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..?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SydneyTravels
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
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
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
SydneyTravels
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 May 2015
Total posts 34
Awesome! Thanks - I’ll check!
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43
oliver_adl
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.
FFTrev
FFTrev
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Sep 2013
Total posts 11
What about the AMEX Black Card ???
Flying High
Flying High
Member since 13 Feb 2015
Total posts 3
Australian Financial Review subscription - $628
t
t
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
Member since 17 Apr 2013
Total posts 2
MR1961
MR1961
Member since 17 Feb 2016
Total posts 9
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
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.
jginpil
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
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.
Greg84
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
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.