OK, this deal is not for everyone: the fee is $1,200, and you have to report an income of $100k+ (though in my experience AmEx don't check this thoroughly). The value proposition, however, is compelling:
Spend $1k in 2 months, get 100,000 points (or get 120,000 points using the referral link of a fellow Ozbargainer https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals…), which can be redeemed for the same number of points with Qantas, Velocity (Virgin), Singapore, or a whole host of other airlines.
125,000 Velocity points will get you return to Europe with Etihad (economy), but also one way in business class.
110k will get you one way to Europe with Singapore first class - that includes the insanely luxurious suites, if you can manage to get a flight on the A380.
The 120,000 points more than justify the fee.
The rest of the features of this card are brilliant, and make it a great deal when thrown in with the bonus points:
Other features include:
- Unlimited airport lounge access (cardholder/supplementary cardholder and a guest) to Virgin (if flying Virgin), Amex, Priority Pass, Delta Skyclub lounges
- Free Platinum Reserve credit card (on request) which just means a free domestic flight or a night in a luxury hotel
- A $300 travel credit to spend on Amex travel (for hotels and flights booked through Amex's travel site)
- Access to AmEx's Fine Hotels & Resorts service (ie book luxury hotels through the Amex platinum site) which means: 4pm late check out, breakfast, often a $100 USD hotel credit (for room service eg food/drinks), room upgrades, noon check in. I had a look and could book rooms at Melbourne's Park Hyatt for $285 a night and get all of these benefits (inc $100USD hotel credit).
- Elite Loyalty status: Starwood Preferred Guest, Club Carlson, Shangri-La Golden Circle, and Hilton HHonors
- Usual platinum credit card insurances, but what is unique is that it offers Roadside Assistance cover (up to $200)
In a nutshell - if you're planning on doing a bit of traveling in the next year, and aren't on a shoestring budget, this is a bloody brilliant card to have.
Note that the usual Amex promotion condition applies (people who've held in the previous twelve months excluded), but, like with all recent Amex promotions, this doesn't seem to be enforced at all by Amex. I got the bonus despite already holding two Amex cards (got 80k sign-up bonuses on both of them, too).
Cheers, enjoy your 20,000 points, and thanks for the post.
Also, the guy on the phone told me that in the last 48 hours they have increased the $200 travel credit to $300. The AccorPlus programme will be discontinued April 15.