AMEX Platinum Charge $600 First year

[Nutcase]

Amex are running a new promotion as an upgrade from Gold Charge to Platinum Charge with a DISCOUNT in the first year to $600. It reverts to $900 in year 2.

 

[oz_mark]

or you could apply online for a platinum card and get 50,000 points on your first $5,000 spend.

American Express Platinum Card

 

[jingles]

Is it really worth paying $900pa for the card?
I mean what does it get you over say the following cards?

Qantas ultimate card, $400pa (yes i know QFF points only)
Or
The westpac earth platinum card, $250pa which seems to offer American express selects (not too sure what it is though)

I know both of those are credit cards however there isnt really a difference from charge to credit card if you dont let the credit card run pas the interest free period.

 

[serfty]

Is it really worth paying $900pa for the card?
I mean what does it get you over say the following cards? ...

Here's one thing -lounge access:

Priority Pass

Platinum Card members enjoy access to more than 500 VIP lounges, through complimentary and unrestricted membership of Priority Pass11, the world’s largest independent airport lounge program. You’ll find them in 275 cities across 90 countries, including Virgin Blue lounges in Australia.

Airline Lounge Access
Waiting for a flight? You are also entitled to complimentary access to some of the world’s most hospitable airport lounges12 – Delta Crown Room Club®, Continental Airlines President Club®, Northwest Airlines WorldClubs®, and American Airlines Admirals Club. Simply present your Platinum Card and your boarding pass for that carrier and you’ll enjoy access for yourself and up to two travelling companions.

 

[oz_mark]

Is it really worth paying $900pa for the card?
I mean what does it get you over say the following cards?

Qantas ultimate card, $400pa (yes i know QFF points only)
Or
The westpac earth platinum card, $250pa which seems to offer American express selects (not too sure what it is though)

I know both of those are credit cards however there isnt really a difference from charge to credit card if you dont let the credit card run pas the interest free period.

The Ultimate card and Plat Charge (with its free Plat Credit) offer a free domestic flight over the Westpac Earth card.

As serfty notes, the Plat Charge offers a lounge access program that the others do not.

Is it worth $900? If you use the various features it provides, then yes, it is worth that. If you don't use those features, then no, it is not worth it.

The Earth Platinum card offers access to Entre.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The Earth Platinum card offers access to Entre.

May I ask what Entre is?

Thanks.

 

[whippet]

i must add here that most people using the platinum card would already have access to lounges due to the fact they would be flying business or first. pointless coughing up $900 a year and then flying economy.

 

[oz_mark]

May I ask what Entre is?

Thanks.

It's a program run by American Express, which provides various offers etc. The Altitude promo page is

Entre

 

[straitman]

i must add here that most people using the platinum card would already have access to lounges due to the fact they would be flying business or first. pointless coughing up $900 a year and then flying economy.

whippet,

Welcome to AFF.

Why not fly economy :?:

I may fly business on long haul but draw the line at business from MEL-SYD for example. My company (V large by world standards) fly people economy up to 4 hours and business above. They certainly have the capacity to fly everyone business all the time but don't see the logic and I agree. (They run thousands of AMEX Corporate Cards)

 

[Evan]

i must add here that most people using the platinum card would already have access to lounges due to the fact they would be flying business or first. pointless coughing up $900 a year and then flying economy.

I am OWE but when flying other airlines i use the lounge access provided indirectly or directly by Amex. I have this year decided the fee was worth the benefits. Also i am ICHG PC RA but the SPG gold is a nice little extra for the fewer times i stay SPG, so i kind of use these things to fill the gaps.

Not to mention.... just call for help when you need something like a restaurant booking or even concert tickets. So far i am pretty happy about these things.

E

 

[whippet]

i got the platinum to take advantage of the buy one get one free offer (joke i know) but even so the few thousand i save traveling with my partner means it pays for itself.

 

[simongr]

I dont want a creit card and would rather have a charge card. That is a personal choice.

The Plat chg card has good travel insurance coverage and the other various benefits. Once you factor in the free flight, better insurance and the 1.5 points to non-QF airlines the difference between Plat and Gold is negligible.

 

[whippet]

not to sure about the travel insurance. lost 2 first class eurostar tickets from paris to london return due to the tunnel fire in sept. value of AU$900. insurance eventually told me that they were not covered. only unused portion of airline ticket! what unused portion? fortunately since then eurostar has agreed to refund in full. but was interesting to learn travel aint travel! unless its not claimed for!

 

[Rambo]

i must add here that most people using the platinum card would already have access to lounges due to the fact they would be flying business or first. pointless coughing up $900 a year and then flying economy.

I dont get to fly business class very much and find this benefit and many other benefits associated with it very handy.

 

[simongr]

not to sure about the travel insurance. lost 2 first class eurostar tickets from paris to london return due to the tunnel fire in sept. value of AU$900. insurance eventually told me that they were not covered. only unused portion of airline ticket! what unused portion? fortunately since then eurostar has agreed to refund in full. but was interesting to learn travel aint travel! unless its not claimed for!

Was that Amex travel insurance?

 

[whippet]

yes, platinum travel insurance (if there is a difference)

 

[serfty]

Here's a link to the current PDS for such insurance (The charge Card, as per the topic of this thread):

Be aware; it is 5Mbytes:

• https://www.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/australia/DOServlet?name=TandCs

Now, here's a link to a .pdf containing details for the Platinum Credit Card:

• http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/pdfs/platinum_credit_terms_condition.pdf

Both only provide cover in relation to delayed Flights under "Travel Inconvenience Cover".

 

[JohnK]

One of the reasons why I never rely on complimentary travel insurance offered by credit cards and purchase an annual comprehensive travel insurance policy.

 

[whippet]

but must add that i did get refunded 3 nights hotel in paris, which was the 3 nights I was suppose to be in london. and they did do this without any hassle. turns out they are 2 different insurance companies. the travel side said no but accommodation side said yes. how confusing is that