American Express Platinum Card
|
OK - here is the latest from me. After being an American Express Gold Card member for 12 years and after a couple of years of getting offers in the mail and on the phone, I finally bit the bullet and got the American Express Platinum Card.
When I received my card in a nice package, I finally got on thinking as to why I decided to get the card? I felt slightly guilty. Why did I have to get a card with a $395 annual fee? Was it a prestige thing? Was it my ego? Afterall, I was pretty happy with my Gold Card ($150 fee - so I wasn’t exactly starting from $0). I used my membership reward points for airmiles and it has worked pretty well for me for the longest time. Perhaps I was intrigued by their other perks like their concierge service and other stuff. But deep down inside my, I have to admit the card looks cool and it is probably an ego thing for me. It is nice knowing you can afford the card without blinking an eyelid.
But I also convinced myself that since I am Mr Credit Card, how can I not have the Amex Platinum? Afterall, I review credit cards (lots of them), and this is one card you cannot really do a proper review unless you actually have the card! (I’ll probably write off the $395 annual fee as an expense of running this site!). So unlike any other credit card site, a review of the Amex Platinum will actually come from someone who actually has one!
So I’ll start using this card from now on and my Blue Cash and other cash rebate cards will take a back seat for a while. I will certainly use the concierge service and all the other perks and reports here and the forum my experiences with this card. So watch out this space for more banter on the American Express Platinum Card. A full review will soon be published.
March 1st, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I got an AMEX platinum for fee free with $100 credit after first charge. I could never see paying $395 for it. But I guess they take it from you and give it to me? I think (know) I will cancel it before the one year promo expires otherwise I get charged a $395 fee!
March 1st, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Well, the first year fee is “pro-rated” since I have already paid up for my gold card. But I will probably expense this as part of running this site. I have a couple of friends who have the amex platinum and then decided not to renew and customer service gave them another year free!. So I think there is a good chance that you will get another one free. Same thing happened to friends who want to downgrade from gold card to blue! CS got supervisor on the phone and waived annual fee!
March 16th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I just got mine too… and I have to admit it was an ego thing also.
Still, ONE companion ticket pays the fee!
March 17th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I also started out with a Gold Card and a few months later I kept noticing on the website an offer to upgrade to Platinum and of course my ego kicked in and I soon began to carry the card. I must admit at first I was feeling guilty of the $395 (plus $175 for my wife!) and I called to cancel it and go back to Gold. They asked me why and I told them that I was weary of paying a fee for something I didn’t know if I would use so they waived the first year and I began to use it everywhere! In a few months I racked up about 40,000 points and redeemed them for gift cards and went shopping. A few days ago I got a notice that the fee was going up to $495, I of course would not pay that much so I ended up canceling it. The way I look at it, I ended up winning- I got $400 in gift cards to BR, didn’t pay the fee at first and took advantage of the concierge and airline companion in my first year. I wish they would have waived it again; I kind of got attached to it and now I miss my card. Am getting another one today and I’ll see about having the fee written off next year. American Express is by far the best credit card company anywhere; their prestige is know all over the world, all others are just trying to immitate them.
March 25th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I am thinking about getting the card, but I hate knowing that someone else got a better deal. I was only offered $150. credit after the first purchase. Is there a way to get a better offer?
March 30th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Thats not too bad; I was extremely lucky to have the first year waived. They really don’t like to do so- they are stingy! The fee just went up to $450 but if you travel enough you may just off set the fee.
July 9th, 2007 at 4:03 am
I got this card a few years back. I travel a lot having the concierge service, access to airport lounges, free upgrades on rental cars and the preferential treatment you get makes the annual fee well worth it. The fee is also a legitimate business expense for me.
Now having said that I have to be honest it’s also an ego thing, it’s just really ‘cool’. I like knowing it’s in my wallet when I need it.
