This is a review for the UK AmEx Platinum Charge Card - NOT the Platinum Credit Card. Some people seem to get the two mixed up and they are very different.
I used to hold an AmEx Gold Card but upgraded it to AmEx Platinum when I moved to the UK. I've now had the card for about 9 months and ... Read review
Advantages: Added safety. Travel insurance. Free hotel/car rental upgrades. Lounge access. Customer service. Disadvantages: Card not accepted everywhere. Telephone queue is sometimes unacceptable
This is a review for the UK AmEx Platinum Charge Card - NOT the Platinum Credit Card. Some people seem to get the two mixed up and they are very different.
I used to hold an AmEx Gold Card but upgraded it to AmEx Platinum when I moved to the UK. I've now had the card for about 9 months and overall I'm very happy with it.
I chose it for the following reasons:
1) Extra security when shopping online or ... ...a risk with my own money and I don't provide people with access to my private bank account.
2) Travel insurance. The Platinum card really does offer great insurance when you pay for your tickets/holiday using the card. Delayed flights, lost bags etc. doesn't scare me as much anymore. Last time my flight was cancelled I had to stay in a hotel over night and the AmEx Platinum team were very helpful and friendly throughout.
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This is a review for the UK AmEx Platinum Charge Card - NOT the Platinum Credit Card. Some people seem to get the two mixed up and they are very different.
I used to hold an AmEx Gold Card but upgraded it to AmEx Platinum when I moved to the UK. I've now had the card for about 9 months and overall I'm very happy with it.
I chose it for the following reasons:
1) Extra security when shopping online or abroad. Paying with the AmEx card means I'm not taking a risk with my own money and I don't provide people with access to my private bank account.
2) Travel insurance. The Platinum card really does offer great insurance when you pay for your tickets/holiday using the card. Delayed flights, lost bags etc. doesn't scare me as much anymore. Last time my flight was cancelled I had to stay in a hotel over night and the AmEx Platinum team were very helpful and friendly throughout.
3) Access to loyalty programmes. The card gives you VIP status with some hotel chains and car rental companies. This means free upgrades, late checkouts, car rental discounts and some extra perks. It's very nice to get those complimentary hotel room upgrades. You also get free access to airport lounges which can really be a blessing!
4) Concierge service. When things happen I know I can just call the platinum team and ask them to help sort things out. So far that has worked very well. The service level from the platinum team has been excellent and they do make me feel valued as a customer (I've been in contact with them about 5-6 times during the past 9 months).
I haven't had to dispute anything on the card yet so can't comment on that.
Other advantages include: # The dedicated platinum card website has some good stuff, such as offers at exclusive hotels, deals on flights (usually business class), lifestyle events (concert tickets, supercar rentals etc), and insights and recommendations on what to do, where to eat, and what to explore in different locations of the world.
# Handing over the platinum card still seems to make sales people and hotel staff extra friendly and helpful
SO WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES? Well... 1) AmEx isn't accepted everywhere. Be sure to bring a backup card too. 2) Getting in touch with the AmEx travel people to book a hotel seems to take a long time (at least on a Monday over the phone). There is an online option too which I'm trying now. 3) The PIN code doesn't seem to work when I use it in stores abroad. No problem when the card is swiped though. I haven't used it in cash machines yet.
IN CONCLUSION I do recommend this card to anyone who travels and wants the extra benefits that come from getting the travel insurance, the lounge access, the free upgrades at hotels etc. If you make use of these upgrades they easily cover the £300 yearly card fee. If you don't travel, however, you may be better off choosing something else.
Advantages: Probably the most exclusive card you can get, numerous travel benefits Disadvantages: Not accepted that widely, very difficult to apply for
...of the few exceptions.
American Express (AMEX) for short is an American company but is now becoming increasingly popular in the UK. One of the benefits of American Express particularly this card is the massive number of travel benefits so it is the perfect card for the frequent traveller.
APPLICATION GESTIPULATIONS
American Express say that the bare minimum you have to be earning to be accepted for this card is £20000 per annum but in reality ... ...being accepted. In the main American Express will only consider existing customers who have kept their account in good standing. The simple reason for this is that the card doesn't have a pre determined credit limit as such but any very large purchase e.g. Ferrari, house etc will obviously be questioned. They recommend that if you want to make an exceptionally large purchase with the card you phone them prior so as not to delay the purchase partly ...
olijt20 20.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Express Platinum
Advantages: Level of service provided, Image Disadvantages: Cost (small price to pay?)
