Another day, another premium credit card is making changes – this time, we’ve heard rumors that the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cards are both getting increased annual fees and other changes.
$900 Platinum card. Worth it?
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(00:24) – Expensive changes are coming for Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cards
(01:47) – Some changes on the coupon side of things have leaked…
(03:55) – Perks that appear on both cards (business and personal)
Read our post on what works for your airline incidental fee reimbursements here.
(05:31) – Perks on the (Consumer) Amex Platinum card
(06:23) – Perks on the Amex Business Platinum
(07:43) – Do these perks sound worth it for the new, higher annual fee?
(18:58) – Learn more about MaxFHR here.
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Both myself and P2 have the Platinum consumer and business cards. With the increased annual fee, we will have to consider dropping one of the consumer cards. One thing I like about the card is the emergency medical evacuation coverage.
My question is, if we only keep my card and we go on a trip and P2 is with me and needs emergency evacuation, would my card cover her?
With the speculated new FHR rebate on the refreshed Platinum as well as the new Edit rebate on the refreshed CSR, I am curious if there is an opportunity to stack a 2night stay at an EDIT hotel with CSR PLUS a 1night stay at the same hotel (as there are many which overlap between The Edit and FHR)? Thereby, possibly getting 3 nights and $550 (250 from CSR and 300 from Plat) rebate across 2 cards. This would then also include the daily perks that come with each booking.
Just a thought an curious what others think of this? Or is this simply too greedy?
I wouldn’t say “stack” but you could have two consecutive bookings. Each with its respective benefits. And, you could call the hotel and ask them to link the two booking so you don’t have to change rooms.
For a person who actually travels and actually uses the CSR, the statement credits are easily captured. For a person who actually travels and actually uses the Strata Elite, the statement credits are easily captured. The same will apply for the refreshed Platinum. In this respect, a high annual fee is a non-issue.
Of course, non-hobbyists who are not mindful about the statement credits will likely not do so well. And, those who are after nothing more than free lounge access might be hard-pressed as well — this is where the complaints will come from.
I think regular travelers being able to “easily” capture the statement credits on these premium cards is where there is some debate. I feel like there is a large segment of travelers who would like to have the lounge access and travel protections these cards provide but have little interest in hotels at the price point of FHR/The Edit (and in the case of CSR their new high end dining options). If I go to MaxFHR and type in “Michigan”, “Wisconsin”, and “Minnesota” I get three results combined. “Alberta” (with the gorgeous Canadian Rockies) gives me three, all very high end Fairmont properties that can run in to four figure nightly rates during busy season. The general travel portal booking credit on the Venture X doesn’t have this same issue since it can be widely used. The high end property restrictions make these credits much more limiting and the cards a poor fit for people who like to travel, maybe even a lot, but tend to go to more nature focused or less built up destinations.
I really wonder what the breaking point will be in terms of annual fees, regardless of how many coupons they add. I feel like the Chase Sapphire mostly generated negative hype and I wonder if it’s been a success or not, in a recent episode you also think that it hasn’t met their expectations and I’m sure the high AF is a big factor. Or, maybe they just want to go back to the days where Platinum cards weren’t as common and they only just wanted the customers who don’t care about the fees.
Hey guys!
Really curious your thoughts here on if its worth to apply for the platinum card now if we can lock in the 175k or 200k offer prior to this “refresh”
I have the same question!