July 10th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I had the Platinum Card for a year, after having the Gold Card for over 10 years. It was up for renewal last month and I decided to cancel it and downgrade back to the Gold Card. I was disappointed for a number of reasons. I tried to use the Domestic Companion Ticket offer, and the agency could not find anything available to fit my itinerary, even after I had gone directly to Delta’s and United’s website and found many available options. The rep assured me nothing was available. I assumed it was just an benefit that was too good to be true. Also, on a recent trip to Europe (Greece and Turkey) I was surprised to find that a number of restaurants and stores would not accept my Amex Platinum card. One merchant finally admitted to me that they don’t like to accept Amex because it charges them higher fees than Visa/MC. I don’t know if the Platinum Card had any extra negative effect on them (or if it looked too unfamilar to them?). I never had this experience with my Gold Card or other Visa/MC during my travels. The final straw that convinced me was when I received a notice that the annual fee was going up to $450. Which for me was not worth any of the so-called benefits. When I called to cancel and downgrade back to Gold, the Amex representative offered to give me a $80 credit and 8000 rewards points if I stayed, seeing that I actually did charge a lot to my card. It was a nice effort, however even with the $80 discount, I still didn’t see much return from their high fees. Personally, I now think that having the Gold Amex with Rewards is a better deal. Yes you still have to pay a premium fee for a premium branded Gold card, but you get a lot of the same benefits you see in the Platinum card (at least the benefits that are actually useful). I would be curious to see more reviews of this card by Mr Credit Card after having used it for a few more months or a year, to see if he thinks its worth the hefty price.
July 13th, 2007 at 2:28 am
could you tell me the perks of owning an american express platinium card
August 25th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
i got an invitation for the amex platinum, but don’t want to pay for the fee. I’ve noticed others bypassed it…how should I approach it when talking to them while signing up?
August 31st, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I agree with Al C above — I had platinum card for a short while and found the blackout dates on the companion tickets so restrictive that after several tries I gave up and cancelled the card. I guess if something is too good to be true it probably isn’t true — in that anyone with a bit of sense would realize the card is essentially free if you can use 2 of 4 companion tickets. i guess that is not easy to do. i also found the amex travel service to have fewer options and higher prices than DIY on travelocity and expedia. sigh. i had so wanted this to work!
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:03 am
My wife and I recently upgraded to the Platinum card after years of being gold card members - we were lured by the companion ticket benefit, as we recently moved away from all our family and travel frequently. The first time we attempted to utilize the companion benefit, it was an absolute mess.
The so-called agent that we got on the phone when call the travel # literally laughed at us when we gave them the details of our travel itinerary, and flat out told us (before they even looked into it) that there was nothing that they could do for us, as it related to the complimentary companion fare.
As that was the main benefit we saw to this card, we immediately called Amex to make a stink - they acknowledged that they have had a lot of complaints about this service, and that was about the extent of their response!
For a company that “talks” about customer service, I was astonished at their lack of concern over our horrible experience.
I would advise anyone who is looking to the companion fare as one of the key benefits - IT IS NOT WORTH IT!
Shame on Amex for this poor product!
October 12th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
I tried to book an AMEX companion ticket today for the first time. There were 29 flights available on Expedia, but only 1 flight available from AMEX! And the flight they offered me saved me only 10% over booking my choice of 29 flights online. I spent 30 minutes on the phone. What a scam!
October 12th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I tried to book an AMEX companion ticket today for the first time. There were 29 flights available on Expedia, but only 1 flight available from AMEX! And the flight they offered me saved me only 10% over booking my choice of 29 flights online and paying for 2 tickets. I spent 30 minutes on the phone. What a scam!
The agent told me a couple interesting things:
1) Amex Executive Business, AMEX Platinum and Amex Centruion (black card) all draw from the same limited pool of companion seat. It’s like trying to find a frequent flyer mileage seat, but perhaps harder.
2) AMEX outsources the booking process to a 3rd party who takes no responsibility for the advertising claims made on the AMEX site. This 3rd party company also seemed to care very little about what my relationship with AMEX.
