Revaluation Amex Platinum Charge Card Updated Benefits starting 8 October 2024

[Hell_Kitty]

Effective 8 October 2024, enjoy new benefits worth up to ₹1,30,000* on your Card:

1. Annual renewal benefit worth ₹20,000* : Get Taj Hotels, Reliance Brands Limited (Luxe Gift Card), Postcard Hotels & Resorts vouchers worth up to ₹20,000* in a year on Card renewal when you spend ₹20,00,000* in a Cardmembership year.
2. Savings worth up to ₹8,000* Apple products : Get instant cashback on select Apple products every time you shop on apple.in or in-store. Additionally, also earn 5X* on shopping online via Reward Multiplier.
3. Complimentary memberships to Amazon Prime Lite, Disney+ Hotstar, Wall Street Journal and more worth up to ₹45,000* : Enjoy access to 40+ OTT and publications with a curated Times Ace membership. Also, get special offers across shopping, travel, health and wellness on brands like Ajio Luxe, Uber, Starbucks, TUMI, Kaya Skin Clinic and more.
4. 3 new complimentary* elite tier memberships with no qualifying criteria
   1. Accor Plus Traveller membership: Get up to 50%* off on dining, member rates and other offers at 1,000+ hotels in 20 countries
   2. The Postcard Hotel Sunshine Club - Platinum Tier : Get 7%* hotel loyalty points, complimentary* laundry service, cocktails and more.
   3. I Prefer - Titanium membership at The Leela Hotels & Resorts, Dusit Thani and more: Get 50%* bonus hotel loyalty points, member rates, room upgrade*, offers and more.
5. Third night complimentary at The LaLiT worth up to ₹30,000* : Get complimentary* 3rd night, a dinner for two, a service at the Spa, butler service and more when you book 2 or more nights for a club room or suite across 10 properties in India.

Updates to existing benefits:

1. Supplementary Cardmembers will continue to enjoy unlimited access to The Centurion® Lounges in New Delhi and Mumbai. Their access to bring in a guest will be discontinued
2. Benefit of Taj vouchers worth ₹10,000* in your birthday month will be discontinued
3. Joining and Renewal fees increased from 60k to 66k + GST

 

[Hello_World]

One query
For Centurion® lounge
Guest visit is not allowed on Supplementary card
Or for primary as well

Both. No guests allowed

 

[sahilgulati5]

Thanks. Just curious how will losing gold status devalue the points?

Since all the Gold benefits are gone.. the MB loses it value(notional value) not the real value. As MB Points r More when u have Gold n above status.

 

[whywhy]

One thing that always confused that since Amex Platinum is for frequent travelers and all, with its hotel memberships, etc. Why doesn't it give an airline frequent flyer membership? Something like Air India Flying Returns Gold, or maybe some other program. Because for me personally, that would be a much much more appreciated benefit than another hotel membership like Postcard that i won't ever use.

Also for a super premium card, why the hell is the forex rate still so bloody high? When we have zero forex on infinitely cheaper cards, 3.5%+GST on this "super premium" card with with a 66K fee is just inexcusable

 

[coolguy1]

Both. No guests allowed

One guest is allowed with the primary card. So,

Primary card = card holder + 1 guest.
Supplementary card = just card holder

 

[coolguy1]

One thing that always confused that since Amex Platinum is for frequent travelers and all, with its hotel memberships, etc. Why doesn't it give an airline frequent flyer membership? Something like Air India Flying Returns Gold, or maybe some other program. Because for me personally, that would be a much much more appreciated benefit than another hotel membership like Postcard that i won't ever use.

Also for a super premium card, why the hell is the forex rate still so bloody high? When we have zero forex on infinitely cheaper cards, 3.5%+GST on this "super premium" card with with a 66K fee is just inexcusable

As cool as it might sound but let's say something like Flying Returns Gold membership will be extremely expensive to acquire.

As Air India is a Star Alliance partner, that would mean getting Gold membership to like 20+ airlines with one single card right away!

Now, there will be arguments that "Vistara" card offers it, that's because the airline owns the card directly. And what we're witnessing the merger of Vistara and Air India is not a joke but a very rare historical event. So, those card holders are just lucky that they're getting upgraded to Star Alliance gold directly without taking any flight ever!

AmEx, as the world's biggest credit card offerer can possibly pull some strings if there's really high demand but also, since these are HNIs and they probably fly so frequently, they might already have these memberships will be the thought in their head.

 

[SM24]

@BestBanker bhai kidhar

Both. No guests allowed

1 guest allowed with primary card holder.

 

[whywhy]

As cool as it might sound but let's say something like Flying Returns Gold membership will be extremely expensive to acquire.

