American Express launches first metal platinum card in Australia
The Amex Platinum and Amex Platinum Business cards boast a fresh look and some new features.
Amex has unveiled a new design for its American Express Platinum and American Express Platinum Business cards today. In an Australian first, the cards will feature a sleek, metal design to bring the allure of the platinum perks to life. Previously, you could only get a metal card from American Express in Australia if you were invited to use the Amex Centurion black card.
This new design comes with a host of new and improved features. The American Express Platinum card always offered complimentary international insurance, but the cover with the American Express Platinum card now extends to up to four additional card members as well as eligible partners and dependent children travelling with them.
How to make the most of your American Express travel credit.
Amex Platinum and Platinum Business cardholders can travel in style thanks to unlimited access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes the Amex lounges at Melbourne and Sydney international airports as well as the Centurion Lounges in overseas airports including Hong Kong and Las Vegas. This perk now extends to primary and additional cardholders as well as two guests each visit.
The American Express Platinum Travel credit will increase from $300 to $450 and cardholders will receive a complimentary Accor Plus Membership. In a completely new feature, American Express Platinum cardholders will also receive an annual subscription to the Australian Financial Review. According to Amex, these three benefits are valued at more than $1,400 combined.
American Express Platinum Business cardholders will also receive the Accor Plus Membership, including a complimentary night's accommodation each year and additional Hotel Elite tier status, including Hilton Honors Gold Status.
What about Membership Rewards points?
New Amex Platinum cardholders can earn up to 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when they spend $1,500 on eligible purchases each month for the first 3 months. This is in addition to the following standard earn rates:
| Transaction type | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 3 points per $1 |
| Airlines, accommodation and foreign transactions | 2 points per $1 |
| Everyday domestic transactions | 1 point per $1 |
| Utilities and government transactions | 0.5 points per $1 |
Meanwhile, new Amex Platinum Business cardholders can earn up to 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards when they apply by 29 August 2018 and spend $5,000 in the first 2 months of card membership.
| Transaction type | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Restaurants, airlines, accommodation and foreign transactions | 2 points per $1 (capped at 375,000 points per year reverting to 1 point or 0.5 points per $1 spent thereafter) |
| Everyday domestic transactions | 1 point per $1 |
| Utilities and government transactions | 0.5 points per $1 |
As well as redeeming them for gift cards, points plus pay transactions and other rewards, you can transfer your Membership Rewards to 10 partnered frequent flyer programs, including 1:1 with Qantas and Velocity.
How much do the cards cost?
These perks come at the cost of a hefty annual fee. The American Express Platinum card charges a $1,450 annual fee (up from $1,200 p.a.) and the American Express Platinum Business card charges a $1,750 annual fee (up from $1,500 per year). Like most platinum cards, these Amex products are suited to cardholders who can pay their balance in full each statement period and take advantage of the rewards and extra features to justify the annual fee.
Although the promise of points, a bunch of luxury features and a flashy metal card may be impressive, make sure to weigh up the costs against the benefits before you apply. Want to know more about the cards? Check out our in-depth reviews of the American Express Platinum card and American Express Platinum Business card to compare your options.
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Picture: American Express