October 13th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I called Amex directly and was told that I did not have to have the GOLD card first and that I could apply immediately for 395.00. I am confused because I checked on the things that I cared about to make sure it was the right card and yes it offered the access to the airline club rooms and companion ticket but only when purchasing a business or first class ticket. In reading the blogs, I did not notice anyone indicating that they were buying a first class or ticket. Can someone clarify.
Thanks,
October 18th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Barbara- On my ‘invitation’ it does not say anything about the ticket needing to be business class or first class to get into the club rooms (even in the small print). As far as companion ticket program, it just states the ticket that is purchased must be of more than $299.00 in value when traveling domestically.
November 9th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I recently got the American Express Business Platinum card. I upgraded from the Business Gold. I don’t travel much and probably won’t use the concierge service either. I will admit, however, the reason I upgraded is only to satisfy my ego. I carry a Blue Card, a Gold Plus Gold Personal Card and the Bus. Plat. card. Be realistic. How many people have the privilege of carrying cards like these. If you have one its because you have good credit and make enough money. Less than one percent of the people in this world can say they carry an Amex card, even more so the Platinum card. You want to know how I justified it? I don’t wear fancy clothes, jewelry, gamble or waste money on fancy vacations. I figure, if I’m gonna show off something, I want it to be my financial success. I’m not rich; I’m a simple teacher who also has a small business. Paying with a Plat card, or any Amex card for that matter, is a luxury. Everybody here knows that you can get a Discover card or visa fee free and get points with no hassle. I’d rather pay $395 for my Plat card and 150 for my Gold Card than to spend on fancy clothes and the above mentioned luxuries. I think it really comes out cheaper on a per year basis. Some people pay hundreds more a year on luxuries that are not worth it. To me, flashing my Amex card is fancier than flashing a Polo Horsie.
December 29th, 2007 at 6:06 am
I was thinking about applying for this card but from what I’ve read I couldn’t figure out the difference between AmEx Platinum and world MC.. Both have rewards and no preset spending limit (I have no annual fee on MC).. Should I still apply for AmEx (not counting the ego thing)??
I’m not an avid traveler or a credit card user but I do have relatively good (excellent) credit history. Which one would be a smart move for me?
January 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
There is a big diff b/t the Amex Plat and MC World, — MC world does not automatically get you into the airline clubs (big benefit for me)
January 17th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
If you travel on Delta and or American Airlines the respective Crown and Admiral Rooms each cost $500 a year. They cost absolutely nothing if your trips were booked using the platinum card. Thats a huge benefit to a modest traveler, and my wife as well.
January 18th, 2008 at 12:22 am
My wife and I have the PLATINUM card and the fee was waived the first year and 495 since. Well I must say that I am impressed with the card. We have had some issues with some of the products that we bought with it. When we called American express and put in a claim they have paid it. We have been card members since 2001 and never had a problem with the card. We have used the airport club many times (we had coach seats) and never had a problem getting in. What we have paid in fees for the card has been returned to us many times over. Plus the reward points that we rack up every year, we convert to gift cards and either use them for dinners when we go to Las Vegas or give them to friends at Christmas time. Another benefit is the buying power with the card. I bought a expensive watch with the card with no problems. I would never give up this card and its benefits, I think I would be lost without it.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I got my Platinum about four years ago, after eight years of flawless service with an AMEX gold. I’m based in Italy, although I spend best part of my time abroad: sometimes I don’t come back to Italy for years. Upgrading my gold to Platinum has been a very bad move:
1. a few months ago, my 80 y.o. mother (who receives all the correspondence related to the card), got really crazy in reading that I had become a “bad payer”, and that AMEX was going to denounce me to the Italian credit authorities because my bank had refused to pay a bill. Indeed, my Italian bank had had a few-hour server breakdown (the typical case of force majeure…) , immediately solved. My cards hadn’t even been blocked; the letter, instead, had immediately been sent. The huge amount involved in the unpaid bill was 41 euro (about 50 $)…
2. Last week, act two: my cards have been blocked because on my Italian account there was no coverage for 140 euro of cash withdrawal; it can happen, if you have several different accounts in different places. But nobody called me to warn me in advance (the least you would expect from a Company which knows how to be very aggressive with tele-marketing). As usual, I was abroad, and lucky enough to have my loyal Visa with me.
