American Express India sent an email to Platinum Travel credit card holders on 29 June 2020 announcing the discontinuation of SpiceJet voucher issuance effective 1 August 2020. Below is a clear summary of what changed and what it means for cardholders.
Table of Contents
- The Change
- How this affects redemptions
- Will there be a replacement?
- Final thoughts
The Change
The email informs cardholders that SpiceJet vouchers will no longer be issued from 1 August 2020. The communication included the official notice image for reference.
How this affects redemptions
From 1 August 2020, redemption values on the Amex Platinum Travel Card change as follows:
- Regular points: SpiceJet vouchers removed; domestic travel vouchers available at 40 paise per point.
- Bonus points (1.9L annual spend / 7,500 bonus points): SpiceJet option removed; domestic travel vouchers valued at Rs.5,000 (about 67 paise per point).
- Bonus points (4L annual spend / 10,000 bonus points): SpiceJet option removed; domestic travel vouchers valued at Rs.8,000 (about 80 paise per point).
Previously, redeeming MR points for SpiceJet vouchers gave a higher per-point value in some tiers. With SpiceJet gone, the maximum effective reward rate falls from about 7.5% to roughly 6.5% overall. That said, relatively few Amex cardholders consistently used SpiceJet vouchers, and this change is not a dramatic devaluation for most users.
This appears to be a pragmatic decision, likely influenced by pressure on the airline industry during the pandemic. Despite this adjustment, the Platinum Travel Card remains one of the strongest travel-focused credit cards in India, offering competitive benefits for frequent travelers.
Will there be a replacement?
It is likely Amex will introduce an alternative.
Amex may announce a replacement option within a month or two. A sensible substitution could be vouchers from another travel or hospitality partner—Taj vouchers are a reasonable possibility based on past changes—but no official replacement has been confirmed yet.
Another constructive approach would be a simplification or modification of the Platinum Travel Card’s reward structure to keep the overall reward value consistent while making redemptions easier to understand for cardholders.
Final thoughts
For most cardholders this change is not a major setback, though it raises the question of whether other airline-linked benefits across cards might be affected during the pandemic period. Even so, it’s reasonable to expect Amex to provide an alternative or adjust benefits to support Platinum Travel cardholders, given the product’s premium positioning.
If you previously used SpiceJet vouchers, consider how the loss affects your redemption strategy and watch for Amex’s forthcoming announcement. The company has tended to support its premium customers, so a replacement or adjustment that preserves value is plausible.
Have you used Amex SpiceJet vouchers before? Share your experience and thoughts on this change.