Why would anyone get an Amex Platinum?

[Anonymous]

Benefits + Perks > Annual Fee

[CEOriginal]

I get the feeling that some of the cardholders of Amex Plat have it just as a status symbol. I'll admit that it does look good, but take a venture around some online forums, and you'll see that some people are not getting the most out of the card.

But hey, that's their perrogative. At the end of the day, if you have $450 per year to spend on looking cool, then God speed!

[RSCo]

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@Anonymous wrote:

$400 annual fee, NOT waived for the first year. Most of the benefits are same as PRG.

Why would anyone do that?

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Apply thru Ameriprise and the first year is waived...

https://www.ameriprise.com/cash-cards-and-lending/cards/platinum-card-from-american-express.asp

[Open123]

If I were taking a trip now, here's what I would do:

1.  Apply for a MB Platinum for 50K sign up bonus.

2.  $200 airline credit per calendar year - can use it for 2013, and again for 2014 before I cancel in July for $400 total.

3.  Free global entry, which is good for 5 years.

4.  Elite membership in Avis, National, and Hertz.

5.  SPG Gold status - which otherwise requires 10 stays or $30K spend.

6.  $100 hotel credit

So, purely from a quantitative perspective, for a $475 annual fee, one receives the following:  50K MR points; $400 airline credit; $100 Global entry fee; and, $100 hotel credit.

So, why?  If nothing else, for material gain?

[Open123]

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@fixingitohio wrote:the qualification the same for Green, Gold, PRG and Platinum in terms of credit profile with the only differentiator being your willingness to pay the fee?  When I get back in with them, I'd like to go with Platinum because of travel vs. Green and work my way up (which I did way back when).

If I can get back in, Member since 1993 will be pretty nice, especially if I can parlay in to a BCE or BCP.

Thoughts?

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Yes, I think the qualifications for all the charge cards are the same.  

For 2 or 3 TLs reinserted with 1993 will most assurendly be worth it.  In your case, for the price of an Amex, you also receive 20 years boost to AAOA, which as Visa would say, is "priceless."

[HiLine]

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@Open123 wrote:

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@fixingitohio wrote:the qualification the same for Green, Gold, PRG and Platinum in terms of credit profile with the only differentiator being your willingness to pay the fee?  When I get back in with them, I'd like to go with Platinum because of travel vs. Green and work my way up (which I did way back when).

If I can get back in, Member since 1993 will be pretty nice, especially if I can parlay in to a BCE or BCP.

Thoughts?

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Yes, I think the qualifications for all the charge cards are the same.  

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Does that include the discontinued Zync? 

[Open123]

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@HiLine wrote:

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@Open123 wrote:

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@fixingitohio wrote:the qualification the same for Green, Gold, PRG and Platinum in terms of credit profile with the only differentiator being your willingness to pay the fee?  When I get back in with them, I'd like to go with Platinum because of travel vs. Green and work my way up (which I did way back when).

If I can get back in, Member since 1993 will be pretty nice, especially if I can parlay in to a BCE or BCP.

Thoughts?

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Yes, I think the qualifications for all the charge cards are the same.  

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Does that include the discontinued Zync? 

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No, the Zync would be an exception.

[indiolatino61]

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@Anonymous wrote:

$400 annual fee, NOT waived for the first year. Most of the benefits are same as PRG.

Why would anyone do that?

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One of the best cards for frequent travelers.

[jonald11]

A few people are talking about how Platinum is just for people hoping to attain some kind of status for $450. That's ridiculous. Anyone who has traveled overseas at all will understand quickly how valuable the club lounge is.

For example, in the U.S., your cell phone will still work and calls be free if you are flying from Boston, stopping in Chicago, and on the way to L.A. If you are in Eastern Europe, flying through Germany, on your way to Russia, that is a different telephone company in each country. The Club Lounges give you free internet, so you can work, e-mail and use Skype for calls all day long. And buying Internet access at Airports can be 16 Euro for a few hours.

Add in the free beer, wine, liquor, buffets (some quite good, believe it or not), and you are saving yourself, at a minimum, $25 per airport layover. I probably spent 50 days in European and Middle East airports last year alone. This card pays for itself many, many times over. Then add in Starwood status, Rental car (although other cards are similar), and the almost universal room upgrades in every country when you pull out the card, and it is an easy selection.

Only problem is their nearly total split with United Airlines does make life more diffcult.

But if you travel overseas -- or live overseas -- this is without question the best card you can have.

[CS800]

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@kilj0y wrote:

I am active duty military so annual fees are waived for me. Thats why I want one.

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Permanently or for deplyometn purposes. Wonder what they do for reservists who are on active status.