I am looking to get an amex for work expenses, I pay them myself and then get reimbursed every month. I travel a fair bit for work domestically, all flight and hotels are paid by the company and any expenses other than that I pay and are then reimbursed.
I currently have a qantas world master card but the redemption 0.6 points per dollar is a bit weak, the complimentary Starwood status and hertz CDP has been pretty good.
I really love late checkout and early checkin perks, free and discounted meals is less important as ultimately I don't pay but happy to save the company some money.
As a general rule Starwood, Novotel, IHG are pretty common stays for me
Last year I took around 150 domestic sectors, though the last 12 months has been a bit quieter dues to arrival of baby number 1 so it's going to be close on whether I renew QFF gold ( waiting like everyone else on a DSC offer)
I don't mind paying for Amex platinum if it would be worth it but obviously prefer saving the money. One benefit would be virgin lounge access if I don't manage to renew QFF gold this year. I really hate the idea of early mornings out of Brisbane and late evenings out of Sydney without a lounge.
I've had the AMEX Platinum charge card since around 2005 as I've had a heavy travel schedule for well over 10 years now.
I'm in a similar work situation though I'm moving from contract to permanent but the company doesn't issue corporate cards or arrange travel (yet) so I pay for all work travel on my AMEX Platinum charge card and get reimbursed.
The benefits for myself and the household are:
Comprehensive travel insurance for me and the family if they travel with me - I this this is worth $300~
The annual travel credit of (I think $300) which I try to use for short family holidays
Membership of a variety of hotel chains (and thank god Accor is back in the program) - this means late check outs, room upgrades, meal discounts etc - It's hard to put a $ value on this but luckily my wife has been a corporate road warrior in an earlier life so she appreciates the value of good hotels and upgrades
Membership of Priority Pass - not a huge benefit in ANZ but given I'll be doing more US travel this year its a good perk;
Access to the AMEX lounge network - again, not huge in ANZ but a nice benefit for my US travels
The $30 meal perk at certain airports in AU - I use this regularly in Sydney
Points earn - I know this has changed - I'm yet to digest the impact. Either way the points I earn via AMEX pays a significant portion of our household budget. In a good year I'll convert points into $800+ of Coles gift cards - with a young family your partner will appreciate this!
There are other soft benefits like Platinum event invitations and the regular special offers - I particularly like the hotel ones where a spend of $400 generates a rebate of $120~ to your card. I've used this a few times and quietly earned some free cash from a work trip.
The annual fee stings a bit, but we see enough value at the moment to justify it.
As employees of AusBT we can't give you a personal recommendation to get the card, but I can share with you how I use the card myself:
1. Priority Pass approx once a month in Sydney ($36x12) - $432
2. Partner has a supplementary Platinum card and she is entitled to the Priority Pass card too. She uses it once every couple of months ($36x6) - $216
3. $450 travel credit (need to be careful that Amex travel price isn't higher than the hotel, which it can be sometimes)
4. $400 travel credit on the attached Platinum Reserve credit card (free to apply and no annual fee)
5. Accor Plus - 1 free night and 50% off dining with 2 people. We just saved approx $350 on food costs on a holiday in Bali because of this.
6. Fin Review subscription. I'm enjoying reading this on a daily basis.
7. Travel Insurance (however I always have annual trip insurance on top of this)
8. Fine Hotels and Rewards. Recently did a stay at Crown Towers for $358 a night, which was the price for the base room on the crown website. However, the FHR package included a Club room with Club access and a one way airport transfer. Easily worth $2-300 extra.
9. Smartphone screen insurance - got $300 back for my broken phone screen.
Damn, I missed a few benefits in there! Supplementary card for wife plus the Reserve card help stack up the hard case benefits. The AFR subscription is something I'm really starting to use as well.
I try to use the Accor free night for family stays as well.
Didn't know about the phone screen cover! Does that only apply if the phone was purchased using the AMEX? (I assume so)
Thanks guys that's really helpful! I didn't know they still did the platinum reserve with the charge card so that is a big plus, perhaps it tips the scales.
Do you pay the $1400 in your first month? is there someway to not take the hit all in one go?
As employees of AusBT we can't give you a personal recommendation to get the card, but I can share with you how I use the card myself:
1. Priority Pass approx once a month in Sydney ($36x12) - $432
2. Partner has a supplementary Platinum card and she is entitled to the Priority Pass card too. She uses it once every couple of months ($36x6) - $216
3. $450 travel credit (need to be careful that Amex travel price isn't higher than the hotel, which it can be sometimes)
4. $400 travel credit on the attached Platinum Reserve credit card (free to apply and no annual fee)
5. Accor Plus - 1 free night and 50% off dining with 2 people. We just saved approx $350 on food costs on a holiday in Bali because of this.
6. Fin Review subscription. I'm enjoying reading this on a daily basis.
7. Travel Insurance (however I always have annual trip insurance on top of this)
8. Fine Hotels and Rewards. Recently did a stay at Crown Towers for $358 a night, which was the price for the base room on the crown website. However, the FHR package included a Club room with Club access and a one way airport transfer. Easily worth $2-300 extra.
