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AmEx Platinum Edge - $195 Annual Fee: Bonus 10,000 Points & Free Flight

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AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM EDGE

I doubt there are many ozbargainers out there without one of these cards. They are brilliant for points earn at supermarkets & the low annual fee is easily offset by the free flight. - The free flight is with Virgin and is Basically a 'Saver' level fare. So wherever you see saver availability on the Virgin web site, you should be able to book that flight if it's an approved route. The flight includes baggage.

I will post the standard deal details, but I need to point out that where this deal shines is if the the applicant uses a referral link. Using a referral link increases the points bonus by 5000 & reduces the first year annual fee to $0 (fee has gone up to $195 since am 4 July) That is pretty much in line with the old priceline platinum edge, except I believe this is better as the points on offer are more (15,000 vs 13,500), and to trigger the bonus points, you don't have to spend at priceline (which was restrictive for many).
So if using the referral link, the referee will receive 30,000 points and you will receive the extra 5000 Points. (It is easy to set up a referral link and add it to the wiki once you have your card)

Any regular Ozbargainer will know of the value of Statement credits, and this card is a great way to take advantage of them. There are usually a slew every month, and then there's also shop small every year.
See below for some recent (albeit expired) examples.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/statement+credits

Standard Platinum Edge Deal

  • $50k Min Income
  • $195 Annual Fee
  • 10,000 Bonus Points after initial $750 spend
  • Free Domestic Flight (routes here - http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/campaigns/platinum_…)
  • Apple pay compatible
  • 3 Points per $ at Supermarkets
  • 2 Points per $ at Petrol Stations
  • 1 Point per $ on most other spend
  • 0.5 Points per $ on Utilities, Insurance & Government bodies
  • 0% p.a. on balance transfers for the first 12 months
  • Complimentary enrolment in the Membership Rewards Ascent program4 saving you $80 per year
  • Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses Cover up to $2,500,000
  • Personal Liability Cover up to $1,000,000
  • Baggage, Money and Documentation Cover up to $10,000
  • Travel Cancellation Cover up to $10,000
  • Travel Inconvenience Cover- may even cover you for flight delays, missed connections or luggage delays

Bonuses using referral link

  • Bonus points increased to 15,000 after initial $750 spend
  • $200 travel credit INSTEAD of the free flight

The terms of this deal specify that to receive bonus points, you can't have owned an AmEx card in the last 12 months (bank issues Amex's not included). However there are many reports both on Ozbargain & elsewhere of this not being strictly adhered to (i.e. -getting bonus points even if you already have another AmEx card, or have done in the last 12 months)

Ozbargain Referral Wiki
You can also use any fellow OzBargainer's link from this referral wiki page: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals

My Referral Link
Thanks in advance to anyone who is kind enough to use my link. http://amex.com.au/refer/claudfYXKS

Referral Links

Business Explorer Card: random (3)

Referrer: 40,000 Reward Points

Centurion Personal Charge Card: random (7)

Referee gets 200,000 MR points. Referrer gets 150,000 MR points.

Related Stores

American Express
American Express

closed Comments

    • Only when you apply.

  • +1

    Fantastic card. I've had it for almost 6 months now. Can't dispute the value, plus places not accepting Amex is becoming more and more the exception rather than the rule.

  • I signed up for the Priceline Amex card and closed it earlier this year. When does this current offer expire so I can apply for this one?

    I went to the referrer links but got confused with name and number which pertains to this offer. Can someone give the name and number of the offer from the list.

    • +2

      This card is the Platinum Edge, as long as you pick one of the referrers in the wiki in the 3 columns for Platinum Edge it should work (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals - then do Ctrl+F "Platinum Edge"), click one of the links next to a name within those 3 columns and it will take you to the sign-up page for a platinum edge Amex card.

      The way to check that a referral link has worked is from the first page, under Highlights it will say 15,000 points (instead of 10,000) and under World Class Service it will say no annual fee for first year ($195 p.a. thereafter).

      • Cheers Brettd

  • New to this type of card where you get a free flight.. is it a return flight?

  • +1

    Just signed up using the last referral on the list.