As Air India is a Star Alliance partner, that would mean getting Gold membership to like 20+ airlines with one single card right away!

Yes, it might be slightly expensive but this is an extremely expensive card. It's whole selling point is travel and convenience. Air India FR Platinum can be earned by by 30K Tier Points, which can be got when you spend 5L on Air India or Star Alliance(with some portion on Air India) flights, which is not a humongous amount if you regularly/semi-regularly fly premium economy/business. Thus I don't think it'll be terribly expensive for Amex to acquire the membership. Especially considering you're already paying an exorbitant amount as the Annual Fee already.

AmEx, as the world's biggest credit card offerer can possibly pull some strings if there's really high demand but also, since these are HNIs and they probably fly so frequently, they might already have these memberships will be the thought in their head.

By that argument, HNIs staying frequently at hotels would also probably have their loyalty memberships anyway, thus the memberships given by the card become pointless. It's all about the options. Someone might be regular customer of Marriott and might have high status but might need or want to stay with some other chain like Hilton sometime. Having the status on his card gives him the flexibility to do so. Similarly a HNI flier might be a regular Emirates customer and have status but might need to fly Air India or some other Star Alliance carrier and thus having that status via the card will give him flexibility and options which is a big plus imo.

 

[Vishal K]

Yes, it might be slightly expensive but this is an extremely expensive card. It's whole selling point is travel and convenience. Air India FR Platinum can be earned by by 30K Tier Points, which can be got when you spend 5L on Air India or Star Alliance(with some portion on Air India) flights, which is not a humongous amount if you regularly/semi-regularly fly premium economy/business. Thus I don't think it'll be terribly expensive for Amex to acquire the membership. Especially considering you're already paying an exorbitant amount as the Annual Fee already.


By that argument, HNIs staying frequently at hotels would also probably have their loyalty memberships anyway, thus the memberships given by the card become pointless. It's all about the options. Someone might be regular customer of Marriott and might have high status but might need or want to stay with some other chain like Hilton sometime. Having the status on his card gives him the flexibility to do so. Similarly a HNI flier might be a regular Emirates customer and have status but might need to fly Air India or some other Star Alliance carrier and thus having that status via the card will give him flexibility and options which is a big plus imo.

The decision to pay ₹66k plus GST seems like a complete disaster, especially given the spending criteria. It can only be achieved through travel, top-tier hotel stays, or international spending, where additional charges of 3.5% plus GST make it less appealing. Moreover, if you make large transactions on other platforms like utilities or rent multiple times, the issuer may downgrade your credit limit instead of maintaining your preset limit.

 

[Swastik]

One thing that always confused that since Amex Platinum is for frequent travelers and all, with its hotel memberships, etc. Why doesn't it give an airline frequent flyer membership? Something like Air India Flying Returns Gold, or maybe some other program. Because for me personally, that would be a much much more appreciated benefit than another hotel membership like Postcard that i won't ever use.

Also for a super premium card, why the hell is the forex rate still so bloody high? When we have zero forex on infinitely cheaper cards, 3.5%+GST on this "super premium" card with with a 66K fee is just inexcusable

As cool as it might sound but let's say something like Flying Returns Gold membership will be extremely expensive to acquire.

As Air India is a Star Alliance partner, that would mean getting Gold membership to like 20+ airlines with one single card right away!

Now, there will be arguments that "Vistara" card offers it, that's because the airline owns the card directly. And what we're witnessing the merger of Vistara and Air India is not a joke but a very rare historical event. So, those card holders are just lucky that they're getting upgraded to Star Alliance gold directly without taking any flight ever!

AmEx, as the world's biggest credit card offerer can possibly pull some strings if there's really high demand but also, since these are HNIs and they probably fly so frequently, they might already have these memberships will be the thought in their head.

Yes, it might be slightly expensive but this is an extremely expensive card. It's whole selling point is travel and convenience. Air India FR Platinum can be earned by by 30K Tier Points, which can be got when you spend 5L on Air India or Star Alliance(with some portion on Air India) flights, which is not a humongous amount if you regularly/semi-regularly fly premium economy/business. Thus I don't think it'll be terribly expensive for Amex to acquire the membership. Especially considering you're already paying an exorbitant amount as the Annual Fee already.


By that argument, HNIs staying frequently at hotels would also probably have their loyalty memberships anyway, thus the memberships given by the card become pointless. It's all about the options. Someone might be regular customer of Marriott and might have high status but might need or want to stay with some other chain like Hilton sometime. Having the status on his card gives him the flexibility to do so. Similarly a HNI flier might be a regular Emirates customer and have status but might need to fly Air India or some other Star Alliance carrier and thus having that status via the card will give him flexibility and options which is a big plus imo.

