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Amex Platinum Charge - 100,000 Ascent Premium Points, $300 Travel Credit, Free Platinum Reserve Companion Card, $1200 Annual Fee

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Amex Platinum Charge - 100,000 Ascent Premium Points, $300 Travel Credit, Free Platinum Reserve Companion Card, $1200 Annual Fee
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donbot on 31/01/2017 - 19:49 americanexpress.com (768 clicks)
Last edited 31/01/2017 - 20:05

This is a ripper of a card.. big annual fee of $1200, but big benefits:

100,000 Ascent Premium Points (10 airline transfer partners (Including Qantas) + 2 Hotel Partners
Great transfer rates (1:1 for most airlines) - Qantas, Virgin, Singapore, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Thai, to name a few.
$300 travel credit to use at Amex Travel.
Free Companion Card of Reserve Platinum Card - $400 travel voucher for free.
Free Priority Pass for you and 1 supplementary cardholder, which you can take 1 guest in each (valued at US$399 each)
Gold Status with SPG/Marriott/Hilton
Insurances - Travel, Rental Car, Roadside assist.

Big earn on spend:
Earn 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants in Australia
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on airlines, accommodation and spend in foreign currency
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else, except those in the 0.5 points category
Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent on utilities, telecommunications companies, non American Express provided insurance and government bodies

I have paid for this card twice, and can vouch for getting more than $1200 value out of it in both scenarios.

Options that become available with this card:

  • Transfer to Singapore Airlines (1:1), and redeem a first class suites fare from East Coast (MEL/SYD/BNE) to Zurich/Paris/London on an A380 for 112,625 KF points + Taxes. Even with SQ Taxes, this is an amazing redemption!!

  • Apply for 2 cards (maybe your partner/spouse) and convert to SPG at 2:1 (converting 180,000 MR Points), then convert to Marriott Rewards and make a flights and nights redemption. 7 Nights at a Marriott Property + 132,000 United Airlines miles, which is good for 2 people return in business class to SE Asia from East Coast + minimal taxes (~$50 per flight). United.com has amazing availability into SE Asia, and does not charge fuel surcharges so taxes are absolute minimal! Cost of a full service airline into SE Asia in Economy can be $1500 return in peak periods - this card pays for it but in business class!

  • Reports of Amex Explorer holders being able to request their Explorer card be linked to their Ascent Premium rewards account, resulting in their Gateway points being converted to Ascent Premium points (better transfer rates).

  • EVEN if you hold an Amex Issued Credit Card, you are still eligible for the bonus points officially, provided you dont hold another Amex Issued Consumer Charge Card. (see: http://www.pointhacks.com.au/american-express-points-offer-e…)

  • 100,000 (or 110,000 if you take the referral bonus below) more than make up for the $1200 annual fee on its own.

Eligibility:

  • I am aged over 18
  • I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • I have a personal or household gross (pre-tax) annual income of $100,000 or more
  • I have no history of bad debt or payment default

Important to note - it is household income, not personal income. I can vouch for this personally - so dont feel you need to be above $100,000 personally to apply for this card - if you and your spouse earn $50,000 each, then you qualify.

Also, there is a referral bonus running to acquire 110,000 points (10,000 extra than the standard promotion), and the referrer receives 20,000 in return for you using their code.

http://amex.com.au/refer/chrisrj13E if you would like to use my code, or there is the OzB Amex Referral which lists all available referral codes: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals

Happy Flying!

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.

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closed Comments

  • arctan on 31/01/2017 - 19:58
    +1

    If you have CPA or CA membership you only pay $950 annual fee and the reduced spending requirement of $1100.
    https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/cpaplatinum/#Rewa…

  • chino8826 on 31/01/2017 - 19:59
    +1

    I thought the complimentary Platinum Reserve Card is only offered to partner programs applicants(CA,CPA,EA,AMA etc with $950 annual fee)?

    Besides did they change the free flight offer on Reserve card to travel credits as well? It used to let you fly from SYD&MEL to Auckland, PER to Denpasar, or if you don't want the flight, you can choose to stay for one night at 5 star hotels.