  • Anyone know how someone could get one of these without being employed at the moment?

    • If last years notice of assessment from the ATO is around the amount they require you should have no problem.

      • Just looked and because I wasn't there a full year, it was just under $50,000. Any ideas how one could still get one of these cards in this situation?

    • I think it is unlikely unless you're employed.

      I just got rejected from this as am temporarily unemployed.

      Own our house outright.
      Spouse makes significantly over the 50k listed.
      Personal income for myself was 100k+ last financial year.

      Think it'll be a struggle.

      • Maybe get your spouse to apply instead, with a supplementary card for you.
        I have a feeling the evaluation process is heavily weighted towards the primary applicant.

  • To get this new referral bonus, do we need to refer people via our new link?

    I've just updated my referral link on the referrals page regardless. :)

    • +1

      The new link goes straight to the old link so it is exactly the same. No need to update the links and no advantage in applying through one of the new links.

      Regardless of that, I updated my link as i prefer the shorter new addresses. Less chance you can get it wrong when putting your referral link in the wiki.

      • Thanks for clarifying that. Appreciate it. :)

  • With all these different deals around on QFF and Velocity just wondering if it worths getting this card if I already have Westpac Black AmEx which gets me 1.5 QFF points and I am on my last year with $0 anual fee on it ?

    Does anyone is in the similar situation ? Any thoughts ?

    • Similar situation - I don't understand the hype with this deal. Wasn't the ANZ 75k QFF points $0 annual fee deal from a month ago much better? Can someone please spell out what the main appeal of this deal is?

      • +4

        In response to both you and Sidor.

        This card, in my opinion, is a great card as it is without any bonus sign-up offers of any sort. This is a long-term card. I agree that when you see an ANZ card with 75k bonus points + first year annual fee waived, it is better than this, but it's not a card you'll be keeping after a year unless you're willing to pay $400 annual fee for a card, which in my opinion, offers less value than this at $195. The thing about this card is as I mentioned, even if there is no bonus offer, it's a great card. Why?

        • You get a free return domestic flight which does not need to be booked in your name. I am sure many of the people who've signed up through this are intending to sell this flight for $200+. This makes the card fee-free. Yes, there is of course some effort involved, but this flight can in fact probably realistically be sold for at least $250. Your annual fee is now -$65 (i.e. you have "made" money off holding this card)
        • You earn rewards points at a great rate. Firstly, when you combine the point above with this, how many cards can you find in the market that have no annual fee, yet still offer you Rewards Points? I can think of four cards:
        • Coles Mastercard No Annual fee: 0.5 FlyBuys point per $1 (effective "reward" rate of 0.25%)
        • Coles Reloadable Mastercard: 0.5 FlyBuys point per $1 (effective "reward" rate of 0.25%)
        • Qantas Cash card: 1 Qantas point per $2 (~0.5%)
        • Velocity Global wallet: 1 Velocity point per $2 (~0.5%)
        • These cards above with an earn rate of <0.5% per dollar pale in comparison to 1 point earnt into this AMEX card. Each AMEX point earnt here is at minimum ~0.8%
        • You also earn an additional 2 bonus points per $ spent at a supermarket - this now increases your rate of return to ~2.4%
        • And an additional 1 bonus point per $ spent at petrol stations - rate of return ~1.6%
        • Your points do not expire, and are flexible points that can be transferred into a very wide variety of points/loyalty programs/airmiles
        • You get insurances included as part of this card: Extended Manufacturer's Warranty, Travel Insurance, Purchase Protection, Refund Protection. How many cards give you any sort of insurance with no annual fee? I can think of one: Bankwest Zero Mastercard
        • You now have an AMEX card that's eligible for all those great AMEX statement credit offers that pop up monthly on Ozbargain (e.g. spend $100 at Target, get $15 back. Don't shop at Target? Go to Target and buy a $100 Coles Myer Gift card and effectively pay $85 for a card that you can now use at Coles, Coles Express, Myer, Officeworks)
        • You build up your credit history/rating

        As I said, this card is amazing even for a $195 annual fee because of the fact that it's effectively free/offset by the flight. Now you get this for free for the first year, get some bonus points, and this already amazing card is even better value.