The question is: after 12 years of excellent relationship, (and more than a few hundred thousand euro regularly paid) do you think this kind of behaviour is coherent with the overall image of Amex? What’s the point in paying several hundred euro per year if the service you get is the you would get from no matter what company? BTW, owning an AMEX in Italy is almost an act of faith: it is true that several shops, mostly low-market, prefere Visa or even cash because of AMEX’s high commissions.
The very last consideration: four years ago, when AMEX called me to offer their Platinum card, they said it was the very privilege they were going to give to their best customers. Nowadays, virtually every gold card owner has been invited to upgrade; and, in the meanwhile, a new “centurion” card is available also in Italy. Bazaar marketing, to say the least…
February 6th, 2008 at 2:29 am
I have been routinely asked to upgrade my GREEN Card(God forbid) for a Platinum. For me, it is purely a financial transaction - I really don’t believe any sales clerk or jaded airline employee cares what my credit card looks like or my FICO score. So, can someone recommend this card based on moderate domestic/international travel, purchases. Has anyone actually scored hard-to-get tickets to something?
February 6th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
American Express International Airline Program
This is a misleading promotion. They claim if you have a Platinum American Express Card than you can buy 1 business class airline international ticket and receive 1 companion ticket free.
They have a list of 18 international airlines that participate in this program. You must use one of these carriers.
I tried to do this and found out it is a phony program.
First I got the business fare on two of the approved airlines and I was told that you must book thru American Express Platinum Travel Services. When I called them I was told that my fares were not valid because they were not unrestricted. American Express told me that the fare for the flights I wanted would cost me more than the airline price for two Business Class tickets.
I went back to the airlines and priced the cost of unrestricted airfare. The new higher price was $8,434.56 for Swiss Air. When I re contacted American Express they advised me that they did not have any seats in Business Class for my travel dates. There were seats available in Business class but not American Express seats.
I went to Lufthansa and found good flights for a new higher fare of $8744.68. The flights were Lufthansa 463 connecting with Lufthansa 2954. The return was Lufthansa 2941 connecting with Lufthansa 462. This price was for unrestricted business fare. I contacted American Express again, only to be told no good, because Lufthansa flight number 2954 was a code share flight with South African Airways and not eligible.
I tried South African Airways from Washington DC. I got a price of $8424.26. I would have to get my own airfare to and from Washington, but I would be flying only South African Airways which is American Express Approved. This fare is also unrestricted.
Once more I was turned down by American Express. They would book me on the same flights but for a fare in excess of $13,000.00. When I questioned why, American Express said you have to use their own special prices. These fares are not even published.
In other words you can buy one and get one free, but only at a price created by American Express and costing in some cases more than double the airline price.
I am sure this is not only misleading, but a case of fraud.
What do you think?
February 11th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I opened my Green card account in 2002. Last year, I got suckered into the promotional mailing for a Platinum Card. With the annual fee of $450, I calculated that I would have to spend 45,000/year on the card in order to earn enough points (1% Cash Back) to pay myself back with gift cards. So I downgraded back to the Green Card just before my annual fee hit. I spend about $12,000/year on the Green Card, and I have to spend $9,500/year on the card in order to earn enough points to make it fee-free. So I’ll be netting about $30+ off of the card, but only if I use it enough.
The only reason I have an Amex Charge account is I like to pay everything off every month, and not have the temptation to “let it ride” on interest. I’m really considering canceling the card, b/c there really is no benefit to having it because of the annual fee. I feel trapped in this point game, ah…but that’s what Amex is counting on.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
What is the difference between the Citi AMEX platinum and the regular AMEX platinum?
https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=927
February 26th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Just got my business Platinum Card last month (Upgraded from the Busines Gold).