    And $100,000 income requirement as well.

  • spuderump on 31/01/2017 - 20:00
    +7

    100k income pretty much rules out the entire ozbargain community.

    • chingy213 on 31/01/2017 - 20:02
      +1

      true…

    • Lastronin on 31/01/2017 - 20:03
      +9

      Even if i earn 100k i still can't stomach that $1200 annual fee….

    • donbot on 31/01/2017 - 20:06
      +1

      Its assessed on a household income, not personal income. I can personally vouch for this.

    • Tiggrrrrr on 31/01/2017 - 21:29
      -1

      Because we earn more than 100k?

    • x853 on 31/01/2017 - 21:38
      +4

      It is 100k household - that is not too high. I would imagine most families with two working partners should be comfortably over $100k.

      But $1,200 annual fee- no thanks

    • cwongtech on 01/02/2017 - 11:07
      +2

      Even the uni graduate with 80k buying a car is considered a peasant to these folks

  • Mechz on 31/01/2017 - 20:06
    +1

    My mate had this in the US, he said it's only $450 annual fee there.

    • griftr on 01/02/2017 - 00:35

      This is a brilliant product. But by all accounts, it pales in comparison to the overseas equivalent. Both price-wise as well as features.

      The Australian version of the card is really worthwhile if you travel.

  • Wootwootwoot on 31/01/2017 - 20:07
    +2

    Still dont see the value in this vs. explorer, the latter has better earn on average and 400 travel credit for 1/3 the fee. Spg gold is okay but its only a tier up from the basic free membership vs. hilton gold you can get for free on macquarie visa…

    • talismansa on 31/01/2017 - 22:13
      +1

      This card's transfer rate to all Frequent Flyer programs is 1:1, where as the explorer card is at most 0.75:1.

      • Wootwootwoot on 31/01/2017 - 22:55
        +2

        Yea but for almost all spending you are getting 1.5ffp /$ on explorer and only 1ffp/$ on edge. I cant see the value unless you dine outside every second day… in which case you dont need to be on ozb…

        • Peck on 08/02/2017 - 15:42

          I agree. I have both and Explorer gives much better FF Points.

  • hotmustardsauce on 31/01/2017 - 20:10
    -7

    1200 is prohibitively expensive
    The benefit of first class over business is even more marginal than the benefit of business over economy.
    Not a good deal imo

  • arctan on 31/01/2017 - 20:17

    I read previously that this card gives you free roadside assistance if your car is less than 7 years old, which is another good benefit.
    See this old deal here for more discussions -
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/259759

    • donbot on 31/01/2017 - 20:22
      +3

      Correct. The way I justified the card when I obtained it last August:

      $1200 fee
      less $300 Travel Credit
      less $400 Travel Credit on Platinum Reserve
      less $100 Roadside assistance instead of RACV
      equals $400 give or take.

      110,000 MR points and 2 x Priority Passes for $400? To me, thats value. Wont be to everyone, but no bargain ever is.

      • jaygee on 26/02/2017 - 15:33

        Man they didn't give me a Platinum reserve when I picked this up last year!

        • donbot on 26/02/2017 - 15:49

          You've got to apply for it separately as a card in its own right - it's not automatic. Call them up and ask about it :)

        • jaygee on 26/02/2017 - 16:38

          @tizey:

          Ah - I've got too many cards right now, will probably wait till June to do so. Thanks!

    • Peck on 11/02/2017 - 12:26

      Can be up to 8 years old (EG if you bought your car on 1 January).
      Every calendar year is counted.
      So if you bought it in Oct 2016 then 31/12/16 is the end of one year.

  • jonnoyeo on 31/01/2017 - 20:21
    +1

    All the insurance is great also.

    Unlimited access to the virgin lounges, centurion lounges, amex lounges also.

    Priority pass is also excellent if you travel, and concierge services are great!!!

    For example when we were in Japan, the concierge services purchased tickets for us and hand delivered them to our hotel.

