There have been various takes on the utility of American Express cards, especially the American Express Platinum Card, which continues to be one of the best cards from a lifestyle consumer’s perspective in India.
I’m often asked why anyone should consider the American Express Platinum Card. While I cannot elaborate on behalf of everyone, here is the reason why my family and I continue to retain the American Express Platinum Card.
1. The Global Perspective
Most Card issuers in India have products with an Indian audience in mind. However, only one card has been continued from a global perspective in India, and that has been the American Express Platinum Card.
Since American Express controls the whole value chain, including the Card and the network, it allows them to offer features and benefits far beyond just one country. For instance, in the summer of 2022, I was passing through Vienna Airport. Instead of waiting in long queues for security checks, I could access the priority queue by flashing my American Express Platinum Card.
Skip the queues at various airports globally with American Express Platinum Card
This feature was initially negotiated for American Express Platinum customers in Austria. Still, as you can see, any Amex Platinum customers from around the globe can use it. A similar fast-track for airport security is also available at major airports in Sweden, Canada, Italy, and Belgium.
The bottom line is that if there is a popular feature that works for American Express Cardmembers, it tends to be rolled out across the broader Amex Cardmember base as well, allowing members to benefit from the global network of American Express and its ability to negotiate perks for members.
2. International Airline Programme (IAP)
One of the most underrated and undiscussed features of the American Express Platinum Card is access to the Amex International Airline Programme. As one of the world’s biggest travel services companies, Amex and airlines both know and recognise the spending potential of the company’s customer base, which allows Amex to offer curated deals to their Cardmembers, usually not available elsewhere.
The specially negotiated fares can include, for instance, booking a Business Class ticket but getting upgraded to First Class, or just a discount over the usually available fare, depending on the ongoing partnership with the airline. You can book tickets for up to eight people in one go using the IAP.
The current participating airlines for the IAP in India include Air France, Air India, Delta Airlines, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
3. Lounge Network
While Priority Pass is a liberal perk handed out by most lifestyle cards, it still doesn’t have the reach that an American Express Card affords for its Platinum Cardmembers. As is well known, American Express has a network of over 40 Centurion lounges. This includes 40+ lounges (including Centurion Studio Lounges) spread across the US and more in London Heathrow, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Australia, and India. Platinum Charge Cardmembers with India-issued Cards can also bring guests to the lounge.
The Centurion Lounge at Delhi International Airport Terminal 3 (Domestic)
Centurion Lounges in Delhi and Mumbai are the biggest reason for me to keep the Card going, given that they are exclusive to Amex customers and provide gourmet meals instead of buffets. Thanks to the American Express Lounge in Delhi, I am not affected by the closure of the Plaza Premium Lounge at Delhi Terminal 3.
Even in Bengaluru, Amex has had access to the 080 Lounge for a long while, and as we can all agree, it is a much more premium experience than the BLR Lounge Domestic. Overall, Amex offers lounge access in 140+ countries worldwide to Platinum Cardmembers.
4. Status at various hotel chains
If there is one thing that everyone in the LiveFromALounge community agrees on, it is that status makes things better for everyone. American Express Platinum (apart-only Amex Centurion) offers a variety of hotel statuses, which helps when one is travelling, even if one is from the invite going to stay with a hotel chain that they don’t usually do business with. As long as you hold the Card, you can access Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, Hilton Honors Gold, and Radisson Rewards Premier Status.
One might think this is a frivolous benefit, but it is not. For instance, when my wife had to travel to London at short notice, and her preferred hotel chain was unavailable, she could easily choose to stay in a Hilton Hotel, which still fit her daily budget by the company. Not just that, with the Gold status of Hilton Honors, she was offered breakfast every day, even though not included in her basic room package.
The Hilton London Hyde Park
5. Concierge
As a service, almost all lifestyle Card issuers offer a concierge service. However, only a few premium concierge service providers can open doors for you where you need them. American Express is one of them. They usually will have tables on hold at the top dining destinations, which can be allocated to their members when needed. And even if they don’t, they usually do a better job organising one for you than you.
For example, I was trying to get a table at a specific Michelin-starred restaurant, but I was told it was not possible, even though I was trying three months in advance and was willing to put in a deposit. After a month of back-and-forth, I rang Amex and briefed a request. The next day, I had a table booked.
An elaborate meal at Ikarus, the 2-Michelin Star Restaurant inside Red Bull’s Hangar 7, to celebrate our Seventh Anniversary.
6. Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts
Having your own travel company, one of the biggest in the world and one of the biggest lifestyle spending brands, also gives access to many curated deals that are not available to everyone. A la Virtuoso, Amex offers The Fine Hotels and Resorts collection, where Platinum Cardmembers get exclusive benefits at over 1000 global properties. For instance, when I booked the St. Regis Mumbai once via the FHR website, we were treated to daily Afternoon High Tea and a complimentary dinner at the “By the Mekong” restaurant since we booked the room via Amex.
8. Amex Experiences
This is a hard one to match, and this is where American Express shines over most Card issuers in India. Over the years, Amex has focused on curating member-only events, and all sorts of events are offered to Cardmembers from time to time. The personal high for me andn watching my wife has bee U2 perform at Navi Mumbai from the Amex Lounge set up at the performance venue.
But in 2021, we also participated in a member-only lunch at the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai and, recently, in 2024, at the Home Delhi. Such events keep happening occasionally and are an excellent opportunity to meet new people.
American Express will raise the card’s annual membership fee from INR 60,000 + GST to INR 66,000 + GST, effective October 8, 2024. However, all cards approved before that date will still receive the old fee (for the first year at least). If you’ve been considering getting the card, you can try it at a lower price by signing up now. You will also get access to the new benefits, which include a Times Prime ACE membership, Postcard Hotels’ Platinum Status and an Accor Traveller Membership.
The American Express Platinum Card can currently be applied on the Amex website. The Card fee is INR 60,000 Plus GST per annum. You get INR 10,000 bonus reward points on spending INR 5,000 within 90 days of membership, playing cards designed by Manish Malhotra, and a welcome gift of INR 45,000 worth of Taj Vouchers upon payment of the annual fee and spending INR 50,000 within the first two months of card membership.
Apply for an Amex Platinum Card
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