Apr 17, 2017, 12:45 pm
Last edit by: C W
General Information:
Please note this thread only currently applies to US-issued personal Platinum cards. There have been no official announcements of foreign-issued metal cards. It also applies to all co-branded personal Platinum cards such as Mercedes and Morgan Stanley.
All new and and replacement cards are now stainless steel, as of March 30, 2017.
Amex Press Release
This thread is for discussion of the physical metal card. Please see this thread for all other new Amex Platinum features:
USA: New personal Platinum benefits; Higher annual fee ($550)
Contactless
There are contactless (NFC) and non-contactless version of the Platinum Card.
If you previously had a contactless card and requested a replacement you will receive a contactless replacement.
If you previously had a non-contactless card and requested a replacement you will receive a non-contactless replacement unless you ask specifically for contactless.
Some reps do not know about contactless, HUCA or speak to a supervisor. If you are told you cannot request a contactless card because you requested another replacement within 10 days, ask to speak to fraud prevention and they will override this restriction.
When you apply for a new Platinum account you will be sent a non-contactless card by default.
The contactless and non-contactless cards are physically different. Detailed description and photos in Post 204.
Welcome Kit
Some members have received a Welcome Kit with a wooden display for the card that can be repurposed as a phone stand.
Pictures and description in Post 282.
All new cardmembers should receive the Welcome Kit whereas replacement cards generally seem to arrive in an envelope.
Please note this thread only currently applies to US-issued personal Platinum cards. There have been no official announcements of foreign-issued metal cards. It also applies to all co-branded personal Platinum cards such as Mercedes and Morgan Stanley.
All new and and replacement cards are now stainless steel, as of March 30, 2017.
Amex Press Release
This thread is for discussion of the physical metal card. Please see this thread for all other new Amex Platinum features:
USA: New personal Platinum benefits; Higher annual fee ($550)
Contactless
There are contactless (NFC) and non-contactless version of the Platinum Card.
If you previously had a contactless card and requested a replacement you will receive a contactless replacement.
If you previously had a non-contactless card and requested a replacement you will receive a non-contactless replacement unless you ask specifically for contactless.
Some reps do not know about contactless, HUCA or speak to a supervisor. If you are told you cannot request a contactless card because you requested another replacement within 10 days, ask to speak to fraud prevention and they will override this restriction.
When you apply for a new Platinum account you will be sent a non-contactless card by default.
The contactless and non-contactless cards are physically different. Detailed description and photos in Post 204.
Welcome Kit
Some members have received a Welcome Kit with a wooden display for the card that can be repurposed as a phone stand.
Pictures and description in Post 282.
All new cardmembers should receive the Welcome Kit whereas replacement cards generally seem to arrive in an envelope.
American Express personal Platinum (USA) metal card
Apr 3, 2017, 10:55 am
#136
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Former 1k, Lifetime UA Gold, Starwood Gold; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,732
Apr 3, 2017, 11:04 am
#137
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
I then got an email saying it was going to be delivered on Friday and UPS let me know via UPS My Choice that I was getting something. But on Friday Amex hadn't delivered it to UPS. I called in and confirmed I ordered the Metal card and the CSR said Metal with contactless is what it says for the card.
I've taken pictures of the major difference between the contactless and the normal metal card. Also the contactless chip looks different to the one I had on my plastic contactless card.
Apr 3, 2017, 11:10 am
#138
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
I already had contactless. I went online and ordered a card for my damaged card. I wasn't given the option of ordering a metal card. This was March 30th morning.
I then got an email saying it was going to be delivered on Friday and UPS let me know via UPS My Choice that I was getting something. But on Friday Amex hadn't delivered it to UPS. I called in and confirmed I ordered the Metal card and the CSR said Metal with contactless is what it says for the card.
I've taken pictures of the major difference between the contactless and the normal metal card. Also the contactless chip looks different to the one I had on my plastic contactless card.
I then got an email saying it was going to be delivered on Friday and UPS let me know via UPS My Choice that I was getting something. But on Friday Amex hadn't delivered it to UPS. I called in and confirmed I ordered the Metal card and the CSR said Metal with contactless is what it says for the card.
I've taken pictures of the major difference between the contactless and the normal metal card. Also the contactless chip looks different to the one I had on my plastic contactless card.
I called again and this rep knew about the metal contactless. Should arrive Thursday
Apr 3, 2017, 11:20 am
#139
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
Glad, I could help. I was worried about contactless as I use this a lot on London Transport and I don't want to have to resort to Apple Pay or Android Pay. I really have had hit/misses with those, and I don't want a bunch of angry rushing people queueing up behind me. Contactless on the plastic Amex Platinum is amazing, it's literally a touch and go! I hope the metal doesn't interfere with the card's contactless abilities.
Apr 3, 2017, 11:36 am
#140
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Glad, I could help. I was worried about contactless as I use this a lot on London Transport and I don't want to have to resort to Apple Pay or Android Pay. I really have had hit/misses with those, and I don't want a bunch of angry rushing people queueing up behind me. Contactless on the plastic Amex Platinum is amazing, it's literally a touch and go! I hope the metal doesn't interfere with the card's contactless abilities.