    • Speedz on 31/01/2017 - 23:57

      Unlimited access to Virgin lounges? That's a good deal, if I recall its $400+ annual fee + another $500 joining fee or something.

      • jonnoyeo on 01/02/2017 - 11:13

        Correct, for you and one other person that's with you.

        This also flows onto supplementary holders.

        But of course you must hold a Virgin ticket to enter.

  • spuderump on 31/01/2017 - 20:43

    Can someone explain the platinum reserve thing?

    • donbot on 31/01/2017 - 20:43
      +1

      Its a card that is available to apply for when you hold a Platinum Charge card. Its complimentary, but comes with a free $400 travel credit that you can use.

      • spuderump on 31/01/2017 - 20:45

        Oh nice, makes the deal a bit more reasonable then.

        Got a 6 week trip planned for usa so this could come in handy indeed.

        • Peck on 08/02/2017 - 15:44

          Also, being a credit card, it does not have to be paid in full' by the due date, whereas a charge card does. And it will give you an extra card for Amex offers.

  • qtmai on 31/01/2017 - 20:50
    +3

    This is a great card if you use up all the benefits. Last year, my girlfriend and I travelled to Europe and the lounge passes were a great way to save on food and relax in crowded airport.

    We also use the concierge to book at restaurants that have weeks waiting time. The concierge is helping me planning few surprises for my girlfriend, it's a great way to save time and they always comes up with ideas you never think about

  • aibargain on 31/01/2017 - 21:13
    +1

    What is the usual price for this card?
    Is there a bargain here?

    • qtmai on 31/01/2017 - 21:21
      +3

      $1200. The real bargain is the 110k MR points. This can be use to book a one way ticket in Business Class to LA or SFO for 85K with Singapore Airlines. Thats $4000+ in value and still have spare

      • Tiggrrrrr on 31/01/2017 - 21:30

        But then you still need to get a flight back?

        • qtmai on 31/01/2017 - 21:33
          +1

          Use the $700 travel credit and 25K to redeem flights back?

        • Peck on 08/02/2017 - 15:46

          @qtmai: The 2 travel credits cannot be used together. Ie. must be used in separate bookings.

      • F-22 on 01/02/2017 - 13:52

        I've read this before but can never seem to find business flights at that rate. I take it they're limited or am I missing something?

        • qtmai on 01/02/2017 - 14:58

          It's hard to find theses, especially the popular routes, the business saver are open up 12 months before the actually flight and they usually get snatch up pretty quick.

          You have to plan your trips pretty early on and have flexibility with your routes and dates. Have a read of www.pointhacks.com.au, they have good guides on frequent flyer

    • roberto7 on 31/01/2017 - 21:31
      +4

      Great point, and I'd say false economies at play here. Seems like justifying high expenses which would probably not have been made in the first place. I'd focus on year 2-11 and work out the lifecycle cost (which includes guaranteed payment to AMEX) vs subjective valuation of perceived spending needs.

      That said, aside from the 100K bonus I have seen better value-for-money deals on OzB :|

  • billbro on 31/01/2017 - 21:56
    +2

    The MR points make the card reasonable value if you have a specific trip in mind.

    We have structured an around the world trip that is almost all business class or above and the bonus points on this card covered a large chunk of our return leg.

    We spent around $2,500 per person (factoring in taxes, cc cost, etc) and although there are cheaper economy tickets to individual countries I think you would be hard pressed to do similar across 4 continents. To be fair we used a fair bit more than just the points on offer here for the entire trip though.

    It's not terrible value, but it's only viable if you are willing to plan and have something specific in mind. However, personally I never think it's wise to stockpile ff miles anyway.

  • crowsnest bomber on 31/01/2017 - 22:21

    guys check this thread out, answers a lot of questions. Deal is basically the same with a few minor changes

    I can personally vouch for this card, amazing value.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/236605

  • griftr on 03/02/2017 - 03:33

    OP tizey,

    how did you get this?

    Transfer to Singapore Airlines (1:1), and redeem a first class suites fare from East Coast (MEL/SYD/BNE) to Zurich/Paris/London on an A380 for 112,625 KF points + Taxes. Even with SQ Taxes, this is an amazing redemption!!

