Retention Call: The Platinum Card® from American Express

When it rains, it pours. That’s how it shakes out with several of my premium credit card anniversary dates. My The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are due for renewal decisions in early spring. Fall is for my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

That’s when I decide whether to keep or cancel a credit card—or, at least, call the credit card company and gauge their interest in keeping me as a member.

My first stop on the retention conversation trip was last week with my Amex Business Platinum. Then it was time to chat with Amex about the persona/consumer Platinum card. The Amex Platinum was my first high-end card. I became a member in 2010, shortly after my wife and I were married. We got it primarily for the airport lounge benefits — which included Delta, US Airways, American, and some others. (Perhaps someone can please refresh my memory in the Comments section?) The sole survivor is Delta.

Despite the card’s $695 annual fee, I’ve shown how it’s pretty easy to earn that back and come out ahead. (See Rates and Fees.)

But it’s always good to see if a company values your business—especially after “enhancing” benefits—and if they’ll give you some incentive to keep their card in your wallet.

Last year, Amex offered me 30,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of agreeing to keep the card or a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of agreeing to keep the card. (I accepted the former).

In 2021, I was offered: 30,000 Membership Rewards points to keep the card open or spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the next three months and receive a $300 statement credit.

My Reasons for Keeping the Card

As I mentioned in last week’s post, I hold the Delta Reserve Business Amex and my wife has the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Both come with four guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling with a paid cardholder.

Once we blow through those on our daughter, other family, and friends, we can charge the Sky Club $50 entrance fee to my Platinum Card because that goes toward the $200 airline incidental credit. (Amex Platinum cardholders can earn up to $200 each calendar year for eligible incidental purchases made with an airline they choose from a select list. Enrollment is required and terms apply. See Rates and Fees.)

I’ve also gotten good use out of the $200 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit.

And I make the $100 Saks credit work. Amex Platinum Card members may receive up to $100 in annual statement credits for eligible purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue. (Up to $50 from January through June and then up to $50 from July through December. Enrollment is required and terms apply.)

My Grievances Against the Amex Platinum

The first big knock against the card is how its Sky Club access changes drastically next year.

Effective January 1, 2025, American Express Platinum will receive ten complimentary Visits per Medallion year to Delta Sky Clubs. To earn an unlimited number of visits, spend $75,000 during a calendar year and receive unlimited club visits for the rest of that Medallion year and all of the following Medallion year.

Much as I love the Centurion Lounges, they’re still sometimes overcrowded, which was also a gripe.

The $240 Digital Entertainment Credit benefit isn’t what it used to be. Audible is no longer an eligible merchant and Sirius XM is about to exit. I can get the Disney+ bundle through my Verizon plan. So, that leaves me with Peacock, which I do like. But I could care less about The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. (Enrollment required.)

I’m also unhappy with the insane changes to adding authorized users.

Then it comes to the matter of redundant benefits.

I get Delta Sky Club access through. I get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs through not just The Platinum Card® from American Express — but also The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. That said, I’ll be able to use the respective cards’ Visits next year once the ludicrous rules go into effect. (Seriously, the Reserve Cards should have unlimited access.)

Both Platinum cards offer complimentary gold status with both Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required).

I have Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit through about five or six benefit cards, including the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which carries a $99 annual fee. We’ve gifted Global Entry to five friends or family members.

Redemption-wise, Chase Ultimate Rewards® allows cardholders to redeem points for cashback for at least one cent per point — something American Express doesn’t.

The Amex Platinum Retention Call

I phoned the number on the back of my Platinum card and told the automated service I wanted to cancel my account.

I was soon connected with a great rep in Florida.

She politely listened to my grievances and encouraged me to either keep the card or downgrade to something with a lower annual fee.

Then she told me flat out there were no retention offers available before I even asked.

My daughter was home sick with a 103* fever and strep throat, and just so happened to need me at that moment. So, I used that as my excuse to dip with my tail between my legs.

Because I’m able to make the card work — at least, for now — I’m fine keeping it.

Have You Made a Retention Call on Your Amex Platinum?

Please let us know in the below Comments section if you’ve made a retention call on your Amex Platinum card — and what, if anything, you were offered.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.