Which American express card to take ? You can share your thoughts and opinions

[BestBankerBestBanker is verified member.]

In my opinion I would rate Amex cards as follows :

1. Platinum Travel Credit card

Suits both Salaried and Self employed who travels domestic . Best on returns for high spenders .
Any kind of spending including fuel insurance utilities , Number of transaction doesn't matter, Supplementary card spending also will be taken into account . 8 domestic lounge access.

2.Membership Rewards Credit Card

Suits salaried and for people who can always have calculated spending
Excellent 18K and 24K Catalogues .No complimentary lounge access.

3.Platinum Charge Card

Suits self employed and frequent traveler. For people who spends very less on cards
1+4 supplementary Metal cards
• No Pre-Set Limit • Lounges • Platinum Travel • Lodging Benefits • Kaizen Benefits • Dining Benefits • Platinum Concierge • Membership Rewards • Platinum Offers: Tactical and Long Term Offers • Platinum Travel Services and Experiences • Platinum Care • Platinum Experience

4.Reserve Credit Card

Depends on your lifestyle .
Has good dining benefits(Taj and eazydiner prime),12 Complimentary lounge access including Delhi and Mumbai Amex centurion lounges ,2 Complimentary golf access every month
Flipkart/BMS movie vouchers up to 6K every year,10K Taj vouchers for a spend of 5L a year.
• Platinum Concierge Services
• Air Accident Insurance of Rs.1 Cr. – This is applicable when you purchase your air ticket on the Platinum Reserve Credit Card
• Purchase Protection: If an item is stolen due to burglary or damages or breaks due to fire, earthquake, flood, storm, cyclone, etc. within 60 days of purchase, it can be refunded.

5. Smart Earn Credit card

Personally I wont suggest anyone . You can take this if you would like to have an Amex card at the lowest fee

 

[LiamHouse]

@BestBanker is it possible to get an AMEX add on card from someone and be pre-approved for one in your name without any documents after using the add on for a while? Is the global transfer program still available?

 

[helloworld]

@BestBanker is it possible to get an AMEX add on card from someone and be pre-approved for one in your name without any documents after using the add on for a while? Is the global transfer program still available?

there is no pre-approved concept by default in AMEX, its very rare and happens very very few people. you can spend but addon spends mostly benefit original card holder rather addon holder.

 

[jack333]

Any trick for unserviceable location

 

[LiamHouse]

there is no pre-approved concept by default in AMEX, its very rare and happens very very few people. you can spend but addon spends mostly benefit original card holder rather addon holder.

I had a conversation a few months ago with an amex cs agent when i applied without income documents and they told me I could get an add on and then get the card on my name later on without any income proof. I am just trying to confirm that.

 

[helloworld]

Any trick for unserviceable location

either present or permanent address should be serviceable. various ways people alter things, but do not recommed and suggest you to proceed with available options in other banks.

 

[helloworld]

I had a conversation a few months ago with an amex cs agent when i applied without income documents and they told me I could get an add on and then get the card on my name later on without any income proof. I am just trying to confirm that.

ok, good to know. but afaik income if asked should be able to produce it. If not while applying, might also request later when they see huge spends. So, in amex income plays crucial role and they often verifies kyc, income time to time. Just saying, let us know if your application approved without income.. can use moderately without raising any flags.

 

[Lobogris]

None of the Amex cards are that good from rewards point of view. I have recently gotten their Platinum Travel and even though it is supposed to be the most rewarding, I don't see much value in it. Spending 4 lakhs will fetch me around 45k points. These points can barely get me a Fairfield by Marriott type hotel for 2 days at best, only in off peak times and some rare destinations. Otherwise, they barely fetch one day or less. This hotel or similar one are generally available at around 5k per day during similar off peak times. So I am getting around 10k value plus a 10k Taj voucher. So the reward rate is less than 5% and is contingent upon spending 4 lakhs. From next year onwards, there will be a 5k fee as well. It's ok if one has some spends near 3 lakhs which normally don't fetch rewards.
I do like their Platinum card and would try and get it if I didn't have the Infinia. Mainly for the lounge access. I wish Amex gave good rewards on it like they do in the US where you get more than the fee in benefits. They should offer 1k per month in Uber credits, 500 per month in digital entertainment credits (Netflix etc), free Amazon Prime membership, 20k per year to be used for air travel (can be withsome specific airline), 10k for hotels etc, just like they do in the US. The total should come close to or exceed the amount paid in fees.

 

[ALOAK]

None of the Amex cards are that good from rewards point of view. I have recently gotten their Platinum Travel and even though it is supposed to be the most rewarding, I don't see much value in it. Spending 4 lakhs will fetch me around 45k points. These points can barely get me a Fairfield by Marriott type hotel for 2 days at best, only in off peak times and some rare destinations. Otherwise, they barely fetch one day or less. This hotel or similar one are generally available at around 5k per day during similar off peak times. So I am getting around 10k value plus a 10k Taj voucher. So the reward rate is less than 5% and is contingent upon spending 4 lakhs. From next year onwards, there will be a 5k fee as well. It's ok if one has some spends near 3 lakhs which normally don't fetch rewards.
I do like their Platinum card and would try and get it if I didn't have the Infinia. Mainly for the lounge access. I wish Amex gave good rewards on it like they do in the US where you get more than the fee in benefits. They should offer 1k per month in Uber credits, 500 per month in digital entertainment credits (Netflix etc), free Amazon Prime membership, 20k per year to be used for air travel (can be withsome specific airline), 10k for hotels etc, just like they do in the US. The total should come close to or exceed the amount paid in fees.

They will not match like US Benefits but you do get hotel membership as complimentary like Hilton gold raddison premium marriot gold status hertz gold plus you get 50 % discount in oberoi for suites booked for 3 days but will be charged for 2 days as 3rd will be complimentary . And you get 10x MR on Air India booking . Amex lounge iss only in mumbai and delhi wish they could open one in bangalore airport T1 and T2. If you are into golf it is unlimited I believe first time or regular. You get Taj Epicure plus. complementary. When it comes to annual fee it is more than US by 50 percent higher. In US it is 684usd I believe when converted come to close 35 to 40k fee.

Person like me who travel intermittently cannot reach gold status for any hotels have to spend more and stays had to be excessive of 25 nights in plat chg it is direct and get all the benefits even if u stay 1 or 2 nights. This works for me. It is cumbersome to stay every year 10 days just to maintain silver status it is give and take process. Here plat chg helps me out to get gold status without staying a single night or spends.also am going to try my hands on golf which am eager to try and see how it works out.

 

[phoenix1386]

...also am going to try my hands on golf which am eager to try and see how it works out.

For your hamstrings, you mean?

 

[ALOAK]

For your hamstrings, you mean?

No buddy golf . Have seen my cousins and friends play golf but never tried . Since plat chg gives unlimited I believe or is there a limit not sure. Hence want to learn golf and start playing occasionally it is also a good exercise on weekends. Lol

 

[ALOAK]

Today received email from Amex that my plat chg application approved. Waiting for the card.

 

[ALOAK]

They shipped the card by india post I thought they would ship it by bluedart and say expected to arrive by 27th July 24.