Apr 3, 2017, 11:44 am
#141
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 53
Hmmm, that makes me wonder if my metal card will be contactless. I ordered contactless on the 24th of March and hadn't received it yet, but when the metal card came out I decided I couldn't resist the lure of a new shiny object and ordered metal. Hopefully the metal one will be contactless....if not, Ill order contactless. It's not so much of a big deal in Spain as there aren't many contactless readers in this part, but with frequent travel to England, it's gold.
Apr 3, 2017, 12:05 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
If you are living there and commuting a lot you probably will want to get an Oyster with a travel card on it, as it can get quite expensive using your contactless card at peak times. Most unmanned machines won't work with signature cards. I've had good luck on sub 20 GBP purchases at unmanned machines with my amex plat, however no luck with any of my other MC/Visa cards.
Apr 3, 2017, 12:28 pm
#143
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
If you are living there and commuting a lot you probably will want to get an Oyster with a travel card on it, as it can get quite expensive using your contactless card at peak times. Most unmanned machines won't work with signature cards. I've had good luck on sub 20 GBP purchases at unmanned machines with my amex plat, however no luck with any of my other MC/Visa cards.
Apr 3, 2017, 12:35 pm
#144
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 277
If you are living there and commuting a lot you probably will want to get an Oyster with a travel card on it, as it can get quite expensive using your contactless card at peak times. Most unmanned machines won't work with signature cards. I've had good luck on sub 20 GBP purchases at unmanned machines with my amex plat, however no luck with any of my other MC/Visa cards.
Apr 3, 2017, 12:44 pm
#145
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
I thought they'd essentially unified the system and applied the same fare limits to repeat use of credit cards as they do with Oyster cards. Is your info current? (I've never been there with a contactless card but was just thinking about it with the reports of contactless metal!)
Apr 3, 2017, 1:41 pm
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,276
There is no real difference. Somewhere along the way, someone decided that a metal card is a symbol of prestige. Like when you hand over a heavy card to a cashier, it's supposed to stand out and they're supposed to be impressed. Or when you toss the card on the dinner table with a plink, and your friends go "ooh". 100% ego stroking.
Apr 3, 2017, 1:58 pm
#147
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA Plat, Starwood Gold, AX Plat, Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 1,381
I received the metal card today. Mine is not contactless - I guess I'll put that request in later.
My impression - its nice, but those expecting a Centurion-lite card will be disappointed. It is slightly heavier, but dropping it on the granite counter-tops does not make a 'clink' like a Centurion card. I also think it feels like its coated in plastic.
Bottom line - its a physical upgrade that is long overdue, but I don't think many people will notice the change in daily use.
My impression - its nice, but those expecting a Centurion-lite card will be disappointed. It is slightly heavier, but dropping it on the granite counter-tops does not make a 'clink' like a Centurion card. I also think it feels like its coated in plastic.
Bottom line - its a physical upgrade that is long overdue, but I don't think many people will notice the change in daily use.
Last edited by Nicksta; Apr 3, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Apr 3, 2017, 2:03 pm
#148
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 1MM; DL PM
Posts: 143
There is no real difference. Somewhere along the way, someone decided that a metal card is a symbol of prestige. Like when you hand over a heavy card to a cashier, it's supposed to stand out and they're supposed to be impressed. Or when you toss the card on the dinner table with a plink, and your friends go "ooh". 100% ego stroking.
I do think the anxiety level around this does seem particularly high, mind you. I was happy to request the new card, but so long as the old one keeps working, I've no intention of tracking the replacement's movements down to the minute.
Apr 3, 2017, 2:05 pm
#149
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
I received the metal card today. Mine is not contactless - I guess I'll put that request in later.
My impression - its nice, but those excepting a Centurion-lite card will be disappointed. It is slightly heavier, but dropping it on the granite counter-tops does not make a 'clink' like a Centurion card. I also think it feels like its coated in plastic.
Bottom line - its a physical upgrade that is long overdue, but I don't think many people will notice the change in daily use.
My impression - its nice, but those excepting a Centurion-lite card will be disappointed. It is slightly heavier, but dropping it on the granite counter-tops does not make a 'clink' like a Centurion card. I also think it feels like its coated in plastic.
Bottom line - its a physical upgrade that is long overdue, but I don't think many people will notice the change in daily use.
I hate the clink sound on my ritz card. It makes me feel like I am carring a piece of metal instead of a premium credit card.
I love the new design, it is so much better than the ritz and the CSR. It is a combination of both. Solid heavy metal with plastic cover to prevent the annoying sounds all the time.
Apr 3, 2017, 2:49 pm
#150
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 291
I'm not much of a contactless payment user so I may be missing something, but if you're going contactless why wouldn't you use Apple Pay (or the Android equivalent) over a contactless card? Everything I've read indicates paying with phone is much more secure than the card since it generates a one time use CC# for each purchase.