AMEX Platinum Charge Benefits - Q&A

[Foreigner]

Agreed.. The jump from $900 to $1200 was poor but the $200 credit plus the Accor stuff was good. Now it's poor value again.

Just maybe enhancements are around the corner

 

[netaddict]

Spoke to travel this morning and got the following:

I am writing to let you know about some important changes to the travel benefits that are part of your Platinum Card Membership.

From 15 April 2016, Le Club Accor Hotels Platinum Status and Accor Plus will no longer form part of your Platinum Card Membership. Please find details below on how to make the most of these benefits before the changes take place.

As part of these changes we have introduced a new partner, Hilton HHonors™, to your collection of hotel loyalty programs, and increased your Platinum Travel Credit to $300. Details are provided below and in the enclosed brochure to help you enjoy these benefits.

Important changes to your Le Club AccorHotels & Accor Plus benefit:
If you are already enrolled in Le Club AccorHotels or Accor Plus and your membership expires on or before 30 April 2016, you will keep your membership for an additional year. If you are not currently a member, enrol via
your Platinum website at americanexpress.com.au/platinum by 15 April 2016 to receive your complimentary year membership before this benefit expires.

If your Le Club AccorHotels membership expires on or after 1 May 2016, AccorHotels will assess your membership and enrol you into the appropriate tier in accordance with Le Club AccorHotels Terms and Conditions. This means that you
may be able to retain your Platinum tier benefits provided you’ve met Le Club AccorHotels’ qualifying criteria available at accorhotels.com/leclub.

To retain your Accor Plus membership after your complimentary year comes to an end, you will need to purchase a membership. For more information visit accorplus.com/platinumaustralia where you can enjoy a special membership
price.

Hilton HHonors Gold Status
I am pleased to welcome Hilton HHonors Gold status1 to your Platinum Card benefits, where you’ll receive complimentary Wi-Fi when you book at participating properties directly or through your Platinum Travel Service, room upgrades to preferred rooms when available, digital check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) as well as complimentary access to hotel owned-and-operated fitness centres and health clubs.

We’ve increased your Platinum Travel Credit to $300 You’ll now also enjoy an increased $300 Platinum Travel Credit when you renew your Platinum Card Membership after 15 April 2016. You can use this towards eligible pre-paid hotels, flights and car hire when you book online at americanexpress.com.au/platinumtravel.

If you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact your Platinum Travel Service on 1800 67 3760.

This is one massive downgrade in card value and service. Apparently is going out to card members now.

 

[Ewing]

Accor Plus and Platinum was a big reason for me signing for the card. I'm already HH Diamond so have no use for HH Gold.

Given that FHR rates are also now no longer the same as best available (I've seen $100+/night premium) I will likely re-evaluate my ongoing use of the Platinum card when it's time to renew in November.

 

[netaddict]

Given that FHR rates are also now no longer the same as best available (I've seen $100+/night premium) I will likely re-evaluate my ongoing use of the Platinum card when it's time to renew in November.

Which hotels did you see that for? Not yet seen it at any I book routinely.

 

[Ewing]

Which hotels did you see that for? Not yet seen it at any I book routinely.

Langham Auckland for example. Same dates, same room.

FHR:

Non FHR (if I search while logged out).

 

[benhadi]

how did you get to search FHR rates online? Is this AUS site? I always thought only the US site was able to do that (with US-cards). I always had to ring up to speak to someone which i find a hassle.

 

[decs]

how did you get to search FHR rates online? Is this AUS site? I always thought only the US site was able to do that (with US-cards). I always had to ring up to speak to someone which i find a hassle.

When you are logged in and go to americanexpress.com.au/platinumtravel, the search results show all the FHR rates first for the location. Some locations do not have any FHR hotels so the rates will not appear.

 

[netaddict]

Langham Auckland for example. Same dates, same room.

FHR:

Non FHR (if I search while logged out).

Interesting as never come accross that before. Does the Non-FHR have the same cancellation and terms as FHR? Could be the only reason why it's differant otherwise I'd be calling them for a please explain as I thought that was part of the program - same as BAR with FHR.

 

[M@rcoPolo]

accorplus.com/platinumaustralia - not working for me, wondering what the "special membership price" would be?!

 

[Haplo]

I recall Amex travel said its 25% off the normal renewal price of $329 so $246.

