American Express Platinum and HAL

[ksmaxey]

I am considering getting the Amex Platinum for the travel benefits including the lounge access and all.

 

I noted that there is an opportunity for credit to your ship board account when paying with the AMEX. For those that have the card does this apply if booking through a PCC or do you have to book through American Express Travel?

 

I would appreciate any other comments or tips. With the high annual fee I want to make sure it is worth it and that if I take the plunge we get all the benefits! :cool:

 

Thanks in advance

[sananda]

You have to book the cruise through American Express travel and pay with the Platinum card to get the benefit. The amount of the on-board credit is currently $300 per stateroom. The unique AMEX Platinum benefit for HAL is currently chocolate covered strawberries. Also, you get double the rewards points on cruise purchases.

 

Finally, the AMEX Platinum bonus stacks with any promotional bonuses that HAL is running (most other cruise lines as well).

[Krazy Kruizers]

We use a TA from a travel agency that pays the big yearly American Express fee. So you do not have to book through just American Express Travel to get the $300 shipboard Credit.

Just be certain that you get the Platinum card through American Express and not some place like Costco.

[POA1]

We use a TA from a travel agency that pays the big yearly American Express fee. So you do not have to book through just American Express Travel to get the $300 shipboard Credit.

Just be certain that you get the Platinum card through American Express and not some place like Costco.

Agreed. Our TA is an American Express partner and we get the benefits. Sadly, the AX Platinum perks have really been diluted over the years. It's really only worthwhile if you are booking 3 cabins or if you cruise a couple of times each year.

[Mosaic]

The credit does not apply equally. Depending on room type, cruise length AND if it is being COMBINED with other offers. EG: the credit does not apply if there is a casino promo being used. SO you have to ask and try to see what works.....

[POA1]

The credit does not apply equally. Depending on room type, cruise length AND if it is being COMBINED with other offers. EG: the credit does not apply if there is a casino promo being used. SO you have to ask and try to see what works.....

I don't think it would ever work with a casino promo. They're a whole separate animal.

[sananda]

I don't know about casino promo's, as I don't gamble, but every other promotion has always combined with the current Platinum benefit.

 

As to the broader question, IMHO if you travel a few times a year, the Platinum benefits pay for the annual fee.

They pick up the cost of Global entry or TSA pre-check, $200 annual airline credit, boingo wireless, gold status with Hertz, gold status with Starwood and Hilton, airport lounge collection (Centurion lounges are the best in the U.S.) and all the hotel, airline and cruise discounts and bonuses.

 

Now, if you travel heavily, most of these things you will earn on your own or get comped to you anyway, so you can save the fee. That said, it still would be worthwhile during the first year for a heavy traveler as you built up status.

 

Also, if you spend enough on your Platinum card, they will comp you the annual fee.

[sail7seas]

We use a TA from a travel agency that pays the big yearly American Express fee. So you do not have to book through just American Express Travel to get the $300 shipboard Credit.

 

You can use any TA you want as long as they pay the Am Ex fee. they do not have to pay for each individual Plattinum card hold thedy serrvice but they pay an annuial fee that cov ers all of their platinum card member ttat book with them.

 

Just be certain that you get the Platinum card through American Express and not some place like Costco.

.......

[bennybear]

I don't know about casino promo's, as I don't gamble, but every other promotion has always combined with the current Platinum benefit.

 

As to the broader question, IMHO if you travel a few times a year, the Platinum benefits pay for the annual fee.

They pick up the cost of Global entry or TSA pre-check, $200 annual airline credit, boingo wireless, gold status with Hertz, gold status with Starwood and Hilton, airport lounge collection (Centurion lounges are the best in the U.S.) and all the hotel, airline and cruise discounts and bonuses.

 

Now, if you travel heavily, most of these things you will earn on your own or get comped to you anyway, so you can save the fee. That said, it still would be worthwhile during the first year for a heavy traveler as you built up status.

 

Also, if you spend enough on your Platinum card, they will comp you the annual fee.

 

Thanks for details! How much is enough? It is hard to use Amex lately.

[sail7seas]

What do you mean it is hard to use Am Ex lately? I have no problems using it. :)

[bjkrlk]

I use it for everything. Those reward miles are paying for our hotel, flights for next cruise

[ksmaxey]

Thanks for the feedback. We booked with a PCC. Does anyone know if we get the credit if we keep the reservation with HAL vs transferring to say American Express travel or another TA?

[sail7seas]

Yes,

 

We always had the credit and booked a great many HAL cruises with PCC>

[Krazy Kruizers]

When we did 4 and 5 cruises a year, getting that $300 credit per cruise more than paid for the annual fee.

Plus back then we got a free Pinnacle dinner and a good bottle of champagne in the cabin.

