2014, and $200 airline gift cards in Jan 2015. Then I cancelled the card and still got a partial refund of $150. So AMEX actually paid me $150 just to take the card. I don't even need to mention the 100k MR bonus that I was targeted for.
However, in order to keep the card past 1 year, the current benefits are not satisfactory. Many, many, many people will do exactly as I did with the card, and then cancel. It's in AMEX's best interest to improve the card benefits so people don't cancel so easily.
However, in order to keep the card past 1 year, the current benefits are not satisfactory. Many, many, many people will do exactly as I did with the card, and then cancel. It's in AMEX's best interest to improve the card benefits so people don't cancel so easily.
#62
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I would be willing to pay more if these features were introduced. I only had this idea as I read on another thread about the Merrill Lynch Octave Card which offers "$350 travel credit or Delta Lounge membership". The perk would be nice for the card members to choose an additional lounge that fits their travel needs.
#63
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,877
American Express did trial this idea, buying US Airways club memberships for targeted Platinum cardholders, which (at the time) also gave them access to UA clubs. It would be different if American Express could buy the memberships at a substantial discount, but AA's partnership with Citi, and UA's partnership with Chase would seem to preclude this.
American Express, like any business, is content to lose unprofitable customers. I do not think we will see any material change in lounge access benefits, and I expect the $200 airline fee reimbursement benefit to be eliminated when the Centurion lounge network is built out. I think it needs to be much larger, and I am puzzled that no additional locations have been announced.
#64
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I do not think we will see any material change in lounge access benefits, and I expect the $200 airline fee reimbursement benefit to be eliminated when the Centurion lounge network is built out. I think it needs to be much larger, and I am puzzled that no additional locations have been announced.
#65
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,684
American Express, like any business, is content to lose unprofitable customers. I do not think we will see any material change in lounge access benefits, and I expect the $200 airline fee reimbursement benefit to be eliminated when the Centurion lounge network is built out. I think it needs to be much larger, and I am puzzled that no additional locations have been announced.
#66
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 309
Having a fancy lounge in part of the airport from where I may or not be flying from isn't interesting for me. Also, the Boingo internet subscription doesn't make sense, when (1) it doesn't always work and (2) free internet is becoming commonplace, including overseas.
If I pay 450 USD a year for a card, I want, real, complementary upgrades for travel, including with hotels, airlines, and auto rentals.
If I pay 450 USD a year for a card, I want, real, complementary upgrades for travel, including with hotels, airlines, and auto rentals.
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Having a fancy lounge in part of the airport from where I may or not be flying from isn't interesting for me. Also, the Boingo internet subscription doesn't make sense, when (1) it doesn't always work and (2) free internet is becoming commonplace, including overseas.
If I pay 450 USD a year for a card, I want, real, complementary upgrades for travel, including with hotels, airlines, and auto rentals.
If I pay 450 USD a year for a card, I want, real, complementary upgrades for travel, including with hotels, airlines, and auto rentals.
BTW - AMEX Platinum does come with "real, complementary upgrades for travel" except for airlines:
Hotel - You can get upgraded room if you book a qualified hotel through FHR. Also, the complimentary SPG Gold status will get you free upgrade at a SPG facility (except aloft).
All upgrades are based on availabilities.
Auto - Complimentary National Executive status can get you a confirmed upgrade (you book a higher class car but pay a lower rental cost).
#68
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
Airlines often sell a single upgrade for more than that.
#69
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Prague
Programs: Skywards Gold, FB Silver, BA Silver, AMB PC Plat Amb, CX Gold, Hertz 5*,HH Gold,AClub Plat
Posts: 399
Thanks for correcting me, Astaroth. I meant "Continental Europe"...
HH Gold is certainly more useful than Club Carlson or Accor, but I was comparing it to the more upscale chains. SPG Platinum or Hyatt Diamond are both so much better than HH Diamond in my opinion, a shame that the former was stripped years ago and that the latter was never part of the benefit portfolio.
HH Gold is certainly more useful than Club Carlson or Accor, but I was comparing it to the more upscale chains. SPG Platinum or Hyatt Diamond are both so much better than HH Diamond in my opinion, a shame that the former was stripped years ago and that the latter was never part of the benefit portfolio.
Only:
Club Carlson Gold
Le Club Accorhotels Plat
SPG Gold
#72
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Globalist, M life Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 918
I have no idea what new benefits AmEx is going to add to the Platinum AmEx, but it is hardly an unpopular card as it stands now.
#74
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,684
Calculate exactly how much benefit you will receive on an annual basis to see if it justifies $450 AF. Make sure you are measuring benefits you do not already have with another card. I only fly in May, June, July, and August because all my travel is leisure and fits around my job schedule. I manage to reap more than the annual fee every year thus far. Some posters allude to expecting at least double their money back. That is no longer probable unless you are using some of the most upscale benefits, such as the limousine, cruise, and private jet benefits. If you are into simplicity and spend enough you may prefer a card, such as, Barclays Arrival Plus. Finally, 1) consider the $200 reimbursement puts the annual fee down to $250 before you look at the other benefits. I buy AA gift cards or UA gift registry with the $200 every year and am always reimbursed. 2) The GE fee of $100 is reimbursed, which is $20 a year. Now you need to find another $230.
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
The total number of Platinum cardholders grows nearly 10%/year. I'd surmise that many, many, many people do not do exactly as you did. Plus, with the new once in a lifetime signup bonus, they'd be fools if they did.
I have no idea what new benefits AmEx is going to add to the Platinum AmEx, but it is hardly an unpopular card as it stands now.
I have no idea what new benefits AmEx is going to add to the Platinum AmEx, but it is hardly an unpopular card as it stands now.
In fact, everyone should always cancel the card every year. And here is why?
The first year you have the card, you can double dip on the calendar $200 airline award. After the first year, you cannot. So rather than keep the card and only get the $200, you should cancel. And then re-open in a month, and again double dip the $200 airline bonus. Eventhough you won't get any more MR points, you're still getting $200 x 2.