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, 2:50 pm
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
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.
Apr 3, 2017, 2:58 pm
#152
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 didn't care about the metal card one way or another, but reading these threads made me realize that Amex has apparently been expanding contactless for a while. Here I was thinking it had been done away with when my old Blue Cash card went to EMV.
Called in to get both my Plat and DL Reserve changed to contactless - I didn't even mention the metal card. CSR seemed to know exactly what I was asking for and went through the security codes, etc.
She mentioned the delay due to the metal cards and apologized that I wouldn't get the new Plat until next Tuesday, so a full week. For the Reserve, it'll show up on Friday - she did offer to overnight it but I declined. Not in a rush and would rather have USPS leave it in my locked mailbox vs. UPS drop it on the doormat.
If I remember, I'll report back with what they actually end up sending me.
Called in to get both my Plat and DL Reserve changed to contactless - I didn't even mention the metal card. CSR seemed to know exactly what I was asking for and went through the security codes, etc.
She mentioned the delay due to the metal cards and apologized that I wouldn't get the new Plat until next Tuesday, so a full week. For the Reserve, it'll show up on Friday - she did offer to overnight it but I declined. Not in a rush and would rather have USPS leave it in my locked mailbox vs. UPS drop it on the doormat.
If I remember, I'll report back with what they actually end up sending me.
Apr 3, 2017, 3:02 pm
#153
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 1MM; DL PM
Posts: 143
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.
It also almost invariably causes the cashier at those places to say, "Oh! I didn't know you could do that."
Last edited by jhartvu; Apr 3, 2017 at 3:03 pm Reason: reword to make more sense
Apr 3, 2017, 3:23 pm
#154
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum+Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Delta Plat, United Silver, AX Biz Cent
Posts: 705
I've been in multiple stores here in the United States that don't (or at least purport not to) accept Apple Pay, but which still have NFC contactless POS terminals. In those cases, it's purely about saving the tenth of a second it takes to tap versus swiping. It's not a game changer for me, but it's nice sometimes.
It also almost invariably causes the cashier at those places to say, "Oh! I didn't know you could do that."
It also almost invariably causes the cashier at those places to say, "Oh! I didn't know you could do that."
Apr 3, 2017, 3:25 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
It's not that it doesn't work per se, but more that it's not officially supported. Because of a lack of official support, there'll be nothing showing on the terminal despite the NFC radio actually being turned on. With a physical card in one's hand, cashiers generally know to enable the terminal in those cases (vs. getting pushback from them if you try to use a phone).
Apr 3, 2017, 3:28 pm
#157
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 53
Apr 3, 2017, 3:40 pm
#158
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 1MM; DL PM
Posts: 143
It's usually this last point that stops me from trying Apple Pay at stores that don't specifically have the sign in place. Usually a cashier will claim that the terminal isn't set up for "usin' your phone to pay," and rather than try to force the point, I'll just use my physical card.
Apr 3, 2017, 4:20 pm
#159
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Apr 3, 2017, 4:56 pm
#160
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Lufthansa, United, SPG Gold
Posts: 16
I received mine today. I had a contactless one before and asked for a new one on Thursday Apr 23rd early morning. This one is contactless as well.
My initial impression is that the card itself is indeed a substantial upgrade from the plastic ones. It is definitely wallet candy that I appreciate. I travel internationally quite frequently and I can assure US holders that this is going to be ENVIED outside the US. Furthermore, if this is only a US roll-out for now, doubly so.
This is a silly upgrade that probably brings $0 value with expenses, but I definitely appreciate it very much. I think it will be another 20 or 30 years to see an upgrade like this.
My initial impression is that the card itself is indeed a substantial upgrade from the plastic ones. It is definitely wallet candy that I appreciate. I travel internationally quite frequently and I can assure US holders that this is going to be ENVIED outside the US. Furthermore, if this is only a US roll-out for now, doubly so.
This is a silly upgrade that probably brings $0 value with expenses, but I definitely appreciate it very much. I think it will be another 20 or 30 years to see an upgrade like this.