...about those who have them. American Express still have very high standards and only give Platinum cards to existing customers by invitation only.
It's not cheap at £225 a year, but the package it offers you is potentially worth a great deal more. You get year round travel insurance, which American Express claim would cost you at least £165 if purchased separately. Looking at the level of cover, I believe them. You, and any of the five people who ... ...will earn points under the American Express Membership Rewards Classic Programme. The points can be redeemed against a large number of items from magazine subsciptions, food and drink to hotel stays and airline flights.
There are so many more benefits to card membership but there are too many to list. One more benefit you do get is invitations to film premieres, new store openings, private shopping nights at top stores such as Harrods and Selfridges ...
SimonJ 07.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Express Platinum
Advantages: No credit limit, free family cards, reward points, free travel insurance + perks Disadvantages: £225 a year fee
...From time to time, American Express sends Platinum cardholders invitations to prestige events including pre-screenings of new films - absolutely free of charge. There are also Cardholder specials in some of the best stores where only Platinum and Gold cardholders can shop, sometimes with good discounts. Restaurant discounts are also available, as well as free companion airline tickets, and discounts often as high as 25% at other well-known shops ... ...all the donkey work yourself, American Express telephoned the store concerned and sorted everything out within the hour.
Although there is no pre-set spending limit, Amex do ask that if you are going to make an unusually expensive purchase, i.e. a new car, that you telephone them first to let them know. In doing this you save time at the dealer, as Amex is already expecting the purchase and they have security details already.
One word of warning; ...
john.sw 18.12.2000 (20.12.2000)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Express Platinum
Advantages: The status symbol, Numerous perks Disadvantages: Expensive yearly fee, Just a chargecard
Why the American Express Platinum card ?
Well, if you have to ask that, you've missed the plot someplace. It is widely recognised as one of life's little essential status symbols. Of course, nowadays everyone has *a* Platinum card of some description or other - at last count I had 5 - and so *the* Platinum card producers had to go one step further and release a card for the mega-rich. As most of us shall never acquire mega-rich, mega-star status, ... ...for American Express' Platinum card. Just being offered it give you that little bit of a tingle of 'I've made it'.
At least, that is what I used to think (silly me).
After around 6 years carrying the card (and before that their "Gold card for business travellers" and their Green card) I've grown up somewhat - and hopefully acquired a bit more depth (possibly as a result of shelling out over £200 each year in membership fees).
You see, the American ...
CraigBruce 17.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Express Platinum
Advantages: Travel insurance, priority pass membership, accelarated hotel status and more! Disadvantages: Limited acceptance within the UK, although this is improving.
After having had an American Express (AMEX) credit card I was more than happy with the level of service I had been receiving and decided to make the move to their Platinum charge card.
The card comes with an annual fee of £300 and includes a whole host of benefits, including comprehensive travel insurance for you, your children, additional Platinum cardholder and 5 supplementary cardholders, (gold or green) and their children up to age 18.
The ... ...£150 should your departure be delayed by more than 4 hours, including missed connections, the same amount is payable should your baggage be delayed more than 4 hours, and the same amount again after 48 hours, (excluding your return journey). You also receive free priority pass membership for both you and your supplementary Platinum cardholder providing you with access to a large network of airline lounges, car hire insurance (applicable when your ...
adamlewis 16.06.2007 (26.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of American Express Platinum
Competitiveness of APR
Product package
Quality of Customer Ser...
Reward Scheme
Additional Charges
Security and Privacy
Ease of Application
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Advantages: Receive cashback on everyday purchases Disadvantages: Not accepted everywhere.
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The AmericanExpressPlatinum charge card is no longer "invitation only", but is it worth the £275 a year annual fee?
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of American Express
Advantages: Good cashback, no annual fee good opportunity to build credit rating with Amex Disadvantages: No option to pay in full each month by direct debt, not as widely accepted as other cards, won't get you laid
I?ve held the Amex Blue Card for about two years now and used it on and off but only regularly for a two month period at the beginning of this year due to the fact that they were offering 2% cashback rather than one, the best bonus scheme I?ve seen offered with a card.
Originally I got the card because of an attractive initial credit limit of £1300 and that it was free so there was no harm in holding one. I was prompted to write this opinion though when an invitation to join AmericanExpressPlatinum arrived through my door. Essentially a ?perk? of this card is that it allows you to build a credit rating with AmericanExpress.
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