9. Smartphone screen insurance - got $300 back for my broken phone screen.
Hope this helps.
thanks!, do you have to pay the full annual fee up front?
I've had the AMEX Platinum charge card since around 2005 as I've had a heavy travel schedule for well over 10 years now.
I'm in a similar work situation though I'm moving from contract to permanent but the company doesn't issue corporate cards or arrange travel (yet) so I pay for all work travel on my AMEX Platinum charge card and get reimbursed.
The benefits for myself and the household are:
Comprehensive travel insurance for me and the family if they travel with me - I this this is worth $300~
The annual travel credit of (I think $300) which I try to use for short family holidays
Membership of a variety of hotel chains (and thank god Accor is back in the program) - this means late check outs, room upgrades, meal discounts etc - It's hard to put a $ value on this but luckily my wife has been a corporate road warrior in an earlier life so she appreciates the value of good hotels and upgrades
Membership of Priority Pass - not a huge benefit in ANZ but given I'll be doing more US travel this year its a good perk;
Access to the AMEX lounge network - again, not huge in ANZ but a nice benefit for my US travels
The $30 meal perk at certain airports in AU - I use this regularly in Sydney
Points earn - I know this has changed - I'm yet to digest the impact. Either way the points I earn via AMEX pays a significant portion of our household budget. In a good year I'll convert points into $800+ of Coles gift cards - with a young family your partner will appreciate this!
There are other soft benefits like Platinum event invitations and the regular special offers - I particularly like the hotel ones where a spend of $400 generates a rebate of $120~ to your card. I've used this a few times and quietly earned some free cash from a work trip.
The annual fee stings a bit, but we see enough value at the moment to justify it.
thanks that's really helpful, the Accor membership is a good one for me too!
As employees of AusBT we can't give you a personal recommendation to get the card, but I can share with you how I use the card myself:
1. Priority Pass approx once a month in Sydney ($36x12) - $432
2. Partner has a supplementary Platinum card and she is entitled to the Priority Pass card too. She uses it once every couple of months ($36x6) - $216
3. $450 travel credit (need to be careful that Amex travel price isn't higher than the hotel, which it can be sometimes)
4. $400 travel credit on the attached Platinum Reserve credit card (free to apply and no annual fee)
5. Accor Plus - 1 free night and 50% off dining with 2 people. We just saved approx $350 on food costs on a holiday in Bali because of this.
6. Fin Review subscription. I'm enjoying reading this on a daily basis.
7. Travel Insurance (however I always have annual trip insurance on top of this)
8. Fine Hotels and Rewards. Recently did a stay at Crown Towers for $358 a night, which was the price for the base room on the crown website. However, the FHR package included a Club room with Club access and a one way airport transfer. Easily worth $2-300 extra.
9. Smartphone screen insurance - got $300 back for my broken phone screen.
Hope this helps.
thanks!, do you have to pay the full annual fee up front?
Unfortunately yes. It goes onto your first month's statement.
LPT - think about what month you commit. I inadvertently signed up in the December billing month which is also the month we pay a few insurance policies and (as you'll soon learn) is also the month when you start forking out for school fees/supplies/uniforms. Man, December is a big red month in our household - so much cash going out!
If you're going to keep up that cadence of travel it will be worth it!
Amex CPA Platinum Reserve has been good for us. The travel credit which covers the annual fee is great; decent points earning, along with Priority Pass bonus.
We were thinking of applying for another card to make the most of bonus points on application and spreading our business spending to avoid points cap. With the requirement now of showing payslip/tax return, (and with personal income under the requirement of Platinum level) will we knocked back applying for another one? Or does a letter from an accountant suffice to say we can service the repayment?? Or should we be looking at a charge card?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Would you recommend Amex platinum
Kinkade
Kinkade
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 16
Hi Guys,
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
Hi Kinkade,
sid
sid
Member since 07 Jan 2011
Total posts 205
As employees of AusBT we can't give you a personal recommendation to get the card, but I can share with you how I use the card myself:
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
Good summary Sid,
Taylor
Taylor
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
Member since 19 Mar 2016
Total posts 53
I understand the phone screen insurance is applicable if you pay your monthly fees with the card...
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
Ahh, OK. That makes sense.
Anthony9006
Anthony9006
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 10 Feb 2019
Total posts 2
When you apply for the Platinum Reserve credit card would they do another credit check if you already have the platinum charge card?
Kinkade
Kinkade
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 16
Thanks guys that's really helpful! I didn't know they still did the platinum reserve with the charge card so that is a big plus, perhaps it tips the scales.
Kinkade
Kinkade
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 16
thanks!, do you have to pay the full annual fee up front?
Kinkade
Kinkade
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 16
thanks that's really helpful, the Accor membership is a good one for me too!
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
thanks!, do you have to pay the full annual fee up front?
Unfortunately yes. It goes onto your first month's statement.
SamA
SamA
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Mar 2019
Total posts 1
Amex CPA Platinum Reserve has been good for us. The travel credit which covers the annual fee is great; decent points earning, along with Priority Pass bonus.