How do you decide if AmEx Plat makes sense?
Aug 12, 2022, 8:17 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 497
I think if that was their objective they wouldn't offer credits at all.
I think the higher annual fee and many credits actually gives Amex 2 key benefits:
I think the higher annual fee and many credits actually gives Amex 2 key benefits:
- They can show increased transaction volume on the Platinum card, because the higher annual fee motivates people to be more diligent about spending to chase the credits.
- Even better, they can show that there is increased transaction volume with their marketing partner businesses.
Aug 12, 2022, 8:56 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 243
$700? That's like 2 dinners. The idea of having a $700 or $1000 AF is somehow "status symbol" of sort is comical. There is zero exclusivity to a charge card that anyone can apply for. Being able to give away your $20,000 table at Rao's is a status symbol. A $1000 AF card? Comedy. You think people think you're big shots with your Platinum? Oh dear....
I'd think Amex and their partners, whom I've been spending money with, like me a lot more than the riffs raffs who been using the card solely as a status symbol. In fact, I think they should raise it to $5,000 and offer even more perks. Pay my utilities bill, my laundry services, my doggy daycare, etc. Yessir.
I'd think Amex and their partners, whom I've been spending money with, like me a lot more than the riffs raffs who been using the card solely as a status symbol. In fact, I think they should raise it to $5,000 and offer even more perks. Pay my utilities bill, my laundry services, my doggy daycare, etc. Yessir.
Aug 13, 2022, 12:12 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,239
$700? That's like 2 dinners. The idea of having a $700 or $1000 AF is somehow "status symbol" of sort is comical. There is zero exclusivity to a charge card that anyone can apply for. Being able to give away your $20,000 table at Rao's is a status symbol. A $1000 AF card? Comedy. You think people think you're big shots with your Platinum? Oh dear....
I'd think Amex and their partners, whom I've been spending money with, like me a lot more than the riffs raffs who been using the card solely as a status symbol. In fact, I think they should raise it to $5,000 and offer even more perks. Pay my utilities bill, my laundry services, my doggy daycare, etc. Yessir.
I'd think Amex and their partners, whom I've been spending money with, like me a lot more than the riffs raffs who been using the card solely as a status symbol. In fact, I think they should raise it to $5,000 and offer even more perks. Pay my utilities bill, my laundry services, my doggy daycare, etc. Yessir.
Aug 13, 2022, 5:34 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,093
Aug 13, 2022, 1:02 pm
#50
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,103
I think there are two separate groups who can get value out of an Amex Platinum:
1) value hunters who have the time to load all the benefits into a spreadsheet, cross check against what specific savings they can achieve based on products/services they already use and make a cool-headed decision based on pure math
2) high spenders who will barely feel the annual fee and find the intangible benefits extremely valuable (NPSL/high spending power, concierge service (meh), hotel status (EXTREMELY value for me personally), unlimited points/miles at a high earning rate)
1) value hunters who have the time to load all the benefits into a spreadsheet, cross check against what specific savings they can achieve based on products/services they already use and make a cool-headed decision based on pure math
2) high spenders who will barely feel the annual fee and find the intangible benefits extremely valuable (NPSL/high spending power, concierge service (meh), hotel status (EXTREMELY value for me personally), unlimited points/miles at a high earning rate)
Aug 13, 2022, 1:23 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,311
AmEx Plat makes sense for almost everyone, certainly for anyone who has any interest and use for points and miles … for 12.9 months. The SUB (100K - 150K) can very easily be redeemed and/or leveraged to a value of more than the AF. Many can also easily redeem the Airline Fee credit, often twice in those 12.9 months, sometimes 3 airline fee credits in 12.9 months.
To some people $700 is 140 (or more) dinners.
Hard to know what impresses other people. What impresses a farmer in Kansas is different than a Wall Street banker in NY.
I can’t even remember what the most elite status-symbol credit card was when I was in college … a bajillion years ago. But I do remember we joked about a potentially great pick up line. Lick the back of a credit card and stick it on your forehead (try it, it works … for a moment or 2), say “pretend this is a Black Card or AmEx Centurion or JP Morgan Reserve” and then say … anything
.
$700? That's like 2 dinners. The idea of having a $700 or $1000 AF is somehow "status symbol" of sort is comical. There is zero exclusivity to a charge card that anyone can apply for. Being able to give away your $20,000 table at Rao's is a status symbol. A $1000 AF card? Comedy. You think people think you're big shots with your Platinum? Oh dear...
