AMEX Platinum Charge Card now 120,000 points!

[decs]

decs - just curious which date you received the point. how do you get points? is it 20,000 from referral and 100,000 from your spending $1,000 within 2 months?

Mine actually posted as the full 120k with the transaction that put me over $500 spend. Can't remember if it had to clear first or not... It appeared as "Bonus Points" to that particular transaction.

 

[mini2]

Looks like one of the benefits (Accor Plus/Le Club Accor) will be phasing out so get it while it's available.

If you're eligible to get an Affinity card (CA/AMA etc) then you're most certainly better off saving yourself $250 p.a. over the 'normal' card.

Here's my referral link

 

[peanutz]

Mine actually posted as the full 120k with the transaction that put me over $500 spend. Can't remember if it had to clear first or not... It appeared as "Bonus Points" to that particular transaction.

thanks dec. i've already had an amex credit card for quite some time so not sure i'll get points fingers crossed! what happen if i don't get points and try to cancel the card??

 

[edman]

thanks dec. i've already had an amex credit card for quite some time so not sure i'll get points fingers crossed! what happen if i don't get points and try to cancel the card??

I had an Amex credit card when I applied for the charge, and the bonus came through for me too. Amex used to refund pro-rata for annual fees, haven't had any first hand experience on this for a while though

 

[peanutz]

I had an Amex credit card when I applied for the charge, and the bonus came through for me too. Amex used to refund pro-rata for annual fees, haven't had any first hand experience on this for a while though

Amex told me that usually if you try to cancel the card within one month after you are charged annual fee, they will refund 100%. After that, it will be pro-rata. What I didn't ask is that what will happen to those points that I earn?

Anyway, I'm happy to report back that the bonus points appear on my account. What a relief!!

 

[decs]

Anyway, I'm happy to report back that the bonus points appear on my account. What a relief!!

Very good to hear!

 

[speightsah]

In the last year I've been lucky enough to grow my frequent flyer points balance substantially. A lot of this is largely due to the huge 120k Membership Rewards bonus points AMEX is offering to those that sign-up for the Platinum Charge Card. This 120,000 points offer is valid to 31st May 2016! If you're interested in applying my Referral Link is HERE – you need to apply via this link to get the full 120k MR points!

I applied for this card few months ago, since then the original AMEX offer has expired, but the 120k bonus points has been extended until the 31st of May 2016. The 120k points on offer from AMEX, is the biggest in the consumer market place today and I wouldn't anticipate seeing a bigger one anytime soon. With the upcoming interchange fee changes being imposed by the Reserve Bank, I certainly wouldn't expect bigger offers to hit the market in the near term, future offers may even be less generous if anything. Whilst the cards annual fee is a heafty $1200, the 120,000 points on offer more than offsets the annual fee for the first year and if you don't find the card value in the first year, you can always not renew!

If you are having trouble rationalising the annual fee, here is how I went about it (you may find particular features more or less valuable than myself of course):

– 120,000 Membership Rewards Points – based on my numbers I value this at over $4000
– $300 Annual Travel Credit with American Express Travel – this is easily valued at $300! (note this only applies from 15-Apr-16)
– Unlimited Virgin Australia Domestic Lounge / Priority Pass Lounge Access – I fly a lot internationally and between NZ and OZ so value this quite highly - to me this is "worth" $500 per card (valid for supplementary card holders too!!)
- NRMA style roadside assistance - value about $80 - I'm hoping I don't need this one
- Free return NZ or domestic Australian flight (inc Perth) - if you hold the FREE platinum reserve companion card that is an option with the Platinum Charge (ring AMEX to apply after your Charge Card arrives - they've offered it to me twice now!) - I fly to NZ a lot, so the value to me is easily $500+
– Comprehensive Travel Insurance - including rental car excess - value to me $400+ per year
- AMEX cash back and statement credits - last November I received $150 cash back from the AMEX Small Shop offer and have received may other "Statement Credit Offers". Including Dan Murphy's, Woolworth's, David Jones and Myer offers (examples include $50 cash back if you spend $150). All up I estimate these to be worth around $300 per year to me.
- One Free nights hotel (Accor Hotels) stay via the included Accor Plus membership - I've already booked mine for next year - worth $275 at the hotel I booked. Note: This expires on 15-Apr-2016, so you'll need to get in quick to take advantage of it!!
- The widest variety of transfer partners of any Australian Credit Card. These include: Qantas FF, Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer, Virgin Australia, Ethiad and SPG (for onward transfers to BA, AA, United etc)

Based on this, I value the 120,000 bonus points at $4000 and the other benefits at around $2000 for a total value of around $6000. Whilst the annual fee my seem high at $1200, if you too can get $6000 value from the card, that is excellent value in my opinion. Obviously everyone will place a different value on the individual benefits, but to me it is hard to argue with the value of this card.

