At first glance, the Amex Plat seems very expensive @ $450 or so a year. But, this card delivers big, if you know how to work it. Lounge access, hotel perks, lost ticket insurance, the amazing Vegas hotel promos, the new $200 airline fee credit benefit, the onboard cruise credit if you charge your cruise w/ the card… I can make a dime dance, and I like (maybe not love, that's saved for my Amex SPG)this card enough to get off my wallet for the annual fee. With little effort, the first year fee is free – make sure your sign-up bonus or whatever they're offering is worth at least $450 to you. For instance, my offer 3+ years ago was 10% rebate on the first 5K of spend w/in 90? 120? days. Right out of the gate I was ahead $50.
As with all deals, make sure it works for you. (I sigh when I read about the Mint – where I live it just won't work for me – it's not worth alienating my banker/next-door neighbor. Very small town).

Dear Rick, with polite respect, be careful not to become a shill for Amex. I know you like the click through references, and the points that gets you personally, BUT if that clouds your judgement, and the site starts promoting card deals that are just average at best, then many of us will stop visiting.

Please try to keep a healthy critical distance from the offers and promotions: Everyone knows Amex own flights are very overpriced compared to what you can get yourself, so.. why are you billing it as a great deal if you get some points back for over-paying?
You've pushed this card hard in repeated posts, so.. please help me keep my respect for this site's independence intact!

The Gold Business one is far better value. no fee and 50,000 points for a 10k spend.

Narikin: Sorry we disagree here. I have consisitently suggested this card is a good deal ONLY IF you need lounge access. Obviously otherwise your choice is correct. The lounge access alone is worth the $450 fee and the 50K in MR points on this card is with a much smaller spend requirement, PLUS the $200 icidentals and bonus. Yes I do get a referral but also only plug cards that I think have value to you, and in many cases plug cards where I do NOT get a referral RE: BA 100K Visa, Citicards at 75K.

You'll also note as a regular reader. I quite often direct readers AWAY from my particular links if there is a better offer elsewhere IE: the 30K SPG offer.

Again, if you neeed lounge access this is the better offer.

FYI-
If you don't want to pay the $450 per year for the plat amex, you can get up to 3 additional cards under one membership. The extra cards are around $175 total per year for all 3. It's nice if you have friends/family to share this with and still get all the perks!

Hi,

a sample search on amextravel was only 14.78 more than travelocity. also i'm a premier rewards member and i got the 20% see below:

Total payment due: $384.78 *
or
30,782 Membership Rewards® points

Maybe it's a current promo not just for plat.

Mon: yes you cam take guests