Card Promotions Amex Platinum Card Benefits, Offers & Discussion

Enjoy a world of travel benefits and 150,000 bonus Amex Membership Rewards Premium Ascent points...​

Learn more and apply for this card:

American Express® Platinum Card

The American Express (Amex) Platinum charge card is one of the best publicly-available cards in Australia for travel benefits.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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What are the main benefits of this card?

1. Signup bonus: 150,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points (worth 75,000 Qantas Points, Velocity Points, Avios or Asia Miles, among other options) when you apply by 28 January 2025 and spend at least $5,000 within 3 months
2. Earn 2.25 Amex Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, uncapped. You can transfer these points to 12 airline & 2 hotel programs, including Qantas Frequent Flyer.
3. Enjoy unlimited access to many airport lounges, including Virgin Australia and Priority Pass lounges
4. Gift Priority Pass membership to one additional cardholder
5. Receive complimentary elite status with hotel loyalty programs including Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Radisson Rewards & Accor Live Limitless
6. Complimentary international travel insurance
7. Receive a $450 annual travel credit, plus airfare discounts, $400 worth of annual dining credits, subscriptions to The Australian & Wall Street Journal, plus many more exclusive benefits!

Why we like the American Express Platinum Card

Packed full of travel perks, the American Express Platinum Card is one of the best publicly-available cards in Australia for frequent flyers.

With a $1,450 annual fee, this metal card is not for everyone. But the return on investment for the high annual fee is strong, as it comes with a lot of useful benefits! This includes an annual travel credit, dining credits and unlimited access to Virgin Australia, Delta, Lufthansa, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Amex Centurion airport lounges.

There are also some great hotel perks including a free annual hotel night, Accor Plus membership, Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits and complimentary elite status with Hilton, Marriott and Radisson.

For points collectors, this is one of the most lucrative cards available in Australia. You’ll earn 2.25 Amex Membership Rewards Ascent Premium points per $1 spent on eligible transactions. Points transfer to most frequent flyer programs at a 2:1 rate, although there are some exceptions (e.g. it's 3:1 to KrisFlyer and Emirates).

You can convert your Amex points to around 12 airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Etihad! Plus, you can transfer points to two hotel loyalty programs for even more redemption possibilities.

To sweeten the deal, new cardholders who apply by 28 January 2025 can also earn 150,000 bonus Amex Membership Rewards points when spending at least $5,000 on the card within 3 months of approval. See our card guide for the full details:

American Express® Platinum Card

The American Express (Amex) Platinum charge card is one of the best publicly-available cards in Australia for travel benefits.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

AFF members are welcome to discuss this card in this thread.

 

[Pele]

Do you need the physical card or can you just use the app to prove you are a cardholder?

 

[kallinch]

Do you need the physical card or can you just use the app to prove you are a cardholder?

From memory physical card. You can request expedited sends of cards (call up).

 

[straitman]

Do you need the physical card or can you just use the app to prove you are a cardholder?

I used my card however cannot see why the app wouldn’t work.

 

[Daver6]

Do you need the physical card or can you just use the app to prove you are a cardholder?

I've always used a physical card. Probably worth confirming with the concierge team if in doubt.

 

[0x012fd0aa]

Do you need the physical card or can you just use the app to prove you are a cardholder?

From memory physical card. You can request expedited sends of cards (call up).

Recently myself and supplements by default got cards within 3 business days via DHL.

I used my card however cannot see why the app wouldn’t work.

I think they do want a physical card...

 

[straitman]

I think they do want a physical card...

Noted thanks

 

[dylarr]

Do you need the physical card or can you just use the app to prove you are a cardholder?

I'm assuming you need the card because they swipe it through a terminal when you enter.

 

[sudoer]

Cross posting from the Amex offers thread: looks like the Platinum card is getting TWO new benefits - $200 per year dining credit to spend at participating Australian restaurants, and another $200 per year dining credit at participating global restaurants.

Directory here: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/benefits/diningbenefit/

T&C suggest this will be around until at least 2024.

