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 10, 2017, 12:10 pm
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
AmEx doesn't send out contactless by default, metal or no. (I think they should, IMO, but a lot of people might freak out if they did. Also, it may interfere with getting people to use mobile wallets, which is what it seems like the major issuers want us to move towards.)
Apr 10, 2017, 12:53 pm
#243
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Clermont, FL
Programs: Amex Plat, Amex PRG, Ritz Rewards Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Mlife Platinum
Posts: 37
What exactly is the point of the contactless cards? I use Apple Pay wherever it's accepted and, when that's not possible, I use a physical card. In the latter case, it makes no difference to me whether a card is contactless or not - if I have to pull out the card instead of my iPhone, I don't see that the mechanics of card manipulation matter a whit.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
Apr 10, 2017, 12:56 pm
#244
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 244
What exactly is the point of the contactless cards? I use Apple Pay wherever it's accepted and, when that's not possible, I use a physical card. In the latter case, it makes no difference to me whether a card is contactless or not - if I have to pull out the card instead of my iPhone, I don't see that the mechanics of card manipulation matter a whit.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
Apr 10, 2017, 1:03 pm
#245
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Clermont, FL
Programs: Amex Plat, Amex PRG, Ritz Rewards Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Mlife Platinum
Posts: 37
I've never known Apple Pay to require more than a few seconds to process. Contactless may be very slightly faster, but that's not enough to convince me to switch.
Good info, though; thanks!
Apr 10, 2017, 1:06 pm
#246
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 244
Interesting. I think I'd prefer to use my phone (which is unremarkable, as everyone has one) in a crowd security situation, rather than open my wallet and expose my various gold and platinum cards to view.
I've never known Apple Pay to require more than a few seconds to process. Contactless may be very slightly faster, but that's not enough to convince me to switch.
Good info, though; thanks!
I've never known Apple Pay to require more than a few seconds to process. Contactless may be very slightly faster, but that's not enough to convince me to switch.
Good info, though; thanks!
Apr 10, 2017, 1:10 pm
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
I've had my phone stolen on the CTA L, so I'm probably more hesitant than many. I do use apple pay occasionally, but the simple tap is definitely a quicker process. I usually have my contactless card in a separate card pouch that hangs on the outside of my purse and just tap the pouch on the scanner. Most men seem to just tap their wallet and go. It might only be a half a second, but there's a delay with the phone popping up the app and reading your thumb that just doesn't happen with a card tap and when you're in a huge rush of people, it feels like your inconveniencing everyone behind you.
Apr 10, 2017, 2:20 pm
#248
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
What exactly is the point of the contactless cards? I use Apple Pay wherever it's accepted and, when that's not possible, I use a physical card. In the latter case, it makes no difference to me whether a card is contactless or not - if I have to pull out the card instead of my iPhone, I don't see that the mechanics of card manipulation matter a whit.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
I'd rather just simple tap my card on the machine and walk out ...
Apr 10, 2017, 2:25 pm
#249
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Clermont, FL
Programs: Amex Plat, Amex PRG, Ritz Rewards Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Mlife Platinum
Posts: 37
Honestly, I thought the same thing, but after living in France for the past 2 years, I find contactless to be super efficient and quicker than the new chip debacle that's happening here in the US. It takes forever for the chip readers to work, and then you have to sign (what's the fricken point of signing nowadays??) and then the machine literally beeps aggressively at you.
I'd rather just simple tap my card on the machine and walk out ...
I'd rather just simple tap my card on the machine and walk out ...
I suppose I'd be more interested in contactless if Apple Pay weren't already so convenient. I'd rather pull my phone out of my front pocket than unbutton my rear pocket, take out my wallet, slide out the desired card, and then tap it on the reader. One step vs. four.
Apr 10, 2017, 3:31 pm
#250
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
If you were in the habit of using a contactless card you wouldn't store it in your wallet in your back pocket.
Apr 10, 2017, 3:50 pm
#251
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Clermont, FL
Programs: Amex Plat, Amex PRG, Ritz Rewards Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Mlife Platinum
Posts: 37
OK, where else would one keep such a card? All of my other cards are in my wallet and the notion of keeping one or more in a separate location doesn't appeal. I'm still having trouble imagining what I'd gain from a contactless card over Apple Pay. It seems like a solution in search of a problem.
Apr 10, 2017, 4:34 pm
#252
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
One idea was mentioned earlier in the thread:
When I am in Miami I do the same. My contactless transit card, a small amount of cash, and one credit card are stored in a tag attached to my bag. I carry other cards in a wallet on my person, but never in my back trouser pocket.
In UK I carry the same wallet, but instead of the bag tag I use a combination wallet/moneyclip to carry my contactless card and currency.
In any event, no one is suggesting that you, personally, should pay with a contactless card, rather than a phone. We're just explaining that it's useful. Not everyone has a smartphone, and no one who has one uses all of its capabilities.
In UK I carry the same wallet, but instead of the bag tag I use a combination wallet/moneyclip to carry my contactless card and currency.
In any event, no one is suggesting that you, personally, should pay with a contactless card, rather than a phone. We're just explaining that it's useful. Not everyone has a smartphone, and no one who has one uses all of its capabilities.
Apr 10, 2017, 4:40 pm
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Contactless is definitely a convenience thing for me on transit systems, vending machines, and similar that allow it. And while yes, I could get the same function out of Android Pay, something still just feels "weird" about paying with my phone. I don't even think I'll be getting the free $15 out of the Android Pay Amex offer I just got, because I feel that weird about paying for stuff with my phone.
Yes, I could look more into it and go through all the various technical aspects and security things and stuff...but at the end of the day I'm just more comfortable swiping my card vs. a phone. Definitely wouldn't begrudge anyone else for making the opposite choice.
Apr 10, 2017, 4:49 pm
#254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
Honestly, I thought the same thing, but after living in France for the past 2 years, I find contactless to be super efficient and quicker than the new chip debacle that's happening here in the US. It takes forever for the chip readers to work, and then you have to sign (what's the fricken point of signing nowadays??) and then the machine literally beeps aggressively at you.
I'd rather just simple tap my card on the machine and walk out ...
I'd rather just simple tap my card on the machine and walk out ...
I also have a suspicion that a significant minority of merchants will never upgrade unless chip's made mandatory, but that's another discussion.
Contactless is definitely a convenience thing for me on transit systems, vending machines, and similar that allow it. And while yes, I could get the same function out of Android Pay, something still just feels "weird" about paying with my phone. I don't even think I'll be getting the free $15 out of the Android Pay Amex offer I just got, because I feel that weird about paying for stuff with my phone.
Apr 10, 2017, 7:08 pm
#255
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 1MM; DL PM
Posts: 143
I get so irked by the signature requirement. It is such a worthless piece of security, and I can't imagine any rational person feels better knowing he or she has to sign for a purchase. At least at a gas station, I have to put in my ZIP code. I long for the Chip-and-PIN that's so common in Europe--at least a PIN offers some level of security.