The pro’s:
Used the Admirals Club six times on two trips (brought my wife and daughter for free as well). AA wants $450.00 per year for me and $300.00 per year for my wife. Or you can pay $100.00 per visit for 3 people.
Cancelled by Gold card. Saved $85.00 per year.
Fee free Membership rewards. Saved $40.00 per year.
Free Hertz #1 Gold membership. Saved $50.00 per year.
Car rental insurance is an option for $29.00 per rental instead of high $$$ per day through Hertz etc. This is good abroad when your own insurance may not apply.
The Negs:
Tried to book several dates for a domestic companion flight from Bos to Atlanta…No luck for any days…times….rates…. Companion Seats are (supposedly) very limited!! Program is a rip off. Called AMEX and was told to deal with travel company. Yeah right.
I will be trying to book an international flight next month for Feb ‘09. I have a bad feeling that I will see same results. This will be through AMEX Travel. I read on other websites as well as this one that prices are bumped up on the purchased ticket to offset the companion ticket savings. We shall see what happens.
So I’ll decide if the pro’s outweight the cons next month.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:09 am
So I see a lot of questions and not too many answers. I’ll admit, I am a few months new to the Platinum and have been an Amex customer for a couple of years…..thus far, love the card. You have to recognize when you get the card, you have to work for the benefits.
1) Use the concierge service! In my humble experiences thus far, they will indeed work for you quite hard. I moved to a new city this year and don’t have any reputable companies to work with…need a house cleaner, they hooked me up. Need a tax accountant, they hooked me up. Need reservations…of course. Yes, you can get hard to get tickets….yes you still have to pay for them and there may not be a block of 4 together…but you wanted them and you have them.
2) You have to work to make the companion tickets work. If you fly 4 times a year and want to offset the cost of your premium based on those 4 flights…it’s probably not going to work for you. If you travel a lot, know fair market value for tickets, and are willing to do your homework before calling for your companion…yes…you can easily offset the cost of the annual fee in 2 flights tops.
And yes, at the end of the day it’s a ritzy card. I make a modest living and am just now at the point of being able to pay that high of a fee without wincing however at the end of the day I’m financially driven and I can comfortably say that this card offsets that cost in practicality. And, yep, I actually have to use it for what it’s worth….and I mean work for it
March 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I have been reading commentary that you need to have the AMX gold card 1st before getting an offer for AMX platnum card- this is not true. I have had AMX green card since 2001- 7 years- I have paid my balances in full never late…never spent too much…maybe at most 2,000.00 one month out of entire 7 years. I also have AMX blue (have a low balance on it now), & AMX gold Delta sky miles card (no balance on it). For about 3-4 months I have been receiving offers online to get AMX platnum. I will consider this because I like to travel with my boyfriend, and concierge service is a good thing. Also, I have had exeperiance with AMX companion ticket program. My dad had the Gold card- so I was able to use the companion tickets for myself and my boyfriend. It was very easy…really…I could have been anyone, I just called up the # on the ticket and spoke to a travel agent, and planned my vacation to Miami…they didn’t even ask for the code. Also, I didn’t have to be the owner of the card in which the companion tickets were sent I just had to have an AMX card- in my case a green card.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
You don’t have to have the AMX gold card to get offers for AMX platnum. If you have AMX green you will get same offer, just pay off balance each month in full, never have late payments, and own the card for (in my case) 7 years- lucky 7?. Unless you travel alot, Platnum card is for people who want to look rich but are not
and will be a waste of money.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Last entry above was a mistake. I didn’t think my commentary had gone through.
From Eddie Solis’s commentary above: If you have one [AMX card]its because you have good credit and make enough money. Less than one percent of the people in this world can say they carry an Amex card, even more so the Platinum card.
