Amex Platinum — cancel or downgrade?

[1LostArk]

I can't justify the AF on my Platinum next year, so I'd like to cancel or downgrade to a Green. I will probably want a Platinum again at some point, so would it be better to downgrade now and upgrade in the future, or simply cancel and reapply in the future? Staying on good terms with Amex is of paramount importance to me, so if it would be better to downgrade I have no problem with that, but if it makes no difference I'll just cancel. Thanks!

[cashorcharge]

As long as you maintain your account, downgrading to the Green and then awaiting for an upgrade offer or reapplying in the future will not affect your relationship. You "may" lose out on benefits/SUB's when you go back depending on the offer verbiage when the time comes regarding lifetime eligibility etc...however, ultimately, if you maintain your account...suffice to say, AMEX is likely to send you offers to woo you back to the Plat...sometimes with an offer, sometimes not.  To stay in their ecosystem, I would chose to downgrade if I couldn't justify the AF versus closing althogether.

[OmarGB9]

You could do either, but if you don't mind paying the smaller AF and can actually get use out of the Green, then it'd be better to downgrade and wait for an upgrade offer later.

[805orbust]

I've been struggling with this same question...  Ever since the pandemic,  the work travel has REALLY slowed down. But you never know when things will change...  I'm not a fan of reapplying so the downgrade may be the move after all.

[1LostArk]

Thanks for the input everyone! I will downgrade to Green and upgrade back to Plat if and when Amex dangles a carrot.

[xenon3030]

Can you justify the AF of Green? If not, it might be better to cancel Platinum. In case that you would need Platinum in future, you may apply again to the other places that provide Amex Platinum like schewab (should be able to get SUB also).

[wasCB14]

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@xenon3030 wrote:

Can you justify the AF of Green? If not, it might be better to cancel Platinum. In case that you would need Platinum in future, you may apply again to the other places that provide Amex Platinum like schewab (should be able to get SUB also).

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Though note you cannot PC Schwab Platinum to anything else.

And FWIW, two Platinums and a Gold work for me, but a Green doesn't. But I have Gold for dining, Platinum for flights and lounges, limited non-award hotel stays, and cheap mass transit.

[xenon3030]

Correct. Green almost does not have perks and the OP should evaluate whether it is worth to pay AF.

Btw, I like the way that you jusitfy keeping two platinum and one Gold

[wasCB14]

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@xenon3030 wrote:

Correct. Green almost does not have perks and the OP should evaluate whether it is worth to pay AF.

Btw, I like the way that you jusitfy keeping two platinum and one Gold

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LOL...I can see what you mean...a second (unintended) way to read my post.

"Every feature of Green is beaten or seriously rivaled by another card" versus "I only use Platinum for flights and lounges, but I need two...one personal one business, or just in case I lose one"

[BronzeTrader]

The AmEx Green is really a bad card.  You get little with the $150 AF.  You'd be better off sticking with Plat.  Or just close it.

Even the Gold is a far better card than the Green.  The AF is only $100 higher.