AMEX Platinum Charge Card now 120,000 points!

[mlob]

It is my understanding there just needs to be a saver fare available. I have yet to use the flight to NZ but have used it without an issue flying Brisbane to Darwin. Never had an issue yet with non availability.

 

[blueythecat]

In regards the Platinum reserve card, I know that you can avail of it where you get free flights to NZ from Sydney. What is the availability like for those flights. Can you book any date or flight you want or do they give you only award type flights.

Pretty good really, obviously in peak times you'll have problems, but other than that assuming you book a bit in advance you should be ok. AMEX fares come from the Virgin Saver fare class, so a reasonable predictor of availability is to check the VA website for Saver fares on the flights you are interested in and if they are available ring AMEX to see if they can book them.

If you have an expert flyer subscription I believe VA saver fares are classes T Q V N E on trans-Tasman routes.

Edit: mlob beat me too it

 

[billbro]

I've been informed that there is a card that you get another card with a free annual fee with this Platinum card that has a free flight like the Velocity Platinum card but it needs to be applied for.Question is it worth having another credit application to get this card?
And what is the major difference between a charge card and a credit card?

Personally, I didn't think the free card was worth another credit application check - I had the form mailed out to me anyway, but decided not to apply.

If I'm not mistaken - wasn't there a free annual fee promotion on that card recently anyway, so there was no difference between getting this for free. I do miss out on the free flights, but 120,000 points was all I really wanted the Platinum Charge for anyway.

 

[MikeeB]

Personally, I didn't think the free card was worth another credit application check - I had the form mailed out to me anyway, but decided not to apply.

If I'm not mistaken - wasn't there a free annual fee promotion on that card recently anyway, so there was no difference between getting this for free. I do miss out on the free flights, but 120,000 points was all I really wanted the Platinum Charge for anyway.

I'm pretty sure the companion credit card for the charge is the Platinum Reserve. Which has pretty much the same point earn structure as the charge but obviously the benefit of the free annual return flight. I would have to agree that it isn't really worth another credit enquiry unless you were going to make use of the flight every year. If you live in the west like I do it's not bad value cross-country though.

The annual fee free in the first year promotion I noticed recently was for the Platinum Edge credit card, which I'm fairly certain isn't offered as a companion to the charge. Better earn structure on regular spend like groceries and fuel though, it's a shame the Reserve can't have the same earn structure, otherwise it would be a no brainer.

 

[blueythecat]

Personally, I didn't think the free card was worth another credit application check - I had the form mailed out to me anyway, but decided not to apply.

If I'm not mistaken - wasn't there a free annual fee promotion on that card recently anyway, so there was no difference between getting this for free. I do miss out on the free flights, but 120,000 points was all I really wanted the Platinum Charge for anyway.

As MikeeB said they are very different cards. It's the Edge that had the first year free promotion and it's the Reserve that comes as a free companion to the Charge (assuming you apply).

Given the earn structure is identical to the Charge the main reason to get the Reserve is for the free flight (or hotel) or if you are going to exceed the points earn cap on the Charge. Apart from that I'd agree, not worth it.

 

[MikeeB]

That's something I never thought of before, would anyone know if there's a points cap on the Reserve?

 

[billbro]

I'm pretty sure the companion credit card for the charge is the Platinum Reserve. Which has pretty much the same point earn structure as the charge but obviously the benefit of the free annual return flight. I would have to agree that it isn't really worth another credit enquiry unless you were going to make use of the flight every year. If you live in the west like I do it's not bad value cross-country though.

The annual fee free in the first year promotion I noticed recently was for the Platinum Edge credit card, which I'm fairly certain isn't offered as a companion to the charge. Better earn structure on regular spend like groceries and fuel though, it's a shame the Reserve can't have the same earn structure, otherwise it would be a no brainer.

Ah my bad, I didn't pay too much attention as I wasn't going to grab either card.

