AMEX Platinum Benefit

[PSULion]

It is up to THREE add-on cards for $175 TOTAL. I was extremely surprised as well. John R.

 

And there’s an overlooked aspect of adding authorized users to your Amex Platinum card. You can add 1-3 total users for the same, $175 annual fee. So if you have several family members who could benefit, it won’t cost you any more to add up to two additional users.

Edited June 13, 2019 by PSULion

[Host Jazzbeau]

The convenience of having one card for everything is appealing, but I prefer to use a handful of cards to maximize my benefits:

•  Amex Everyday Preferred – 6% on supermarkets (easily covers the $95 annual fee), 3% on department stores, 3% on transit, parking and tolls

•  BankAmerica Cash Rewards – 3% on drug stores [you pick a category, that is mine]

•  Citi Costco Visa – 4% on gas, 3% on restaurants, 3% on travel, 2% at Costco stores; no annual fee, no forex fee

•  Citi Double Cash – 2% on everything else

 

That leaves the Amex Platinum just for the extra benefits we've been talking about – and I do better overall than I would with Chase Sapphire.

[PSULion]

That must be a George Costanza wallet (purse?). 🙂 

 

I think I am worse, as I have seem to have a card for each store/category! 

Edited June 13, 2019 by PSULion

[hubofhockey]

The Amex preferred is now Blue Preferred if it's the same.  6% on supermarkets and 3% on gas.  I use that with the Amex Platinum and some random Capital One Rewards Visa which has no foreign transaction fees and also use it where Amex isn't accepted.  Hardly use my bank debit card at all.  

[Host Jazzbeau]

44 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

The Amex preferred is now Blue Preferred if it's the same.  6% on supermarkets and 3% on gas.  I use that with the Amex Platinum and some random Capital One Rewards Visa which has no foreign transaction fees and also use it where Amex isn't accepted.  Hardly use my bank debit card at all.  

 

You're right – my latest statement calls it Blue Cash Preferred.  Funny, because I got it as an upgrade to my Blue Everyday, not my Blue Cash.

[Host Jazzbeau]

On 6/10/2019 at 8:40 PM, hubofhockey said:

There are other good things I like $100 Saks benefit

 

Thanks for reminding me about this.  We have been searching the Saks website since you posted it and today found some gift items at a really good price – which becomes a 'steal' when $50 of $62 is refunded!

[PSULion]

I see one of the AMEX Platinum benefits is a ship tour. Does anyone know how this is scheduled? Do you get notice of the tour and just show up? Thanks, John R.

[Arizonasunshine]

32 minutes ago, PSULion said:

I see one of the AMEX Platinum benefits is a ship tour. Does anyone know how this is scheduled? Do you get notice of the tour and just show up? Thanks, John R.

You actually get three tours, a Bridge tour, a Galley tour, and I think an Engine Room tour. You receive an invitation for each from Azamara while onboard with the dates and times. You must RSVP to confirm.

The Bridge and Galley tours were interesting. I didn't find the engine room tour worthwhile, it is a tour is of the control room only, you never see the engines. I am not sure if they still offer this tour.

[hubofhockey]

3 minutes ago, Arizonasunshine said:

You actually get three tours, a Bridge tour, a Galley tour, and I think an Engine Room tour. You receive an invitation for each from Azamara while onboard with the dates and times. You must RSVP to confirm.

The Bridge and Galley tours were interesting. I didn't find the engine room tour worthwhile, it is a tour is of the control room only, you never see the engines. I am not sure if they still offer this tour.

 

I paid for my deposit and cruise through AMEX Platinum Card.  It says in general terms and conditions that it cannot be combined with other offers.  My TA provided $400 in OBC, so my sense is that I am shut out of this.  Can I assume that I won't get the ship tours either (or premium champaign)?  

 

Platinum & Centurion Members

• $300 Shipboard Credit per stateroom
• Behind-the-scenes ship tour
• Bottle of premium champagne

 

*General Program Terms & Conditions

• Valid for new bookings of voyages of at least five nights.
• May not be combined with other offers unless indicated.
• Blackout dates, category and fare restrictions may apply.
• Payment must be made with an American Express Card in U.S. Platinum Card Member or Centurion Member's name.
• Card Member must travel on itinerary booked.
• Benefits listed require double occupancy and are non-transferable.
• Shipboard credit cannot be used in casino or for payment of gratuities. Unused portion of credit is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit.
• Ship and stateroom exclusions may apply.
• Limit one benefit package per stateroom; three-stateroom limit per Card Member, per sailing.
• As to American Express artwork, logos and properties: American Express Company

[PSULion]

I got Azamara OBC, TA OBC, stock ownership benefit, and the AMEX Platinum benefits, so you may as well try, but YMMV. John R.

[Arizonasunshine]

1 minute ago, hubofhockey said:

 

I paid for my deposit and cruise through AMEX Platinum Card.  It says in general terms and conditions that it cannot be combined with other offers.  My TA provided $400 in OBC, so my sense is that I am shut out of this.  Can I assume that I won't get the ship tours either (or premium champaign)?  

 

Platinum & Centurion Members

• $300 Shipboard Credit per stateroom
• Behind-the-scenes ship tour
• Bottle of premium champagne

 

*General Program Terms & Conditions

• Valid for new bookings of voyages of at least five nights.
• May not be combined with other offers unless indicated.
• Blackout dates, category and fare restrictions may apply.
• Payment must be made with an American Express Card in U.S. Platinum Card Member or Centurion Member's name.
• Card Member must travel on itinerary booked.
• Benefits listed require double occupancy and are non-transferable.
• Shipboard credit cannot be used in casino or for payment of gratuities. Unused portion of credit is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit.
• Ship and stateroom exclusions may apply.
• Limit one benefit package per stateroom; three-stateroom limit per Card Member, per sailing.
• As to American Express artwork, logos and properties: American Express Company

You should get all benefits. The one caveat is that your TA, if not an AX Travel Agent, must get a tracking number from AX and give it Azamara prior to final payment.

[hubofhockey]

19 minutes ago, Arizonasunshine said:

You should get all benefits. The one caveat is that your TA, if not an AX Travel Agent, must get a tracking number from AX and give it Azamara prior to final payment.

I made final payment a couple of weeks ago.  Ouch!  But good to know for next time.  I wish my TA knew about the benefit.  He definitely knows I paid with Amex Platinum.  

[Arizonasunshine]

 

6 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

I made final payment a couple of weeks ago.  Ouch!  But good to know for next time.  I wish my TA knew about the benefit.  He definitely knows I paid with Amex Platinum.  

I would contact your TA. He might be able to do something.

[PSULion]

My large internet based TA was able to get me the AMEX Platinum benefit, but it took some effort to get them to follow through. They are not an AMEX agency, so yes, you need the tracking number, etc. prior to final payment.

 

I never did get clarification if final payment can be made on any AMEX card like I have read elsewhere, so I made final payment with the AMEX Platinum rather than a hotel branded AMEX that I would have preferred to use. I didn't want to risk losing the benefit.

 

John R.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

On 5/22/2019 at 7:30 PM, MNgardens said:

Does this link help you? It took a couple of minutes to find

 

https://www404.americanexpress.com/ctn/authreg/axtraweb/BookingInstructions.do?app=mapsasd&flag=bi&promotionid=16541

 

edit- I am not sure why the link is saying to phone Oceana. My path to the page was through a generic link. Perhaps some of the info on the process will be helpful?

 

Almost worth holding the platinum card for anyone who sails Azamara regularly.  Too bad the Gold cards don't count.