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.

 

[sudoer]

The following banner appeared when I logged into the Amex site today. Posting in case it's of interest to others.

Join us for a keynote with Alan Kohler AM, one of Australia’s most respected finance journalists, to share his views on Australia’s 2023 economic outlook. RSVP as early as possible by contacting Platinum Concierge on 1800 673 760.

 

[Batesy]

Been playing around with hotel booking using the online engine at it seems that Hotel membership numbers can only be added to Fine Hotels + Resorts, and The Hotel Collection bookings. I feel like this has changed recently, but someone else may no with more certainly. Check on Mariott, Accor, Hyatt and Hilton properties in FHR and THC. Be nice if they added the ability to add membership numbers to regular Amex online hotel bookings....

Does that mean I can add an Accor number and get Accor benefits at thhe hotel?

 

[Daver6]

Does that mean I can add an Accor number and get Accor benefits at thhe hotel?

Yes

 

[Batesy]

Yes

Thanks Daver6.
I did a dummy booking with a stay FHR stay at Sofitel Darling Harbour but at no point did it allow me to put in my Accor number. Any examples of other hotel groups that you can do this with?

 

[Daver6]

Thanks Daver6.
I did a dummy booking with a stay FHR stay at Sofitel Darling Harbour but at no point did it allow me to put in my Accor number. Any examples of other hotel groups that you can do this with?

Ritz Carlton Perth. Personally did this a couple of months ago.

Prior to the website allowing this I would just email Amex Platinum Travel post booking and ask them to add my membership number.

 

[Viridis]

Off piste a bit, I know, but I see the U.S. Platinum card no longer charges international transaction fees

That is one benefit I’d really like to see here

Seems none of the US cards charge them anymore and yet neither Aus nor the UK offer a card that doesn’t. Pretty disparate benefits when comparing the largess offered to American consumers and the more meagre ones here.

As for the UK, I’ve just closed my platinum account there - no significant benefits that aren’t offered on the Aussie card. Would certainly have retained it with no international transaction fees

 

[bernardblack]

Off piste a bit, I know, but I see the U.S. Platinum card no longer charges international transaction fees

That is one benefit I’d really like to see here

Seems none of the US cards charge them anymore and yet neither Aus nor the UK offer a card that doesn’t. Pretty disparate benefits when comparing the largess offered to American consumers and the more meagre ones here.

I've had the US Gold (formerly Premier Rewards Gold) for nearly six years now, and it has been free of FX fees that whole time. (Also the 4x Membership Rewards earn on global restaurants, and 3x on airlines, are actually useful here.)

And yes, it's the one killer feature I think the Aust Platinum needs.

 

[sudoer]

- The 2,000 bonus Reward points offer is only applicable to current American Express Card Members who joined Accor Plus through the American Express portal in Australia and New Zealand.

- The offer is not applicable in conjunction with other offers and promotions.

- 2,000 Reward points are equivalent to €40 (local currency value varies depending on exchange rate)

- The respective reward points will automatically be credited to the eligible member’s membership account within 30 days after the end of the campaign, i.e. 30 days after 30 November 2022 at the latest.

 

[Daver6]

View attachment 306015

- The 2,000 bonus Reward points offer is only applicable to current American Express Card Members who joined Accor Plus through the American Express portal in Australia and New Zealand.

- The offer is not applicable in conjunction with other offers and promotions.

- 2,000 Reward points are equivalent to €40 (local currency value varies depending on exchange rate)

- The respective reward points will automatically be credited to the eligible member’s membership account within 30 days after the end of the campaign, i.e. 30 days after 30 November 2022 at the latest.

Any thoughts as to whether this applies to new bookings only or would apply to existing ones?

 

[RealtimeY]

I'm tossing between booking direct with IHG versus through Amex THC, as I have bonus point offers on both sides. I can see in Amex that there is a box to enter your hotel loyalty number, but does this mean benefits actually stack?

Is it a faux pas to just ask the hotel in advance?

 

[muppet]

FH&R USD$100 credit data point

Cordis Auckland - NZD$135 which is about 20% from the market rate at $168 today. Clearly taking it to another level of absurdity.

 

[Fifa]

Net-a-porter currently has 22% off using code SINGLES22 until 11 November (not available on all items)

 

[albyd]

I just did a return as the item I'd originally chosen wasn't suitable. I've gone ahead with something else (which worked out to the same cost as I saw it full price at Myer today that's inclusive of the Singles Day 22% "discount"). I did see (and was tempted to try it out) when I was doing my original refund request that we can ask for it in "Store credit" - may be able to "save up" store credit over a number of periods so can buy something more expensive. Has anyone done this previously with any success? Was thinking in a future period to buy and immediately return before it ships (I think it's unfair to let it ship then send it back) to store credit so the AMEX credit still triggers. I know the credit isn't meant to cover the purchase cost of what we have in mind but this might allow us to build up credit to buy something more expensive with less of a contribution from ourselves if we can wait for it. Just a thought ...