All the loyalty program membership Amex gives is mid level, so as to incentivize card holders to spend their money in these places instead of anywhere else,
So Amex gives this proposition of Upper Class customers spending their money in these brands in order to get these memberships in bulk for cheap,

If Amex were to actually start giving say Marriot Bonvoy Platinum membership and Air India Gold, it would cost them a lot and while these particular brands might make some money of it, some might rig the game like using gold status in star alliance or status match with other hotel brands, not much benefit for either Amex or their partners here

So they go for a bouquet of mid level and useless membership to stay in a win-win situation

 

[Swastik]

I just wish they open 5 to 8 more centurion lounges in hubs like HYD, BLR, MAA, CCU, AMD etc

 

[coolguy1]

Yes, it might be slightly expensive but this is an extremely expensive card. It's whole selling point is travel and convenience. Air India FR Platinum can be earned by by 30K Tier Points, which can be got when you spend 5L on Air India or Star Alliance(with some portion on Air India) flights, which is not a humongous amount if you regularly/semi-regularly fly premium economy/business. Thus I don't think it'll be terribly expensive for Amex to acquire the membership. Especially considering you're already paying an exorbitant amount as the Annual Fee already.


By that argument, HNIs staying frequently at hotels would also probably have their loyalty memberships anyway, thus the memberships given by the card become pointless. It's all about the options. Someone might be regular customer of Marriott and might have high status but might need or want to stay with some other chain like Hilton sometime. Having the status on his card gives him the flexibility to do so. Similarly a HNI flier might be a regular Emirates customer and have status but might need to fly Air India or some other Star Alliance carrier and thus having that status via the card will give him flexibility and options which is a big plus imo.

That makes sense! It's more of a premium lifestyle card than a travel card but if Gold airline memberships can be acquired, they should definitely do that with the huge amount of workforce that can convince almost any brand to come onboard.

 

[coolguy1]

I just wish they open 5 to 8 more centurion lounges in hubs like HYD, BLR, MAA, CCU, AMD etc

This would get them so much more visibility and probably bring a lot more cardholders!

But I believe they probably look at the cities where most of the Platinum Charge card holders are from, then depending on that number, the lounge location is decided.

Considering it's an expensive card, I believe most card holders are probably from Delhi and Mumbai but the numbers should definitely be growing in other cities as they've been pushing this card so hard over the last few months!

 

[Sunny1]

10K Taj Voucher in bday month: I confirmed with Amex in chat, they are saying old enrollment will get 10K birthday voucher as promised. New enrollment and renewal post 8 Oct will not get any bday voucher. Below is their reply:

"All Cardmembers who have applied for American Express Platinum Card on or before 7th October 2024 but their Card being approved on or after 8th October 2024 will still be eligible to receive their birthday benefit of INR 10K Taj vouchers as committed to them."

 

[avijith7]

Does the renewal benefit offer on spending Rs 20 Lakh yearly mean that retention benefits will not be offered on renewal?

 

[Hell_Kitty]

Does the renewal benefit offer on spending Rs 20 Lakh yearly mean that retention benefits will not be offered on renewal?

Most likely yes. If any platinum card member is not spending 20 lakhs in a card year Amex will most likely not encourage them with retention offers.

 

[theglobalinvestor]

I just wish they open 5 to 8 more centurion lounges in hubs like HYD, BLR, MAA, CCU, AMD etc

Then it would be really worth it to travelers at even 1L AF.

 

[ALOAK]

Tye benefits added are not worth the fees hike

Accor plus with Reserve doesn't comes with any dining voucher so most probably it would be same with Plat Charge

Amazon Prime & all are anyway available from multiple sources

Sunshine is a pretty new loyalty without much benefits.

I would say it's a devaluation

It is completely a devaluation for this card all useless membership like OTT and Amazon lite not good at all. Am with u.

 

[ALOAK]

Most likely yes. If any platinum card member is not spending 20 lakhs in a card year Amex will most likely not encourage them with retention offers.

Absolutely correct. And they will bring down plat chg users down which they had issued like water few months back

 

[Swastik]

Most likely yes. If any platinum card member is not spending 20 lakhs in a card year Amex will most likely not encourage them with retention offers.

Absolutely correct. And they will bring down plat chg users down which they had issued like water few months back

Amex has been more generous with members who spend more,
They want people to actually use the card and not just hold it for benefits

 

[coolguy1]

Absolutely correct. And they will bring down plat chg users down which they had issued like water few months back

Well, their intention would be to make them spend more and keep the fees coming so I think for the non-spenders, they might have multiple spend based offers throughout the year to boost their spends and then another spend-based offer possibly at the time of renewal which would ensure that all their card holders spend the most they can.