    I logged onto the Krisflyer site to have a look and couldn't see points that low.

    • donbot on 03/02/2017 - 05:03

      Remember that a 15% discount to kf miles applies if booking online. 132,500 less 15% = 112,625

      • griftr on 05/02/2017 - 00:50

        Do you know if it is that a permanent feature of Krisflyer or a limited time promotion? I tried to find info but came up with nada. Makes me think it might be a feature! :)

        also, again… the points i saw were a lot more.. are you referring to one way for 132,500 minus 15%? Thanks!

        • donbot on 05/02/2017 - 08:16
          +1

          Permanent feature of KF it is.

          And yes, I was referring to a one way for 132,500 less 15℅. A suites class saver fare it is.

        • starburstyellow on 05/02/2017 - 21:40

          @tizey: Hmm odd for Perth it's 112625 on Business to London, definitely not First.

        • donbot on 06/02/2017 - 05:55

          @starburstyellow:

          Remember there are two levels of awards with KF - saver awards and standard awards. Only difference between them is the number of points required, and hence standards are more readily available.,. But plan ahead and you'll be able to get saverbfares most times.

          Eg. Business from Melbourne to London is either:
          Saver: 95000 less 15% = 80,750
          Standard: 150000 less 15% = 127,500

        • starburstyellow on 06/02/2017 - 11:11

          @tizey: ah gotcha. Actually it was my mistake. I was actually looking at the saver fares (Am going on one in April this year) . But I was looking at return, not one way. Ignore me. To go to UK from Perth is about 150000~ on business return.

        • Symbiotic on 08/03/2017 - 11:48

          @tizey: Unfortunately permanent feature of KF it isn't. Get those reward flights locked in by the 23rd of March. http://thepointsguy.com/2017/03/big-krisflyer-changes-march-…

        • donbot on 08/03/2017 - 12:12

          @Symbiotic:

          Correct - the points cost is increasing, but the fuel surcharges are being removed, so the taxes on award tickets with Singapore will drop significantly post the changes on 23 March.

          Word has it that provided you dont want to change the destination or class of award ticket, if you have an award ticketed under the old award chart, then you can change it (availability required) to another date without penalty.

  • donbot on 08/03/2017 - 09:25

    Update 8/3/17 (I can't update the original post), but there is a promo that any of you who have signed up to this card should be aware of if passing this on to friends and family:

    Refer your friends by 11 April 2017 and you could receive 40,000 Membership Rewards points for each friend who applies using your referral link by 1 May 2017 and is approved.

    They receive 110,000 Membership Rewards points if they apply by 1 May 2017, are approved for an American Express® Platinum Card and spend $1,500 in their first 3 months of Card Membership.

    So if you're a cardholder looking for a bonus and considering passing this over to friends and family - they have doubled the referral bonus until the end of May.

  • 973728 on 08/03/2017 - 15:38

    Just wondering if anyone has cancelled their AMEX Platinum charge and managed to get another 110,000 points signing up for a new one a few months later or even signing up for a CPA/EA version of it?
    That is, has anyone not waited the 18 months that they say you can't have had the card for when applying. It certainly seems they don't check other card history when applying for another type of AMEX (e.g. Edge).

    • donbot on 13/03/2017 - 09:27

      Unsure. Given the size of the annual fee, it would be a bold move to do so given no guarantees of bonus points. Would be great if they did!!

      • 973728 on 14/03/2017 - 08:57

        I should clarify I mean cancel at the end of the first year, but then re-sign up a few months later.

    • Ararat on 18/04/2017 - 19:39

      I got this last year with 120k points used well my whole family 2 adults and two children free Amex lounge and virgin Australia and says premier etc in Singapore.Very useful for the family if traveling frequently with kids.I am thinking of closing this account by the end of may this year to prevent payment of $1200.i spoke with customer agent today she offered me 15k bonus points in order to prevent me closing the account this may month.Anybody got a better deal please let us know?