 

[dylarr]

The Platinum benefits website has had a bit of a refresh as well:

Platinum Card Benefits | American Express Australia

Explore the American Express Platinum Card Benefits and enjoy our exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits. Find out more about our premium service.

www.americanexpress.com

 

[Shinjetter]

For Fine Hotels & Resorts, does anyone have the T&Cs document where it tells you that you are eligible to receive credit for the stay and points? I am having an uphill battle with Accor for a stay in Sofitel Darling Harbour. They said I booked via third party

 

[ChrisFlyer]

For Fine Hotels & Resorts, does anyone have the T&Cs document where it tells you that you are eligible to receive credit for the stay and points? I am having an uphill battle with Accor for a stay in Sofitel Darling Harbour. They said I booked via third party

I don't recall seeing it as a specific benefit, just something that most hotels tend to honour. I've had luck with stays in W Hotels and Shangri-La by making sure my Bonvoy/Golden Circle number was linked, but I read an article on TPG that said hotel points/perks/nights etc may or may not credit with FHR - almost in a way that you should be glad if you get them, but not be upset if you don't. Sounds like an uphill battle with Accor, and good to know a property to avoid with FHR!

 

[Daver6]

For Fine Hotels & Resorts, does anyone have the T&Cs document where it tells you that you are eligible to receive credit for the stay and points? I am having an uphill battle with Accor for a stay in Sofitel Darling Harbour. They said I booked via third party

Perhaps try contact the Amex Plat concierge and put them to work on this for you.

 

[sudoer]

Plaza Premium have launched a new landside Arrivals lounge at SYD T1, open daily from 6am to midnight.

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals)

Book your Sydney Airport lounge access and enjoy instant confirmation. Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) is conveniently located at Arrivals B on the Ground Floor

www.plazapremiumlounge.com

Conveniently located at Level 1 Arrivals B, our lounge is ideal for travellers not only arriving at Sydney Airport, but for those looking for a place to relax while they wait for friends, connect with business partners and just want to refresh before heading into the city. Our lounge is one floor below check-in and departures, outside the airport restricted area. The entrance can be found inside the Arrivals hall via Aerotel reception.

Our all-inclusive entry offers a range of services including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, freshly ground coffee, a generous selection of café style dishes featuring Aussie classics and international flavours. Everything a traveller needs including showers to freshen up before or after their flight, convenient charging stations, fast Wi-Fi and entertainment, help to make the journey more enjoyable.

I'm assuming the Amex Plat will get free entry but have emailed them to confirm and also ask whether a boarding pass is needed (could otherwise be a cheeky lunch spot for those working at the airport or in Mascot via the 420 bus..)

 

[straitman]

Plaza Premium have launched a new landside Arrivals lounge at SYD T1, open daily from 6am to midnight.

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals)

Book your Sydney Airport lounge access and enjoy instant confirmation. Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) is conveniently located at Arrivals B on the Ground Floor

www.plazapremiumlounge.com

I'm assuming the Amex Plat will get free entry but have emailed them to confirm and also ask whether a boarding pass is needed (could otherwise be a cheeky lunch spot for those working at the airport or in Mascot via the 420 bus..)

View attachment 283875

You should get entry via your Priority Pass.

Having said I just looked and it’s not listed in Sydney as a PP lounge.

 

[sudoer]

You should get entry via your Priority Pass

Unfortunately not a sure thing as Priority Pass & Plaza Premium mostly cut ties last year. The SYD T1 airside Plaza Premium (ex Amex Lounge I believe) isn't accessible via Priority Pass anymore, but Amex does still have a direct agreement with Plaza Premium to be included in the "Global Lounge Collection" for Plat cardholders. I would expect the Amex Plat to get me in the door, but the new lounge isn't listed in the GLC directory yet so emailing to be sure.