The card also includes a number of other benefits, which to me aren't as valuable to those I've listed above, but others may really value. These include:
- Elite Tier Hotel award program memberships (Platinum or Gold), including: SPG, IHG, Hilton HHonors Gold
- Other insurances including: Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Discounted First and Business airfares, with a significant number of airlines
- 3 pts per dollar on dining out expenses
- 2 pts per dollar on travel expenses (including foreign currency transactions)
- If you spend a lot on groceries or other expenses they AMEX Platinum Edge Credit Card could be a good alternative option - it pays 3 pts per dollar for groceries. You can apply for a Platinum Edge via this Referral Link.

As I said, I rate this offer highly, and have parted with my own money to pay the $1200 annual fee to prove it! Even with the high annual fee I'd recommend this card to anyone that can make use of some of the benefits I've listed above. Based on my experience I would suggest you won't regret applying for this card!!! They hardest bit might be how to put your new 120,000 bonus points to use? Business class flights to the US or Europe anyone?

If you'd like to apply my Referral Link is HERE and I'd be very grateful to anyone who is kind enough to use my link.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

In the last year I've been lucky enough to grow my frequent flyer points balance substantially. A lot of this is largely due to the huge 120k Membership Rewards bonus points AMEX is offering to those that sign-up for the Platinum Charge Card. This 120,000 points offer is valid to 31st May 2016! If you're interested in applying my Referral Link is HERE – you need to apply via this link to get the full 120k MR points!

I applied for this card few months ago, since then the original AMEX offer has expired, but the 120k bonus points has been extended until the 31st of May 2016. The 120k points on offer from AMEX, is the biggest in the consumer market place today and I wouldn't anticipate seeing a bigger one anytime soon. With the upcoming interchange fee changes being imposed by the Reserve Bank, I certainly wouldn't expect bigger offers to hit the market in the near term, future offers may even be less generous if anything. Whilst the cards annual fee is a heafty $1200, the 120,000 points on offer more than offsets the annual fee for the first year and if you don't find the card value in the first year, you can always not renew!

If you are having trouble rationalising the annual fee, here is how I went about it (you may find particular features more or less valuable than myself of course):

– 120,000 Membership Rewards Points – based on my numbers I value this at over $4000
– $300 Annual Travel Credit with American Express Travel – this is easily valued at $300! (note this only applies from 15-Apr-16)
– Unlimited Virgin Australia Domestic Lounge / Priority Pass Lounge Access – I fly a lot internationally and between NZ and OZ so value this quite highly - to me this is "worth" $500 per card (valid for supplementary card holders too!!)
- NRMA style roadside assistance - value about $80 - I'm hoping I don't need this one
- Free return NZ or domestic Australian flight (inc Perth) - if you hold the FREE platinum reserve companion card that is an option with the Platinum Charge (ring AMEX to apply after your Charge Card arrives - they've offered it to me twice now!) - I fly to NZ a lot, so the value to me is easily $500+
– Comprehensive Travel Insurance - including rental car excess - value to me $400+ per year
- AMEX cash back and statement credits - last November I received $150 cash back from the AMEX Small Shop offer and have received may other "Statement Credit Offers". Including Dan Murphy's, Woolworth's, David Jones and Myer offers (examples include $50 cash back if you spend $150). All up I estimate these to be worth around $300 per year to me.
- One Free nights hotel (Accor Hotels) stay via the included Accor Plus membership - I've already booked mine for next year - worth $275 at the hotel I booked. Note: This expires on 15-Apr-2016, so you'll need to get in quick to take advantage of it!!
- The widest variety of transfer partners of any Australian Credit Card. These include: Qantas FF, Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer, Virgin Australia, Ethiad and SPG (for onward transfers to BA, AA, United etc)

Based on this, I value the 120,000 bonus points at $4000 and the other benefits at around $2000 for a total value of around $6000. Whilst the annual fee my seem high at $1200, if you too can get $6000 value from the card, that is excellent value in my opinion. Obviously everyone will place a different value on the individual benefits, but to me it is hard to argue with the value of this card.

