AmEx Platinum Card: 325,000 Bonus Points (Spend $5000 in 3 Months), $450 Travel Credit, $400 Dining Credit, $1450 Annual Fee

[Tig82]

Me too please

I’ve got the same if you still need it?

 

[d_b]

I've got 275K going at the moment too. PM for link.

 

[super5]

Would it be accurate to say that if you only stay in cheap hotels when travelling, do not use airport lounges, and do not buy from Amazon, this card is not suitable? I checked the hotels benefits and they all require you to pay for expensive hotels to get benefits, yes you get 1 free night with Accor but that's only valuable if you would normally pay a lot to stay at an expensive hotel for 1 night. As far as I can see, the only universally valuable benefit of the card, is the $450 travel credit which can be used on most airlines and hotels, even cheap ones. The $200+$200 dining credits are for overpriced restaurants when you look at their menu. I was excited about this card because I thought we would get an extra $400 travel credit with the free companion Amex Platinum Reserve card, but found out they removed that credit in 2021. Am I missing something? Conclusion is, the Platinum charge card is only for people that normally pay big money to stay in expensive hotels and eat in expensive restaurants when travelling?

 

[levelnine]

Conclusion is, the Platinum charge card is only for people that normally pay big money to stay in expensive hotels and eat in expensive restaurants when travelling?

Yes, it is a premium card with a $1450 AF so it isn't surprising that the credits/benefits are skewed that way.

 

[Franko Costa]

Would it be accurate to say that if you only stay in cheap hotels when travelling, do not use airport lounges, and do not buy from Amazon, this card is not suitable? I checked the hotels benefits and they all require you to pay for expensive hotels to get benefits, yes you get 1 free night with Accor but that's only valuable if you would normally pay a lot to stay at an expensive hotel for 1 night. As far as I can see, the only universally valuable benefit of the card, is the $450 travel credit which can be used on most airlines and hotels, even cheap ones. The $200+$200 dining credits are for overpriced restaurants when you look at their menu. I was excited about this card because I thought we would get an extra $400 travel credit with the free companion Amex Platinum Reserve card, but found out they removed that credit in 2021. Am I missing something? Conclusion is, the Platinum charge card is only for people that normally pay big money to stay in expensive hotels and eat in expensive restaurants when travelling?

If you don't spend the money to get the points and can't use the credit, then obviously this card isn't for you.

I find huge value in it

 

[super5]

If you don't spend the money to get the points and can't use the credit, then obviously this card isn't for you.

I find huge value in it

If this card is for people that spend a lot of money on holidays, hotels that are $200-500 a night (instead of $30-$50 for cheap hotels), aren't these the kind of wealthy people that have no time to chase deals or discuss best strategies to maximise credit card value on internet forums? I'm surprised people spend time and energy to get a good credit card deal, then blow all those savings away on one holiday...

Not trying to be critical, only surprised that absolutely none of the hotel perks on this card apply to cheap affordable hotels and restaurants.

 

[muppet]

While the card retains some premium features, it has become a bit of a discount coupon book. I don’t think it knows whether its premium or discount anymore (other than the annual fee).

 

[Franko Costa]

If this card is for people that spend a lot of money on holidays, hotels that are $200-500 a night (instead of $30-$50 for cheap hotels), aren't these the kind of wealthy people that have no time to chase deals or discuss best strategies to maximise credit card value on internet forums? I'm surprised people spend time and energy to get a good credit card deal, then blow all those savings away on one holiday...

Not trying to be critical, only surprised that absolutely none of the hotel perks on this card apply to cheap affordable hotels and restaurants.

This card pays for all my holidays. I have 4 holidays (x is number of people) this year NZ x2, London x5, Bora bora x2, and Tokyo x5 and points has allowed me to travel with points.

If you want to max credit card value, then sell all your points to people and use that cash to buy cheap tickets somewhere and risk being shutdown. If you are looking for cheap cash holidays, then this is the wrong forum for you

 

[super5]

This card pays for all my holidays. I have 4 holidays (x is number of people) this year NZ x2, London x5, Bora bora x2, and Tokyo x5 and points has allowed me to travel with points.

If you want to max credit card value, then sell all your points to people and use that cash to buy cheap tickets somewhere and risk being shutdown. If you are looking for cheap cash holidays, then this is the wrong forum for you

I'm not talking about the value of points. Obviously the points are valuable, to any kind of traveller. But you get points with any rewards credit cards, they are not special to the Amex Platinum.

