Change in Platinum Card Travel Insurance?

[Stephen65]

I was just rung up by Amex at home. The rep told me he was ringing about "an exciting new insurance opportunity" associated with my Amex card account. He didn't get any further before I asked him whether it was something that would come free with the card or was an extra I would have to pay for.

After he told me it was an extra I informed him that after the devaluation to worthlessness of the insurance that came with the plat card the last people in the universe I would be buying extra insurance from would be Amex. He said he would note my displeasure with the changes to the card insurance in the comments box of his form.

 

[kpc]

Keep posting your displeasure with Amex over the changes in the travel insurance here - this thread is being monitored by AMEX.

 

[greenfish]

I had a phone call offering me some new free credit card to go with my charge card - I said not at the moment, I was planning to cancel my card due to the insurance changes. I'm going to dump all my points out of membership rewards in the next couple of days, then cancel.

The insurance changes coincide with my anniversary date, so I'll cancel the card effective from the day the insurance change applies.

 

[awilcockson]

I'm going to dump all my points out of membership rewards in the next couple of days, then cancel.

Me too. Will wring the most out of the BP promo, and cancel on the 1st of April.

 

[Deleted member]

I am not sure what options we will look at. While I don't do anywhere near as much flying as some of you. (And ALL of my flights are self funded rather than supplied by an employer)
The $900.00 annual fee was to replace the cost of the annual travel policy I hold for me and the business. I am going to find it hard to justify the annual fee now. Ironically the hertz no1 club and the Priority Pass are items I can do without and in the case of PP have never used ( and am unlikely to). I think ( if i were amex) I would have found a way to deal with this , other than downgrading the status of the Plat.
And keeping the costs the same. Makes them look like a chocolate manufacturer changing block size to increase prices by stealth.
If there were costing issues , what were they? would an extra few $ on the annual fee have fixed this? Would a tender process with another insurer have made a difference?
I declined the centurion card because There is no way I Will pay the $4300 to carry it around, and believe me it's NOT the money ,
If it delivered $4300.00 worth of value I wold sign in an instant.
As far as I can see, unless you are flying about like bossreggie there is no real point in having it unless you are of the DYKWIA ilk and like to impress ( having said that a colleague of mine declined once, was offered again and accepted on the understanding he wouldn't be paying the stupid annual fee they wanted, and if after 12 months they tried anything on in the fee dept, would be canceling the card).
I think my friend puts a bit more through annually than I and so they probably will put up with his terms.
The only reason I am still on board at the moment is the 1.5 points per $ spend + a couple of the additional benefits like the starwoods card etc. other than that I will be happy to change if here is a similar offering out there. Suggestions anyone?

 

[k3nnis]

Maybe try Platinum reserve?

I am not sure what options we will look at. While I don't do anywhere near as much flying as some of you. (And ALL of my flights are self funded rather than supplied by an employer)
The $900.00 annual fee was to replace the cost of the annual travel policy I hold for me and the business. I am going to find it hard to justify the annual fee now. Ironically the hertz no1 club and the Priority Pass are items I can do without and in the case of PP have never used ( and am unlikely to). I think ( if i were amex) I would have found a way to deal with this , other than downgrading the status of the Plat.
And keeping the costs the same. Makes them look like a chocolate manufacturer changing block size to increase prices by stealth.
If there were costing issues , what were they? would an extra few $ on the annual fee have fixed this? Would a tender process with another insurer have made a difference?
I declined the centurion card because There is no way I Will pay the $4300 to carry it around, and believe me it's NOT the money ,
If it delivered $4300.00 worth of value I wold sign in an instant.
As far as I can see, unless you are flying about like bossreggie there is no real point in having it unless you are of the DYKWIA ilk and like to impress ( having said that a colleague of mine declined once, was offered again and accepted on the understanding he wouldn't be paying the stupid annual fee they wanted, and if after 12 months they tried anything on in the fee dept, would be canceling the card).
I think my friend puts a bit more through annually than I and so they probably will put up with his terms.
The only reason I am still on board at the moment is the 1.5 points per $ spend + a couple of the additional benefits like the starwoods card etc. other than that I will be happy to change if here is a similar offering out there. Suggestions anyone?

 

[SYDreamer]

I've only just seen this thread about the reduction in value of the travel insurance.

So with these changes, what is the next best option for being able to have a high earn rate and be able to transfer to multiple FF accounts (specifically Star Alliance / TG ROP) with a reasonably inexpensive card? Is the Platinum Reserve Credit the only option? The CBA Diamond card is the same price but comes with MC World which has some similar benefits to the Plat Charge (Starwood Gold, perks for being a holder, etc) but can only transfer to Air NZ (ah... no thanks), Virgin or QF (from what I understand, if you elect to pay a $10 fee and transfer all your points there).

