Best CC Concierge for International Bookings

[Dreamcatcher]

I'll be travelling to Japan in February and will be looking to book quite a few 3 Michelin starred restaurants. However as I am not staying at the absolute best hotels in Tokyo/Kyoto I suspect their concierge service will not be up to par. I read quite a few previous travellers who utilized Amex Platinum to book these restuarants without issue. The key issues are:

(1) They have to be able to book in Japanese (not english)
(2) They have to be really reliable - most of these restaurants only have one day to book and if you miss it you've missed out.

I personally do not believe that with Amex platinum's upped fee of $1.2k a year that it is worth it at all.

With that in mind - Does anyone have recommendations for a credit card that has a very good concierge service?

My guesses were

(1) Citibank - visa signature card - but don't know enough? (I read visa signature is on par with Amex platinum concierge)

 

[DeKa]

This is the direct phone numbers for Visa Concierge. They have a Japanese speaking number (but I expect you could call an English speaking number and have them internally talk to a Japanese speaker to make the bookings for you.

https://www.visapremium.com.au/getdoc/865c6be7-c2bc-48a4-8ba6-f85619d763f4/concierge_contacts.aspx

 

[Masonic Phantom]

I'll be travelling to Japan in February and will be looking to book quite a few 3 Michelin starred restaurants. However as I am not staying at the absolute best hotels in Tokyo/Kyoto I suspect their concierge service will not be up to par. I read quite a few previous travellers who utilized Amex Platinum to book these restuarants without issue. The key issues are:

(1) They have to be able to book in Japanese (not english)
(2) They have to be really reliable - most of these restaurants only have one day to book and if you miss it you've missed out.

I personally do not believe that with Amex platinum's upped fee of $1.2k a year that it is worth it at all.

With that in mind - Does anyone have recommendations for a credit card that has a very good concierge service?

My guesses were

(1) Citibank - visa signature card - but don't know enough? (I read visa signature is on par with Amex platinum concierge)

I have used Amex platinum concierge for 3 Michelin starred restaurants in Paris, Barclona & Rome,with not a problem,I can recommend Amex plat concierge.

Cheers M.P.

 

[Dreamcatcher]

Which Credit Card would you recommend for the Visa concierge service?

Is Citibank's Visa Infinite better than Visa Signature? or is it one and the same?

 

[albyd]

I've found Citi Prestige concierge to be a cut above Visa signature which was the general APAC platinum line.

Still not in the same league as Amex platinum concierge.

 

[Dreamcatcher]

I've found Citi Prestige concierge to be a cut above Visa signature which was the general APAC platinum line.

Still not in the same league as Amex platinum concierge.

(1) I was under the imrpession that all visa platinum use the same concierge? So visa signature = visa platinum = visa infinite
(2) How do other concierges like Mastercard world elite stack up?

I would go with amex platinum, but the benefits just don't add up to anywhere close to $1.2k. Being a member of Accor Platinum and Qantas Platinum - the other benefits seem pretty weak.

 

[ftm]

I've had a good run with Amex Plat concierge for restaurants, including places in different time zones. Very reliable and good tables.

Probably one of the things they do best. Their other concierge services, including travel, I wouldn't be so complimentary!

 

[JessicaTam]

Excuse my naiveté, but do the CC concierge services charge a fee?

I have never had need to use one.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Excuse my naiveté, but do the CC concierge services charge a fee?

I have never had need to use one.

In a word... no.