AmEx Platinum v. Blue

fasternyou929 · 11-20-2008, 03:54 PM

A question to those of you carrying an AmEx platium card (green, gold, or platinum for that matter, since they all have an annual fee).

I've carried the blue card for a couple years now. Last year my cash rebate was over $700 at the end of the year, and I get many of the same benefits provided by the charge cards. AmEx keeps sending pre-approvals, first year's fee waived for their platinum cards and every time I call about my account they give me the sales pitch.

I've yet to see the benefit - I'd rather get PAID $700+ to use a card than pay them $150-350. For those carrying one of their cards with the annual fee, what do you get (that you actually use) for the added cost?

VatorMan · 11-20-2008, 03:57 PM

I have 3. A Entertainment gold for Concert pre-sales. A Blue for rewards and a Platinum tied to Hilton Honors.

I use them as my wants dictate.

ceo012384 · 11-20-2008, 04:14 PM

i have the blue cash card. no annual fee plus you get cash back once a year

haven't had it long enough to get my first cash back though

i also have a gold one

R6Chick · 11-20-2008, 05:43 PM

I'm in the same boat you are Dan.

I haven't taken any of the offers because I'd rather get paid money and buy my own plane ticket to where I want instead of dealing with miles, any restrictions, monthly fees, etc.

But maybe Sean can help because he's got the Gold Amex... not the black, but the Gold. Haha.

speedylocksmith · 11-20-2008, 06:45 PM

I have the Gold and the Blue. Had the gold for 4 years before they sent me the offer of the blue, I took it since there's no annual fee, and the annual fee for the gold is only $50 or 60

AquaPython · 11-20-2008, 07:33 PM

don't be Matt-Gay

Leon · 11-20-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaPython

don't be Matt-Gay

Ninjakel · 11-20-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaPython

don't be Matt-Gay

:lmao

shmike · 11-20-2008, 09:39 PM

Plat = charge card, big fee.

Blue = credit card, no fee.

I don't have any experience with their credit cards but the customer service is top notch with the gold. Platinum has their own team so I imagine it is even better.

I recently switched to the Platinum for the travel perks.

IMO, the concierge service, travel upgrades and added insurance are the only reasons to pay the extra fee for the Platinum. Funny thing is, if you travel enough, you can probably get many of those same perks from the airlines or hotels directly.

When I got the gold card, they waived the fee for a year. No such luck with the platinum.

Depending on how much the company is going to be moving you around, you may benefit from the Plat. If you are going to rack up 100's of thousands of miles on the company dime, I'd forgo it.

fasternyou929 · 11-20-2008, 10:50 PM

Thanks Sean!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

Plat = charge card, big fee.

Blue = credit card, no fee.

Not really much difference for me, I pay the balance off every month. My Blue limit is beyond what I could possibly spend in a month unless I put a new vehicle on it and my MasterCard recently switched to "no preset spending limit". Any other benefits of charge over credit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I don't have any experience with their credit cards but the customer service is top notch with the gold. Platinum has their own team so I imagine it is even better.

You'd be surprised how good they are with Blue customers. At least I have been. Disputed charges for bullshit ebay auctions, extended warranty coverage on a digital camera (full refund on a 20 month old camera). No complaints here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

IMO, the concierge service, travel upgrades and added insurance are the only reasons to pay the extra fee for the Platinum. Funny thing is, if you travel enough, you can probably get many of those same perks from the airlines or hotels directly.

When I got the gold card, they waived the fee for a year. No such luck with the platinum.

Depending on how much the company is going to be moving you around, you may benefit from the Plat. If you are going to rack up 100's of thousands of miles on the company dime, I'd forgo it.

Now this is where I get curious. What does the concierge do for you? I will be doing some good travelling, but I pay for it and get reimbursed by the company. I've already signed up for flyer miles with United which will give me some travel benefits on top of what blue provides (below) plus the cash back for tickets and hotel charges.