I wonder if this is true…or what AMX want people to beleive? I got AMX gold while in college…I had a little job at CSUN- pay rate 7.00$/ hr. A month later I got AMX green, which I have now, and dropped the gold card. A month after that I received two offeres in the mail for AMX platinum. This all happened in 2001. I bet if I had taken the offer for the Platinum card I would have gotten an offer for the Centurion card…Ok I go to far.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Useless…… I have the gold card, but its a waste of time. No benefits that are worth the $150 yearly fee. People worry too much about status…. In all actuality, no one really cares about the color of your card. I see centurian amex black 3 times a day at my Luxury Hotel and no one even blinks. And if you are that worried about flying at a discount and getting buddy passes etc… just date a flight attendant and you will fly free. You can fly like you make $500,000 a year dating a flight attendant, especially booking $10,000 last minute first class round trips to Europe on your days off for $0.00 on an employee companion pass.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
There is a point that is being missed by Trek. Like most things in life, there are fancy ways and the practical ways. A credit card transaction will have the same effect on your purchase, whether you pay with a Visa or Amex. But just like you can get from point A to point B with any brand of car, Amex cards are tailored to meet the needs of those who like to be distinguished as succesful. Amex cards are “prestigious” cards. Trying to justify having one is just impossible. I’m not wealthy or conceited, but owning one to me is a sense of accomplisment, not to mention raising my ego. We all want the best things in life, and there is nothing wrong with that. Getting them may take work for some but we can get there.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I have had an Amex Platinum card since last summer. The benefits I value most are for travel, fitness, and the concierge.
I was able to use one companion fare for domestic travel (I have only tried once). The fare for the ticket was the same as on aa.com although I will admit that the travel agency that Amex contracts with does not have the best customer service. It would be easier to book online, but it was worth 30 min on the phone for a free $417-valued plane ticket.
I recently attempted to use the business class companion program for international travel, but I prefer AA which is not on their list.
As a frequent traveler on both AA and Delta, I appreciate the access to the Admiral’s Club (normally $350 after the elite discount) and Crown Room ($325 after medallion discount). I can also get into the lounges when traveling on Continental or Northwest.
Another benefit (which is also available to Gold cardholders) is the ability to pay for part or all of your travel with rewards points. Instead of paying $1500 for a plane ticket, I was able to use 150,000 rewards points and still earn frequent flier miles for the trip. (Side note: I did have some issues with the travel website and spent over an hour on the phone with customer service, but Amex credited my account with $117 for the inconvenience after I complained.)
I recently joined Equinox, and since I paid with the Platinum Card I was entitled to 5 free training sessions (valued at I think $75 each) and a free massage ($110).
Prestige is a noncontributing factor, as nobody ever notices that I have a Platinum card (unless I am bringing him/her into an airport lounge with me). I get more attention from the Gucci wallet I carry it in.
I haven’t managed to get the fees waived, but if you do the math, the membership fee has more than made up for itself. If you are part of a couple who travels frequently and goes to the gym, then the additional $175 for the second card is an even bigger value.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Eddie Solis,
I’m not sure how prestigious this card really is. I graduated from college 1 year ago. 6 months ago I decided to get the AMEX gold card because my AMEX delta card just wasn’t doing it for me. Now 1 month ago I was offered the AMEX platinum. This is less than 1 yr after graduating college. Granted I make a decent living and all of my credit expenses go on AMEX, but I wouldn’t call myself an elite member of society or anything along those lines.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Here’s the golden rule for having an AE card.
If you charge:
$9,500 / year = get a Green Card
$15,000 / year = get a Gold Card
$45,000 / year = get a Platinum Card
If you charge this amount on each card respectively, you will receive enough membership rewards points to offset the annual fee.
If you charge less, you are paying for a charge card, which is a really dumb idea. You could use a Visa / MC for free, it’s accepted everywhere when AE is not. You could pay your balance off on a Visa/MC every month too.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:29 am
….One more thing
American Express is resting on its past laurels.