Last edited by MrShyGuy; Apr 3, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Apr 3, 2017, 4:57 pm
#161
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto
Programs: Aeroplan, Airmiles, RBC Rewards, British Airways Avios, American Airlines Aadvantage
Posts: 47
Is this supposed to come to all AMEX holders in other countries you think? I wonder if they plan on bringing it to Canada considering we pay $700 for our card. It would make sense.
Apr 3, 2017, 5:20 pm
#162
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
I just received mine and I have to say it is beyond my expectations. It looks very nice, I would say it is the best looking card I have at the moment (I have 39 credit cards).
It is a good balance of solid metal and plastic. Much better than the CSR and the Ritz.
Ritz is 100% metal, it has that "wow" factor but it is bulky and makes a lot of noise when you hit something and it is very heavy. I dont carry it with me because of that.
The CSR is more plastic than metal, it feels plastic, looks plastic, weight a little big more. So its okayish...
The Amex Platinum has the best of both. It was a shiny metal-looking face with a cover of plastic I believe that makes it not sound like a piece of metal, but have a good balance of weight and solidness that is similar to the Ritz card BUT without being annoyingly heavy and bulky. When you hold the ritz and the amex platinum next to each other they both feel the same in term of bending (meaning really solid). When you hold the CSR next to the amex platinum the CSR looks like a cheap plastic toy.
Overall 10/10 IMHO
It is a good balance of solid metal and plastic. Much better than the CSR and the Ritz.
Ritz is 100% metal, it has that "wow" factor but it is bulky and makes a lot of noise when you hit something and it is very heavy. I dont carry it with me because of that.
The CSR is more plastic than metal, it feels plastic, looks plastic, weight a little big more. So its okayish...
The Amex Platinum has the best of both. It was a shiny metal-looking face with a cover of plastic I believe that makes it not sound like a piece of metal, but have a good balance of weight and solidness that is similar to the Ritz card BUT without being annoyingly heavy and bulky. When you hold the ritz and the amex platinum next to each other they both feel the same in term of bending (meaning really solid). When you hold the CSR next to the amex platinum the CSR looks like a cheap plastic toy.
Overall 10/10 IMHO
Apr 3, 2017, 5:22 pm
#163
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 just received mine and I have to say it is beyond my expectations. It looks very nice, I would say it is the best looking card I have at the moment (I have 39 credit cards).
It is a good balance of solid metal and plastic. Much better than the CSR and the Ritz.
Ritz is 100% metal, it has that "wow" factor but it is bulky and makes a lot of noise when you hit something and it is very heavy. I dont carry it with me because of that.
The CSR is more plastic than metal, it feels plastic, looks plastic, weight a little big more. So its okayish...
The Amex Platinum has the best of both. It was a shiny metal-looking face with a cover of plastic I believe that makes it not sound like a piece of metal, but have a good balance of weight and solidness that is similar to the Ritz card BUT without being annoyingly heavy and bulky. When you hold the ritz and the amex platinum next to each other they both feel the same in term of bending (meaning really solid). When you hold the CSR next to the amex platinum the CSR looks like a cheap plastic toy.
Overall 10/10 IMHO
It is a good balance of solid metal and plastic. Much better than the CSR and the Ritz.
Ritz is 100% metal, it has that "wow" factor but it is bulky and makes a lot of noise when you hit something and it is very heavy. I dont carry it with me because of that.
The CSR is more plastic than metal, it feels plastic, looks plastic, weight a little big more. So its okayish...
The Amex Platinum has the best of both. It was a shiny metal-looking face with a cover of plastic I believe that makes it not sound like a piece of metal, but have a good balance of weight and solidness that is similar to the Ritz card BUT without being annoyingly heavy and bulky. When you hold the ritz and the amex platinum next to each other they both feel the same in term of bending (meaning really solid). When you hold the CSR next to the amex platinum the CSR looks like a cheap plastic toy.
Overall 10/10 IMHO
Apr 3, 2017, 5:23 pm
#164
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
$700 USD or CAD? Bc $700CAD is actually cheaper than the new annual fee for US cardholders...
Apr 3, 2017, 5:26 pm
#165
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064