[sail7seas]

I remember back when we used to book what was then called a Category "A" c abin (vista or signature suite) and at the time of booking we got an immediate upgrade to the Neptune cabin "(c atgeogry "S") as they were trhen called) of our choice at no aditional cost over the lower er price(category A ) suite. THAT was an amazing Platinum benefit. :)

 

 

Those were the days when you did not apply for an AmEx Platinum card, Yo u had to receive an invitation and you accepted or not.

[bennybear]

What do you mean it is hard to use Am Ex lately? I have no problems using it. :)

 

Works well for travel but Costco no longer takes it. Many stores and restaurants don’t either. I think because their merchant fees are higher.

[*Miss G*]

Not many places outside the US accept it either.

[sambamama]

As an FYI, the $300 credit is only if you book a suite. Balconies, ocean views, and insides get less credit. I've found cruise prices considerably less at other travel agencies than AMEX, although you do not get double points. For example, I just priced my 2019 Hawaii cruise that I am cruising solo and it was triple the price.

 

Another unmentioned benefit is that you usually get an offer for Worlds Greatest Cruise Lines several times a year. It used to be Pay $750, get $250 back, but lately it has been pay $500, get $100 back. It supposedly is for new bookings, but I haven't had any issues paying for current booking, and even have used it to buy shipboard credit if the $500 more than paid for the remaining balance. You may also get it on your other AMEX cards. For what it's worth, I rarely have any issues using my AMEX Platinum, although I don't use it much, if at all overseas. You can use it for Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee reimbursement every 5 years, and $200 American airline reimbursement fees. That may include gift cards, depending on the airline. You can't buy giftcards on Jetblue; luggage and even more space seats, no flights-although I have had flights under $100 slip through. On American Airlines, giftcards work. I don't know about other airlines. Also, the the one AMEX centurion lounge I have been to (Las Vegas) was really awesome! And AMEX lets you bring in two guests for free!

Edited February 10, 2018 by sambamama
clarity

[DaveOKC]

Yes,

 

We always had the credit and booked a great many HAL cruises with PCC>

 

I asked my HAL PCC about this credit and she knew nothing about it???

[sail7seas]

Works well for travel but Costco no longer takes it. Many stores and restaurants don’t either. I think because their merchant fees are higher.

 

 

 

I stopped going to costco some time ago.

[chisoxfan]

We had previously booked some Plat AMEX cruises through their direct travel arm and had several issues regarding applicable credits and knowledge base of their agents.

The plat credits can be obtained with AMEX travel agent partners but in our experience it was a hassle and not worth it.

Last year I ditched my 35 year old AMEX gold (still have Plat Corporate) and have been thoroughly excited about Chase Sapphire Reserve. This is a good partner card for the C warehouse where we book our cruises.

For net 150 a year (after travel credits) you get 100k evac, trip cancellation, primary rental car, etc. Also the 3X points for all travel booked (and the great value and flexibility of the Chase points) makes this card the best IMHO.

Don't mean to be such a cheerleader but AMEX (IMHO) has been asleep at the wheel for years as to the value they offer.

[DaveOKC]

We had previously booked some Plat AMEX cruises through their direct travel arm and had several issues regarding applicable credits and knowledge base of their agents.

The plat credits can be obtained with AMEX travel agent partners but in our experience it was a hassle and not worth it.

Last year I ditched my 35 year old AMEX gold (still have Plat Corporate) and have been thoroughly excited about Chase Sapphire Reserve. This is a good partner card for the C warehouse where we book our cruises.

For net 150 a year (after travel credits) you get 100k evac, trip cancellation, primary rental car, etc. Also the 3X points for all travel booked (and the great value and flexibility of the Chase points) makes this card the best IMHO.

Don't mean to be such a cheerleader but AMEX (IMHO) has been asleep at the wheel for years as to the value they offer.

 

I use the Chase Reserve also and really like it. Best part is using points for Hyatt properties at a good exchange rate (IMO). A $3000 cruise earns you 9000 points which will get you a Hyatt Place room for one night in many locations (like FLL). Great signup bonuses as well.

[chisoxfan]

I use the Chase Reserve also and really like it. Best part is using points for Hyatt properties at a good exchange rate (IMO). A $3000 cruise earns you 9000 points which will get you a Hyatt Place room for one night in many locations (like FLL). Great signup bonuses as well.

 

Yes, agreed. We have already transferred Chase Points to United and Hyatt for great value. AMEX was pretty much a gift card proposition and even then they started reducing selection and value.

[ksmaxey]

The the Chase Sapphire offer the lounge access when flying?

[sambamama]

The big problem with Chase is being able to get the cards as some of us have too many cards to be eligible to apply for Chase cards. If you are fairly active in the points and miles hobby, it is just about impossible.