There was a time (back in the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s) when it made sense to pay their fees. They provided a “real” travel service and were there if you needed them overseas. But times have changed alot. Credit cards are so universal now, and most all of them are fee free, it just doesn’t make any sense to have these cards anymore. They are “dead products” of a byegone era.
So really, why do you have this card? really??
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
The concierge service is actually really, really helpful. They called manager at the Cheesecake Factory and were able to get me in right away with no wait.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I have been an Amex platinum card holder for about 2-3 months. Actually, I have been reading this board because it does seem a little too good to be true regarding the companion ticket feature of the card. But the concierge service, which I have used twice to date, is quite helpful. This past friday I was in Anaheim, California (I live in Los Angeles, and was actually staying in Long Beach on this particular day) visiting family in town from Germany. They were doing the Disneyland thing so I thought it would be great to catch a nice dinner that’s not over the top but good. Quality was a must.
Long story - short, I called concierge and the individual helping me found a good restaurant in disneyland itself (off of the main strip) by the name of Steakhouse 55. They also phoned in my party info and gave me directions. All in all, a helpful service.
I also tried to use the concierge to get ColdPlay tickets, no dice.
Still not convinced the card is for me, but I am probably going to give it through the first year to see how it performs.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:34 am
I upgraded from my gold reward plus to platinum two months ago. Initially the agent on the phone offered me 25k bonus upgrading points. and i was satisfied with the arrangment even knowing that i will have to pay an annual fee of $450.
but hey…i am not complaining!
A few weeks later, while reading thru some forum, i read someone was offered 50k bonus points for upgrading. so i called and asked for the other 25k points. I got the 25k bonus points a few days later without mush hassle! Also, a few weeks ago, another 25k points was added to my account, and I still am not sure why..
i am 26, and when i show my amex platinum card, ppl always show a weird look…..ego was not the reason why i upgraded this card, i actually needed the points. Another advantage of this card is that you are allowed to advance i think 60k points comparing it to a 25k advanced points from gold.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Im 20 years ol and I have AMEX Platinum AMEX Optima Platinum, and Blue Cash Cards. I usle these regualry and carry a balance of $300 overall.
EGO:
As for ego, when a 20 year old pulls out an American Express platinum, the retailers give me the crazy look like I am crazy, and I drive an 2007 Cadillac XLR so if they see me get in my car they go really wild.
I am not rich, I am a private financial consultant and active duty military. I teach people how to make money with no money they and balance budgets. to secure your financial future.
TIP of Day: SAVE 25% of income per year!
If anyone has questions, contact me at quintero.pitts@sbcglobal.net
July 21st, 2008 at 7:06 am
I have had my green card since 2007 and was offered to upgrade to the platinum card a few weeks ago. I have been debating whether it would be worth it. I use my card for everything I possibly can so I can get points to use to travel. Have not been able to use it to travel yet. I have 20,000 points and you need to have 25,000 to use it. I called today to find out the difference between my husband’s AMEX Blue Sky card and my green card, and found out his card is actually much better for flights and hotels!! I was so surprised!! With the blue card you get $100 for 7500 points and you can book it with any travel agent and airlines. You book your flight and or hotel and then then they give you a $100 credit for every 7500 points you have and would like to redeem. (must be in increments of 7500 though) on your statement! Its awesome! PLUS, You don’t have to use the AMEX travel service at all, unlike with the green and platinum cards!! With the green card and the platinum card you get $100 (to use for flight) for 10,000 points! I was shocked that the blue sky was better for travel then the green or platinum. You don’t get perks such as the concierge or rooms at the airport, but you can buy whatever ticket you find! The only reason I would want to try the platinum card is to be able to rest in the rooms at the airport, but I don’t know how often I would use that anyway unless traveling really far. otherwise I like direct flights! Still not sure if I am going to get platinum, but I sure am going to start using that blue sky card more often to rack up points for travel!