American Express Platinum Card

[bad company]

We debated this 3 years ago (link below) when they increased the card fee to £450. I decided to keep mine as I liked the hotel card benefits, annual travel insurance (we travel a lot) and most of all the Priority Pass card benefit.

Over the years many of the benefits such as the Hilton Hotels Diamond Membership have gone and £450 is starting to look expensive.

Any good alternatives out there?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[bad company]

oyster said:

Worthless card.

The travel insurance is only valid if you pay for trips using an Amex card.

I paid for a £7k cruise where the travel company wanted 2% (£140 in card fees) to use an Amex. I could use a debit card, save myself that £140 and buy a quality travel insurance policy with Amex themselves! Oh and then save the £450 card fee on top!

Kind of defeats the point doesn't it?

No it's not worthless as I remind myself when I get into the airline lounges when flying with a budget airline. I'm just not sure its worth £450.

I book my cruises with Amex travel who obviously do not add any cc fees. Amex travel are also good on flights but you are right if another agent is cheaper but charges 2% that does defeat the point somewhat.

[bad company]

menguin said:

I considered my options after my renewal this year. For me, the below:

- Lounge access (you + guest, plus extra Platinum cardholder)
- Travel cover - this DOES cover you regardless of card used on personal accidents, legal, etc... Just doesn't cover your cash if it gets nicked.
- No foreign exchange fees
- Boingo wifi (new one)
- Car hire excess insurance

Is worth £450.

I had forgotten about the car hire excess insurance. Yes that is a valuable benefit.

What do you mean by 'no foreign transaction fees'? They charge 2.99% which I think is outrageous, I get round it by booking hotels etc using the Amex card so that I have insurance cover. Then when I check out I pay with a Halifax Clarity card which has no foreign fees.

I was not aware of Boingo - will take a look.

[bad company]

gregf40 said:

I have a black card now but used to have the Platinum until recently.

If you can't be bothered sorting out insurance and lounge passes then I guess it does save time - but value for money wise I would question if it's worth £450 a year.

However, the more you spend the more perks you get (special invites and offers). The offers considerably outweigh the fees (even on the black card) and are the main reason I use Amex.

If you aren't spending big money I would just stick to a green one and buy insurance separately.

Edited by gregf40 on Friday 29th May 14:31

So what extra perks do you get with black and at what cost please?

I was invited once but my Amex spend has reduced considerably as I spend a lot of time abroad now and pay with a Halifax Clarity card to avoid the 2.99% foreign exchange fee. That with the membership fee is what is making me consider options.

[bad company]

Been looking at this further. I can get annual cdw cover for car hire for £50,my bank already give me world wide travel insurance so the only thing missing for me is Priority Pass for lounge access.

Amex is starting to look expensive.

[bad company]

Well I have looked around & I reckon the Lloyds Avios reward card looks good:-

http://www.lloydsbank.com/M/credit-cards/avios-rew...

No non sterling charges & the chance to earn points for travel all @ £24 a year.

[bad company]

Yes the lifestyle stuff is good but remember if you pay in Euros or $'s its plus nearly 3%.

Just found out Amex offer a $ or Euro card with similar benefits:-

https://www.americanexpress.com/icc/eurodollar/per...

Not sure how it works if I use that card when I buy in £'s?

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z4RRSchris said:

black gets you pretty decent hotel upgrades as long as you book with them. Don't have to pay with them.

Same with Platinum.

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MKA29 said:

z4RRSchris said:

black gets you pretty decent hotel upgrades as long as you book with them. Don't have to pay with them.

Book with the card or book through amex?

Book with Amex. I did the same when I had the Platinum card. Happily using BA Amex in the UK & Lloyds Amex abroad.