Global Adventurer

I already went through all of that it states I'm "enrolled" on the platinum website, for what that's worth. And I can go to "gift cards" and get up to the payment screen which shows I'm still logged into the equinox site. It would be nice if somebody who already wants to purchase a gift card could report back if it works, but unfortunately the lowest gift card denomination they carry is $100. So, not for folks who just want to clear out their equinox credit, but for folks who use the program and want to save money on $100 gift cards.

Sometimes with Amex, it takes a person to be a little savvy to come up with alternative ways to get Amex Credits

Dark Blue

I see. I switched to IDC when the UK Plat fee increased to the current one (£650?) and the annual fee has been $550 since then. In that case, the UK-issued IDC Plat fee might increase to $695 in the not too distant future, hopefully with some new benefits.

sethMCOflyer

Worth pointing out that Chase points are easily redeemed for 1.5 cpp, Amex is 1 cpp (using the same type of redemptions).

So that’s 4.5% back with the Reserve on travel and dining, plus 2.25% back on everything else if you get a free CFU card. The Platinum is 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels, 1% on everything else.

Adelphos

I don’t disagree that Chase is better for earning. I use them myself for that purpose

EasternTraveler

Hoping someone finds a hack for that sorry equinox beneNOT

pmblinn

Yes, the implication is that if you don't use it, you will be beneFAT.

Mediahound

I was just charged the $179. for Clear on Saturday. It has not been credited as of yet. I will post here when I see the credit.

WasKnown

So what’s the general sentiment on these Amex plat changes? I understand the initial push back. However, I actually think the card works out quite well for me now.

The $200 FHR credit isn’t amazing but in my book it justifies the $150 annual fee increase alone.

The $240 streaming credit is pretty obnoxious but, as someone that already listens to audible every day during workouts, I find value in it. It’s also great for anyone that was hoping to stream basketball at the Olympics.

Clear and Equinox aren’t great but their inclusion doesn’t really take away from my appreciation for the other two perks.

With that being said, Resy Global Dining Access is a joke. I’m hoping it will decrease concierge wait times so I can actually try to get some seats at Eleven Madison Park but I’m not optimistic.

m907

But how much would you be willing to pay for it? I play the coupon book game to bring the cost of lounge access (and return protection, extended warranty, etc.) as close to zero as possible. I would never pay $550 or $695 for lounges and a worthless concierge.
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Happy Traveling Consultant

I think it's going to be a YMMV answer for everyone. For me, the $200 FHR credit is worth much less, maybe $100, if that because I always stay with chains where I have the highest status (Hyatt Globalist for life, Marriot Titanium for Life, Hilton Diamond).

The streaming credit is worth $0 to me because I don't use any of those except for Sirius and I've got a grandfathered lifetime subscription I already paid for. I get Clear free through United as a 1K, but will sign up P2 and a kid. Wouldn't have done it otherwise, though.

Equinox is truly laughable. About 1% of the population belongs and many of them couldn't even use this credit.

So for me, the new benefits add up to maybe $50 if I assign some value to the Clear membership I wouldn't have otherwise bought.

Easy cancel for me when it's renewal time unless they throw me a great retention offer.

cfabar1

In regards to how do I feel:

$695 Fee
-$100 Saks Credit
$595 of things that are slightly more complicated to use:
-$200 Airline Credit - A pain, but not too bad if you are strategic, and if more loopholes aren’t closed
$395 of things that are decently able to get my money back
-$200 Uber -Not an easy credit in my particular line of use
-$240 Streaming Credit - Mostly services I will use because they are free with the credit, but not that I would purchase otherwise.
-$200 FHR/THC Credit - kind of a pain since I usually book direct with Marriott or Hyatt to ensure my elite benefits. Supposedly Hyatt will count this, but i am not sure.
-$179 Clear Credit - Okay, I’ll get it because it is free? It is in some of the airports I use with some frequency, but GE/Pre Check is much more useful.

So there is a lot of money on the table to defray the fee. I’m ambivalent towards most of the benefits, and may downgrade the card. Not very sure at this point. The greater earnings rate with Gold is worth sacrificing the FHR benefits for me and the lounge access potentially.

jtc246

I got a retention offer, so I will be staying for another year anyway. While I usually can make the card pay for itself with offers, and some of the credits, I'm beginning to find keeping track of all this tedious. I'm also not going to be happy next Jan, 2023, when I will be forced to add my wife as an AU for $175, or pay $50 per visit for Centurion club visit. That will be next year's problem I suppose.

TravelingZoomer

Why would any of you with a renewal date before Jan 2022 cancel (or ask for a retention offer) if the benefits you signed up for at that price stayed exactly the same? Everything else is just extra, even if you value every single new benefit at 0$.

jtc246

Why would you not ask for an offer?

TravelingZoomer

I would ask for it whenever the $695 hits the statement not the $550.

If $550 was worth it before, it’s 100% worth it now.