Is this Platinum Amex card worth it? Also - Best way to use 100k AMEX reward points?

Quote from the.J129 : When I was approved, I asked them when would I be hit with the annual fee? I was told that it could take anywhere from 2 to 5 months?!! Though I do hope you don't get the fee! Also- apparently the $200 reimbursement is every CALENDAR year...So i can get $200 now and $200 in January. Plus $100 reimbursement for Global Entry + all those lounges+ additional 100k bonus points = TOTALLY worth it! I was also looking at their additional benefits for members and the list is PRETTY staggering. I could get Platinum status at Starwood because I have Platinum here. Travel insurance, Property insurance!! Car rental Insurance. Epic.

Right, my initial plan was to use the $200 last Dec and again in Jan, it worked out perfectly and I got $400 worth. I figured I'd cancel after, once I got hit with the fee and I'd just have it prorated. I waited to see if I'd get hit with the fee...and I never did. Been 4-5 months now.

Return Protection and AMEX Extended Warranty on purchases is a great benefit as well.

I'm aiming for the JPM Palladium

Quote from 1stbuy : Right, my initial plan was to use the $200 last Dec and again in Jan, it worked out perfectly and I got $400 worth. I figured I'd cancel after, once I got hit with the fee and I'd just have it prorated. I waited to see if I'd get hit with the fee...and I never did. Been 4-5 months now. Return Protection and AMEX Extended Warranty on purchases is a great benefit as well. I'm aiming for the JPM Palladium

"EARN 35,000 BONUS POINTS WITH $100,000 ANNUAL SPEND AND AN ADDITIONAL PURCHASE*"
Mother of Christ!

P.S- I have a trip coming up...I'd need to spend 80k in points and $250 in fees. What has a better chance of reimbursement? the $250 in fees or buyin 4 $50 United gift cards?

Quote from the.J129 : When I was approved, I asked them when would I be hit with the annual fee? I was told that it could take anywhere from 2 to 5 months?!! Though I do hope you don't get the fee! Also- apparently the $200 reimbursement is every CALENDAR year...So i can get $200 now and $200 in January. Plus $100 reimbursement for Global Entry + all those lounges+ additional 100k bonus points = TOTALLY worth it! I was also looking at their additional benefits for members and the list is PRETTY staggering. I could get Platinum status at Starwood because I have Platinum here. Travel insurance, Property insurance!! Car rental Insurance. Epic.

You get Gold status at Starwood, not Platinum.

And just to bring the card back down to Earth a bit, you do realize that most other cc's have the other benefits you mentioned - travel insurance, car rental insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, etc.

Quote from InfamousDX : You get Gold status at Starwood, not Platinum. And just to bring the card back down to Earth a bit, you do realize that most other cc's have the other benefits you mentioned - travel insurance, car rental insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, etc.

I realize that Visa and others offer all these services. The reason why I was pleased with AMEX was the level of coverage.
For Example-
Purchase Protection- AMEX offers upto $10k for any one incident. VISA offers upto $500.
Travel Insurance - A flat rate of $25 gets me PRIMARY insurance and utp $100k in coverage against theft and damage.
Emergency Travel Assistance and Travel Accident Insurance. : read this [thepointsguy.com].


Now I'm not gloating over the fact that I now have this card (heck maybe I am...just a little)
It's just that I was very undecided whether to apply or not because of that fee. And since I have some major trips coming up this year, this card seems like a very good deal.

And you're right about getting matched to Gold status with Starwood. I misread that bit.

Quote from the.J129 : I realize that Visa and others offer all these services. The reason why I was pleased with AMEX was the level of coverage. For Example- Purchase Protection- AMEX offers upto $10k for any one incident. VISA offers upto $500. Travel Insurance - A flat rate of $25 gets me PRIMARY insurance and utp $100k in coverage against theft and damage. Emergency Travel Assistance and Travel Accident Insurance. : read this [thepointsguy.com]. Now I'm not gloating over the fact that I now have this card (heck maybe I am...just a little) It's just that I was very undecided whether to apply or not because of that fee. And since I have some major trips coming up this year, this card seems like a very good deal. And you're right about getting matched to Gold status with Starwood. I misread that bit.

Oh I know all the benefits. I've had mine for a few years now. Just to make sure, if you're not planning on renewing the card and paying the annual fee, don't buy things and expect extended protection. For a claim to even be put in, the card has to be open and in good standing. That's kind of an obvious point but worth noting.

Quote from InfamousDX : Oh I know all the benefits. I've had mine for a few years now. Just to make sure, if you're not planning on renewing the card and paying the annual fee, don't buy things and expect extended protection. For a claim to even be put in, the card has to be open and in good standing. That's kind of an obvious point but worth noting.

But what about claims put in for lost or stolen items? I have the card till next June. So won't I have all these protections till then? won't the card provide insurance against items lost/stolen that were bought with this card? basically, as long as I have the card, I'm good right?


also- I'm really thinking about keeping this card. All depends on how much travel comes up in the next year. If not a lot, then I'll probably cancel it. But if I'm travelling even twice, then I'll hold on to it!


Thanks!

Sorry to bring up an old thread but how would one go and buy the UA gift cards with the platinum card, does it go against point balance ?