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
Oct 3, 2018, 1:34 pm
#406
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,591
Oct 3, 2018, 1:46 pm
#407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
you may have missed the craze on flyertalk and other forums/blogs/etc.
i would always agree they should provide options, but not always the case
is it possible to request plastic and or non contactless ?
i would always agree they should provide options, but not always the case
is it possible to request plastic and or non contactless ?
Oct 3, 2018, 1:51 pm
#408
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
The original metal card (American Express Centurion) was intended to be distinctive and exclusive. Now metal cards have become fashionable in the $400+ card tier with American Express, Chase, Citi et.al. issuing them. These are mass market products, which means individual preferences are not accommodated. You can order a supplementary Gold card on your Platinum account, and (as far as I know) it will be plastic, but you will still need the physical Platinum card for some types of lounge access.
Oct 3, 2018, 2:20 pm
#409
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,591
The original metal card (American Express Centurion) was intended to be distinctive and exclusive. Now metal cards have become fashionable in the $400+ card tier with American Express, Chase, Citi et.al. issuing them. These are mass market products, which means individual preferences are not accommodated. You can order a supplementary Gold card on your Platinum account, and (as far as I know) it will be plastic, but you will still need the physical Platinum card for some types of lounge access.
Oct 3, 2018, 7:48 pm
#411
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL, LHR
Posts: 219
Thin it out, mate. It's bad for your back! 3 credits, 1bank/debit, SEPTA Key (oyster equivalent), drivers license, HSA, contactless work badge, and insurance.
Last edited by mia; Oct 4, 2018 at 4:49 am Reason: Remove animated image.
May 27, 2019, 9:35 am
#413
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 178
After over 2 years, my card is showing some serious wear and tear. Is it still possible to request a FULL metal card (not contactless, and also not the one that is a plastic/metal hybrid).
I'm talking the full metal Platinum cards like when they were rolled out in March 2017. Is this still possible?
I'm talking the full metal Platinum cards like when they were rolled out in March 2017. Is this still possible?
May 27, 2019, 9:40 am
#414
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Programs: AMEX Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 203
After over 2 years, my card is showing some serious wear and tear. Is it still possible to request a FULL metal card (not contactless, and also not the one that is a plastic/metal hybrid).
I'm talking the full metal Platinum cards like when they were rolled out in March 2017. Is this still possible?
I'm talking the full metal Platinum cards like when they were rolled out in March 2017. Is this still possible?
There you will see the option to Request metal card:
May 27, 2019, 11:04 am
#415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Best to call and ask - the CSR may be confused as to why you don't want the latest and greatest standard that they have, but hopefully you get someone who knows what you're looking for and can at least tell you if it's possible at all. I've been asking on my last couple calls with them to see if they can issue me a plastic car and have been told that Amex doesn't offer plastic versions of their metal cards, unless I want a "sleeper" green card (which doesn't work for me because it tends to cause confusion at airport lounges, etc.).
May 27, 2019, 11:05 am
#416
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 178
Yes, but there are two types of Metal cards now. One is the full metal (the original), the other is plastic on the front and back, with metal in between.
I'm wondering if I can request the 100% metal or if its just trial and error.
Edit - what gooselee said
I'm wondering if I can request the 100% metal or if its just trial and error.
Edit - what gooselee said
May 27, 2019, 11:09 am
#417
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Programs: AMEX Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 203
Won't this method now automatically result in a contactless metal card (with the plastic backing) being issued, since those are now the default? I think this is what WantsAmex is trying to avoid.
Best to call and ask - the CSR may be confused as to why you don't want the latest and greatest standard that they have, but hopefully you get someone who knows what you're looking for and can at least tell you if it's possible at all. I've been asking on my last couple calls with them to see if they can issue me a plastic car and have been told that Amex doesn't offer plastic versions of their metal cards, unless I want a "sleeper" green card (which doesn't work for me because it tends to cause confusion at airport lounges, etc.).
Best to call and ask - the CSR may be confused as to why you don't want the latest and greatest standard that they have, but hopefully you get someone who knows what you're looking for and can at least tell you if it's possible at all. I've been asking on my last couple calls with them to see if they can issue me a plastic car and have been told that Amex doesn't offer plastic versions of their metal cards, unless I want a "sleeper" green card (which doesn't work for me because it tends to cause confusion at airport lounges, etc.).
May 27, 2019, 11:29 am
#418
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
The standard card (without contactless) is all metal.
If your current card does not have the contactless feature you may be able to obtain a metal replacement without contactless. Speaking with a customer service agent (during normal business hours, not on a holiday) may increase the chances of receiving the card you prefer, but certainly no guarantee.
May 27, 2019, 7:50 pm
#419
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Per mia's subsequent post, looks like there is a way but I wouldn't trust the website method as it may try to add contactless to any replacement card.
May 28, 2019, 9:48 am
#420
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,964
If there's an actual, all-metal card I'd like to get one, too- but the magstrip is on the plastic layer on my card (which is less than 18(...?) months old) and I didn't think they could put one on a metal card.
Last edited by kennycrudup; May 28, 2019 at 9:54 am Reason: Added picture for clarity