Hard to know what impresses other people. What impresses a farmer in Kansas is different than a Wall Street banker in NY.
I can’t even remember what the most elite status-symbol credit card was when I was in college … a bajillion years ago. But I do remember we joked about a potentially great pick up line. Lick the back of a credit card and stick it on your forehead (try it, it works … for a moment or 2), say “pretend this is a Black Card or AmEx Centurion or JP Morgan Reserve” and then say … anything
.
Aug 13, 2022, 6:02 pm
#52
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,188
No, IAP does not always give you the lowest J fare. IAP search engine is very limited. There are countless times when I found cheaper J fare on Google flight, skyscanner, ITA...etc. In fact, most of the time, these cheaper airfares I see on other search engines don't even show up on IAP (and, these lower fares are of the airlines who participate in IAP). I am not going to waste my time on IAP.
Last edited by Mama; Aug 13, 2022 at 6:09 pm
Aug 13, 2022, 7:44 pm
#53
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
No, IAP does not always give you the lowest J fare. IAP search engine is very limited. There are countless times when I found cheaper J fare on Google flight, skyscanner, ITA...etc. In fact, most of the time, these cheaper airfares I see on other search engines don't even show up on IAP (and, these lower fares are of the airlines who participate in IAP). I am not going to waste my time on IAP.
Aug 13, 2022, 8:22 pm
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,188
Aug 14, 2022, 5:40 am
#55
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,965
Sep 11, 2022, 6:21 pm
#56
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
For me I use it as a SkyClub membership. I fly a good amount of Delta (40-60 segments a year) and would otherwise be paying $545 for a SC Membership. Once I add in the Uber credits I'm at a net positive.
I've gotten good value out of FhR, 5x MR on airline ticket purchases, Amex Offers and the digital credits to make the card make sense for me. Plus it's where I get my Priority Pass membership from.
As annoying as the high AF is, I have no plans to cancel
I've gotten good value out of FhR, 5x MR on airline ticket purchases, Amex Offers and the digital credits to make the card make sense for me. Plus it's where I get my Priority Pass membership from.
As annoying as the high AF is, I have no plans to cancel
Sep 29, 2022, 7:46 am
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,065
Amex Plat
Please help me decide to dump the AA Citi exec for an Amex plat. I hold the card now solely for reduced AC membership. All travel benefits were stripped a few years ago.
I have been reading about the plat card and see there is a promotion of 100K points if you spend $6K in 3 months. I currently have a gold card and would like to know if I upgrade to the platinum card is this promotion available?
I like the idea of using membership miles for different airlines. My primary destination is LHR. How hard is it to redeem membership reward points for J class across the pond? What is a typical redemption amount?
Thanks
I have been reading about the plat card and see there is a promotion of 100K points if you spend $6K in 3 months. I currently have a gold card and would like to know if I upgrade to the platinum card is this promotion available?
I like the idea of using membership miles for different airlines. My primary destination is LHR. How hard is it to redeem membership reward points for J class across the pond? What is a typical redemption amount?
Thanks
Sep 29, 2022, 7:53 am
#58
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,965
2) New account bonuses do not apply to upgrades, you must apply using a link for a specific offer.
3) Redeeming Membership Rewards points earned with a Platinum card is no different from redeeming points earned with the Gold card that you already hold. When you transfer the points to an airline frequent flyer program the number of miles required for an award flight is determined by the program, not by American Express.
Sep 29, 2022, 8:03 am
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,065
1) 100,000 is not the best offer. Look here for 150,000: American Express Referral Offers (Read Wiki before posting).
2) New account bonuses do not apply to upgrades, you must apply using a link for a specific offer.
3) Redeeming Membership Rewards points earned with a Platinum card is no different from redeeming points earned with the Gold card that you already hold. When you transfer the points to an airline frequent flyer program the number of miles required for an award flight is determined by the program, not by American Express.
2) New account bonuses do not apply to upgrades, you must apply using a link for a specific offer.
3) Redeeming Membership Rewards points earned with a Platinum card is no different from redeeming points earned with the Gold card that you already hold. When you transfer the points to an airline frequent flyer program the number of miles required for an award flight is determined by the program, not by American Express.
Sep 29, 2022, 8:14 am
#60
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,965
Discussion of transferring MR points to airlines is here:
Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program?
Read the Wikipost at the top for an overview.
Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program?
Read the Wikipost at the top for an overview.