My wife insists it is. She is a very smart lady, and keeps on 'keepin on'. Any of the guys here, can give the real low down on it? Clearly reading the sales pitch from AMEX, it is the cat's meow. Really? Thank you. Regards, Alberto
I had one for years. Got rid of it. redeeming the benefits was just a pain in the ass. Every year you had to jump through more and more hoops. Don't miss it all.
Lately I'm hearing more about Cap One Venture X and Chase Sapphire. But I'm pleased with my Amex Platinum. First and foremost, they are the most vigilant about fraudulent charges - I've gotten three replacement cards overnighted to me in 6 years, they call within seconds of a suspicious charge. Last time was the Ticketmaster hack, before that, it was a day or two after we returned from London someone in the Middle East tried to run it (I'm convinced it's restaurant staff stealing the numbers 90% of the time). I've only used the airport lounges a few times, but I use the Amex travel site regularly for travel on points and to get the extra travel insurance when you use them for rental cars. Just last weekend I used points for a 'free' weekend at the Westin resort at Disney. My big grievance with their travel website is that it's nowhere near as easy as Kayak to compare - I usually look first at what I want on Kayak then book through Amex Travel.
I just have the 'normal' Capital One Venture card, earns miles, it's $95 a year, but I earn enough points that it pays for itself. I have nearly every monthly recurring payment get charged to this card, home electricity, gas, water, cell phone, internet, plus car insurance qtry. And my TSA Global Entry card is reimbursed (just did it) The points are nice - I can pay for things on Amazon with them when I make quick stupid trinket purchases. I have not travelled much in the last few years, not on a jet anyway, so I spent $2,200 worth of points on some new Nikon gear.... I can't say if that was smart or dumb... Wish I could pay my mortgage with it.... https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/venture/
I suppose someone should point out that Amex Centurion (Black) is invitation only. I had one for three years then went back to Platinum. This year marks fifty years I have been an Amex cardholder.
A current Black card holder may chime in as I have not kept up to date since I went back to Platinum. The clear advantage is dedicated - and I mean dedicated - concierge service. My experience was you could call from anywhere in the world at any time and someone would bail you out, get what you wanted, or fix any kind of travel or everyday life nightmare. The rep would follow up and stay connected with you until everything was resolved to your complete satisfaction. My wife was a Saks shopper and IIRC she received $1,000 a year in Saks credits. You also get top status in a bunch of hotel, car rental and similar travel services, including Delta medallion platinum level or whatever their high end status is now. I would buy business class tickets through Amex for international travel and literally ALWAYS was upgraded to first if there were 3 levels of seating on the aircraft. There is an initiation fee PLUS the annual fees for your card and a separate fee for (in this case) my wife. I was doing a boatload of travel when I had my business and thankfully that cooled down when I started winding down toward retirement (facilitated by Covid). It did not mean much to me, but you get a lot of WOW whenever you whip out the Black Card "I've never seen one of those" and that sort of thing if it matters to you. Hope this helps Joe.
Platinum used to have great concierge service, assured reservation at restaurants and hotels. today not so much. that said I use the lounges often, got all the kids cards as well so they can use the lounges. also have got me into places that I could not have.
adding my 2 cents been a Platinum Card holder since 82... In my opinion, IF you travel very frequently with an emphasis abroad...the card pays for itself my annual cost is covered by the give backs, dining credits & other travel related spends that they cover or mitigate. I've never used it as a personal concierge to get into a restaurant. When the day comes that I don't travel as much, then I will probably go back to a Gold Card.
Best part of Amex platinum for our use is the points for travel. Case in point being just booked 2 first class Delta to Vancouver through Plat Amex travel. Was approx 6k for both. Paid with my Amex with points which was 600,000 then got a rebate of 35 pct of my points 210,000 added back to my account from Amex. Such a deal.
Amex. Did the same on Swiss Air two years ago for 11k tickets and paid with 1,1000,000 points and also got back 35 pct. Also going back to Guatemala this month same deal. Travel must be first class and everything meaning air fair , must be done with Plat Amex travel Image Unavailable, Please Login
Member since '87 Forgot when I got invited to Platinum. At the time Business first & then the personal.......wife questioned the (personal) fee only the first time. Definitely $$ was worth the perks especially with family vacations. Used concierge, 5th row Elton John, etc etc etc. Haven't done so in years. Regardless, the customer service and security have been unmatched.