The Amex AU Plaza Premium T&C mentions a boarding pass is only needed 'upon request'... which leaves the door open for the Arrivals lounge to not request one, especially if they're marketing the lounge as being "ideal for those looking for a place to relax while they wait for friends"

Plaza Premium Lounge Access. Platinum Card Members (and supplementary Platinum Card Members) are entitled to complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounges. The Platinum Card Member may bring up to 2 guests into the lounge at no additional cost. All lounge access fees for additional guest visits will be charged directly to the Platinum Card Member’s Card, and at the prevailing retail rate, per person, per visit. Lounge access to infants under two years of age is complimentary. To access the Plaza Premium Lounges, the Platinum Card Member must present the agent with the following upon each visit: his or her valid Card and upon request, same-day or following day boarding pass on any carrier and a government-issued ID. Failure to present this documentation may result in access being denied. Platinum Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian where there is a self-service bar. Plaza Premium Lounge reserves the right to remove any person from a lounge for inappropriate behaviour or failure to adhere to lounge rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive or violent. Access is subject to space availability and is not guaranteed. The full Plaza Premium Lounge Facilities Terms and Conditions are available at plaza-network.com/terms Facilities, amenities, services and hours of operation may vary among locations and are subject to change. Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice.

 

[fantastikforce]

For Fine Hotels & Resorts, does anyone have the T&Cs document where it tells you that you are eligible to receive credit for the stay and points? I am having an uphill battle with Accor for a stay in Sofitel Darling Harbour. They said I booked via third party

This happened to me too a few months ago at the same property booking through FHR.

I just filled in the missing points for a stay form, from the Accor Plus website. Points were credited to my account within 2 weeks of that.

 

[joon8887]

Plaza Premium have launched a new landside Arrivals lounge at SYD T1, open daily from 6am to midnight.

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals)

Book your Sydney Airport lounge access and enjoy instant confirmation. Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) is conveniently located at Arrivals B on the Ground Floor

www.plazapremiumlounge.com

I'm assuming the Amex Plat will get free entry but have emailed them to confirm and also ask whether a boarding pass is needed (could otherwise be a cheeky lunch spot for those working at the airport or in Mascot via the 420 bus..)

View attachment 283875

Any update from them?

 

[sudoer]

Any update from them?

Unfortunately not, I didn't get any response to my email three days ago. If I had confirmation that I'd able to enter, I was thinking to head in with a friend who is departing from T1 tonight. I have tried to call a few times also but it constantly goes to a "this extension is unavailable" message.

In one last attempt I called the Aerotel, as I've read the lounge is within the hotel facility. The guy who answered confirmed they do operate the lounge, but he only dealt with the hotel side and wasn't sure about Amex Plat access. He took my details and said someone would call me back. That was two hours ago with no response yet..

If anyone else wants to bug them their details are:

Email: [email protected]
Lounge phone: 02 9189 9912
Aerotel phone: 02 9189 9910

 

[sudoer]

The guy who answered confirmed they do operate the lounge, but he only dealt with the hotel side and wasn't sure about Amex Plat access. He took my details and said someone would call me back. That was two hours ago with no response yet..

The same person I spoke with earlier just returned my call and confirmed Amex Plat cards do get access to the Arrivals lounge and can bring a guest. I didn't push him on this (given he doesn't actually work in the lounge) but I'm guessing there may be a miscommunication and the actual policy is 2 guests, per the Aus Amex policy I posted a couple of posts up.

He said the lounge is only open 6am to midday at the moment to cater for overnight international arrivals, but they hope to extend those hours soon. This might explain why the lounge phone number has been engaged when calling in the afternoon/night.

He couldn't answer my question on whether a boarding pass was needed, I might try to call the lounge in the morning just to find out.

 

[sudoer]

Couple of positive Concierge/Lifestyle experiences which I've been very happy with:

• 6 person booking at Grana for 6:30pm on a Saturday night, about a week out. Booking confirmed next business day. The restaurant website was showing no tables available for the next couple of Saturdays.
• 5 tickets to Tom Segura in Jan 2023, publicly available seating in blue, seats from Concierge marked in red - price was the same. Took them a week to arrange.