Downgrade options from Platinum Charge card

[M@rcoPolo]

I've decided I won't renew my Platinum Charge comes renewal time... I wasn't too keen either last year when they "enhanced" points & travel insurance but they kept me for another year thanks to a bunch of bonus points. With the announced fee increase to $1200 I simply cannot justify keeping the card even with the additional perks.

I will be using a Citi Signature card (fee free for life) going ahead but I wanted to retain an AMEX card as a spare card for emergencies (eg Citi card lost / compromised while travelling overseas). I recall reading a few posts mentioning AMEX would give members cancelling the Platinum Charge a fee free card but I cannot find them... do you guys have any suggestions / past experience?

 

[whatmeworry]

Amex Discovery Card.

 

[Febs]

I recall reading a few posts mentioning AMEX would give members cancelling the Platinum Charge a fee free card but I cannot find them... do you guys have any suggestions / past experience?

When I called up to cancel, I was prepared to pay for the Platinum Edge card, but they offered me a Platinum Reserve card fee-free. Who was I to say no?

With the 3 points per $ (which = 3 QFF points per $) on restaurant and bar spend, which is where most of my spend is, it's been a fantastic card.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[M@rcoPolo]

When I called up to cancel, I was prepared to pay for the Platinum Edge card, but they offered me a Platinum Reserve card fee-free. Who was I to say no?

Is that fee free for the first year only or for life?

Also what happened to your membership rewards points? Did you have to zero them before cancelling the Platinum Card or did they simply move along to the Reserve?

 

[Febs]

Is that fee free for the first year only or for life?

Also what happened to your membership rewards points? Did you have to zero them before cancelling the Platinum Card or did they simply move along to the Reserve?

First year only...we'll see what happens for the 2nd year in 2014.

MR points - from memory they would have transferred them, but as I wanted to convert them to QFF anyway I cashed out.

Cheers
Febs.

 

[shump]

Here's a good value option for Amex Platinum refugees: Citibank Rewards Credit Card - Signature

• $0 annual fee for life (annual saving of $395) through citibank familyandfriends link on OzBargain
• 0% p.a. for 6 months on balances transferred
• 1.5 Citibank Rewards points for every dollar spent in Australia, and 4 points per dollar overseas
• Your choice of the Citibank Rewards Program or the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program
• ​Minimum income $75,000
• Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance, International Travel Insurance, Transit Accident Insurance, Purchase Cover Insurance
  Extended Warranty Insurance, Guaranteed Pricing Scheme

Discussion is on OzBargain (sorry I am not qualified to post links)

 

[Demonoid]

Here's a good value option for Amex Platinum refugees: Citibank Rewards Credit Card - Signature

• $0 annual fee for life (annual saving of $395) through citibank familyandfriends link on OzBargain
• 0% p.a. for 6 months on balances transferred
• 1.5 Citibank Rewards points for every dollar spent in Australia, and 4 points per dollar overseas
• Your choice of the Citibank Rewards Program or the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program
• ​Minimum income $75,000
• Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance, International Travel Insurance, Transit Accident Insurance, Purchase Cover Insurance
  Extended Warranty Insurance, Guaranteed Pricing Scheme

Discussion is on OzBargain (sorry I am not qualified to post links)

This is a good deal - but the author was looking for an AMEX

For free fee, you cant go past the Amex Discovery (Qantas) or Velocity Escape (Virgin)

You get 1 point per dollar (2 points for Qantas and Virgin purchases respectively), and fee free.

Catch is you tie yourself to either Qantas (and one world, Emirates etc) or Virgin (Etihad, Singapore, AirNZ, Delta and all the Virgin brands)...but for most that is no big deal.