OT: Amex Platinum is it worth £300 ?
Jun 30, 2006, 10:49 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA/BD Gold/IC A/*Wood Gold - Certified BodyCombat and BodyPump Instructor
Posts: 6,070
Originally Posted by G-BOAC
Hang on. I thought SPG was forever, not just 2 years? It was forever when I signed up. Is this a new change I didn't know about from the recent changes/new packs they sent out? I'll have to go read them more closely...
I posted a question in the Amex forum, as this month's Departues states that SPG is now only good for one year!!
I just had a look through the packet and didn't notice anything regarding the limit.
Jun 30, 2006, 11:25 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: MUCCI Classe des Flatteurs Preferes, LH SEN, BA silver, IHG Plat Amb, Accor Plat
Posts: 967
Is the included travel insurance worth it?
Is the cover provided by the AMEX Plat travel insurance suffient? I ask the question because I remember reading a warning about "free" travel insurance not covering terrorist attacks in the telegraph:
Daily Telegraph On The Case Column 06 May 2006
I'm just curious to know if the AMEX travel insurance covers everything advised above and things like skiing. And can you get pre-existing medical conditions covered?
Why I'm curious I don't know since I'm not sure a UK AMEX card would be of much use to me here in France! But I would be tempted to get one (and a BA AMEX) when I go back to the UK.
Daily Telegraph On The Case Column 06 May 2006
Originally Posted by Daily Telegraph On The Case Column 06 May 2006
When I write about travel insurance, readers often complain that I leave out the really cheap, even "free" deals, including travel policies offered by banks and credit-card providers. This is one of the reasons why.
Most cheap policies exclude all claims - even medical claims - made as a result of the following: "war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion…" In my view this is unacceptable or, as one insurance underwriter put it, "a disgrace". Finding yourself caught up in a terrorist incident is still very rare, but it is essential to buy a policy that covers the risk. Even some tour operators' policies only cover emergency medical treatment for acts of terrorism.
Most cheap policies exclude all claims - even medical claims - made as a result of the following: "war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or warlike operations (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, terrorism, revolution, insurrection, civil commotion…" In my view this is unacceptable or, as one insurance underwriter put it, "a disgrace". Finding yourself caught up in a terrorist incident is still very rare, but it is essential to buy a policy that covers the risk. Even some tour operators' policies only cover emergency medical treatment for acts of terrorism.
Why I'm curious I don't know since I'm not sure a UK AMEX card would be of much use to me here in France! But I would be tempted to get one (and a BA AMEX) when I go back to the UK.
Jun 30, 2006, 11:41 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: Not much these days: BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,326
The Amex Plat travel insurance has recently been enhanced - no, really enhanced, not "enhanced". The full policy is at http://www.americanexpress.com/pes/u...m_benefits.pdf
Winter sports including off-piste skiing with a guide, parascending, scuba-diving and "most adventurous and usual holiday sports" are covered.
For me one of the main benefits is that family members are covered up to age 80 so my Dad and his wife are covered - actually the cover can extend to "you, your partner, your children, up to five supplementary cardholders, their partners and children"
Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Also claims caused by terrorist activities (except on a public vehicle) are not covered.
Having said that I think the cover is pretty generous - and can testify to its success on lost baggage - £300 to spend after four hours without your bags, and another £300 after 48 hours. Just phone them up and you can go out and start spending...
Winter sports including off-piste skiing with a guide, parascending, scuba-diving and "most adventurous and usual holiday sports" are covered.
For me one of the main benefits is that family members are covered up to age 80 so my Dad and his wife are covered - actually the cover can extend to "you, your partner, your children, up to five supplementary cardholders, their partners and children"
Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Also claims caused by terrorist activities (except on a public vehicle) are not covered.
Having said that I think the cover is pretty generous - and can testify to its success on lost baggage - £300 to spend after four hours without your bags, and another £300 after 48 hours. Just phone them up and you can go out and start spending...
Jun 30, 2006, 11:44 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Posts: 2,809
There's a recent enhancement to the travel insurance which alters the legal relationship - it was in a post by The Saint - previously, you had direct rights against the insurer so you could sue the insurer if the insurer failed to pay etc. Now, Amex hold such rights in trust for their members so it is ENTIRELY up to Amex whether they want to take up your claim if it is not paid. Certainly something to give pause for thought where you could be liable for (say) a huge medical bill but Amex may (in theory) refuse to help you recover from the insurer.
