AMEX Platinum Charge Card

[nokiatech]

hmm, you are not missing anything. its just that the SG cards market doesnt have the depth or breadth to accommodate the that many benefits.

.

Singapore is a "premium" environment (ie very expensive place to do business) with a relatively limited marketplace (small population based ) .

Hence many stuff will be "cheaper" overseas.
Therefore overseas suppliers will (potentially) offer more benefits and comparative advantages.

There is nothing to prevent one from trying to acquire from this "overseas suppliers ."

Just like one can purhase from Amazon or Taobao, ditto for credit cards .

 

[lalaisgongon]

Singapore is a "premium" environment (ie very expensive place to do business) with a relatively limited marketplace (small population based ) .

Hence many stuff will be "cheaper" overseas.
Therefore overseas suppliers will (potentially) offer more benefits and comparative advantages.

There is nothing to prevent one from trying to acquire from this "overseas suppliers ."

Just like one can purhase from Amazon or Taobao, ditto for credit cards .

Except when they dont allow you explicitly

""We are unable to accept applications through this site from people whose main residence or payment bank is in Singapore. If your main residence is in Singapore or your payment bank is in Singapore and you are interested in applying for an International Currency Card, please contact Customer Services"

- Amex UK/iCC

 

[nokiatech]

Except when they dont allow you explicitly

""We are unable to accept applications through this site from people whose main residence or payment bank is in Singapore. If your main residence is in Singapore or your payment bank is in Singapore and you are interested in applying for an International Currency Card, please contact Customer Services"

- Amex UK/iCC

So easily deterred ?


I know of people who were posted overseas "temporarily" , who were successful in their application....

 

[cowfart]

So easily deterred ?


I know of people who were posted overseas "temporarily" , who were successful in their application....

Yep.

- make sure you have a job in country X + are paid in the currency + have a valid work permit
- with the above, you get can get a local 'residential address' + bank account + driving license etc (there are many things in the EU you become eligible for the moment you have even a temporary residence permit)
- quickly build up your local credit history (easy with those 'credit-builder cards')
- make sure your banker knows you are based overseas, habitually send documentation to your home address (aka "business address")
- when your time is up in country X, move back home. Continue to pay your card annual fee and enjoy the benefits of the card, continue receiving your documentation at your home address

This probably won't work in the US as they are a bit more particular about money laundering regulations. You can be fined for not closing your bank account when your visa expires.

^above advice from someone (not me) who has done it.

Of course, if you move home permanently, the double foreign exchange conversion will increase your expenses by ~10% so it will be a rare occasion where using it is a good idea

After some though, I think I will get the UK version. The SG card's annual fee is way out of my league for now Thanks all for your advice

 

[hclee01]

Just got this letter from AMEX:

Dear Mr hclee01

The range of hotel loyalty programmes we offer has been updated. As a result, Le Club AccorHotels will no longer be our partner under the hotel loyalty programmes offered as part of your Platinum Membership with effect from 11 April 2016.

To ensure you are able to make the most of this loyalty programme, if you are not yet a member of Le Club AccorHotels and you would like to enjoy a complimentary membership year in their Platinum tier, simply enrol by 11 April 2016.

If you are already enrolled and your membership expires on, or before 30 April 2016, Le Club AccorHotels will give you one additional complimentary membership year, in their Platinum tier, with no minumum requirements.

To maintain in their Platinum tier after your complimentary year comes to an end, you will need to fulfil the Le Club AccorHotels qualifying criteria, details of which can be found at accorhotels.com/leclub.


Looks like another perk will bite the dust...

 

[lordlad0]

the amex plat charge card eligibility is so much easier and lower than the uob visa infinite though....minimum 350000 pa income is way over my peasant league...though i did get invite for the amex plat charge card a few times

 

[Awesom Andy]

Looks like another perk will bite the dust...

Quite a few Accor loyalty members who have earned status the hard way have shown disapproval in the top tier being given away more or less for free. I'm guessing this may have something to do with it.

 

[stinger71]

Guess that's why for Shangrila, they do not give the top tier but the mid Jade tier. Same for Hilton who gives Gold to Visa Signature, not the highest tier.

Some hotels' program second highest tier are good (Shangrila, Hilton) as this give good benefits (free breakfast etc). But the rest like Club Carlson, SPG, Hyatt, Accor etc are useless unless you get the top tier.

Quite a few Accor loyalty members who have earned status the hard way have shown disapproval in the top tier being given away more or less for free. I'm guessing this may have something to do with it.

 

[cowfart]

Guess that's why for Shangrila, they do not give the top tier but the mid Jade tier. Same for Hilton who gives Gold to Visa Signature, not the highest tier.

Some hotels' program second highest tier are good (Shangrila, Hilton) as this give good benefits (free breakfast etc). But the rest like Club Carlson, SPG, Hyatt, Accor etc are useless unless you get the top tier.

Is there any shortcut for Marriott Gold? I had a hard landing from Gold back to the basic tier.

I've had a very good experience with Gold, I have had all benefits extended to me (even though I booked on expedia!!) except the points, and on another occasion have received a 3 tier upgrade

Sadly the re-qualification criteria is unreachable for me @50 nights, so it's back to Hilton Gold (the easiest) for now.