        And for all those cards like the ANZ that give you 75k Qantas points and the first year annual fee? Get that as well! Get both!

        • You earn rewards points at a great rate.

          The reward points rate is not guaranteed over the lifetime of the card. Over the past few years I've received letter from my previous credit card issuers about reducing the points earned per dollar multiple times.

          They can change it anytime they want.

        • @easternculture: Sure (and I agree), but that's the same with all cards. With the recent RBA decision on credit card surcharges, it's actually more likely non-AMEX competitors will drop their reward rates though, given that it doesn't affect AMEX issued cards like this.

        • @illumination:

          given that it doesn't affect AMEX issued cards like this.

          AMEX will probably still restructure the rewards program.

        • Just for completeness sake (adding to your list), 3 more fee-free cards, which earn rewards, including at application :
          - Amex Essential - mostly 1 point for $1 (reward rate of 0.741%), referral bonus $75
          - Amex Discovery - 1 QFF point for $1, referral bonus 12,500 up to 15,000pts
          - Amex Velocity - 1 VFF point for $1, referral 15,000pts

          But not detracting from how attractive this card is. As a matter of fact, I am considering it, as probability of taking domestic flights in the near future increases. For me, till now, I hardly fly domestically, and being one who does not like hassles (whether selling flights, or cancel/reapply cycles to get bonuses), I do find the Amex Essential an attractive proposition, still providing 0.741% return on spend, without worrying about annual fees.

          (Qualification: when I say 'hassles', it only relates to me and as of now. I am sure it is not a hassle to many others, or once one gets used to it :-))

        • @easternculture:

          Even if they do, I'm pretty confident it'll still be better than other reward programs because they'd have to "come down" (downgrade) from a "higher level". So assuming all cards get downgraded at a somewhat "equal level", AMEX cards should still come out ahead.

          @bluesky:

          Ah, I completely forgot about those 3 cards, but yes absolutely right. Those are three additional cards which do include reward points with no annual fee. All those AMEXs have a better rate of return than the ones I mentioned (which are all non-AMEXs).

  • How do I create a referral link?? I signed up for this card during the Priceline promotion and girlfriend wanted to sign up!

  • Has anyone been able to get subsequent years' annual fees waived by calling up and asking before it's due?

  • Two questions:
    1) What is the value of these "membership points" and how does it compare to QFF points?
    2) The Qantas American Express Premium Card seems to have this referral thing going on too, is the first year annual fee waived for that as well?

    • What is the value of these "membership points"

      12000 points seems to get you $100 gift card

      With QFF, ~ 16000 - 17000 points for a $100 gift card

    • 2) No

  • +2

    Might be a good idea to mention who's link you used as its a Max of 7 referrals per user.

  • I don't know why the earlier comment about having a credit card encourages you to spend more got down voted. This is definitely the case for most people and everything about credit cards are designed to get you to spend. One thing I was curious about was whether you could link an AMEX to a savings account so every transaction is automatically debited. A friend of mine has this with NAB and it works a treat. This would be ideal, otherwise you are constantly keeping a mental check on a separate expenses and cheque/savings account which is more likely to result in extra spending.

    • +5

      I didn't downvote that comment but I think it's important to realise the types of people on Ozbargain. An ozbargainer is more likely to be money savvy, i.e. we don't pay interest on credit cards because it's super expensive, we sign up for credit cards to get bonus points and cancel, we hate annual fees.

      Where is the "extra spending"? Doesn't happen for us. I'm not saying you're wrong, but the people that get "sucked in" by credit cards and spend more, pay interest charges, late fees etc. are the reason why us Ozbargainers can keep enjoying deals which offer insane bonus points offers. They essentially "subsidise" us. This whole "you spend more with a credit card", I would say, largely does not apply to Ozbargainers.

      edit: Here, this guy summarised it pretty well

      • Move savvy = more Eneloops.

  • +2

    Did anyone receive a confirmation email to say that your application has been approved? I still haven't got it…

    • I applied Friday morning and got the email last night……

    • I only just applied on Sunday but haven't got any email yet. I'd expect it may take a business day or two.