I like the extra benefits of the Plat Charge, but not sure they're worth $900 when you can get something reasonbly similar with CBA Diamond - you just loose transfering points to a few useful carriers.

Maybe time to revisit Virgin as my primary FF account...

 

[wafliron]

So with these changes, what is the next best option for being able to have a high earn rate and be able to transfer to multiple FF accounts (specifically Star Alliance / TG ROP) with a reasonably inexpensive card? Is the Platinum Reserve Credit the only option?

Plat Reserve is an option, although I'd be worried about the reduction in MR point earn for insurance / utilities / tax that is being applied to some of the lower Amex cards being applied to the Plat Reserve (and Plat Charge) in the near future.

What about Citi Select? $700pa, but it's a Visa card (lower surcharges / higher acceptance) and earns an effective 1.33 KF / 1.33 Velocity / 1 AsiaMile per $1 spent with no points cap.

 

[SYDreamer]

Plat Reserve is an option, although I'd be worried about the reduction in MR point earn for insurance / utilities / tax that is being applied to some of the lower Amex cards being applied to the Plat Reserve (and Plat Charge) in the near future.

What about Citi Select? $700pa, but it's a Visa card (lower surcharges / higher acceptance) and earns an effective 1.33 KF / 1.33 Velocity / 1 AsiaMile per $1 spent with no points cap.

Thought about the Citi card, but then it's still $700 and you still have to:

Purchase your travel tickets with your Select card and you will be covered for unlimited medical expenses, trip cancellation, loss or damage to personal items and more.

Might as well stick with Amex Plat charge (albeit not as widely accepted) or switch to Reserve.

Maybe just have to suck it up as it seems Amex is just falling into line with other providers. But they should be reducing their fee...

 

[pshepvic]

I've only just seen this thread about the reduction in value of the travel insurance.

So with these changes, what is the next best option for being able to have a high earn rate and be able to transfer to multiple FF accounts (specifically Star Alliance / TG ROP) with a reasonably inexpensive card? Is the Platinum Reserve Credit the only option? The CBA Diamond card is the same price but comes with MC World which has some similar benefits to the Plat Charge (Starwood Gold, perks for being a holder, etc) but can only transfer to Air NZ (ah... no thanks), Virgin or QF (from what I understand, if you elect to pay a $10 fee and transfer all your points there).

I like the extra benefits of the Plat Charge, but not sure they're worth $900 when you can get something reasonbly similar with CBA Diamond - you just loose transfering points to a few useful carriers.

Maybe time to revisit Virgin as my primary FF account...

CBA Diamond also has a very poor earn rate on the MasterCard.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Fifa]

Today we received email confirmation from ACE regarding the Amex Plat travel insurance:

Dear Mr. Fifa

Thank you for your email below.

We understand that you would like to know more about the changes to be implemented on the complimentary insurance provided by American Express Platinum Charge Card. Please be advised of our confirmation that any trips booked before 15 June 2012 will be covered as per your current/old terms and conditions, as long as a deposit is also paid prior to that date.

In this case, since your upcoming trips are booked and deposits have been paid prior to 15 June 2012, the current policy will be in effect. On the other hand, any trips booked beyond the said date will be considered under the new policy.

Should you have any queries, or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Warm Regards,

Yan B.
Card Member Services
ACE Insurance Limited
Toll Free 1800 236 023
International +61 2 9335 3492
Fax +61 2 9231 3697

 

[Stephen65]

Interesting. What about trips on FF points that do not have a "deposit". Does paying taxes and charges count as a deposit for such trips?

 

[Fifa]

Interesting. What about trips on FF points that do not have a "deposit". Does paying taxes and charges count as a deposit for such trips?

We are flying to the US on FF points but have paid a deposit for a cruise with the balance due in July so we'll be right.
I imagine you would be covered even if you only paid for some accommodation.

 

[awilcockson]

For those of you on Facebook, have a look at the Amex Australia page. Social media fail, you'd think these guys would learn. Hint, asking "tell us your best joke" after a raft of announcements devaluing your cards is never going to end well...

 

[oz_mark]

For those of you on Facebook, have a look at the Amex Australia page. Social media fail, you'd think these guys would learn. Hint, asking "tell us your best joke" after a raft of announcements devaluing your cards is never going to end well...

I'm not seeing anything untoward?

 

[awilcockson]

I'm not seeing anything untoward?

Interesting. It's gone off the full site, but still visible on the Facebook app and mobile site.

 

[awilcockson]

Screen shots ..

 

[nlagalle]

Just added my joke to it..

 

[beardoc]

I couldn't help but add to the chorus there.

 

[obrienja]

I'll own up to being the James at the top of that screenshot (although I'm embarrassed by the grammatical error) - I really couldn't resist having a poke. Amex didn't seem to learn anything from Qantas "Luxury" social media faux pas