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@CreditScholar wrote:If you travel internationally you don't always have the luxury of having 1 hour layovers, nor should you be foolish enough to take it even if the option presents itself to you. One missed connection and you're essentially stuck in a foreign country, usually for at least a day.
During layovers that are several hours long, lounge access is a huge plus. I love being able to escape the plebs and chaos of the terminal, so for me lounge access is essential. In many ways I find it similar to broadband vs dialup. Once you've switched, you'll find it near impossible to switch back (or do without).
SPG gold gives you free internet, which can run $15-20 per night at many Starwood hotels. If you travel for even a week or two per year, it may save you a couple hundred dollars. Also Amex FHR will give additional benefits such as hotel credits, free breakfast, etc.
The Amex platinum is a great value if you fit its target clientele and can use its benefits. If you don't, then you're better off looking elsewhere.
+1
@CreditScholar wrote:
@VinnyofLegend wrote:I still can't see myself wanting one...
If I did travel all the time, the $200 credit wouldn't really cover the baggage fees for more than 4 trips (fewer if traveling with another person)...and lounge access? Maybe if you planned in your trip poorly such that you had to wait a decent period between flights and were in airports with participating lounges in your terminal (otherwise you'd have to plan time between your lounge and your departing terminal)...
I think the Delta Amex is a better value (assuming you're flying Delta or Delta partners most of the time), it pays for itself very quickly in baggage fees (even more so if someone is going with you). And heck you don't even have to buy your ticket with that particular card.
The only Amex card that "impresses" me is an Amex Corporate card since it means someone else is footing the bill.
If you travel internationally you don't always have the luxury of having 1 hour layovers, nor should you be foolish enough to take it even if the option presents itself to you. One missed connection and you're essentially stuck in a foreign country, usually for at least a day.
During layovers that are several hours long, lounge access is a huge plus. I love being able to escape the plebs and chaos of the terminal, so for me lounge access is essential. In many ways I find it similar to broadband vs dialup. Once you've switched, you'll find it near impossible to switch back (or do without).
SPG gold gives you free internet, which can run $15-20 per night at many Starwood hotels. If you travel for even a week or two per year, it may save you a couple hundred dollars. Also Amex FHR will give additional benefits such as hotel credits, free breakfast, etc.
The Amex platinum is a great value if you fit its target clientele and can use its benefits. If you don't, then you're better off looking elsewhere.
+100
I have been using my Platinum over the past few months and have largely sock drawered my Zync. The number of comments and compliments about my Amex card has basically dropped to zero after years of "oohs and ahhs" while I was using my Zync. Amex Platinum cards are pretty common. I have enjoyed lounge access, airline fee credits, and SPG gold access and have used the travel phone services this year. I like the card and will renew. But it is just another high end card like all the others.
I agree with OP, the card is very widely issued to almost anyone and anyone with a green/gold can convert. It's certainly not the status symbol it used to be but remains a great card for travelers.
@CreditScholar wrote:
During layovers that are several hours long, lounge access is a huge plus. I love being able to escape the plebs and chaos of the terminal, so for me lounge access is essential. In many ways I find it similar to broadband vs dialup. Once you've switched, you'll find it near impossible to switch back (or do without).
Lounge access is convenient but I rarely bother. Most are way too far from my gate anyway and I find them pretty boring at times when I travel alone. I know it might sound strange but sometimes I'd rather just go eat in the terminal to pass the time and then proceed to my gate. And when my layover or delay is long enough, I'm almost always just visit the local city. It's a great way to explore a city you may otherwise never visit. I did that when I had a 5 hour layover in Taipei, had a great time too. Of course you need to be sensitive with timing, clearing customs/passport control, getting to the city and not getting lost then back to the airport lol So far so good, never missed a flight.
@icloud2525 wrote:
I'm a gm at a hotel in ny and occasionally have to help front desk with check ins when short staffed. It's funny after using this forum, when I do help all I do is check out what cc they're using. Used to be I saw a Amex platinum and it impressed me, now I think, they spend $450 annual fee on this. Today I helped out and saw world mc's, visa sigs, cap1 venture and a platinum, and was least impressed with plat. Funny how your views change when you really learn about this stuff. But not gonna lie, for some crazy reason I still kind of want one.
Even the Palladium or Centurion is not impressive, as most people do not even know what they are. I was in Neiman Marcus a few days ago, and a lady pulled out the Palladium and the cashier did not look at it twice.
@mxp114 wrote:I agree with OP, the card is very widely issued to almost anyone and anyone with a green/gold can convert. It's certainly not the status symbol it used to be but remains a great card for travelers.
@CreditScholar wrote:During layovers that are several hours long, lounge access is a huge plus. I love being able to escape the plebs and chaos of the terminal, so for me lounge access is essential. In many ways I find it similar to broadband vs dialup. Once you've switched, you'll find it near impossible to switch back (or do without).
Lounge access is convenient but I rarely bother. Most are way too far from my gate anyway and I find them pretty boring at times when I travel alone. I know it might sound strange but sometimes I'd rather just go eat in the terminal to pass the time and then proceed to my gate. And when my layover or delay is long enough, I'm almost always just visit the local city. It's a great way to explore a city you may otherwise never visit. I did that when I had a 5 hour layover in Taipei, had a great time too. Of course you need to be sensitive with timing, clearing customs/passport control, getting to the city and not getting lost then back to the airport lol So far so good, never missed a flight.
I think it's different for you since you're travelling alone, whereas we always travel together. She always likes being able to rest in the lounges, get something to eat/drink, etc. She especially likes the massage chairs in the Asiana lounge in ICN.
I haven't found it too far to walk in most cases, except for BKK. Other airports we frequently pass through seem much better. NRT for example has their UA lounge within 100-200m of most of their gates, which isn't bad at all.
Is the reward system (points system) the same for all the amex charge cards? I know when I had my amex green the pointes were horrible. It was like getting 0.4% cash back when I added it up, defintily didn't make up for the fee.
Too many card companies use the word platinum in their name. Visa platinum's are the base models right?
@firesoul453 wrote:Is the reward system (points system) the same for all the amex charge cards? I know when I had my amex green the pointes were horrible. It was like getting 0.4% cash back when I added it up, defintily didn't make up for the fee.
Too many card companies use the word platinum in their name. Visa platinum's are the base models right?
For most purposes, it is the same. There is an MR First program for Platinum and Centurion cardholders, but I believe the only difference is that you get access to some additional high end retailers to redeem for gift cards. There also is (was?) an MR Express program. Not sure if that exists anymore with the discontinuation of Zync, but it didn't allow tranfers of points to partners, such as frequent flier programs.
If you like redeeming for cash back, these are not the best rewards cards for you. The best value for Amex MR points is to transfer to frequent flier programs for premium international travel. Premium domestic tickets aren't too bad either for transcontinental flights.
The card has its Merits if you cam take advantage of the extra perks.
I'm contemplating switching to the PR Gold or just regular gold. I'm not using the card enough for travels nowadays.
@ztnjpv wrote:The Platinum is not designed for the sheer points seeker. Its benefits elsewhere in terms of perks for travel. If you use the card for what it can really offer, it more than pays for the AF.
More than pays for the annual fee? I don't think that math adds up.