      • Yes wait couple of days, they have lot of emails to send…..lol

  • Wish I found this offer sooner, I just signed up through the Amex website.
    Could have helped the referee and at the same time earn bonus points as a new applicant =(

    • If you only JUST signed up, you might be able to call up and tell them to "hold"/withdraw your application so you can use a referral link.
      My friend made the same mistake last year when trying to use my referral link and she was able to call up shortly after applying.

      • Nah, I signed up like a month ago.

    • Yeah I know a couple of people who have withdrawn within a couple of days of applying.

  • I signed up and was approved using "angelfromhell"'s link.
    Enjoy!

  • I got an Amex Gold card now, if I apply for the Edge, will I get the first year fee free? Thanks.

    • Yes you probably will still get all the bonuses that non-AMEX holders get despite the clause (from personal experience).

    • I also have the Gold card and thinking about applying for the Edge card. I'm just not sure whether to apply using my own referral link or do I need to use someone else's link.

  • Thanks illuminatioin, what about if we have Bank issued Amex card and we applied for the Edge card, do we get the free first year fee? Thanks.

    • You will.

    • Yea bohn has answered you but to be more specific, bank issued AMEX cards from AMEX's point of view are not considered as "an existing AMEX card" for these types of offers. There's usually fine print that says "excludes bank issued AMEX card".

      Also, tip for next time. Click on "reply" on my comment so I can get a notification of your comment next time ;)

      • Thanks :)

  • I was approved this morning, how long will it take for me to be able to sign up for my own referral code?
    I have a friend wanting to sign up so it makes sense to get him to use my code.

    • +1

      You will need to wait until the actual card is posted to you. You then activate the card according to instructions and set up an online account (where you will be able to generate your own referral code). So I'd expect 1-1.5 weeks (depending on where you live)

      • Ahh alright, cheers mate!

  • A general question, if one happens to use a referral link of a referrer who has already maxed out the 7 referrals, will the applicant also forfeit the bonus points from using a referral?

    Or is it just the referrer not getting his or her bonus from the application (the applicant still gets the referral link bonus) ?

    Thanks in advance.

    • +1

      I'm pretty sure only the person who referred you would miss out on their points.

      • +2

        That would make sense - why punish the applicant for things s/he has no control over! :-)

  • +1

    Thanks heaps, I got my first 30k points already. I guess it must be one of the applicants here. Thank you very much again.

    In that's case, I think I'm still eligible for 6 referrals at my maximin,

  • +1

    Hi, can someone confirm if the $195 annual fee is definitely being waived should i join using the referral code? I can see the 15,000 rewards bonus points, but it doesn't say anything about waiving the annual fee.. thanks!

    • +3

      Looks like first year annual fee is no longer free. They must have just changed it.

      • +1

        Yea definitely looks like they've changed it. It was previously worded something like this:

        Annual Fee: $195 (waived for the first year)

        That's a shame, but as I've said above, this card even without any sign-up bonuses and with the full annual fee is still a great card.
        It's like a 28 Degrees in that it's a long-term card (with a different function). You don't see people here bitching about the 28 Degrees not offering 30k bonus points because it's very well known what it does, however, in my mind, this card is equally invaluable.

  • Hi Op,

    I followed the referral link but the description of the card says $195 annual fee. It doesn't say anywhere that 1st year fee is removed.
    Where did you get this information from?
    I can see 15,000 points but there is nothing about annual fee being waved?

    • AMEX have changed the conditions overnight it seems. Yesterday, the first year fee would be waived if you used a referral link - today, you need to pay the first year's fee but you will still get the 15,000 bonus points upon spending $550 in the first two months.

  • +1

    The deal needs to be updated, as the first year is no longer free - even when using a referral link :(

    I just told a friend last night, who was going to apply today, and now it's gone ! Still good value at $195 p.a as the points earn rate is great and it includes a domestic return flight on Virgin (can be bought in another persons name).

    Mod: Removed referral solicitation.

  • Hi, I completed the application for my card just about when everyone was reporting that the first year fee has not been waived. I started the application on Sunday when the first year waived was still valid and completed the application via the link they sent me on email. Would you think that I would still have the first year waived?

