After months of waiting and weeks of leaks, *amex platinum* has finally relaunched with tons of new features and credits … and a whopping $895 annual fee (see rates & fees).
This week on the Thrifty Traveler Podcast, we break down this overhaul of one of the most popular (and priciest) travel credit cards out there to decide if all the new perks can actually add up to nearly $900 in value – and what current cardholders should do ASAP.
Join us for all the travel news that’s fit to podcast! Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! And be sure to subscribe to get each new episode every Thursday morning.
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Show Notes
- 00:00 – The new Amex Platinum Card has a new look … but does it matter?
- 02:10 – The nuts and bolts of the new (and improved?) Platinum Card from American Express – and our reaction in 5 words or less
- 04:00 – Something Hot: The Platinum Card credits you love aren’t going anywhere
- 06:45 – Something Cold: An eye-watering $895 annual fee
- 11:15 – Want more travel rewards and credit card news sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Extra Mile newsletter today!
- 11:45 – We go credit-by-credit to see if we can make an $895 annual fee work on the Amex Platinum card work, from $600toward hotels to $300 for Lululemon credit to one serious dud
- 33:00 – How to get organized and recoup that $895 annual fee
- 36:30 – Time is of the essence: The moves Platinum cardholders need to make ASAP44:00 – “Is the Amex Platinum a good credit card for most travelers?”
- 46:55 – Listener Question: Emily wants some credit card advice before taking a gap year
- 51:30 – Nick puts Gunnar & Kyle On the Spot: If you could only transfer points to one program for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Produced by Jackson Newman & Gunnar Olson
Edited by David Strutt
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
My husband and I have 15-20 credit cards each and are entering retirement (i.e., much lower spending). We’d both like to get down to about 4 cards each. How do we do this without cancelling most of them and totally taking a hit to our (stellar) credit ratings?
Episode #19 – Kyle, I feel ya big time RE: standing in line for security and people are not prepared or act surprised that they need to remove metal, liquids, etc. Hello… what have you been looking at for the last 20 minutes while waiting? Paying attention to your surroundings and taking social cues helps everyone. Phew, exits soapbox! (I think this can apply to the check-out line in the grocery store too! :-))
We loved Oban. We went to Oban by train from Glasgow. We took a boat tour to Mull, Iona, Staffa, and Lunga. We went during puffin nesting season and saw so many puffins. I highly recommend this tour company.
https://westcoasttours.co.uk/tours/tour-mull-iona-and-staffa/
Fellow travel enthusiast from the Midwest here!
Just wanted to share my travel social media username/handle – @TravelSizeBudget on Facebook and Instagram. I attended Thrifty Traveler University a few years ago regularly follow TT’s amazing content. I started @TravelSizeBudget last year to offer my own unique spin on travel – from the usual (points and miles, affordable fares) to the less common (savings and convenience on food, souvenirs and more). Thanks for continuing to inspire me, Thrifty Traveler!
Great podcast! Thanks for all the great information.
Hello Gunnar,
I am enjoying and appreciating all you travel savings information. Would you please help us finding an appropriate venue to get results form lost bag by United? In June last yWe re senior citizens 1K United. Last year in June we checked 6 bags from LAX to HNL. One of the bags never arrived and we filled a claim at HNL. There was lack or no communication from United including corporate. We provided photos and invoices for 4 pro racing high end OZONE kites $12,500.00. The bag never made it “downstairs” after being check at 1K counter at LAX. I wrote countless letters , got a lots of lying and contradicting run around or no responses. Now we found out someone is selling our stolen kites on E-Bay because they all have serial numbers and person who bought one of the kites very ‘cheap” called Ozone co. to ask why is someone selling a $4,000.OO kite for $1,500.00 and the company contacted us since they have record of us paying a full price. E-Bay is not taking any responsibility. Now United finally e-mailed us claiming they do not cover “sports equipment”. Our bags were handed to United employees and they should be responsible. Would you have any suggestions how can we recover our losses? I would appreciate any suggestion you could provide. I know its not what you are about but since you have lots of travel experience maybe you know something that can help us. Keep up the good work.