RECENT POSTS
  • new metal platinum card
    Credit Cards

    Amex Platinum Adds New $30 Monthly Paypal Credit

    American Express Platinum Cardmembers can now receive up to $30 per month in PayPal credits through June, 2021. That adds up to $180 in new value from the $550 premium travel card. The credits are automatic, there’s no need to register or activate your card. During the pandemic with customers reduced travel, banks have been adding temporary benefits to their premium credit cards. The Platinum Card from American Express continues that trend. All you need to do is add your Amex Platinum card as a payment method to your PayPal account. Then shop at a merchant that accepts PayPal and check out by clicking the PayPal button. Make sure the…

  • Close Platinum Card - Yes or No
    Credit Cards

    Rethinking My American Express Platinum Card

    I’ve held some version of the Platinum Card from American Express for longer than I’d care to share. I have been consistently getting much more value in benefits than what I paid in annual fees. Now, I’m not so sure. Cost Lets start with the cost. For the last 3 years, I’ve paid no annual fees for the card. I’ve been cycling through the Ameriprise version which waived annual fees for the first year. That included up to 3 additional cardholders, which I took advantage of. Achieving value is easy when the cost is $0. Prior to that, I had a regular Platinum card but, due to some glitch, I…

  • Ameriprise Amex No Longer Available
    Credit Cards

    Ameriprise Amex Platinum No Longer Waiving Annual Fee

    UPDATE: The waived annual fee is no longer offered, but the card lives on, with a 60,000 Membership Rewards welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the first months. As of this morning, The Platinum Card from American Express for Ameriprise Financial is no longer available for new applications. The card was a favorite due to its waived annual fee for the first year. The Amerprise Platinum card had all same benefits that the standard Platinum card–Centurion Lounge and Delta SkyClub access, $200 airline fee credit, $200 Uber credit to name a few. While the card didn’t offer any Membership Rewards signup bonus, it had been offered with a $0 introductory annual…

  • Disney World on Points
    Miles and Points

    Booking a Disney World Vacation With Points: My Experience

    A family vacation to Disney World in Orlando FL can be very expensive. I can certainly vouch for that as I have a trip planned for this upcoming Spring. In this post, I’ll show you how I reduced my out-of-pocket cost by over 90% using points and benefits I’ve earned from having various credit cards. There’s a lot to cover in this post, so forgive the length. I have a family of 5 spread out over 2 home airports, we’re starting at one hotel then moving to another, and we’ll be visiting the Disney Parks as well as a side-trip to Universal Studios. That’s a lot of moving parts, so…

  • Miles and Points

    Targeted Offer: 10k Amex Membership Rewards Points for Platinum Card Members

    If you are a Platinum Card Member, check your inbox for an email from American Express. You might be able to earn 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after your next 10 purchases. This promotion is highly targeted and only open to invited Card Members. The Terms and Conditions state that you can enroll by 12/31/17 and earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points after you make 10 or more separate purchases on your Platinum Card starting from the date you complete enrollment until 1/31/18. Points will be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you make your 10th purchase. Eligible purchases can be made by the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card…

  • centurion lounge phl
    Benefits

    New American Express Centurion Lounge at PHL Opens

    American Express has opened its newest Centurion Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport. The Centurion Lounge offers fresh, seasonally-inspired fare developed in partnership with renowned local chefs, signature cocktails, premium spirits and curated wines, and high-speed Wi-Fi. These services and amenities are offered at no additional cost once you enter the Lounge. Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for global Platinum Card and Centurion Members. Platinum Card members who receive complimentary access may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge. Centurion members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18)  at no additional charge. Located in PHL Terminal A West, near Gate A14, the newest…

  • Credit Cards

    Disposing of my Metal Platinum Amex After Canceling

    Last week, I finally decided to cancel my Amex Platinum card. I had been a long-time card member, but at this point, the annual fee outweighs the benefits I’m currently enjoying. I’ll write about my reasons in a future post. When the American Express phone agent read through his disclaimer as I canceled, I was told I needed to destroy and dispose of my physical cards. I told the agent that I had the new, fairly hefty, metal version of the card. “Do you have any suggestions for destroying my cards?” I asked. “I’ll tell you what,” the agent replied, “I’ll send envelopes that you can use to mail them…

  • Benefits

    Alaska Air Lounges Nix Priority Pass Guest Access

    Beginning May 1, Alaska Air will no longer accommodate guests of Priority Pass members at most of its airport lounges. The new access policy will be in effect at its lounges in Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), and Portland, Oregon (PDX). As of this writing, Alaska’s Anchorage (ANC) lounge has not indicated any change in access. This policy change only affects Priority Pass members, not those with an Alaska Lounge membership. Alaska Lounge Members are welcome to bring immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under the age of 21) or as many as two guests at no extra charge. What is Priority Pass? Priority Pass is a membership club that provides frequent travelers…

  • new metal platinum card
    Credit Cards

    New Amex Platinum Metal Cards Already Delayed

    Yesterday, the updated benefits for the Platinum Card from American Express went live. One of the new features is the new metal card design shown below. I have no urgent need for a metal version of the card, but I like having new shiny things. So, early yesterday morning, I decided to order a replacement card using the “Card Services” section of my online account. All seemed well at the time. I had two shipping options–both free: USPS standard mail or UPS overnight. Obviously I chose UPS overnight. This evening, when my card hadn’t been delivered yet, I logged onto my American Express account and noticed the following banner: The…