Jul 1, 2021, 1:23 pm
Last edit by: Global Adventurer
*Equinox $25 Credit will not be issued for ANY products you buy online at their merchandise Shop which is coded as "Equinox The Shop". However, it appears that you can purchase Gift Cards straight off the site, but lowest denomination is $100. Gift cards can be used for merchandise and memberships.
USA personal Platinum annual fee increase to $695, July 2021.
Jul 1, 2021, 11:54 am
#136
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,851
I'm on their site right now. Was ready to pull the trigger, but noticed that the website changes to "equinox the shop" when you buy merchandise, however if you purchase a gift card it stays on the equinox page. I think I'll pass for now even though I really want to try to just test it.
Jul 1, 2021, 11:57 am
#138
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 497
I wonder how this will affect the MS Platinum. Will the Engagement Bonus still refund the full AF, or just a portion? Or, will MS discontinue their relationship with Amex altogether? Or were the earlier changes - requiring deposits into the Cash Plus account, etc - made because they were given advance warning of these changes?
I think the $0.01/MR invest with rewards and first complimentary additional member card sticks around with a Morgan Stanley relationship, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the engagement bonus go back to some other metric tied to profits (maybe back to $1m+ AUM?) now that deposits aren't a problem.
Jul 1, 2021, 12:00 pm
#139
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
My card was targeted for the $200 travel credit since I renewed during the pandemic. It seems AMEX is treating me as already having used the newly announced benefit for this calendar year "Congratulations! You’ve received $200 in travel credits.".
Jul 1, 2021, 12:07 pm
#140
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 64
$149 increase with an easy to use $200 hotel credit negates the fee increase for me. I will have no trouble using that credit organically.
Equinox is useless for me, even though I live in one of their cities. This isn't enough of an incentive to get me to switch.
The entertainment credit partners are limited and it's annoying that it's a monthly credit when annual subscriptions are usually a much better deal.
I get Clear for free from United so no help there. Unfortunately just like the Global Entry credit this is becoming a benefit that's duplicated by a bunch of companies and thus useless after the first one. It's also going to increase the number of Clear members which, like precheck means that eventually everyone has it and the benefit reduces over time. There have been a number of times recently where the Clear line was longer than the precheck line.
Overall I don't care for all of these monthly credit benefits. They inevitably don't credit for one reason or another regularly, and then I have to call in or chat half a dozen times to "save" $20. It feels cheap.
Equinox is useless for me, even though I live in one of their cities. This isn't enough of an incentive to get me to switch.
The entertainment credit partners are limited and it's annoying that it's a monthly credit when annual subscriptions are usually a much better deal.
I get Clear for free from United so no help there. Unfortunately just like the Global Entry credit this is becoming a benefit that's duplicated by a bunch of companies and thus useless after the first one. It's also going to increase the number of Clear members which, like precheck means that eventually everyone has it and the benefit reduces over time. There have been a number of times recently where the Clear line was longer than the precheck line.
Overall I don't care for all of these monthly credit benefits. They inevitably don't credit for one reason or another regularly, and then I have to call in or chat half a dozen times to "save" $20. It feels cheap.
Audible book purchases count. I'm going to buy three credits.
They also have daily deals and those will count as well. I bought two good books that I liked for $1.95 each. Come on guys you're deal makers. You can make this work 👍
Jul 1, 2021, 12:09 pm
#141
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Rockies
Programs: UA Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy occasionally Bonvoyed Mostly
Posts: 428
It says fairly clearly in the terms and conditions that for existing members, the new fee will increase starting Jan 1 2022 (so any renewals after Jan 1 2022 will be at the new fee. Any renewals till Dec 31 2021 will be at the old rate.
Jul 1, 2021, 12:13 pm
#142
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Rockies
Programs: UA Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy occasionally Bonvoyed Mostly
Posts: 428
This is tangentially related (and maybe in a different thread) but I just observed that Clear has also increased their "family member" fee from $50 to $60. Which still allows you to get primary+1 family member free with the AmEx credit ($119 + 60). But if you add a second member, then you have a cost of $60 now instead of $40 for a second family member.
Jul 1, 2021, 12:25 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,851
I have a question for one of you guys. I went to the process of enrolling in Equinox through the AMEX app. I entered my card number, etc, but when it hit the payment screen to start the membership, I closed it. I checked the Amex App again and it said pending, which I expected. But, just now I logged into the website and says I'm ENROLLED. I had to say all that to ask this question, since they sale OTHER stuff on their site, do you think we could buy stuff on there for $25 or less and get a credit??? They have several items on there I would definitely buy monthly, like those dry bags. I'm thinking about doing a test run and I'll report back if I get the credit. What do you guys think????
I just purchased a pack of face masks and the receipt says "Equinox The Shop doing Business as Energy Gear". So DO NOT buy anything off the shopping portal. The only thing that will work for the Amex Equinox Credit are Memberships as far as I can see.
To the OP or somebody who knows how, could you post this info at the top in the Wiki, which I don't see. Thanks.
Jul 1, 2021, 12:25 pm
#144
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
Jul 1, 2021, 12:28 pm
#145
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,897
I am an existing Equinox member, and I signed up for the benefit through the Amex website (which kicked me over to an Equinox branded site). I entered in my Platinum number, and it changed my card number in Equinox profile and app. I would guess it is highly unlikely that anything but a member fee triggers the credit (but people can try)
Jul 1, 2021, 12:31 pm
#147
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,215
You now have access to benefits that can add up to over $1,400 in value annually. With a new annual fee of $695 effective upon your next Card renewal on or after January 1st, 2022, there is more to explore than ever before. See how below.
Jul 1, 2021, 12:33 pm
#148
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Jul 1, 2021, 12:34 pm
#149
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NW Iowa
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum Elite, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 378
Has anyone read the T&C's under the $200 Hotel Credit?!
Could this be accurate?! What would holding a Delta Platinum card have to do with this benefit? I hold both the Amex Platinum and Delta Platinum CC so this worries me a bit. Especially considering this is likely the ONLY benefit I will utilize from the increased fee.
U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card® Members may receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits each calendar year, across all Cards on the Account, when using their eligible Platinum Card on eligible, prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Platinum Card). Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit.
Jul 1, 2021, 12:35 pm
#150
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
Not sure what you comment/problem is as that is on the AMex website > if your card renews December 2021 the higher fee kicks in Dec 2022
You now have access to benefits that can add up to over $1,400 in value annually. With a new annual fee of $695 effective upon your next Card renewal on or after January 1st, 2022, there is more to explore than ever before. See how below.
You now have access to benefits that can add up to over $1,400 in value annually. With a new annual fee of $695 effective upon your next Card renewal on or after January 1st, 2022, there is more to explore than ever before. See how below.