American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card | Best Travel Card in India with 8.5% Returns

Summary

In this video, the speaker provides an in-depth review of the Amex Platinum Travel Card, highlighting its features and benefits. The card offers significant perks such as reward points on spending, movie and dining discounts, lounge access, and the ability to redeem points for flight or hotel vouchers. The speaker also explains how to maximize value through milestone benefits and bonus points. Tips for earning maximum rewards and managing points are shared, alongside the importance of maintaining a high civil score and consistent spending to unlock the full potential of the card.

Takeaways

• 😀 The American Express Platinum Travel Card is rapidly growing as a top choice for travelers, offering significant benefits for frequent spenders.
• 😀 The card comes with a fee of ₹3500 plus GST for the first year and ₹5000 plus GST in subsequent years.
• 😀 You earn 1 Membership Reward Point for every ₹1 spent, which can be redeemed for flight, hotel, or shopping vouchers.
• 😀 The card offers discounts of up to 20% on movies and dining, providing great value for entertainment and leisure spending.
• 😀 You get domestic lounge access up to 8 times a year and international lounge access through the Priority Pass program.
• 😀 One downside is the ₹35 per visit charge for international lounge access, despite the Priority Pass being included with the card.
• 😀 The card offers milestone benefits where you earn bonus points after spending ₹1.9 lakh or ₹4 lakh annually, with added rewards like vouchers.
• 😀 On spending ₹1.9 lakh annually, you earn a total of 18,800 points, which is equivalent to around ₹9,400 in value (4.94% return).
• 😀 On spending ₹4 lakh, you receive a total of 48,000 points and a ₹10,000 Taj voucher, which gives a value of ₹34,000 (8.5% return).
• 😀 If you don't receive your milestone bonus points automatically, you can contact the customer service to claim them, including points from the previous year.
• 😀 The card allows you to use your reward points to pay government taxes, although you won’t earn points for those transactions, they still count toward your milestone benefits.

Q & A

What is the eligibility criteria for applying for the Amex Platinum Travel Card?

To apply for the Amex Platinum Travel Card, you need a minimum annual income of ₹6 lakh and a civil score of 750 or higher. Additionally, you should have no defaults on your credit report.

What is the annual fee for the Amex Platinum Travel Card?

The annual fee for the first year is ₹3,500 + GST, and for the subsequent years, it increases to ₹5,000 + GST.

How are reward points earned on the Amex Platinum Travel Card?

For every ₹1 spent on the card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards Point. These points can be redeemed for travel-related rewards such as flight and hotel vouchers.

What are the key benefits offered by the Amex Platinum Travel Card?

The card offers multiple benefits, including up to 20% discounts on dining and movie tickets, domestic and international lounge access, and the ability to earn rewards points for every purchase.

How does the Priority Pass lounge access work with this card?

The card provides free membership to the Priority Pass program, giving you access to international airport lounges. However, each visit will cost ₹35, which is a downside to keep in mind.

What are the milestone benefits of the Amex Platinum Travel Card?

There are two main milestone benefits: 1) Spend ₹1.9 lakh annually to earn 18,800 reward points, which can be redeemed for ₹9,400 in value. 2) Spend ₹4 lakh annually to earn 48,000 reward points plus a ₹10,000 Taj voucher, giving a total value of ₹34,000.

Can government spending contribute to the milestone benefits?

Yes, government taxes and other eligible government payments can be counted toward your milestone benefits, even though you won't earn reward points on these transactions.

Can I merge points from other American Express cards into my Amex Platinum Travel Card?

Yes, you can merge points from other American Express cards, such as the MRCC or Gold Charge Card, with the points on your Amex Platinum Travel Card to maximize rewards.

What is the value of the reward points when converted to Merit Points for hotel stays?

When converted into Merit Points, the reward points offer a 1:1 value. This allows you to redeem points for premium hotel properties, although the exact value can vary based on location and season.

Is there any limitation on the Taj voucher received with the card?

Yes, the Taj voucher has a validity period of one year from the date of issuance. Once it expires, it cannot be extended or redeemed, so it's important to use it within the given timeframe.