Amex Plat or Axis Reserve

[churn]

I have a discussion question for the premium cardholders- Not just the ones who hold axis reserve or Amex plat. How do you compare the two cards- reserve v/s plat from an opportunity and a utility standpoint? I am not looking at the brand value per se. Amex does have a better brand value. Also, I have faced issues where the acceptance of Amex was low even in certain places (e.g. some shops in Lulu didn't accept Amex).
I am okay with the Amex Plat and paying the charges for it, but for Reserve, I do feel it is not worth that much. I travel a lot for leisure and have felt that Amex points have more value for me personally. Some of the features of Reserve don't serve a utility for me- for example, the way I value the airport transfer is very low since I calculate that on the level of what I would pay for a transfer. Also, the meet and greet is not a great deal since if you are traveling on a biz class ticket, you get a priority.

Do you feel that Reserve is worth paying 59k as annual fees when you have other opportunities around? I felt this card is more inclined to people who reach their limit with Magnus and would have better avenues. I know you get 50k points and some would value each point at more than Re.1. But everyone's calculation is different. I do not personally value them more than Rs 0.7 since I value them at the rate that I would be willing to pay for it, than the value I get.

I first thought that I would like to put this up in the Axis thread, but then decided it is better here. Mods can remove the post if they feel so.

 

[Gkcards]

with new axis transfer partners, reserve is also much more attractive. I don't find amex platinum attractive except for first year when you get welcome points

 

[indiatraveller]

I have a platinum charge card and I don't see the same value I saw when I applied for the card 3 years ago. I have a magnus and my vistara infinite card has been approved should be delivered soon. Will then apply for the Reserve as I value the points at at least 1Rs per point so in terms of justification of the fee it is quite easy for me. Might cancel the plat unless they offer me a good renewal bonus.

 

[amit]

In the race of axis magnus and reserve, Amex plat charge fall far back.

 

[gurbina]

Amex Plat is not a card for everyone, it is targeted at a very specific group of people and lifestyles:

• Those who need an actual charge card because they spend more in a month than most people earn in a year.
• Frequent business/leisure traveler due to IAP, FHR benefits, travel insurance, overseas medical insurance, best lounge access, etc. To top it up the premium memberships you will get on several hotel chains and car rentals makes this the perfect card for that use.
• Upper middle class and above lifestyles which consume luxury products/services. You'll see Amex having amazing good offers/discounts but the best ones mostly for luxury brands/services/experiences.
• People who know how to get the value out of it even without spending or minimal spends. Refer to the last paragraph.

These persons will get value in the Amex Platinum beyond that of Axis Magnus/Reserve. A lot of the other perks also can't beat or compete with Amex, well... that depends on your lifestyle and how you value these benefits. It's about experiences but also they have incredibly good rewards and cashback/discounts but in the luxury side mainly.
If you fit that profile it's a no-brainer card.

But again, it's not a "versus" kind of thing. You can have several cards that complement each other well.

Magnus/Reserve/Platinum could be a very good trio in you fit that kind of lifestyle that will put you in overdrive in terms of the value you're getting out of each card.

I personally I'm looking forward to get it and I'm in the process of applying for it.
It complements Magnus very well.

I can see myself using:

• Amex to arrange my visas.
• Booking flights with points from Axis and paying taxes and fees with Amex for travel insurance, overseas medical insurance, priority security lines, etc.
• Using Greet and Meet from Magnus. You could use the luxury transfer from Reserve if you have it.
• You can book stays with points you have transferred from Axis and enjoy the perks of the premium hotel memberships you get from the Amex Platinum: free night for every 3rd or 4th night depending on the hotel, getting free breakfast, early checkin and late checkout, getting the 100USD or whatever amount for hotel credit-transfers-food-spa-whatever, discounts, complimentary gifts and upgrades. Some of these premium memberships come with stay/food/discount vouchers and complimentary upgrades vouchers, etc.
• Car rental freebies, benefits and upgrades from the Amex Hertz membership.
• Using the concierge for booking attractions, places, restaurants, tours, etc. Also for recommendations or for arrangements like purchases when I travel overseas. And to deal with whatever hardship or issue I run into while traveling.

