Thread: Annual Renewal is Rearing its Head for Platinum Card

so i need a little advice...

i have been an amex platinum member for about a year now. i travel for work frequently so the platinum memberships have come in handy. i mainly opted for the amex platinum for the airport lounge access perks, as well as extended warranty and purchase protection.

things i've come to like with the card that i have used it for:
airport lounge access to continental presidents club
$200 fee reimbursable, continental airlines.

if they did not initiate this $200 airline fee reimbursable, it would almost be a clear cut case I wouldn't renew. i do have to say that perk has come in handy when it came time to make a flight change.

someone sway me to stay...and give me solid reasons. i know their concierge service is great, but honestly in using them as i have...a lot of the work they do for me i can easily do myself with a computer and internet access. the biggest help they can provide is when i absolutely do not have computer nor internet access which is almost impossible at this day in age.

beyond the $200 flight fee reimbursement, extended warranty, purchase protection i'm close to dropping the card and sticking with my AMEX Blue.

I would say, if you travel a lot, and you use the airport lounges, that would be enough to justify the renewal and AF. If you do not use them, but you can get back the $200USD reimburse, then your AF is almost half of it. What about getting upgrade at hotels, or purchases protection?

those are the mainly benefits i consider every year when is renewal time for the Platinum card.

well...

AMEX Gold contains purchase protection...hell AMEX Costco has purchase protection...

In regards to Continental/United Airport Lounges, I am currently set to receive my Continental Presidential Plus Mastercard with the first year's fee waived. I think I'm just torn as what decision to make now. Downgrade to a AMEX Gold, or renew my AMEX Platinum. I'm sure as November rolls along and renewal is knocking on my door I should have a better idea. I'm also looking towards the possibility of other premium cards.

Originally Posted by jeffysdad

If lounge access is your biggest issue, you can buy a Priority Pass to get that. Be aware that Continental is dropping free access for Amex Platinum holders soon, I think.

If you do want to keep the card, then you probably should; it sounds as if you make back nearly what the annual fee is at least.

Before just blindly renewing I would try negotiating for a lower renewal fee. You should hem and haw a bit about how you're sitting on the fence, etc. If they won't lower the fee, see if you can get a comp hotel night stay out of them or maybe 5,000 extra rewards points as a token of appreciation for renewing.

If you're a responsible customer of means, they should be willing to bow and scrape a bit for your business.

It's worth a shot but I understand that AMEX does not reduce the platinum fees for any reason. You might get 5000 miles or something but I doubt about the discount.

As for whether to cancel, that's a personal choice. You should run the numbers and determine its value to you. There are numerous other benefits that I like such as free Hertz Gold membership and 20% discount at Hertz. And I've used the FHR a couple of times to get an awesome room at a nice hotel with all sorts of freebies thrown in. I personally view those as being more useful than the lounge access. The airline credit has also been useful but if you get elite status on an airline you'll likely incur few fees anyway.

My renewal comes in January I think and.I will positively be renewing. But if I did not travel much I'd probably rethink it.