New to Amex Platinum

[mahooligan]

I have scrolled through the various discussions here and still had a few questions.

I am living in Kenya on an Australian Government contract for several years (Australian citizen), and wanted to apply for the Amex Platinum Card for the travel benefits. Being a charge card, is there an interest free period for transactions?

Also I have seen signs at many restaurants, etc., in Australia especially that they do not accept, or charge extra for the use of Amex. Those who have the card, or have considered it, does this create a negative experience?

TIA

 

[andye]

I have scrolled through the various discussions here and still had a few questions.

I am living in Kenya on an Australian Government contract for several years (Australian citizen), and wanted to apply for the Amex Platinum Card for the travel benefits. Being a charge card, is there an interest free period for transactions?

Also I have seen signs at many restaurants, etc., in Australia especially that they do not accept, or charge extra for the use of Amex. Those who have the card, or have considered it, does this create a negative experience?

TIA

I get 14 days from statement interest free (i.e up to 45 days).

I went into Amex with eyes open about acceptance but have found the numbers of places accepting has increased over time

Edited x2

 

[bernardblack]

I went into Amex with eyes open about acceptance but have found the numbers of places accepting has increased over time

This matches my experience but it seems important to ask the OP: Are you planning to use it in Kenya? Or in Australia? Because I can't speak to acceptance in Kenya but my gut instinct is that it would be a lot worse than here.

 

[mahooligan]

This matches my experience but it seems important to ask the OP: Are you planning to use it in Kenya? Or in Australia? Because I can't speak to acceptance in Kenya but my gut instinct is that it would be a lot worse than here.

I am planning to mainly use to pay bills in Australia, as well as when I travel around Europe/Asia/Africa. In Kenya I would use my local cards unless buying international flights through airline websites such as BA or QR.

Skypax us don't support bank card forward anymore, I contacted amex to send the card directly to my Australian address. saved $50 shipping fee anyway.

I'll be in Oz in 4 weeks, so would pick it up then.

Thanks everyone for your kind and helpful advice.

 

[levelnine]

as well as when I travel around Europe/Asia/Africa.

Just remember the foreign transaction fee, which largely negates the value of points earned on the Amex Platinum.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm in a similar boat as you: Canadian studying in Australia who recently upgraded to the AmEx Canada Platinum card. This card isn't my daily driver as it were. I typically use my Australian debit card or Canadian credit card (with no foreign exchange fees) or Canadian US dollar credit card depending on the circumstance.

So you are probably asking yourself, where on earth do I end up using the card? Generally, I use it for travel, mostly international travel as I find AmEx travel provides a sizeable discount on airfare when travelling in Premium Economy or better through the International Airline Program (IAP) which from my experience is anywhere from 5-10% off total price. I also will book hotels through AmEx travel (and rarely through Fine Hotels & Resorts) if I see AmEx has an offer or is slightly cheaper than what I would pay booking it ordinarily.

The main reason I have the card is all of the travel benefits. I get access to one of the most comprehensive lounge networks in the world, meaning when I'm travelling out of Sydney terminal 2 on JetStar, I can access the Rex lounge. Or if I'm flying Virgin in economy I can access their lounge for free. There are also a number of travel related insurance products included such as lost bag and flight delay insurance which if you've ever flown recently can really be a godsend. The last thing that really appeals to me about the card is the membership reward points that can be converted over to frequent flyer points for incredible value such as flying around the world in business class for 210,000 Aeroplan points.

In terms of the charge card aspect of many AmEx cards, you need to realize what that means. That means you must pay off your balance in full when the bill is due. Failure to do so may result in your account being terminated by AmEx.

-RooFlyer88

 

[big_RED]

Do you mind me asking here as I'm also looking at getting the Platinum card to transfer points to other airline programs after listening to the recent AFF pod cast.

You get 150k amex membership points at sign up.

• I can transfer 3:2 to Delta which gets me 100k Delta points. But business class Sydney to LAX is ~450k points
• I can transfer 1:1 to Bonvoy. And then 3:1 to United which gets me ~50k United (I know you get some transfer bonuses but I've left them out as they're not massive. And United to LAX is~280k points

There's obviously a lot more reward seat availability on the above 2 Airlines vs Qantas, and that's the draw card. But to collect enough points to fly on these regards seats I feel is the biggest challenge.

Where as with Qantas I can just churn through multiple credit cards to get 200k points to fly business to LAX.

Do you agree?

 

[Daver6]

Which travel benefits are you interested in?

You might have issues with the travel insurance component since you don't live in Australia and your trips aren't originating from here. There was a change to the terms and conditions. So check the insurance PDS closely to see how beneficial this would be to you.

 

[levelnine]

Do you agree?

To me, your view is broadly correct, and aligns with my own. Indeed, it's one of my pet peeves with tips of this nature — the very best uses of these tips (eg long haul business flights) are based on an assumption (that you have enough points to make use of them) that does not apply to 99.9% of people.

Unless you have significant business spend (or something similar, such as significant reimbursable work expenses), the only way to acquire enough points to fly international business class on a regular basis (as opposed to, say, once every 3-5 years) is through credit card churning.

In Australia, the easiest way to churn is with credit cards that earn Qantas points because there are so many of them.

With that said, one option is to attempt to mix and match. Churn cards that earn both Qantas and Velocity/Singapore then redeem Qantas one way and Velocity/Singapore the other way.

As for the usefulness of this specific tip, it might still be of benefit if you wanted to redeem Delta & United points for lower cost flights such as short haul flights. Not every points redemption needs to be a long haul business redemption.