    • I'd like to know as well

      • Update: I didn't get charged the annual fee

    • +2

      If you applied initially when it said the fee was $0 they couldn't charge you the fee.

      • i got it approved under the 60 seconds approval on sunday and the fee was waived i would very be pissed if they charged the fee. anyone have the previous information before they changed it ?

        • +3

          I've always found AMEX customer service very helpful. In the event that you get charged the fee, I would be surprised if they didn't waive it upon dispute.

      • Okay awesome thanks everyone.

        • just closed my card, called and she said because im not a new customer of amex they will not waived the fee or either the bonus points. - i have the amex velocity platinum

        • @ishe: Oh wow that sucks.

  • Frak I should of applied when I had the chance!

    • Don't you have enough AMEX cards already?

      • Define enough? I currently have 1.

    • How could one have predicted this, and overnight too!

  • Bummer! Not sure if it's worth it now

    • Sure it is :)

  • +1

    I received my AMEX Platinum Edge card today in the mail after signing up via the referral links.

    A bit of a concern already as the online account is showing up with the $195 closing balance as the sign up fee wasn't waived. I had to call up the AMEX customer support who confirmed it was a system 'error' on their side and that they will fix it on their side :\

    • Good to know, will need to keep an eye on.

  • is this card worth using with Qantas frequent flyers? I've got 80k points with QFF so not sure if its worth starting a new rewards points program with AMEX.

    • +1

      Can't redeem to Qantas frequent flyer points with this card so may not suit you unless you have another use for the points.

  • Just got my new card but didn't ask to create a PIN during set up.

    I went to Card Management > Manage My PIN but it says "We could not process your request as only Chip Cards are eligible for PIN services. Magnetic stripe Cards will NOT be impacted by the 1 August change, and you can continue to sign for your in-store purchases. You will receive a chip enabled Card by March 2015 and will be required to select a PIN during activation. Please call the Customer Service number on the back of your card or refer to FAQs for further assistance."

    Not sure if it's meant to be like this….

    • Usually you have to wait til the PIN letter comes in the mail before you can add/alter your PIN. I spoke to AMEX about this specifically when I received my Velocity Platinum card two days before I was due to fly out to Europe for a month…. but no PIN letter. Luckily it arrived the morning of my flight. When were you approved by the way?

      • Yeah would've thought the PIN arrives with the card in another envelope like any other companies.
        I was approved when I applied on Saturday but didn't get an email till Monday saying it has been approved and in the mail. Created an account and logged in and there isn't any $195 charge yet so that's good!

        • Cool. I applied and was approved on Sunday and got a message saying I'd have the card in 5-7 days. Haven't received any email at all as of yet but today I got the approval letter in the mail. Hopefully the card itself won't be too far behind! :D

        • @wavesgreen:

          funny that re email. I know two people who signed up on Sunday - one got an email on Monday night, the other still hasn't received one.

  • I got hit with the Yearly fee. I was approved on the 2nd and called them up and they said the offer for the free membership ended on the 30th of June

    :(

    • Woah seriously?? The signup page said it was valid when I signed up on the 4th. Will be keeping a close eye on it.

    • +3

      I also got hit with the $195 fee, but called Amex and after checking, the guy said the charge shouldn't have happened and he would remove it for me (applied on July 3rd)

  • I am very certain I saw the fee free first year when I applied on the 4th of July around noon. Just did not a screenshot….received the card and the T's & C's does not show fee free first year. will be calling amex tomorrow. hope they honour…

  • Woo woo woo, did indeed get my card in the mail today. Activated and set PIN, no $195 fee. Now, does anybody know how we can set up a referral link without your name in it?

    • +1

      click on the referral link and you will get a really long link. Use that link for the wiki

      • Thank you. Of course it was that easy to create a referral link like that. I feel dumb.

    • Did the PIN mail arrive together? Still waiting for mine…unless I totally missed the set up PIN page..

      Edit: doesn't matter, able to access the edit PIN function on AMEX account now..

      • No PIN letter, it let me set the PIN when I activated the card online.

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