Concierge can be incredibly useful. If you know how to ask and be specific on your needs/wants then they'll be able to pull it off. Think of it as your secretary or good friend, might be a hit and miss depending on your communication skills.

The point being: it could be a card that can add a lot of value and in which you don't need to put a lot of expenses into.

 

[jiffyspace]

Amex Plat is not a card for everyone, it is targeted at a very specific group of people and lifestyles:

• Those who need an actual charge card because they spend more in a month than most people earn in a year.
• Frequent business/leisure traveler due to IAP, FHR benefits, travel insurance, overseas medical insurance, best lounge access, etc. To top it up the premium memberships you will get on several hotel chains and car rentals makes this the perfect card for that use.
• Upper middle class and above lifestyles which consume luxury products/services. You'll see Amex having amazing good offers/discounts but the best ones mostly for luxury brands/services/experiences.
• People who know how to get the value out of it even without spending or minimal spends. Refer to the last paragraph.

These persons will get value in the Amex Platinum beyond that of Axis Magnus/Reserve. A lot of the other perks also can't beat or compete with Amex, well... that depends on your lifestyle and how you value these benefits. It's about experiences but also they have incredibly good rewards and cashback/discounts but in the luxury side mainly.
If you fit that profile it's a no-brainer card.

But again, it's not a "versus" kind of thing. You can have several cards that complement each other well.

Magnus/Reserve/Platinum could be a very good trio in you fit that kind of lifestyle that will put you in overdrive in terms of the value you're getting out of each card.

I personally I'm looking forward to get it and I'm in the process of applying for it.
It complements Magnus very well.

I can see myself using:

• Amex to arrange my visas.
• Booking flights with points from Axis and paying taxes and fees with Amex for travel insurance, overseas medical insurance, priority security lines, etc.
• Using Greet and Meet from Magnus. You could use the luxury transfer from Reserve if you have it.
• You can book stays with points you have transferred from Axis and enjoy the perks of the premium hotel memberships you get from the Amex Platinum: free night for every 3rd or 4th night depending on the hotel, getting free breakfast, early checkin and late checkout, getting the 100USD or whatever amount for hotel credit-transfers-food-spa-whatever, discounts, complimentary gifts and upgrades. Some of these premium memberships come with stay/food/discount vouchers and complimentary upgrades vouchers, etc.
• Car rental freebies, benefits and upgrades from the Amex Hertz membership.
• Using the concierge for booking attractions, places, restaurants, tours, etc. Also for recommendations or for arrangements like purchases when I travel overseas. And to deal with whatever hardship or issue I run into while traveling.

Concierge can be incredibly useful. If you know how to ask and be specific on your needs/wants then they'll be able to pull it off. Think of it as your secretary or good friend, might be a hit and miss depending on your communication skills.

The point being: it could be a card that can add a lot of value and in which you don't need to put a lot of expenses into.

Hi @gurbina — curious, did you end up getting it? I have an upgrade offer for 1.25L and thinking of taking the plunge, at least for the first year because the fee … sort of (barely?) justifies. I was planning to buy the MB points for an upcoming stay (being sold at 0.5p) anyway.

Also curious about the visa. How does that work with the concierge? Any experience with that?

Thank you!

 

[gurbina]

Hi @gurbina — curious, did you end up getting it? I have an upgrade offer for 1.25L and thinking of taking the plunge, at least for the first year because the fee … sort of (barely?) justifies. I was planning to buy the MB points for an upcoming stay (being sold at 0.5p) anyway.

Also curious about the visa. How does that work with the concierge? Any experience with that?

Thank you!