The Amex Platinum is special because of the huge $1450 annual fee, and the non-points benefits it has.
The $450 travel credit is useful to any kind of traveller, fully worth $450.
The $200+$200 dining credit is somewhat useful, but can only be used in overpriced restaurants that charge $50 instead of $20 for example. I value the $400 at $160.
The Amazon Prime Subscription Credit is worth $0 to most people who don't use Amazon.
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program is valued at $800 on the Amex website, but is actually worth $0 for people that can't afford to stay at expensive hotels.
The International Airline Program gives discounts for first and business class tickets, is valued at $0 to people that don't buy such tickets.
The Hotel Elite Status gives perks for some hotels, worth $0 for people that don't use those hotels.
The Accor Plus membership valued at $399 allows 1 free night at a fancy hotel but are most people willing to spend $399 for 1 night in a hotel. Personally the value is more around $100 in my subjective opinion.
That's about $710 total of non-points benefits. Does the airport unlimited lounge access make up the rest of the value, to justify $1450? Unlikely I think.

 

[levelnine]

That's about $710 total of non-points benefits.

This debate occurs all the time in the US because there are many credit cards with high annual fees and a high number of credits/rebates/discounts. So people endlessly debate how to value these different credits and whether it is worth paying the annual fee for those credits.

We don't really have this debate in Australia because there are so few cards that are set up this way. The Amex Platinum is a notable exception.

As the US debate teaches us, it is up to each individual person to make the decision whether the credits are worth it or not. For you, they are clearly not worth it, so don't get the card. For others, they clearly are worth it otherwise no one would have the card!

 

[missluna]

I’ve got the same if you still need it?

me to please

 

[dod]

If any one is interested, my referral link will give 275,000 right now. PM me if you would like to use it to apply

Me 3 pls

 

[Franko Costa]

I'm not talking about the value of points. Obviously the points are valuable, to any kind of traveller. But you get points with any rewards credit cards, they are not special to the Amex Platinum.

The Amex Platinum is special because of the huge $1450 annual fee, and the non-points benefits it has.
The $450 travel credit is useful to any kind of traveller, fully worth $450.
The $200+$200 dining credit is somewhat useful, but can only be used in overpriced restaurants that charge $50 instead of $20 for example. I value the $400 at $160.
The Amazon Prime Subscription Credit is worth $0 to most people who don't use Amazon.
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program is valued at $800 on the Amex website, but is actually worth $0 for people that can't afford to stay at expensive hotels.
The International Airline Program gives discounts for first and business class tickets, is valued at $0 to people that don't buy such tickets.
The Hotel Elite Status gives perks for some hotels, worth $0 for people that don't use those hotels.
The Accor Plus membership valued at $399 allows 1 free night at a fancy hotel but are most people willing to spend $399 for 1 night in a hotel. Personally the value is more around $100 in my subjective opinion.
That's about $710 total of non-points benefits. Does the airport unlimited lounge access make up the rest of the value, to justify $1450? Unlikely I think.

I understand that you might not value these credits, but others value them more. I only value the travel credit, Accor free night, Amazon (that most people have), and the restaurants.

However, the most valuable part for me is the earn rate AND potential unlimited points. Nearly all other cards (except maybe the Citi prestige) has a cap on points or reduce them at a certain level.

 

[missluna]

Well isn't that interesting! 325k showing for me on iPhone with Safari.

Hi, Im new! how can I get the link?

 

[drmatte]

If this card is for people that spend a lot of money on holidays, hotels that are $200-500 a night (instead of $30-$50 for cheap hotels), aren't these the kind of wealthy people that have no time to chase deals or discuss best strategies to maximise credit card value on internet forums? I'm surprised people spend time and energy to get a good credit card deal, then blow all those savings away on one holiday...

Not trying to be critical, only surprised that absolutely none of the hotel perks on this card apply to cheap affordable hotels and restaurants.

Sorry where are you staying in a hotel in Australia for $30 a night? A bunk bed in a backpackers is more than that in Brisbane.

 

[super5]

Sorry where are you staying in a hotel in Australia for $30 a night? A bunk bed in a backpackers is more than that in Brisbane.

Not Australia; overseas of course. Unfortunately I can't afford to holiday in Australia....

 

[albyd]

Folks on OzBargain saying that because this is a charge card, it won't affect your credit score when they make a hard enquiry.

Does anyone here know if that's true?

When I applied for mine … a while back now, it did and quite heavy hit in my case YMMV so I think it will impact your credit score then score will change over time based on your other activity.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Hi, Im new! how can I get the link?

That was 12 months ago unfortunately.

 

[ss2106]

If any one is interested, my referral link will give 275,000 right now. PM me if you would like to use it to apply

Also new - if you could PM the link too that would be awesome

 

[Pele]

Not Australia; overseas of course. Unfortunately I can't afford to holiday in Australia....

At the risk of stating the obvious - this card is not targeted at your demographic. Amex's whole business model is built around a customer base with significantly higher incomes and disposable incomes than the median.