 

[hclee01]

Is there any shortcut for Marriott Gold? I had a hard landing from Gold back to the basic tier.

I've had a very good experience with Gold, I have had all benefits extended to me (even though I booked on expedia!!) except the points, and on another occasion have received a 3 tier upgrade

Sadly the re-qualification criteria is unreachable for me @50 nights, so it's back to Hilton Gold (the easiest) for now.

You may wish to consider asking them for status match:
http://loyaltylobby.com/2016/03/03/...platinum-status-match-fast-track-2016-update/

 

[AS Roma]

the amex plat charge card eligibility is so much easier and lower than the uob visa infinite though....minimum 350000 pa income is way over my peasant league...though i did get invite for the amex plat charge card a few times

How did you get that invitation may I ask? My pa income is around $100k but I have called them a few times and they claim that the Charge Card tier is super high and very obviously hinted that I wouldn't be able to reach it.

 

[cybercom8]

How did you get that invitation may I ask? My pa income is around $100k but I have called them a few times and they claim that the Charge Card tier is super high and very obviously hinted that I wouldn't be able to reach it.

may be based on spending...my friend's pay is blow 100k pa and yet got invited at least 3 times

 

[kelvin.liu]

may be based on spending...my friend's pay is blow 100k pa and yet got invited at least 3 times

Try to spend $50K in one membership year. More transactions in different catergories. Suggest to have Amex Platinum Credit Card first, followed by the
Amex Platinum Reserves Credit Card. If you have the Reserves Credit Card with 50K spendings, not difficult to get the Charge card.

 

[AS Roma]

Try to spend $50K in one membership year. More transactions in different catergories. Suggest to have Amex Platinum Credit Card first, followed by the
Amex Platinum Reserves Credit Card. If you have the Reserves Credit Card with 50K spendings, not difficult to get the Charge card.

Thanks for advise.

have just been offered Platinum Reserve. But I doubt I will go for it as the only real perk is Tower Club access, which I can't see myself going too often as a family.

 

[RatRaceEscape]

Thanks for advise.

have just been offered Platinum Reserve. But I doubt I will go for it as the only real perk is Tower Club access, which I can't see myself going too often as a family.

A lot of restrictions with the tower club access. Can't use the gym, limited to first 5 card members per day. Yes, only 5. Spending at Tower Club is also subject to an additional 10% surcharge. This is on top of the usual 7% GST and 10% service charge.

In my opinion, the additional $200 in annual fees for the reserve card compared to the standard credit card is only justified by the additional vouchers you get when you join compared to the standard credit card. And I believe they also give you 25,000 points, on top of a new booklet of vouchers, when you renew the member ship each year (if you ask).

We all know the reserve sits in between the standard credit card and the charge card but I think its skewed to be closer to the credit card than the charge card in terms of branding. The perks are only marginally better. I'm sure the additional 1k in annual fees for the charge card can be well justified by even better perks.

I'd like to know how does the charge card affect the loan, after TDSR rules came into play. Because credit card spending affects how much loan you can take out. The more you spend on your card, the less you can borrow from banks. However, the charge card is not an extended line of credit. You have to settle your bill in full each time. Does anyone know if spending on the charge card affects your borrowing amount?

 

[cybercom8]

I'd like to know how does the charge card affect the loan, after TDSR rules came into play. Because credit card spending affects how much loan you can take out. The more you spend on your card, the less you can borrow from banks. However, the charge card is not an extended line of credit. You have to settle your bill in full each time. Does anyone know if spending on the charge card affects your borrowing amount?

think the banks look at minimum amount payable for each credit card...so if certain months you chalk up a huge bill, just pay off the balance and then apply for loan.

 

[AS Roma]

Spending at Tower Club is also subject to an additional 10% surcharge. This is on top of the usual 7% GST and 10% service charge.

Wow I'm sorry but THAT IS RIDICULOUS. Charging me extra!? And my only crime is having the decency to patronise your restaurant? What kind of business model is that?

 

[dunmesswifme]

A lot of restrictions with the tower club access. Can't use the gym, limited to first 5 card members per day. Yes, only 5. Spending at Tower Club is also subject to an additional 10% surcharge. This is on top of the usual 7% GST and 10% service charge.

Hmmm I spoke with a sales agent today and she didn't mention the cap of 5 cardmembers. Sneaky...

 

[fufan]

Time to renew the card (and pay the annual fee)
It seems more benefits are being removed this year:
No more Accor Platinum!

First the Marco Polo Gold, then Club access, now Accor status. More and more benefits are gone, but fees only increased over the years.

I'm really considering if going to pay $1712 to renew the card, or get myself "downgraded" to normal Platinum card.

 

[toothpick]

Time to renew the card (and pay the annual fee)
It seems more benefits are being removed this year:
No more Accor Platinum!

First the Marco Polo Gold, then Club access, now Accor status. More and more benefits are gone, but fees only increased over the years.

I'm really considering if going to pay $1712 to renew the card, or get myself "downgraded" to normal Platinum card.

How do you justify spending $1712 for a plastic card. Please can you explain.