 

[mitwg]

Interesting as never come accross that before. Does the Non-FHR have the same cancellation and terms as FHR? Could be the only reason why it's differant otherwise I'd be calling them for a please explain as I thought that was part of the program - same as BAR with FHR.

I'm thinking this is would be the reason as well.

Usually all FHR rates are the fully flexible BAR whereas the Amex non-platinum site will pull out whatever cheapest room is available for booking, which may include the advance purchase rates or promo rates that you cannot cancel.

In this regards, the two rates wouldn't be comparable.

 

[Ricardo]

Did they say when this will go out officially to card members?

Loosing Accor Plus is one thing but the Platinum status with Accor is really what's the biggest loss ever!

For example, in the last 2 weeks I've gotten over $1000 value in Accor stays ... so to me it's big value lost. Hilton is not worth the paper it's written on.

The card fee of $1200 becomes overpriced if these Accor benefit's are lost.

In a word this is a 'croc', I recall HH Gold was a benefit some years ago???

It is very frustrating that they change a program partner/benefit after giving us a couple of years to get used to it, obviously not viable for either Amex or Accor???

 

[nlagalle]

In a word this is a 'croc', I recall HH Gold was a benefit some years ago???

It is very frustrating that they change a program partner/benefit after giving us a couple of years to get used to it, obviously not viable for either Amex or Accor???

Never had HH Gold that I can recall. They used to have IHG Gold, and I've had the card since 2008 (and other charge cards before that).

 

[kremin]

Spoke to travel this morning and got the following:


This is one massive downgrade in card value and service. Apparently is going out to card members now.

Yep, got a letter from AMEX on Friday, word for word confirming the above.

K

 

[M@rcoPolo]

www.accorplus.com/platinumaustralia is now up & running, discount for Accor Plus renewal after May 1st is 25% note this is valid until 1 May 2017 so it looks like a "soft landing" option, details below...

Special Accor Plus Membership Price for American Express Platinum Card Members
To retain your Accor Plus membership after your complimentary year comes to an end, you will need to purchase a membership. Accor Plus would like to offer to all American Express Platinum Card Members a special membership price of $259, this is a saving of over 25% of the standard annual membership price of $349 (1)


1: Terms and Conditions apply. Special Accor Plus membership price valid until 1 May 2017.

 

[kaktusdigital]

I could almost accept the fee if platinum status was retained. At this point it's a pretty bad deal to swallow:
Wasn't there Marco Polo Gold some years back? i'd like that!, perhaps VA Gold/Plat would be appropriate given the Amex/Virgin relationship.

$300 travel credit
priority pass
unlimited amex & virgin lounge access
hilton gold
starwood gold
shangri-la gold
hertz gold
avis preferred
carlson rezidor gold

 

[ninja-tim]

I've got the Business Plat Charge card and still confused as to what I'm allowed to enrol in and what other perks I get. Initially when I got the card 3 years ago, I was able to access online the enrolment options for all the hotel/car rental programs in the post above. Now I keep getting an error each time I try to access the platinum members area once logged into www.americanexpres.com.au.

These are what I have on a new Australian-issued card:

View attachment 66364

Basically I can't access the page with the options in the image above.

Anyone having the same issue?

Also called up and was told that Business Plat charge cards don't have any hotel program perks available to them? Wth?

Going to have to call up sort this $hit out. If Business Plat charge cards really have lost the hotel programs perks, I'm going to really consider ditching this card, considering the Westpac Black is earning 1.5 KF/$ and the Amex Business accelerator gets you 2 MR points per $.

Anyone know the transfer rates to KF for the Amex Business accelerator card?

 

[Arowana]

I could almost accept the fee if platinum status was retained. At this point it's a pretty bad deal to swallow:
Wasn't there Marco Polo Gold some years back? i'd like that!, perhaps VA Gold/Plat would be appropriate given the Amex/Virgin relationship.

$300 travel credit
priority pass
unlimited amex & virgin lounge access
hilton gold
starwood gold
shangri-la gold
hertz gold
avis preferred
carlson rezidor gold

Yes there was Marco polo gold as a benefit unfortunately it was enhanced about a year and a half ago with no equivalent substitute.

 

[Foreigner]

Amex has 2 hotel partners - Hilton and SPG - where MR points may be transferred for hotel stays.

2 MR points equals 1 SPG point.

What's the rate to Hilton?

 

[Cynicor]

I have found the latest round of enhancements too detrimental and cancelled my car. Have the edge instead and may consider the reserve if I feel it can make up the annual fee.