I recently upgraded from the Amex Gold Charge Card to the Amex Platinum in June 2020. If you’re unfamiliar with the Platinum card, it’s not a standard rewards credit card — it’s designed for frequent travelers, especially those who spend on luxury services.
Even though I don’t travel internationally or spend on luxury as much as the card encourages — I didn’t take a single international trip in 2019 — I still chose to get the Platinum card during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are compelling reasons for that. Here are the three main benefits that convinced me.
Table of Contents
- 1. Better Amex Offers
- 2. Covid-19 Special offers
- 3. Better Concierge
- The Cost
- Bottom line
1. Better Amex Offers
Amex has been sending stronger, separate offers specifically for Platinum charge cardholders. These offers often have higher maximum caps and better rewards compared with other Amex cards, which makes sense given the card’s higher price point.
Over time, Platinum cards receive better promotions, seasonal deals and targeted campaigns. That extra value from offers is one of the reasons to consider the upgrade.
2. Covid-19 Special offers
Amex India saw a significant drop in transaction volume during the lockdown, largely because many Platinum benefits are travel-related. To add value for members paying high fees, Amex introduced several aggressive, non-travel offers.
Examples of strong current offers for Platinum cardholders include:
- Double Rewards on Earn & Burn promotions
- Cashback campaigns that can return substantial amounts up to set caps
- Bonus points for specific categories such as utility payments
These offers are particularly valuable during periods when travel is limited. Double rewards in particular can meaningfully increase the card’s net value when used strategically.
3. Better Concierge
The Amex Do Anything Platinum Concierge operates 24/7. Historically, service quality was inconsistent, but after submitting over 20 requests in a three-month span in 2020, I found the concierge service has improved significantly.
I regularly use the concierge to handle tasks that would otherwise take me 10–30 minutes each. For frequent small requests, that time savings adds up and increases the practical value of the card.
The Cost
The Platinum card’s joining fee is substantial — about Rs.60,000 plus GST (~Rs.70,000). However, the fee includes a welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend Rs.50,000, down from previous higher thresholds.
Thanks to current offers like Double Rewards, you can reduce the effective cost of the card. With careful use of promotions and redemptions, the net fee can be cut dramatically. Additionally, referral offers can lower the upfront fee further.
Redeeming points for hotel stays, particularly through certain partners, can deliver strong per-point value. Alternatively, redeeming for statement credit or cashback helps reduce out-of-pocket expense immediately, which is useful in tight financial times.
Bottom line
Given the current offers, concierge improvements, and the card’s targeted promotions, upgrading to Amex Platinum made sense for me even without frequent international travel. The card now offers meaningful value beyond travel benefits, especially while Amex focuses on retaining high-value customers during a challenging period for travel.
I expect more non-travel offers through the year and renewed travel-focused promotions once the market recovers. For anyone considering the card, evaluate how well you can leverage the welcome bonus, targeted offers and concierge services to offset the fee.
What are your thoughts on Amex Platinum right now? Share your experience or questions in the comments below.