Could any coupon book really be worth six hundred and ninety-five dollars? On this week’s Frequent Miler on the Air, we discuss the latest developments with the Amex Platinum card and run the numbers on whether or not you can extract enough value to cover the (very steep) annual fee.
On the blog, we wrote about the strategy you should take up should you decide to cancel your Platinum card, using your new Entertainment credit for HBO Max, easy Star Alliance Gold for United lounge access, a strategy for IHG cards, Hyatt’s new all-inclusive award chart, paying the tax man, and more. Watch, listen, or read on below for more from this week at FM.
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This week at Frequent Miler
About the Amex Coupon book
Maximize value with your Amex Platinum Card
The Platinum card comes loaded with perks, but taking advantage of those credits requires a little effort. This post covers everything you need to do to squeeze maximum value out of your very expensive coupon book. If you listened to this week’s show and the numbers work out for you, this post can be a roadmap to #winning.
Don’t want to pay that $695 annual fee? Here’s the strategy before you cancel.
On the other hand, if you decide that the Platinum card isn’t worth renewing, you still need a plan of attack. Many readers have opened Platinum cards over the past year thanks to incredible welcome offers, but many won’t find it worth paying $695 to renew. Before you cancel, it’s worth seeing if you can get a valuable retention offer and you’ll certainly want to make sure you have a fee-free card that reserves your points. See more strategy in the post.
Huge improvement to Platinum card Digital Entertainment Credit
Amex launched an actual enhancement this week that totally changes how I value the Platinum card’s digital entertainment credit: it now works with Disney+ and The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+). Given the wide appeal of these services, this goes a long way toward making the Digital Entertainment credit a lot more valuable.
How to use the American Express entertainment credit to pay for HBO Max.
The new services that qualify for the Digital Entertainment Credit are Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, but a reader provided a hot tip about how it is possible to pay for HBO Max through Hulu. This makes it possible to get HBO Max for as little as $1.98 per month with a digital entertainment credit by singing up through Hulu.
In loyalty programs
Star Alliance Gold match via ANA Mileage Club (match Delta Gold, AA Platinum Pro)
If you have status with Delta, American, or some other non-Star Alliance airline and you’d like to get yourself United lounge access (even when flying domestically on United), check out this status match opportunity. We’ve not seen ANA run a match offer before and in this case they are matching to Star Alliance Gold from mid-tier statuses elsewhere, so it could be well worth it.
Hyatt releases all-inclusive award chart, adds 6 new properties
In a move that makes me a little nervous, Hyatt has released a new award chart just for all-inclusive properties. What I don’t love about this is that it effectively creates a new “Category 9” level. The expansion of bookable all-inclusives will surely be welcomed by many, but hopefully this doesn’t foreshadow the addition of a new category in the regular award chart.
In credit cards
My IHG Free Night Strategy [On Greg’s Mind]
Should Greg dump some of his Marriott cards in favor of a multi-IHG-card strategy? I just don’t get nearly as excited about IHG’s luxury brands or trading out a free night certificate for what amounts to a coupon good for 40K off of a free night — at least not yet. I’m holding on to my IHG Select card for now, though like Greg I could see IHG adding enough other perks to change my mind.
Mastercards on my mind for Player 2’s Curve card (on Nick’s mind)
With my wife having a Curve card, Mastercards have been on my mind. I think the ultimate add for her Curve card right now would be the Capital One SavorOne, though I’m far from confident that Capital One will approve her for another card. If it works though, she’ll end up with a wallet full of Curve-compatible Mastercards that offers a respectable return everywhere she spends when I’m not there to help manage the cards.
Pay taxes via credit card, 2022 edition
Tax time is here — don’t lay out a bunch of money without setting yourself up to get a bunch back. See our updated guide for how to pay taxes with a credit card and get rewarded for paying your fair share.
US Bank converting all Radisson Rewards Personal Visa cards into Altitude Go Visas
In a strange bit of craziness, U.S. Bank is dropping the Radisson card portfolio and converting all cardholders to Altitude Go cards on the consumer side (and I believe the Triple Cash on the business side). While this isn’t a terrible downgrade, it’s going to make it much harder to track and manage the expiration of my pile of Radisson points, so I find it to be an annoying change that will push me into finding ways to use those all of my points so I don’t have to worry about them long-term.
New Bottom Line Reviews
The Club at Charlotte International Airport (CLT): Bottom Line Review
Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe: Bottom Line Review
Park Hyatt NYC: Bottom Line Review
Zemi Beach House LXR, Anguilla: Bottom Line Review
That’s it for this week at Frequent Miler. Don’t forget to keep an eye on this week’s last chance deals.
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[…] When it comes to the American Express Platinum Card, I’d have to describe our relationship status as “it’s complicated.” While I can get a decent return on the $695 annual fee, it requires taking advantage of the plethora of statement credits. This is why some refer to the AMEX Platinum Card as one of the most expensive coupon books available. […]
IMO the airline fee credit has wider appeal than the Fine Hotel and Hotel Collection credits. I mostly use the airline credit it for United travelbank, but can also be a splurge for an upgrade. The hotel credit is a lot harder to use.
I loved my Radisson card but didn’t use the hotel points as often as I should. I’m starting to wonder if I should just convert them over to airline miles (at the less than ideal Radisson conversion rate).
Sorry but I don’t see a link for the YouTube video of Episode 145?
Deleted
Yes, unfortunately after uploading and just before publication I realized that I had forgotten to edit out the part where my son unexpectedly interrupted, so I had to re-edit and re-upload, which takes some time. It will be embedded as soon as it finishes uploading.