 

[lovestotravel]

USA platinum card holders now get Hertz Presidents Circle

Amex Platinum Adds Hertz President's Circle Status

The Amex Platinum Card now offers Hertz President's Circle elite status. Here's how to enroll, and what the perks are.

onemileatatime.com

 

[wsthong]

Anyone used the card to access the Ref Lounge (Cairns) for free?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Anyone used the card to access the Ref Lounge (Cairns) for free?

I've used it via Priority Pass (includes with the Plat Charge) a few years back. Was a pretty sad lounge to be honest, especially in the morning. Old furniture, terrible coffee, not much to eat... it was nicer to go and sit at a cafe and have a real coffee instead. Hopefully they've done it up since then... that was back when CX flew CNS-HKG, so a few years have certainly passed!

 

[sudoer]

View attachment 306015

- The 2,000 bonus Reward points offer is only applicable to current American Express Card Members who joined Accor Plus through the American Express portal in Australia and New Zealand.

- The offer is not applicable in conjunction with other offers and promotions.

- 2,000 Reward points are equivalent to €40 (local currency value varies depending on exchange rate)

- The respective reward points will automatically be credited to the eligible member’s membership account within 30 days after the end of the campaign, i.e. 30 days after 30 November 2022 at the latest.

Made a new non-refundable booking yesterday and the 2000 reward points credited to my ALL account within hours:



Used a cash back site prior to booking which was tracked and seemingly didn't interfere with the Amex promo.

Any thoughts as to whether this applies to new bookings only or would apply to existing ones?

I would assume new bookings only.

 

[sudoer]

In the coming months, Amex says it will be updating 11 international lounges with “elevated design elements and food and beverage offerings to reflect the premium Centurion Lounge experience.” This will bring a more standardized experience across all Amex lounges around the world.

The locations that will be revamped into full-fledged Centurion Lounges include:

• Two Centurion Lounges in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne)

I still don't know how this affects single use passes or how/when this rollout will occur, but interesting to keep an eye out on progress. Looks like Chase and Capital One are really putting the pressure on!

This relaunch is finally underway at the moment, but the lounge is only closed for 9 days so probably just some signage and minor cosmetic changes to standardise on branding.

Flying VA international J there's no included lounge access at the moment, so I have fallen back to my Platinum for options. The current replacement for the Amex lounge is the Plaza Premium lounge, which has a capacity of about 30 people. Despite being the backup option, the Plaza Premium lounge was closed with everyone redirected to the Skyteam Lounge next door - also run by Plaza Premium.

Food options were basic but passable for a J lounge, some pizza and standard slop. A couple of mid-strength beers, ciders and sparkling on tap.



I was sitting in the kitchen area not far from the bar, where a few staff were having a discussion within earshot that included some fairly explicit language used to talk about another guest. Not impressed. Also thought the inclusion of a tip jar at the bar was laughable but I guess they're just being opportunistic with travellers from tipping countries.

Moved over to the House (via Amex Priority Pass) which is absolutely packed, and much smaller than I'd expected from the photos. But the food options are better and service far better. They didn't mention the $20 surcharge on entry and there's no a la carte, so perhaps they're not charging it at the moment.. or perhaps I'll just find a $20 charge on my card at the next statement..

Look forward to seeing if there are any soft product changes in the new Centurion lounge when it opens.

 

[Daver6]

This relaunch is finally underway at the moment, but the lounge is only closed for 9 days so probably just some signage and minor cosmetic changes to standardise on branding.

Flying VA international J there's no included lounge access at the moment, so I have fallen back to my Platinum for options. The current replacement for the Amex lounge is the Plaza Premium lounge, which has a capacity of about 30 people. Despite being the backup option, the Plaza Premium lounge was closed with everyone redirected to the Skyteam Lounge next door - also run by Plaza Premium.

Food options were basic but passable for a J lounge, some pizza and standard slop. A couple of mid-strength beers, ciders and sparkling on tap.

View attachment 308296 View attachment 308297 View attachment 308295 View attachment 308298 View attachment 308299

I was sitting in the kitchen area not far from the bar, where a few staff were having a discussion within earshot that included some fairly explicit language used to talk about another guest. Not impressed. Also thought the inclusion of a tip jar at the bar was laughable but I guess they're just being opportunistic with travellers from tipping countries.

Moved over to the House (via Amex Priority Pass) which is absolutely packed, and much smaller than I'd expected from the photos. But the food options are better and service far better. They didn't mention the $20 surcharge on entry and there's no a la carte, so perhaps they're not charging it at the moment.. or perhaps I'll just find a $20 charge on my card at the next statement..

Look forward to seeing if there are any soft product changes in the new Centurion lounge when it opens.

That lounge looks a bit like a food hall you see at some European companies.

 

[sudoer]

IAP has some good deals on SQ SYD-TYO at the moment, down from $4358 to $3735 return. Books into D, yields 480 SC with VA. Not sure on date ranges, I was looking mid-late 2023.