Jun 30, 2006, 11:47 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,483
It's all down to whether you actually use the benefits whether it is value or not. My personal 'value' has changed somewhat over the years. The main benefits I see are as follows:
Travel Insurance - it is a good policy and covers all your family and supplementary card holders. Assuming you travel a fair but I reckon it's got to be worth £100.
The NA Car Hire insurance is superb value and the original reason I got the Amex card. I tend to use it less now that most bookings made in the UK are 'fully inclusive'. It used to be that 'fly-drives' gave you the hire car for very little (but you paid a fortune for insurance on arrival) but now that I do MFUs and other creative ways to fly business I just don't buy el-cheapo fly drives anymore. If you do use it, though, it can save you £15 a day which adds up over a fortnight.
Priority Pass for 2 - For us, this is invaluable - we both travel now (at least every fortnight, often weekly) for business and neither of us have BA status. A wide variety of domestic routes flown mean flying with Easyjet, BA, flyBE, bmi (lounge with plat!!), Scot Air etc mean it's difficult to get status and to be honest with Priority Pass and bmi lounge access it removes the need for the main status perk for us (lounge access).
Hilton Gold - nice to have but not that hard to earn anyway. Have yet to score a mega-suite when it actually counts (when on holiday!)
SPG Gold - again, nice to have.
Free BA Premium Plus Amex - instant saving of £120 fee. We would have this card regardless, just for the 2 for 1 voucher which we use once a year.
Travel Insurance - it is a good policy and covers all your family and supplementary card holders. Assuming you travel a fair but I reckon it's got to be worth £100.
The NA Car Hire insurance is superb value and the original reason I got the Amex card. I tend to use it less now that most bookings made in the UK are 'fully inclusive'. It used to be that 'fly-drives' gave you the hire car for very little (but you paid a fortune for insurance on arrival) but now that I do MFUs and other creative ways to fly business I just don't buy el-cheapo fly drives anymore. If you do use it, though, it can save you £15 a day which adds up over a fortnight.
Priority Pass for 2 - For us, this is invaluable - we both travel now (at least every fortnight, often weekly) for business and neither of us have BA status. A wide variety of domestic routes flown mean flying with Easyjet, BA, flyBE, bmi (lounge with plat!!), Scot Air etc mean it's difficult to get status and to be honest with Priority Pass and bmi lounge access it removes the need for the main status perk for us (lounge access).
Hilton Gold - nice to have but not that hard to earn anyway. Have yet to score a mega-suite when it actually counts (when on holiday!)
SPG Gold - again, nice to have.
Free BA Premium Plus Amex - instant saving of £120 fee. We would have this card regardless, just for the 2 for 1 voucher which we use once a year.
Jun 30, 2006, 12:41 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2002
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald); QF Lifestime Silver; BD Diamond Club Gold (*A Gold)
Posts: 4,786
Originally Posted by matthewuk
Priority Pass for 2 - For us, this is invaluable - we both travel now (at least every fortnight, often weekly) for business and neither of us have BA status. A wide variety of domestic routes flown mean flying with Easyjet, BA, flyBE, bmi (lounge with plat!!), Scot Air etc mean it's difficult to get status and to be honest with Priority Pass and bmi lounge access it removes the need for the main status perk for us (lounge access).
Originally Posted by matthewuk
Free BA Premium Plus Amex - instant saving of £120 fee. We would have this card regardless, just for the 2 for 1 voucher which we use once a year.
Overall, depends what your motive is: some of the benefits already outlined here. Don't get sold on anything travel-related apart from the insurance. The premium fare 'deals' are useless to anyone more FT-seasoned other than those who are prepared to pay near-enough full fare anyway.
The days of even the previously 'illusive' Centurion card being desirable are long gone - and quite an active discussion on both this and the Plat card over in the AmEx forum.
