Change in Platinum Card Travel Insurance?

[kpc]

I have emailed the Manager, Public Affairs and Communications at AMEX whom we met at the AFF gathering in Canberra last October for a comment about this. I will post her reply if I get one, and she agrees for it to be posted online.

travel insurance changes confirmed unfortunately by email. Changes take effect June 15. Didn't expand on the changes but said letter expected this week

 

[moa999]

Boo indeed. I hope Amex is watching this thread.
Will definitely be downgrading back to the Plat Credit on renewal with this change.

 

[straitman]

Everyone is simply stating they will cancel the card but have people thought through the other aspects of this card?
The extra years warranty on items purchased, the ability to send FF points to any program, etc.

 

[NM]

If a primary reason for taking the Amex card was for the insurance cover, then drop the card and take out an annual policy with one of the many insurance companies that specialise in travel insurance cover rather than from a company that specialises in providing credit services.

 

[kamchatsky]

Everyone is simply stating they will cancel the card but have people thought through the other aspects of this card?
The extra years warranty on items purchased, the ability to send FF points to any program, etc.

- Citibank Rewards Platinum card also provided extra year warranty on purchases. A lot of AFFers already have that card fee free for life
- Priority Pass for me is useless as it has virtually no Australian coverage.
- SPG Gold is good for point earning purposes but I never get upgraded when I stayed at SPG hotels.
- Travel Concerige I don't really use ....

 

[LuisT]

So what other options are out there then?

Besides the travel insurance the main benifit I used was the ability to transfer to any ff program. Do any of the cheaper Amex cards offer this still?

 

[skywalkerLAX]

I'll transfer my AMEX account to Canada and have my fee refunded... Pro-Rata I should receive about 600$ return, Amex Canada charges 399$ per year for the Platinum btw !!

 

[Pumbaa]

The changes to the insurance policy with the Charge Card makes the card significantly harder to justify keeping. At $900 a year, it is the most expensive card in Australia bar the Black card.

This question may have been answered above, but if you pay for the flight with the Amex + use points, do you still get insurance coverage?

All my flights domestic/international are paid for with points.

 

[Flashback]

I was told the full $900

Lucky! Over here we were told pro-rate only, however I guess on a case by case basis you may have been able to squeeze more.

I'm surprised. I expected Amex would keep the Centurion coverage the same so as to create a point of distinction from the Platinum and encourage people to upgrade.

You can't just upgrade to Centurion, it's invite only.

 

[Flashback]

The changes to the insurance policy with the Charge Card makes the card significantly harder to justify keeping. At $900 a year, it is the most expensive card in Australia bar the Black card.

This question may have been answered above, but if you pay for the flight with the Amex + use points, do you still get insurance coverage?

All my flights domestic/international are paid for with points.

As long as the taxes/fees are paid using the AMEX then yes you're still covered.

 

[nlagalle]

Everyone is simply stating they will cancel the card but have people thought through the other aspects of this card?
The extra years warranty on items purchased, the ability to send FF points to any program, etc.

Is the ability to send to any FF program worth $900 per year? the extra warranty is on most of my other cards.

 

[Flashback]

Is the ability to send to any FF program worth $900 per year? the extra warranty is on most of my other cards.

I don't think, especially given how poor QF's program is! That being said, given QF is not my home carrier anymore my eyes have been opened to better things

 

[Stephen65]

You can't just upgrade to Centurion, it's invite only.

Of course but when you do get that invite you're effectively deciding whether to upgrade your Amex card or not. Many plat charge holders, including me, have declined Centurion invites on the basis that the additional benefits over plat do not justify the much higher fee.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

now that amex plat cc insurance is being devalued, what is the next best credit card travel insurance in australia? Which has the next best cover?

anz gold!!! sorry PLATINIUM!!! M.p.

 

[k3nnis]

Does this apply to the AMEX Plat Edge/Reserve card as well?

As long as the taxes/fees are paid using the AMEX then yes you're still covered.

 

[sparoz]

Well, the positive change from Amex this week was the better conversion rate for many FF these days - so for the sake of a couple hundred each trip - I will gladly take the better conversion rate. Eg. bne-hkg j used to be 120000, or slightly less with CX. Now, it's 80k with CX - a saving of close to 40k points. Even at 3% yield it is $900.

 

[kamchatsky]

Well, the positive change from Amex this week was the better conversion rate for many FF these days - so for the sake of a couple hundred each trip - I will gladly take the better conversion rate. Eg. bne-hkg j used to be 120000, or slightly less with CX. Now, it's 80k with CX - a saving of close to 40k points. Even at 3% yield it is $900.

But it also applies to Platinum Edge CC or Platinum Reserve CC. So technically I can cancel Plat charge/Reserve CC card and keep my Plat Edge CC and still get the benefits above. Ok, except 1.5 points per dollar but it is $149 vs $900 per year on annual fees.

 

[11sjw]

Well, the positive change from Amex this week was the better conversion rate for many FF these days - so for the sake of a couple hundred each trip - I will gladly take the better conversion rate. Eg. bne-hkg j used to be 120000, or slightly less with CX. Now, it's 80k with CX - a saving of close to 40k points. Even at 3% yield it is $900.

Isn't the bonus point situation in place until the end of March only?

 

[k3nnis]

There is some debate about this. So we all just need to wait until april comes along!

Isn't the bonus point situation in place until the end of March only?

 

[skywalkerLAX]

The letter with the amended insurance terms arrived today !!

Open the mailbox and get your surprises people...

Here some bullet points:

-You will need to pay for your travel charges with your AX Charge Card
-Supplementary Card holders will NO LONGER be included under the travel insurance cover (exc. Spouse & Children)
-Travel Cancellation Cover now only covers cxl due to unforeseen event
-Claims of Medical Emergency Expenses, Resumption of Journey Cover, Baggage/Money/Doc Cover, Travel Cxl Cover now have a deductible of 250$ !!