  • huskies on 14/03/2017 - 00:17

    Does anyone know how/if Virgin know the difference between a supplementary card and a primary cardholder for the lounge access given that we just have to flash our cards to enter the lounge?

    • Holysmoke on 18/03/2017 - 07:04

      They actually swipe the card through the amex terminal.

  • Mortgage Broker on 14/03/2017 - 23:46

    Keen to learn more about linking the AmEx Explorer (Gateway) to Ascent Premium. Is there another thread about this I can read up on? That means I can get 2 airline points per dollar?

    • donbot on 15/03/2017 - 06:24

      There's a huge thread on AFF forums about it inbthe Explorer card thread. I would recommending reading that to understand the merging and 2 MR premium per $1

      • Mortgage Broker on 15/03/2017 - 21:29

        Thanks. Spent quite a bit of time reading it, and if I understand correctly, in summary you need to keep trying until you get someone who's willing to link it to Ascent/Premium, and if you're successful, your bonus sign-up points becomes the more valuable Ascent/Premium points, and future spend also earns 2 Ascent/Premium points per dollar. Is that right?

        • donbot on 15/03/2017 - 21:36

          Essentially, yes. There have been mixed reports on AFF about getting it done.

          I cant say personally as SPG is the same rate between cards, so I havent bothered.

        • Holysmoke on 18/03/2017 - 07:00

          That's correct.

  • Peck on 18/03/2017 - 11:36

    what is the link for RANDOM referrals??
    It is not https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/american_express_referrals.

    • donbot on 18/03/2017 - 15:13

      There is a referral generator at the bottom of all referral posts now - expand that out and it's in there :)

      • Peck on 18/03/2017 - 19:53

        Aha, Thanks, got it! CLicked on '10 more'. It had me tricked!! I don't quite understand why a post for Amex Platinum Charge has a list of ALL Amex referral links, and not just the one for Amex Platinum Charge, but who am I to argue.

  • donbot on 23/03/2017 - 17:18

    With Singapore Airlines new award chart taking place (which increased the points required, but eliminated the fuel surcharge on award flights which saves hundreds of dollars in cost on award flight), a valuable alternate use for Ascent Premium MR Points has presented itself today getting to/from Europe in Economy, whereas previously the taxes and fuel surcharges prevented this from being a viable option.

    106,000 Ascent Premium MR Points = 106,000 KrisFlyer Miles

    Melbourne to Paris return in Economy via Singapore = 106,000 Krisflyer Miles + $187.29 AUD (I selected two random dates - depart 26/4/17 returning 23/5/17)

    Total cost of flight if using this card = $1200 (Annual Fee of this card) + $187.29 = $1,387.29
    Saver Fare with singaporeair.com = $1,517.89 + 1.35% credit card surcharge = $1,538.18

    Direct cash savings if booking with points vs booking and paying directly = $150.89, even when paying the $1200 annual fee

    On top of this $150 saving, you've got access to:

    • $300 travel credit with the Platinum Charge card
    • $400 travel credit with the companion Platinum Reserve Card once you apply for it
    • Priority Pass with unlimited lounge entries at participating airports (which you can use to guest 1 person in), plus a supplementary cardholder can get their own priority pass.
    • Insurances - Roadside/Travel/Rental Car

    So working out the value proposition for this card is quite easy if looking at booking a return economy trip, particularly on short notice with a full service airline with minimal transits. You dont have to travel at the pointy end to get a good deal on this card :)

    • Peck on 23/03/2017 - 18:55

      Hey Tiz., do you happen to know if SA award change has any impact on Virgin redemptions for codeshare SA ?

      • donbot on 23/03/2017 - 21:00

        I don't think it has any impact. SA don't release all flights to VA.. and now they have no fuel surcharges, award taxes should be the same. Not sure on points differential now though, but I assume SA is still less than VA for bookings on SA.

  • Ararat on 27/04/2017 - 00:15

    My colleague got this card last year and spent all120k mr points and it's time to close the account.he called Customer agent and they offered 25k bonus points and requested not to close the account this year.Anybody got better deals?

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