It's been a fuzzy ride getting an Amex Plat here but thanks to BestBanker I'm about to get it next week!

No experiences with visas yet as I do not require them, plus not sure about the service within India but it's there. Several forum members and some blogs reported about this service and how they made the application process easier.

 

[Zacobite]

If you have international travel plans then Amex Plat will return value in acceptability, safety and experience. Normal purchases and usage it may not be the best unless you are accustomed to staying at luxury hotels and spending on experiences. Even if you have a family vacay planned internationally then it is unparalleled in what you can ask amex and concierge to do for you..

 

[caabhi]

I have a discussion question for the premium cardholders- Not just the ones who hold axis reserve or Amex plat. How do you compare the two cards- reserve v/s plat from an opportunity and a utility standpoint? I am not looking at the brand value per se. Amex does have a better brand value. Also, I have faced issues where the acceptance of Amex was low even in certain places (e.g. some shops in Lulu didn't accept Amex).
I am okay with the Amex Plat and paying the charges for it, but for Reserve, I do feel it is not worth that much. I travel a lot for leisure and have felt that Amex points have more value for me personally. Some of the features of Reserve don't serve a utility for me- for example, the way I value the airport transfer is very low since I calculate that on the level of what I would pay for a transfer. Also, the meet and greet is not a great deal since if you are traveling on a biz class ticket, you get a priority.

Do you feel that Reserve is worth paying 59k as annual fees when you have other opportunities around? I felt this card is more inclined to people who reach their limit with Magnus and would have better avenues. I know you get 50k points and some would value each point at more than Re.1. But everyone's calculation is different. I do not personally value them more than Rs 0.7 since I value them at the rate that I would be willing to pay for it, than the value I get.

I first thought that I would like to put this up in the Axis thread, but then decided it is better here. Mods can remove the post if they feel so.

Did you arrive at any conclusion? I am weighing on this as well.

 

[churn]

Did you arrive at any conclusion? I am weighing on this as well.

I am treading lightly here on my response. I stopped comparing both the cards. Looking at Axis, the rewards and benefits from Reserve outweigh my other conditions. Also there are some I know (one person's experience I read on this forum and an another couple outside) who have gotten Reserve LTF. So it depends. But why does one have to get confused if you are paying the annual fee of 59k and can get benefits greater than that?

Personally, everyones use case is different. I do not value lounge access or any benefits on Reserve card except points. For Amex, too, I have similar personal comparisons.

My question was, "Do you feel that Reserve is worth paying 59k as annual fees when you have other opportunities around?".
I did change my thought process from when I made the post-For the first year, I need to use my card and get benefits worth 59k to break even, which is easy from my perspective. If I can make spends on the Reserve for 25L per year, then I can get my annual fee waived for Reserve from the next year. Therefore, I wouldn't have to pay the annual fee. I follow a simple principle where if my Rewards & Benefits I receive on the card are higher by a factor that I think (kind of Mental accounting) compared to the annual fee, then I take the card.

 

[caabhi]

I am treading lightly here on my response. I stopped comparing both the cards. Looking at Axis, the rewards and benefits from Reserve outweigh my other conditions. Also there are some I know (one person's experience I read on this forum and an another couple outside) who have gotten Reserve LTF. So it depends. But why does one have to get confused if you are paying the annual fee of 59k and can get benefits greater than that?

Personally, everyones use case is different. I do not value lounge access or any benefits on Reserve card except points. For Amex, too, I have similar personal comparisons.

My question was, "Do you feel that Reserve is worth paying 59k as annual fees when you have other opportunities around?".
I did change my thought process from when I made the post-For the first year, I need to use my card and get benefits worth 59k to break even, which is easy from my perspective. If I can make spends on the Reserve for 25L per year, then I can get my annual fee waived for Reserve from the next year. Therefore, I wouldn't have to pay the annual fee. I follow a simple principle where if my Rewards & Benefits I receive on the card are higher by a factor that I think (kind of Mental accounting) compared to the annual fee, then I take the card.

