Sunday, November 20, 2011

The American Express Platinum Card and the Membership Rewards First program

In previous posts, I've written about getting a 20% Membership Rewards rebate anytime I spend the points on the Amex Travel website. Over the past few months, this has saved me about 50k points! However, this is only one of the small benefits of the Amex Platinum Card.  Here is a synopsis of the other main benefits of the card.

American Express Platinum Card


25,000 MR points bonus - When signing up for this card, if you spend $1000 within 3 months, you will get an automatic 25,000 MR points bonus. Due to various transfer bonuses to airlines (67% bonus to Delta) as well as bonuses when booking on Amex Travel, these points are worth about $0.02 each, making this bonus worth about $500. These points can be transferred to most airlines instantly, except for Continental and United.

Free unlimited access to airport VIP lounges - through the Priority Pass Select program, cardholders get free access to 600 VIP lounges worldwide, worth at least $50 per visit, or about a $399 value for a yearly pass.

$200 of airline fees reimbursed - up to $200 of airline fees are reimbursed every year from an airline of your choice. These can be baggage fees that are often $25-35 per bag, or airline change fees that are $150 per change, or award ticket fees of $75. They are also known to reimburse giftcard purchases as well.

Elite status in National Car Rentals, Hertz #1 Gold Program, and Avis First program - status in these programs usually requires a large amount of spending, many car rentals each year. Elite status in these programs provides cheaper rates, instant car upgrades, and grace periods for rental returns.

Starwood Preferred Guest Gold status - you get instant room upgrades, priority check in, late checkout at 4pm, 50% bonus for SPG points.

Fine Hotels and Resorts - this travel booking service has nice amenities at fine hotels around the world, getting good rates, hundred of dollars in free service or food credits, and automatic room upgrades.

No Foreign Transaction fees - most cards charge up to 3%, so spending $2000 abroad will save $60 in fees.

Free Global Entry - expedited entry into international airports, a $100 value.

Free International Companion ticket - when you book a First or Business class ticket through AMEX, you can get a companion ticket for free.

Platinum Concierge service - personal attendant that is known to be able to get tickets to sold-out events, get reservations at booked restaurants, and anything else you need.

Membership Rewards First - spending MR points on the AMEX Travel Site will return a 20% bonus.

Considering that this card has a $450 annual fee, I needed to make sure that it was worth every penny.

25k MR points - $500
Airline VIP Lounges - $399
$200 fee reimbursement - $200
Free Global Entry - $100
$1099 of direct benefits!

Additionally, this doesn't take into account taking advantage of all the other benefits that vary depending on usage. I've saved 50k MR points, and used all of these benefits already except the companion ticket. This is definitely worth the annual fee.

25,000 Membership Rewards bonus link here.

18 comments:

  1. Peoples always prefer to hire a car in reasonable rental price so that car rental providers reduce their rental at cheapest cost, thanks for sharing this informative post to our vision. Keep blogging.
    Regards,
    car rentals in Chennai|car rental in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice post keeps it up thanks for sharing One of the best travels in Chennai, Jyothi Tours & Travels We are best provided for Tirupati Tour Package from Chennai, best offer for group package and also, more details contact for Jyothi Tours & Travels Tirupati Tour Package from Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your article is very nice, thanks for more information; we are sheared on One day Tirupati tour package from Chennai daily services, more contact for Chennai Car Travels.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow!! Nice post about Mahabalipuram, Thanks for sharing this lovely post in your blog. It’s really awesome to read this blog. Pictures were fabulous with well written up. Planning for your trip? Then book your tour packages, Mahabalipuram tour packages, Pondicherry tour packages, Kanchipuram tour packages, Kalahasti tour packages, Tirupati tour packages, you want more tour packages contact for chennai tours.
    Chennai to Mahabalipuram tour package

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice post keeps it up thanks for sharing there are eleven sanctuaries called Mandapas, organized on the 2 sides of the slopes of Mahabalipuram. These sanctuaries area unit unbelievable case of Dravadian engineering. vital vacation destinations in Mahabalipuram area unit Panch Pandava Rathas, Shore Temple – found shores of Bay of geographical region this contains of a Hindu deity Temple and 2 Shiva Temples, Varaha Caves-shake cut caverns having icons of incarnations of Vishnu–Varaha, Mahishasuramardhini Caves, Somaskanda models and Arjuna’s Penance-is one amongst the best outdoors shake figures of the seventh century with many-sided cutting of life like figures.
    Chennai To Mahabalipuram Tour Package

    ReplyDelete

  6. Very nice your blog, thanks for more information. Natural Arch, Tirumala hills could be a distinctive earth science marvel settled zero.6 miles north of the Tirumala hills temple. The Arch is additionally referred to as Silathoranam (శిలాతోరణం)in native Telugulanguage (Telugu language: “Sila” means that ‘rock’ and “thoranam” means that a garland set up over a threshold, connecting 2 vertical columns or associate ‘arch’ as during this case). The arch measures eight m (26.2 ft) in breadth and three m (9.8 ft) tall, and is of course fashioned within the quartzites of Cuddapah Supergroup of Middle to higher Proterozoic (1600 to 570 Ma) because of natural erosive forces.
    Tirupati tour package from Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  7. Informative blog thanks for sharing it. To know the best product review and guide visit iknowthebest.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alishabody spa here we provide best ayurvedic massage at very low cost, some more additional service like body to body massage, thai massage it makes you more comforttable..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great Blog, Learned many things about car rentals from this article, very informative. The car travels in tirupati is one of the best places to get car rentals in Tirupati.
    Tirupati car rentals
    Tirupati car travels
    Car rentals in tirupati
    Car travels in tirupati
    Travels in tirupati

    ReplyDelete
  10. great blog. New car models in coimbatore, check out the latest car models, price ,reviews, specification, view car for sale.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This massage is famous type of massage and masseur rub their body with customer body. Body to body ouch only there. That is why this is called b2b massage.

    body massage in bangalore
    Massage in bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  12. The beauty about Darjeeling is that it's not just a unique space in itself, its climate, presence and friendly people. I hope you continue to have this site for more best content that all the folks would benefit surely. Luxury hotel in darjeeling , 5 star resort in Darjeeling

    ReplyDelete
  13. car rental services in Kodapakkam
    we are providing Elite car service in chennai is giving safe and comfortable journey for the passengers. We are always thinking about customer side satisfaction. we provide entire chennai and out of chennai also.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic!! you are doing good job! I impressed. Many bodies are follow to you and try to some new.. After read your comments I feel; Its very interesting and every guys sahre with you own works. Great!!
    mua vé máy bay đi úc giá rẻ

    vé máy bay đi incheon hàn quốc

    đặt vé máy bay đi seoul giá rẻ

    đặt vé máy bay giá rẻ đi nhật bản

    vé máy bay giá rẻ từ hà nội đi tokyo

    ReplyDelete