I think if you have a stellar credit rating then it doesn't matter, but for those of us getting points via a few cards then it doesn't make much sense.

Sorry, while I'm at it - might just spriuk my referral as my girlfriend and I could definitely do with the points if anyone is feeling generous: http://amex.com.au/refer/williw5hto

 

[blueythecat]

That's something I never thought of before, would anyone know if there's a points cap on the Reserve?

I've never seen one listed, but you wouldn't want to quote me on that!

 

[Cerca]

I'm a bit late to the party but I would be super grateful if anyone was inclined to use my link for their application: http://amex.com.au/refer/duydPto8?CPID=100199913



I can't offer more advice about the card. I think everything has already been said. But I will update about point deposits if and when they occur.

Cheers.

 

[rfc4eva]

Got my card yesterday,activated it made a $1000 purchase and the points are in today.That was quick

 

[Cerca]

That's amazing!! I'm still yet to make my $1000 payment.

 

[nightelves]

This card has been a great contributor to our point accrual plus have enjoyed the extra benefits that come along with the card. My advice is to keep your eye on the Departures magazine for extra one off benefits from time to time. Been having some good fortune recently nabbing business seats on Hawaiin Airlines for my family of 4.

What's this departure magazine you refer to? I might be missing out here.

 

[nightelves]

That's amazing!! I'm still yet to make my $1000 payment. 

You'll find they'll give you the points a lot earlier maybe about $500 spend.

 

[mini2]

What's this departure magazine you refer to? I might be missing out here.

Here's the online version

 

[blueythecat]

What's this departure magazine you refer to? I might be missing out here.

They seem to mail it out to me (snail mail) maybe bi-monthly or once a quarter, something like that.

 

[MikeeB]

I've never seen one listed, but you wouldn't want to quote me on that!

Looks like the bonus points cap on the Reserve is 150000 according to the info on the supplementary card page at AMEX

The Platinum Reserve Supplementary Credit Card| American Express Australia

 

[blueythecat]

Looks like the bonus points cap on the Reserve is 150000 according to the info on the supplementary card page at AMEX

The Platinum Reserve Supplementary Credit Card| American Express Australia

Thanks for sharing - I hadn't seen that before. Combined with the Charge then it makes for a large cap, but certainly not unlimited.

 

[Rashed Rahman]

All the information has already been posted, if you still have any questions, please feel free to ask

If you haven't already signed up, it would be very much appreciated if you could use my referral link: http://amex.com.au/refer/rashermveV

Thank you ^_^

 

[speightsah]

With the current referrals bonuses, I'd like to chuck my hat in the ring for this one. AMEX is offering 120,000 bonus points to those signing up for the Platinum Charge at the moment. Which is surely the biggest sign-on bonus of any consumer card in Australia and worth way more than the cards annual fee.

I'll quickly recap the Charge's best features for anyone considering applying:
- Unlimited lounge access in any of the following: Virgin Australia Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges (800+ world wide), Delta and AMEX's own lounges
- $300 travel credit each year
- Loads of transfer partners - including: Qantas, Virgin, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Thai, Malaysia airlines and more

This card earns a nifty 3 points for every dollar you spend on travel, restaurants and numerous pubs (in my experience).

For anyone who considering this card, you'll find the 120,000 points on offer until August to be pretty much unbeatable. I love my Charge card and I get great use out of it. As a full disclaimer, AMEX is currently offering 60k points for anyone lucky enough to score a referral. I'd obviously love it if you used my link and if I am lucky enough to get a referral, my partner and I plan on putting it to good use for a Japan holiday.

Referral link to get the 120,000 bonus points here!

 

[billbro]

Got my card yesterday,activated it made a $1000 purchase and the points are in today.That was quick

Yeah AMEX is really quick with the points unlike the other cards I hold - you pretty much get credited points right after you spend.

As for the referral points, like someone else on here mentioned, I managed to get mine before I even hit the $1,000 spend.