Fair enough. The reason I asked was, I wanted to understand your perspective.
For me, I aspire to get either of the Plat or Reserve card for the benefits attached to them. For getting value for reward points I do have other cards. For the fees front, at this moment, I am okay to bear fees for one card, definitely not both of them. This is considering getting both of them would be overkill atleast for me. I know comparison for these cards might not be apple to apple comparison and would be subjective. But getting different perspective really helps, after all that's the point of the forums like this 🙂
Cheers!

 

[V360]

I am treading lightly here on my response. I stopped comparing both the cards. Looking at Axis, the rewards and benefits from Reserve outweigh my other conditions. Also there are some I know (one person's experience I read on this forum and an another couple outside) who have gotten Reserve LTF. So it depends. But why does one have to get confused if you are paying the annual fee of 59k and can get benefits greater than that?

Personally, everyones use case is different. I do not value lounge access or any benefits on Reserve card except points. For Amex, too, I have similar personal comparisons.

My question was, "Do you feel that Reserve is worth paying 59k as annual fees when you have other opportunities around?".
I did change my thought process from when I made the post-For the first year, I need to use my card and get benefits worth 59k to break even, which is easy from my perspective. If I can make spends on the Reserve for 25L per year, then I can get my annual fee waived for Reserve from the next year. Therefore, I wouldn't have to pay the annual fee. I follow a simple principle where if my Rewards & Benefits I receive on the card are higher by a factor that I think (kind of Mental accounting) compared to the annual fee, then I take the card.

The day Reserve starts crediting 25K ER milestone benefits like Magnus, that's when it will become attractive.

Otherwise Plat charge with 1st year 1.25L MR points will be my 1st choice.

 

[churn]

Fair enough. The reason I asked was, I wanted to understand your perspective.
For me, I aspire to get either of the Plat or Reserve card for the benefits attached to them. For getting value for reward points I do have other cards. For the fees front, at this moment, I am okay to bear fees for one card, definitely not both of them. This is considering getting both of them would be overkill atleast for me. I know comparison for these cards might not be apple to apple comparison and would be subjective. But getting different perspective really helps, after all that's the point of the forums like this 🙂
Cheers!

As I said, I look at the condition that when I add this card, what extra benefits can I make out of it? If my rewards are greater than my annual fee, then it's a no-brainer. As I said before, the only thing I have use on this card is the points. No other feature- be it golf, airport transfer, or lounge access- has any value to me. But the points generated can help me in a big way. That's where this is useful for me. Compare it with your current cards and travel needs, and you should be able to make a good decision.

The day Reserve starts crediting 25K ER milestone benefits like Magnus, that's when it will become attractive.

Otherwise Plat charge with 1st year 1.25L MR points will be my 1st choice.

Everyones use case is different. For you Amex Plat Charge is worth more than Reserve. But for my use case, I beg to differ. Also, I do not think that the Platinum charge version in India is giving out 1.25L MR points for applications. I guess they are giving them only for upgrades. But lets consider they are giving 1.25L MRs. Except for Bonvoy (which I do not really use), the points are not worth much. The fees (just for comparison sake, I am converting to $, to better compare airline partners) will be around $850. I do not have any use for any of the other benefits, because I have all of them through other means. The added advantage is 3MRs for foreign transaction, but it gets negated with 3.5%+GST as FTF. The points, if I convert to an Amex US MR account will come around 85K points. Paying $850 annual fee for 85K Airline points is not a good use case for me since I can have points cheaper. But the whole equation changes if you are using it for Bonvoy (I wouldn't even tell Hilton)

 

[mitesh7]

Interesting discussion, I have Magnus as my primary with vistara infinite in process. Just got Amex Plat few days back and was in same boat of Reserve vs Plat. For me one of the definite factor as small as it seems is access to Centurion and Amex lounge and Mariott Gold membership.