The card also includes a number of other benefits, which to me aren't as valuable to those I've listed above, but others may really value. These include:
- Elite Tier Hotel award program memberships (Platinum or Gold), including: SPG, IHG, Hilton HHonors Gold
- Other insurances including: Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Discounted First and Business airfares, with a significant number of airlines
- 3 pts per dollar on dining out expenses
- 2 pts per dollar on travel expenses (including foreign currency transactions)
- If you spend a lot on groceries or other expenses they AMEX Platinum Edge Credit Card could be a good alternative option - it pays 3 pts per dollar for groceries. You can apply for a Platinum Edge via this Referral Link.

As I said, I rate this offer highly, and have parted with my own money to pay the $1200 annual fee to prove it! Even with the high annual fee I'd recommend this card to anyone that can make use of some of the benefits I've listed above. Based on my experience I would suggest you won't regret applying for this card!!! They hardest bit might be how to put your new 120,000 bonus points to use? Business class flights to the US or Europe anyone?

If you'd like to apply my Referral Link is HERE and I'd be very grateful to anyone who is kind enough to use my link.

What is the earn rate on normal spending ??

 

[decs]

What is the earn rate on normal spending ??

1 point per dollar

 

[peanutz]

What is the earn rate on normal spending ??

• Earn 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants in Australia[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on airlines, accommodation and spend in foreign currency[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else, except those in the 0.5 points category[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent on utilities, telecommunications companies, non American Express provided insurance and government bodies[SUP]11[/SUP]

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

• Earn 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants in Australia[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on airlines, accommodation and spend in foreign currency[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else, except those in the 0.5 points category[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent on utilities, telecommunications companies, non American Express provided insurance and government bodies[SUP]11[/SUP]

thanks.................

 

[speightsah]

• Earn 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants in Australia[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on airlines, accommodation and spend in foreign currency[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else, except those in the 0.5 points category[SUP]11[/SUP]
• Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent on utilities, telecommunications companies, non American Express provided insurance and government bodies[SUP]11[/SUP]

A lot of pubs also seem to pay 2 points per $1 on my card.

 

[decs]

A lot of pubs also seem to pay 2 points per $1 on my card.

I booked and went to a restaurant through Amex Concierge and the bill came up under the hotel's name hence 2ppd. I rang up and they credited extra points to make it 3ppd. Not sure whether this is supposed to be the normal method or is more good will? I suspect there might be a difference here that I booked through them and otherwise if the merchant is not on their list then no 3ppd...

Does anyone else have data points on restaurant or similar outlets not earning you 3ppd? Does contacting Amex work every time?

 

[Viridianne]

Wanted to confirm I received the 100,000 bonus points despite already having another AMEX card. Phew!
I don't remember if I used a referral link for it or not. If I did, I hope someone got the bonus.

 

[peanutz]

Wanted to confirm I received the 100,000 bonus points despite already having another AMEX card.

I think 100k points is not via referral program; otherwise, you would have got 120k.

 

[kaktusdigital]

I booked and went to a restaurant through Amex Concierge and the bill came up under the hotel's name hence 2ppd. I rang up and they credited extra points to make it 3ppd. Not sure whether this is supposed to be the normal method or is more good will? I suspect there might be a difference here that I booked through them and otherwise if the merchant is not on their list then no 3ppd...

Does anyone else have data points on restaurant or similar outlets not earning you 3ppd? Does contacting Amex work every time?

Yes, they'll do it every time. It's an aspect which I really like about Amex, their customer service is fantastic.

 

[Holysmoke]

Referral Link: https://www316.americanexpress.com/...81A6BC897&mgmerSource&MGMURN=AAAABgQBHhcWFQ==

 

[blueythecat]

How time fly's - at least on this forum anyway! There is now only two weeks to go if you want to get the current 120,000 bonus points on offer for the AMEX Platinum Charge Card. The current offer expires 31st of May 2016!

If you are thinking about applying for this card I'd recommend jumping in now - the 120k bonus points is massive and who knows if it will be extended beyond the offers current expiry date.

Whilst the 120k bonus points sounds fantastic, there is a catch - the card comes with a $1200 annual fee. Now I'm normally not much into paying annual fees for credit cards (with the AMEX Edge and this card excluded), so how did I justify such a large fee - well here's how:

