Is Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?

30 replies

SydneyTravels

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 May 2015

Total posts 34

Currently hold Amex explorer for the flight allowance and so it pretty much costs me $0. I’m thinking about upgrading to Platinum, but do people think the $1450/year is worth it..?

Sibelius

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 181

Does having the Platinum Charge card still entitle the holder to a complimentary Platinum Reserve card (with its own $400 travel credit)? If the answer is yes, I'd say it's still worth it: you'll effectively get $850 travel credit along with all the other perks. If the Platinum Reserve is no longer offered, though, I'd personally have some reservations about the card's value-for-money.

Sibelius

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 181

Also members of several professional associations and trade unions can get the Platinum card for $1200. If you're a member of any such association, you should check your association's website for a "membership benefits" page to see if you qualify.

SydneyTravels

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 May 2015

Total posts 34

Also members of several professional associations and trade unions can get the Platinum card for $1200. If you're a member of any such association, you should check your association's website for a "membership benefits" page to see if you qualify.

Awesome! Thanks - I’ll check!

daniesut

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Sep 2016

Total posts 43

Main difference is its a charge card, vs a credit card - as long as you can financially meet the monthly charges in full, I highly recommend - has great points accruing domestically and internationally, and many, many perks that a lot of people don't know about - good if your a frequent traveler, international hotels respect the card offer upgrades, etc when you use it, etc, etc

Yes the new 1450 annual fee does question the benefits, but once you add up what it offers, the annual fee comes down to around what a Plat\Signature Visa\MS from a large bank charges.....

AFR Subscription, Mobile break insurance, hotel status match, airline lounge access, Priority Pass membership, etc, etc








oliver_adl

Member since 18 Jul 2018

Total posts 16

I think it's really only worth it if you are using the benefits a lot. I have AMEX Explorer for personal use and the Platinum Business Charge Card for business; I put enough spending through the business card to easily justify the cost as the benefits are hugely worthwhile as a regular business traveller.


Unless you are a big earner and spender I think it'd be hard to justify the platinum cards as an individual though.

FFTrev

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 23 Sep 2013

Total posts 11

What about the AMEX Black Card ???

Flying High

Member since 13 Feb 2015

Total posts 3

Australian Financial Review subscription - $628

Travel credit - $450
Accor Plus membership - $395
Free night at Accor hotels
50% dining at Accor hotels
Good travel insurance
An increasing number of Amex airport lounges
Priority Pass - US$399

Assuming you place value on the above, it's actually not too bad.

t

Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club

Member since 17 Apr 2013

Total posts 2

Last editedby t at Jul 27, 2018, 03:53 PM.

MR1961

Member since 17 Feb 2016

Total posts 9

Does having the Platinum Charge card still entitle the holder to a complimentary Platinum Reserve card (with its own $400 travel credit)? If the answer is yes, I'd say it's still worth it: you'll effectively get $850 travel credit along with all the other perks. If the Platinum Reserve is no longer offered, though, I'd personally have some reservations about the card's value-for-money.

Yes, I can confirm that you still receive the $400 travel credit if you have the Platinum Reserve Credit Card. This information was printed in a booklet I received this week from American Express, highlighting the changes to benefits and fees.

Michael Kao

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Nov 2014

Total posts 164

I'm on the side of no, it's not worth the annual fee.


I can get it for $1200 from my professional association, even that I don't think it's worth it.

AFR for $628? Would you normally subscribe it at that price? I normally don't read it so it's of $0 value to me.

Travel credit (TC) is nice, especially with companion reserve card. But I already have explorer and edge, this makes me ineligible for another Amex credit card. So I'm only entitled to $450, not $850. Gotta factor that in.

Even if I can get $850 TC, it's not same as cash and you can't combine them. So you need to have 2 travel plans per year to use it. Not all airlines and hotels are bookable with Amex travel. So I wouldn't say it's worth $850 but maybe $700-800 worth.

With the hotel perks, other than Hilton gold, all other gold memberships don't really give you much perks especially after Aug when Marriott gold won't get free breakfast/ lounge. Also we don't know if Amex will continue the same deal with Marriott after Aug.

Accor Plus membership is nice. But again not something I would spend $385 to get as I don't usually stay or dine in Accor hotels. The free night may have some value though if you travel enough.

So it really leaves lounge access as a decent benefit. If you travel enough in economy, those lounge access may be of benefit, especially VA lounge and priority pass. You just gotta question if it's worth it for you. I'm a QC member and flies QF mainly so VA lounge access is irrelevant.

I'm not saying it's completely useless card. Everyone's situation is different and you need to factor that in to decide if it's worth it for you or not. If you can make a good use out of all the benefits, then $1450 is worth it. Just not for me at this stage.

jginpil

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Feb 2012

Total posts 25

lets be honest though no one is getting this card if they don't travel often as all the perked are travel related. and really no one is really adding up and making a business case for the cards on the perkes alone is mainly the point accrual and the wank factor of having one of the more exclusive cards ( in metal) in your wallet.

AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 Sep 2012

Total posts 16

Yes absolutely. I’ve got the Plat charge + Reserve so that’s a bumper $850 travel credit each year which I’ll spend. All the other benefits are great, some I don’t use but mostly yes. I just subscribed to AFR today.

Not to mention the support from Amex when things don’t go to plan.
I love my Plat Charge and would never give it up.

Greg84

Member since 03 Nov 2014

Total posts 130

Was disappointed to read the fee was going up, but as soon as the metal card was mentioned disappointment disappear...good old wank factor wins everyday.

Metoo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Nov 2016

Total posts 93

I think if you travel a lot you will gain the benefits of the Platinum Charge, there is no limit on spending as well but I noticed that you can press a link that tells you if you can spend up to a certain amount. As with every program there is ebb and flow. I recall years ago Amex Plat offered the best benefits ever, now its okay but not great, but that may change in the future. I'll stick with Amex for now as I think they will keep trying to improve the membership benefits.

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