Jun 30, 2006, 12:46 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,439
Was just about to renew our annual worldwide travel insurance so this looks a good option. Without me having to read all the rules and regulations can anyone tell me if it covers kids(over 16) if travelling without parent. Thanks
Jun 30, 2006, 1:08 pm
#23
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
Originally Posted by virtualtroy
For 2?? AmEx Platinum provides it free for the primary cardholder only.
Changed when the price went up to £300.Cheers,
Rick
Jun 30, 2006, 2:23 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Nottinghamshire
Programs: BA Silver, HH Silver.
Posts: 2,200
Originally Posted by quitecontrary
Was just about to renew our annual worldwide travel insurance so this looks a good option. Without me having to read all the rules and regulations can anyone tell me if it covers kids(over 16) if travelling without parent. Thanks
Jun 30, 2006, 2:26 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: Not much these days: BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,326
Originally Posted by quitecontrary
Was just about to renew our annual worldwide travel insurance so this looks a good option. Without me having to read all the rules and regulations can anyone tell me if it covers kids(over 16) if travelling without parent. Thanks
Jun 30, 2006, 2:52 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Up North
Programs: Platinum Amex, BAEC Blue, BA PP Amex, Club SLH, Avis Wizard
Posts: 325
Originally Posted by matthewuk
Priority Pass for 2 - For us, this is invaluable - we both travel now (at least every fortnight, often weekly) for business and neither of us have BA status. A wide variety of domestic routes flown mean flying with Easyjet, BA, flyBE, bmi (lounge with plat!!), Scot Air etc mean it's difficult to get status and to be honest with Priority Pass and bmi lounge access it removes the need for the main status perk for us (lounge access).
I have just got a PLat Amex and we are staying in NewYork at The Pierre for a superb rate as well as free breakfast and lunch on one day. We will also be renting a car for some of the stay and I woudl say that the card has just about paid for itself this trip.
Jun 30, 2006, 3:13 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,772
I think it is the Plat Card rather than the Priority Pass that gets you into BD/VS etc.
I think that £300 is well worth it for good quality travel insurance, worldwide rental car insurance, Priority Pass for 2 people reduced BA PP Amex cost etc. Plat is far better valuie now at £300 than it was at the original £275 when I first took up the card.
The flight delay and lost baggage insurance is far better with the BA PP card and the only requirement is to use an Amex Card (not necessarily that one to benefit). I once got £1000 to spend in Gucci, RL etc. in Vegas when BA mislaid my baggage for a few days.
I think that £300 is well worth it for good quality travel insurance, worldwide rental car insurance, Priority Pass for 2 people reduced BA PP Amex cost etc. Plat is far better valuie now at £300 than it was at the original £275 when I first took up the card.
The flight delay and lost baggage insurance is far better with the BA PP card and the only requirement is to use an Amex Card (not necessarily that one to benefit). I once got £1000 to spend in Gucci, RL etc. in Vegas when BA mislaid my baggage for a few days.
Jun 30, 2006, 3:23 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,483
Originally Posted by PointsMeanPrizes
I hadn't realised that the Priority Pass got you access to any BMI lounges. Are they listed in the Priority Pass book?
I have just got a PLat Amex and we are staying in NewYork at The Pierre for a superb rate as well as free breakfast and lunch on one day. We will also be renting a car for some of the stay and I woudl say that the card has just about paid for itself this trip.
I have just got a PLat Amex and we are staying in NewYork at The Pierre for a superb rate as well as free breakfast and lunch on one day. We will also be renting a car for some of the stay and I woudl say that the card has just about paid for itself this trip.
The (UK) Amex platinum will give you access to BMI lounges when flying BMI (not sure about BMI Baby or on 'Tiny' fares) - no guests.
As a platinum card holder you can get a 2nd platinum card for, (say), your partner which gets around the guest issue.
I think a platinum card also still gets you into Eurostar lounges.
Jun 30, 2006, 3:32 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MAN
Programs: F
Posts: 2,898
Originally Posted by Morland
Yes, up to age 25 and even for a gap year if necessary from memory - but this is just my memory...
Essentially, you could get the worldwide travel insurance for an extended family of about 15-20 people if you are happy to give out supplementary cards.
The BMI lounge thing is specific to the Platinum cards, not a Prioirity Pass thing, only vaild with BMI ticket. I don't think the Plat card gets you into VS though.