• 120,000 Membership Rewards points – pretty simple really – based on my numbers I value this at $3000-$4000 (annual fee covered right there!) – a little more on this later.
• Points can be transferred to massive variety of partners – Qantas FF, Virgin Velocity, Kris Flyer and Cathy Pacific Asia Miles and some more valuable ones via SPG (AAdvantage, BA Executive Club & Alaska Miles etc) – no other (non-invite only) Australian Credit Card can boast this!
• $300 Annual Travel Credit with American Express Travel – value $300 (clearly)
• A Free domestic / international flight (NZ) each year if you apply for a FREE Platinum Reserve companion card – you’ll need to ring AMEX after approval to arrange an application for this (value to me $500+) – Destinations List Here (Platinum Reserve)
• Unlimited Virgin Australia / Priority Pass / AMEX & Delta Lounge Access – a bit more subjective but, I value it at around $250 – I’m not big on paying for lounge access so it is hard for me to value, but the Virgin Australia domestic lounge access kind of speaks for itself (they are really good these days!) and once outside Australia Priority Pass have a lounge network that is hard to surpass! If you value lounge access more than me this benefit could easily be worth $500+++
• Access to AMEX Cash Backs and Small Shop Offers – I wasn’t even aware of this benefits until I received this card - total value for the year estimated to be around $400+. As an example recent offers have included: David Jones, Harvey Norman, Woolworths, the Mother's Day offer (lots of shops) and last weekends Small Shop weekend.
• NRMA style roadside assistance – value about $80 (hopefully you never need this one!!)

A Quick Card Summary:

• 120,000 Membership Rewards bonus points after spending $1000 in first two months after card activation
• A $300 Platinum Travel Credit each year, can be redeemed online for airfares, car hire and hotel bookings – I’ve done it and it was really simple
• Complimentary access to more than 800 airport lounges in 100 countries, including Virgin Australia Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Skymiles and American Express Lounges
• Dedicated Platinum Concierge Service to take care of travel plans, tickets or dinner reservations
• Earn up to 3 Membership Reward points per dollar – I should mention I value MR points at 2.5-.3.5c/point
• Transfer your points to a choice of 10 airline rewards programs:
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer, Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air New Zealand Airpoints, THAI Royal Orchid Plus, Malaysia Airlines Enrich and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • And the best bit, transfers to AAdvantage, BA Executive Club & Alaska Miles, amongst others are possible through SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest)
• Transfer your points to leading hotel programs: Hilton HHonors, Priority Club Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest
• Complimentary enrollment into elite tier of hotel partner programs including Club Carlson, Starwood Preferred, Hilton Honors.
• Complimentary worldwide Travel Insurance and Purchase Protection Insurance
• Great savings on First and Business Class fares with some of the worlds leading airlines through the AMEX Platinum Airline Privileges program

So as you see you can really get some value out of this card, especially with the current sign-on bonus. How to value the current AMEX offer, always a challenging task, but I will give it a go. Whilst putting a value on reward points is always very subjective, I personally value AMEX membership reward points at 2.5-3.5c/point. Based on this, the bonus points from the current offer are worth $3000-$4000. Perhaps a less subjective way is to provide some basic concrete examples, the 120k points redeemed for Virgin Australia economy SYD-MEL flights is worth $2500 – not a bad deal, but this is probably a really poor use of these points. Better value would be flying Business return SYD-LAX on Qantas by redeeming the points through Cathy Pacific Asia Miles – Qantas charge $7000+ for this flight!!! Of course for supreme value you could try your luck at a Singapore Airlines Suite – using AMEX points is the only way I’m ever seeing the inside of one of those!!!

If you add in all the other benefits in too, the total value of this offer to me is in the order of $4600-$5600!! Not a bad deal at all in my mind!!

As I started off with, if you’d like to apply for the Platinum Charge Card I'd really recommend you get on it quickly, before the current sign-on bonus expires. Any referral link from this forum, or elsewhere, should do the trick, but make sure the AMEX page that loads explicitly says 120,000 points (not the 100,000 point offer available to the general public). I always recommend printing a PDF copy of the page before beginning the process in case there are any problems later - that way you always have a record! If you'd like to use my Referral link is HERE, my sincere thanks and good luck to anyone applying!

Footnote:

Here and here are two interesting articles on the predicted impacts of the RBA interchange reforms and the second one is the list of card providers that have already reduced there points earn in 2016! Both make interesting reading and if you need convincing as to why you should get a AMEX issued AMEX card, you probably won't after reading these!

Referral HERE

 

[Mondo]

For those who are still interested in the 120k points there is a couple of weeks left. Would be great if you can use my referral link HERE

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[billbro]

Referral Link: https://www316.americanexpress.com/...81A6BC897&mgmerSource&MGMURN=AAAABgQBHhcWFQ==

You should have 20k coming your way - pretty sure I used your link, as I applied a couple of weeks ago - but I wasn't able to post initially.

If anyone wants to help me and my girlfriend along our merry way towards an overseas trip (where I plan on proposing) that would be much appreciated - http://amex.com.au/refer/williw5hto