Amex platinum Charge annual fee increase

[k3nnis]

I got a nice black envelope yesterday for my plat charge enhancements. For a second I thought it was an invite to centurion lol.

 

[dcooper]

Unless people actually complain to AMEX nothing about this culture will change. Also remember that this sets precedence. Once they increase it there will be nothing stopping them increasing it again. We actually need to stand up to American express and say these are the benefits that we want and this is the membership fee we are willing to pay. I can see next years fee becoming 1500 inline with the business card. There has been no increase in the UK or the US so this really isn't warranted. Its like there is now an australia tax on our fee. We really need to say to amex stop playing with our benefits. why have no other fees gone up?? Its simply because they see us as a plush segment. One of the benefits only goes to 2015 so what happens after that?

 

[k3nnis]

Can I ask what are the reasons that you are going to suck it up and keep this card?

This does seem to be a staggeringly large increase for what are mostly small incremental improvements (at best) in the benefits.

I was worried the instant I saw a large booklet enclosed with the letter from Amex. In my experience, the more they have to blind you with glossy brochures, the worse the actual news is. Turns out I was correct.

From Amex's point of view, they are taking a gamble that people will whinge about the price increase, but in the end will mostly suck it up and pay it to continue with the benefits. If this largely works, it simply means that $900 was actually too small a fee.

It's the large size of the increase in one hit that surprises me. I don't like it of course, and I suspect I'll be one of the people who suck it up and pay the fee. But I think I'll give it a bit more thought this year.

 

[dcooper]

It's the large size of the increase in one hit that surprises me. I don't like it of course, and I suspect I'll be one of the people who suck it up and pay the fee. But I think I'll give it a bit more thought this year.

We shouldn't like it. Its really unwarranted and if we all just suck it up and pay the fee we are opening the doors to the fee being increased again. The rebate on the travel is really a joke as due to increase bookings american express will get larger rebates but that will not be passed onto us. This type of corporate culture really needs to be stopped. The US get alot more services than us in Australia and it is way cheaper. We don't even get cash advances anymore and the GFC was years and years ago. I don't know of any credit card that doesn't give cash advances.

 

[flyer999]

I decided not to renew Amex Plat, but to downgrade to Gold. We have an annual corporate travel policy and I get better QF points using a Qantas Ultimate card. I'm also Platinum with Qantas. I haven't used the free flight for years because it's too restrictive.Am I missing anything.

 

[k3nnis]

What is the gold charge good for? Besides hotel pre auths?

 

[flyer999]

$210 inc Membership Rewards v $1200. https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/gold-card/?filter=charge

 

[paultiffen]

What is the transfer rate for SPG points for Ascent Premium? iflyflat suggested that it is 1:1 before which would be amazing but I'm guessing he's wrong.

 

[mattmison]

Hmm..

I was not impressed when Is aw the fee increasing by $300. HOWEVER.

For me this is actually no cost, because I already had an Accor Advantage Plus membership - which I paid the $319 for last year - which means now I'm getting that for free - I was planning on renewing it anyway, so now I don't have to!

I found the Accor Advantage Plus membership to be very valuable, aside from the nights accommodation which is about ~$250 if you book it well - the dining privligies are were we have saved a bundle, we eat out at the local accor restaurants at least once a week, and save 50% every time... at about $33 a pop - even if you only do it once a month its still nearly $400 a year.

So this combined with the extra $200 travel credit (ok $145 by the time they take their fee) I'm actually happy for a change..

Having said that, the most important feature of the platinum card that I currently use the most is the Marco Polo Gold.. which I note as usual is referenced nowhere in the documentation.. if they ever stop renewing that I'm out.

 

[k3nnis]

It's definitely not 1:1. Unless they have changed it in the last week.

 

[paultiffen]

Not sure that I would trust that guy's business if he can't get his facts right but AFF is probably not the target audience

 

[Kraken]

OMG is what I can say. Came back from work to a thick Amex post and my shock.

Checked Amex site for my renewal date and here. My renewal is Sept. thank goodness. Will be cancelling my Amex by Sept 2014 though.

I think those jokers at Amex need to have a dose of reality.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

I Cannot find anything about MarcoPolo Gold... anyone ???

M.P.

 

[nlagalle]

It's definitely not 1:1. Unless they have changed it in the last week.

It's still 1:2 and hasn't changed.

 

[nlagalle]

I Cannot find anything about MarcoPolo Gold... anyone ???

M.P.

It's still available. You can download the form from the platinum site

 

[Masonic Phantom]

nlagalle, Thanks for the info.

 

[nlagalle]

nlagalle, Thanks for the info.

If you can't find it let me know..

 

[M@rcoPolo]

I Cannot find anything about MarcoPolo Gold... anyone ???

M.P.

Although the form is still available there is no mention of MP Gold benefit anywhere in the glossy booklet they just mailed with the news of the increased annual fee... so although MPG has been renewed over the last couple of years it looks like it's not set in stone and AMEX will be able to pull the plug on this one anytime they want.

 

[dcooper]

Most of the new benefits have expiry dates and the Accor benefit you actually have to spend money as well... One of the benefits expires next year.. its just shows the level of commitment to their customer? This basically means we pay an increase fee but there are no assurances of them keeping the changes in... They have changed the benefits way to much and to often for my liking.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Thank you nlaglle,...... all done,no problems.

cheers M.P.