united 1k flyer

airlines would do it because
1. Their getting Paid
2. these people wouldn’t fly that much and if they do they would have organically earned the status
3. Mid tier status doesn’t cost the airlines much
4. makes people fly their airline

gr2020

They could even tie this to spend. $75K gets you silver with one airline. $150K gets you either silver with two airlines, or gold with one...or something along those lines.

chrisny2

It seems most likely that it's because PreCheck enrollments are now mostly (all?) processed by a contractor, IdentoGO, instead of TSA themselves and Amex didn't update their systems to capture charges from that vendor for the PreCheck credit automatically.

Global Adventurer

LOL.....while most people keep their platinum cards in the sock drawer.

Global Adventurer

As I reported the beginning of this month, I made an Equinox purchase on their website to see how the charge was coded. Well, as I posted in the Wiki it definitely doesn't post as "Equinox" which I assumed since the website switched over to a different one. But, I just wanted to say they sent me an email to notified me that my purchase is out for delivery and they included a "free" Equinox mask. I ordered two regular masks so they threw one in with their logo also. I feel so special

pmblinn

How about something--anything--I don't need a spreadsheet to track!

Global Adventurer

I can't imagine using a spreadsheet for these offers and credits. That's too much work. Why can't people just remember most of them? Or just go into the app and check their accounts once per month where everything is listed. When I go to the US I always go to all my Amex saved offers and see if there's anything I can use since I can't use them where I'm at.

WasKnown

I think this is a good way to do it. Silver status seems reasonable to open up through spend. It would be a step up from the current methods of earning status through spend with the weird revenue/mile waivers.

I don't think United Gold would ever be offered so easily due to the implications with Star Alliance Gold. Furthermore, Marriott's longstanding relationship with United through RewardsPlus only yields United Silver status at most. I think even Marriott Cobalt status only offers United Silver.

Diplomatico

The new benefits are perfectly suited for travel:

1. Enroll in Equinox membership, courtesy of the Equinox credit.
   
2. Realize that the closest Equinox gym is more than 700 miles away. Book a flight there and use the Clear credit to skip the security line. Swing by a Priority Pass lounge (probably not a Centurion lounge because there isn't one in your home airport).
   
3. Use your FHR credit to have a place to stay for the night after visiting your new gym.
   
4. Get a few audiobooks to listen to on the airplane using your Audible subscription.
   
5. Get hammered on the plane using your incidentals credit.
   
6. Take an Uber from the airport to your hotel upon arrival using your Uber credit.
   
7. Realize you forgot your socks and head over to Saks to pick up replacements.
   
   (Originally posted on r/churning.)
   

jamesteroh

That would be another useless benefit for me since I fly Delta exclusively unless they gave you another perk with it. Like maybe offer 25K in elite qualifying miles to be added to the airline of your choice after that spend. That way someone who had silver or gold could advance a tiere of for someone like me with Delta Diamond it would give me more rollover MQMs for when I retire and get me closer to my next million mile level.

Or allow someone with status to get just general miles. If someone is silver or higher with the airline of their choice and doesn't care about the status with another airline give them 25,000 in RDM's.

Problem is with the exception of Delta the other airlines are in bed with another credit card company. American is partners with Citi and Chase is partners with Southwest and United.

LAX

I apologize if this has been discussed upthread. Are the benefits associated with the refresh and increased AF available to existing card holders as well? Or are they limited to new card holders who sign up for the new AF? TIA.

LAX

gooselee

FTFY.

FT is a very small and significantly outlying segment of the overall population. Outside that bubble, most people that have the Amex Plat probably have it as their only Amex or even only card and dump the vast majority of spend on it.

txpenny

I'm not a fan of the "upgrades" offered for the increased fee.

My main benefit was airfare. Pre-Covid, I'd spend close to $50K (wife and me) on airfare. Now the reduced Schwab redeption rate, I believe it will make more sense for me to use the CSR as my airfare card and can the platinum card.

Super Mario

From what I have personally noticed, the Platinum has it's own purpose neither in the sock drawer, nor getting swiped. I have seen multiple instances where people make sure they flash it to others in some conspicuous form, but never use it. Front of the money clip. Front of the wallet. Showing others and saying "I don't even know why I have this" Pulling it out, knowing you aren't going to use it, only to pick a different card. The toss on the counter for no apparent reason is a solid move to show everyone your metal card means business.

zeke3

LOL, I try to be as inconspicuous as possible. Using it to buy cheese curls at the grocery (10x points for now) seems like a silly way to show everyone you made it and are very important.