 

[big_RED]

the very best uses of these tips (eg long haul business flights) are based on an assumption (that you have enough points to make use of them) that does not apply to 99.9% of people.

Agreed. I've been very fortunate to have churned cards with my wife since 2016 and every international Syd to LAX flight we've taken has been in Qantas business (we've done 8-9 return each now).

With the apparent hardness now to use Qantas points for international award seats I wondered if there was a new strategy to take. But seems unlikely with the Platinum Amex for us.

 

[Steady]

I assume the Amex platinum signup bonus points are subject to the 18month waiting period? (but hope I’m wron)

I have an edge and am a bit short on KrisFlyer points for the redemption I want and my KF points expire in April 23

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I assume the Amex platinum signup bonus points are subject to the 18month waiting period? (but hope I’m wron)

Unfortunately, that is correct.

 

[fantastikforce]

I assume the Amex platinum signup bonus points are subject to the 18month waiting period? (but hope I’m wron)

I have an edge and am a bit short on KrisFlyer points for the redemption I want and my KF points expire in April 23

I had the Explorer and applied for the Platinum Charge and I still got the bonus points.

I didn't expect it when it got posted into my account because I already had an existing Amex card.

You can try your luck and see how you go but don't count on it just in case I guess.

 

[big_RED]

I had the Explorer and applied for the Platinum Charge and I still got the bonus points.

I was told by Amex a number of years ago that not every "Amex" is an "Amex". And that is why you're eligible for bonus points from both.

Their example was the David Jones Amex vs the Discovery Amex. One is "managed" by DJs. The other directly by Amex. So I got signup points for both.

I'd call them to ask to make sure you will get points.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Do you mind me asking here as I'm also looking at getting the Platinum card to transfer points to other airline programs after listening to the recent AFF pod cast.

You get 150k amex membership points at sign up.

• I can transfer 3:2 to Delta which gets me 100k Delta points. But business class Sydney to LAX is ~450k points
• I can transfer 1:1 to Bonvoy. And then 3:1 to United which gets me ~50k United (I know you get some transfer bonuses but I've left them out as they're not massive. And United to LAX is~280k points

There's obviously a lot more reward seat availability on the above 2 Airlines vs Qantas, and that's the draw card. But to collect enough points to fly on these regards seats I feel is the biggest challenge.

Where as with Qantas I can just churn through multiple credit cards to get 200k points to fly business to LAX.

Do you agree?

The 3:2 rate is the everyday rate from Amex to Marriott Bonvoy. Temporarily, with a bonus in place, it's effectively 1:1 from Amex to Marriott (3:2 with the 50% bonus).

You can't convert directly from Amex in Australia to Delta. It's only available via Marriott, and so if you're applying as a new Amex customer, you'll miss the current Marriott bonus. That means it'd first be 3:2 from Amex to Marriott, then a further 3:1 from Marriott to Delta.

Basically 9 Amex = 6 Marriott = 2 Delta, so 9 Amex = 2 Delta on a normal day. It's only the current promo that changes things. Having said that, you do still get the separate promo of 5k Delta miles per 20k Delta miles (60k Marriott points) converted in one transaction from Marriott.

If you can't tell, the Marriott trick is super complicated compared to simple transfers such as Amex to Velocity or KrisFlyer, and it's super important to understand all the numbers before diving in.

 

[big_RED]

the Marriott trick is super complicated compared to simple transfers such as Amex to Velocity or KrisFlyer, and it's super important to understand all the numbers before diving in.

Yep completely. And agreed, if I signed up now I'd miss the Marriott promo as it'd take one month to get the amex sign up points anyway.

My challenge with this Amex to Marriott strategy is that with the Amex to Marriott conversion rate (even at 1:1) and then the Marriott to Delta conversion rate, to get enough Delta points to fly business class (~450k), means I need more than 450k points. For an average person, the 150k signup means another 300k in spending to get enough points which would take years.

Vs with Qantas credit cards, I can earn 400k points through 4 credit card signups in a year. A much easier journey, but obviously limited redemption capacity

 

[kangarooflyer88]

My challenge with this Amex to Marriott strategy is that with the Amex to Marriott conversion rate (even at 1:1) and then the Marriott to Delta conversion rate, to get enough Delta points to fly business class (~450k), means I need more than 450k points. For an average person, the 150k signup means another 300k in spending to get enough points which would take years.

I resent this implicit assertion that you need 450,000 Delta miles to fly business class with them - nothing can be further from the truth! For instance, it's 230,000 miles return flying a Delta SkyMiles partner like Korean Air from Australia to North America in business class. I should also point out that there are many, many airlines you can transfer to with Bonvoy, some of which offer exceptionally good value. For instance, Air Canada's Aeroplan charges 87,500 miles to fly United from Sydney to LA in Polaris business one-way. Similarly, flying Delta One from Sydney to LAX is 121,000 miles when booked using Air France/KLM FlyingBlue miles. American could be a good value if you can find OneWorld awards too. It's 80,000 miles to fly from anywhere in Australia to anywhere in North America in business class, one-way! Not bad!

My recommendation would be to go looking around at the major airlines: American, Air Canada, Air France to see what business class award availability there is when you want to travel and based on that transfer your miles accordingly.

-RooFlyer88

 

[big_RED]

My recommendation would be to go looking around at the major airlines: American, Air Canada, Air France to see what business class award availability there is when you want to travel and based on that transfer your miles accordingly.

Thanks for this. I had only looked specifically at Delta and United, but not their other partner airlines which definitely seems like the best way to go. I'll spend some time over the weekend reviewing your links - greatly appreciated thanks!!