• American Express Online Travel: Find competitive, low prices on air, hotel, and car rental reservations, vacation packages, cruises, and last-minute deals, too.
• Emergency Check-In: Check into a hotel and charge your stay with the Card, even if your Card has been lost or stolen.
• Assured Reservations: Guarantee your hotel reservations with your Card and your room will be waiting for you even if you arrive late, or the hotel will provide you with a comparable room nearby, along with transportation to your new location.
• Car Rental Loss and Damage InsuranceVII: Coverage for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your Card to reserve and pay for an auto rental.
• Travel Accident InsuranceVIII: Provides up to $250,000 in accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Global Assist® HotlineX: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, we’ll provide you with emergency assistance 24/7, including medical and legal referrals, visa/passport help, cash access, lost luggage and more.

This is coming across more like a damn Blue commercial than I want it to. Not intentional. I just want to have the best card for how I use it and want to see what sets the AmEx charge cards apart in real-world use.

11-20-2008, 03:54 PM	#1
fasternyou929 SFL Expatriate #2 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Moto: CBR1000 Posts: 2,043	AmEx Platinum v. Blue A question to those of you carrying an AmEx platium card (green, gold, or platinum for that matter, since they all have an annual fee). I've carried the blue card for a couple years now. Last year my cash rebate was over $700 at the end of the year, and I get many of the same benefits provided by the charge cards. AmEx keeps sending pre-approvals, first year's fee waived for their platinum cards and every time I call about my account they give me the sales pitch. I've yet to see the benefit - I'd rather get PAID $700+ to use a card than pay them $150-350. For those carrying one of their cards with the annual fee, what do you get (that you actually use) for the added cost?

11-20-2008, 04:14 PM	#3
ceo012384 Pompous Prick Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MA Moto: 06 R6 (race), 04 CRF Tard (race) Posts: 3,040	i have the blue cash card. no annual fee plus you get cash back once a year haven't had it long enough to get my first cash back though i also have a gold one __________________ LRRS/CCS #123 Boston Moto Dunlop Woodcraft 35 Motorsports Sidi Pit Bull K&N Filters

11-20-2008, 03:57 PM	#2
VatorMan Wrap Yo Ass in Fiberglass Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: Feet Posts: 1,605	I have 3. A Entertainment gold for Concert pre-sales. A Blue for rewards and a Platinum tied to Hilton Honors. I use them as my wants dictate.

11-20-2008, 05:43 PM	#4
R6Chick I haven't had that in yrs Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Moto: 2004 R6 Posts: 439	I'm in the same boat you are Dan. I haven't taken any of the offers because I'd rather get paid money and buy my own plane ticket to where I want instead of dealing with miles, any restrictions, monthly fees, etc. But maybe Sean can help because he's got the Gold Amex... not the black, but the Gold. Haha.

11-20-2008, 06:45 PM	#5
speedylocksmith Much better off!! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hollyweird, FL Moto: 05 1Krr Posts: 676	I have the Gold and the Blue. Had the gold for 4 years before they sent me the offer of the blue, I took it since there's no annual fee, and the annual fee for the gold is only $50 or 60

11-20-2008, 07:33 PM	#6
AquaPython put it THIS way Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,185	don't be Matt-Gay

11-20-2008, 09:39 PM	#9
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	Plat = charge card, big fee. Blue = credit card, no fee. I don't have any experience with their credit cards but the customer service is top notch with the gold. Platinum has their own team so I imagine it is even better. I recently switched to the Platinum for the travel perks. IMO, the concierge service, travel upgrades and added insurance are the only reasons to pay the extra fee for the Platinum. Funny thing is, if you travel enough, you can probably get many of those same perks from the airlines or hotels directly. When I got the gold card, they waived the fee for a year. No such luck with the platinum. Depending on how much the company is going to be moving you around, you may benefit from the Plat. If you are going to rack up 100's of thousands of miles on the company dime, I'd forgo it.