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Great review Sebby! I’ve been an Amex holder since 1986 and Platinum holder with 1 authorized for half that. I’m good for $150k-$200K spend a year. Never called for a retention offer. If I call do you think they would waive the yearly fee? If not, Id be looking to switch to another credit card.
Equinox is utterly useless for the vast majority of the country, so the $300 credit is uselsss. Makes AmEx seem like they only care about NYC and Cali.
✈️ Seeing Amex continue to nerf themselves is really making me look at them in a different light. It just goes to show that no bank is really your friend and you don't wanna be married to just one in particular. Obviously these changes (mostly) suck on their own, but this is just yet another round of negative changes from Amex this year, and it's feeling more like par for the course at this point in my opinion.
Losing Audible is a big hit for me because I use that was where I got the most value for the digital entertainment credit. Long term I was looking at the Schwab version of the Platinum but without the bonus does it make sense?
@@shirusun9062that’s what I just got. Even though everyone on RUclips is calling it dated, it’s perfect for my situation. Sometimes we can be caught up in the hype and completely overlooking what’s best for YOU
I’ve never experienced overcrowding but I also rarely fly in the middle of the day. If you’re comfortable with red eye flights or flying earlier than 9am, the lounges will always have seating.
I fly during day. I just used Denver Centurian Lounge 2 weeks ago. I travel a lot and use Centurian lounge at least once or twice a months. Most frequent include SFO, Denver, Houston, and Las Vegas.I never seen long lines except when lounge opens for day. I never had issue finding empty seat or table, though lounges can be full. I never had issue using showers. Side note SFO I have used a lot and it is about 3 times size and lots of room.
Let’s just say the AU charges is forcing me to look at Chase Sapphire Reserve after 20 years with the Platinum. Will see the retention offer, but not expecting much.
I think a lot of people will cancel it specifically small families, that don’t use the lounge as much, yet keep the card for 1 or 2 trips per year, and now will get more value from chase,
Losing Audible sucks so badly. Ugh! The lounge situation doesn't bother me. I live in Los Angeles and I travel to NJ a lot. You can get into the lounge at LAX if you're flying internationally. And NJ doesn't have one. The only time I've been a Centurion Lounge was in Houston & Vegas. I tend to go into Delta more.
✈️ The authorized user fees are going to hurt me big time. I have the Morgan Stanley platinum where I was getting 4 AU cards for $175 total. I got them for my family for the lounge access but I likely won’t be able to afford them all next year.
I have 5 AU good lord I definitely have to see if they can afford it because it was a no brained before and only using it for lounge and tsa but now it might be cheaper to pay for entry
✈️ the worst part is not being able to get a SUB for the other platinums. I was just thinking of applying for the CS a week ago. Now it may be too late 🤷🏽♂️. But second worst for me is the removing of Audible, as that was a 100% credit for me. Since we already paid for it prior. the AU part doesn’t affect us as P2 has the biz Plat. So we both can get into centurion lounges. And IF it helps make them less crowded I’m for it. I’m just not sure it will.
Most people that hesitated to apply to the other versions because of prioritizing 5/24 or just getting in late in the game just lost possibly 200,000 MR. Moral of the story is that rules will get tighter and the game will get harder. Eat while the food is hot.
I just realized AmEx has been doing offers with Scribd which is an Audible competitor. I would LOVE if they covered that with the digital entertainment credit instead.
I finally canceled mine this year. I don't live in a city with equinox and the lounges were crowded and not worth it to me. I kept my Chase Sapphire Reserve though. Or at least for now.
Increasing AF or charging more for AU is fine with me - my MS plat should catch all that. If they limit lounge access though… that could consider me to dump them.
The TLDR as far as I remember is that you need a combination of a certain amount of cash in the account (25k?) AND maintain a certain amount of direct deposits coming in (5k or so per month) to qualify. Could be wrong - its been a while.
The one bonus per lifetime change certainly sucks. I have devalued MR heavily because of it and will probably be leaving the Amex ecosystem long-term after I do one last transfer to ANA. Sucks because I was planning on using that MR towards the Maldives.
Last times I was at lounges, there were lines, and it was crowded, especially in Dubai for some reason. I travel solo, so for me the AU changes are not important but I wish we could have kept Audible.
Last times I was at lounges, there were lines, and it was crowded, especially in Dubai for some reason. I travel solo, so for me the AU changes are not important but I wish we could have kept Audible.
would be great if amex added Apple One Premiere to the entertainment credit. It has Apple News+ which already gives me access to WSJ and NYT. Or any tier of Apple’s entertainment offerings even a la carte (Music, TV+, Fitness+, etc.). I do hope the Centurion lounges get less crowded with their changes (though still a better option than the super packed Priority Pass lounges) since I don’t always fly Delta to use the sky lounge which is amazing at LAX.
This is Ridiculous. instead of expanding the lounges to accommodate more guests they instead penalize cardholders. NY, LA, TX lounges are a complete mess. Not a good look AMEX.
If Amex is going to penalize cardholders with families then they should take it a step further and penalize single cardholders too by disallowing guests 18 and older. Restrict lounge access to cardholders only and only allow them to pay for guests not old enough for a credit card (12 and under).
@AskSebby: Audible vs WSJ is no contest! Audible has much more value. This one change is the worst because there are many, many folks who have been using audible religiously!
FYI. Lark creek priority pass restaurant at SFO does not work with the AMEX priority pass. Only the Chase CSR Priority pass. Another change AMEX made that suck is removing restaurants from their priority passes.
Amex gives out less sign up bonuses and charges higher fees. Just more glutton for punishment for Platinum card users in addition to the highest annual fee of $695 and the tiresome huddles they need to jump in order to recoup any of it. Not to mention the highest interchange fee of almost six percent to retailers. Greed has no bound. Don’t know why Amex cardholders put up with this year after year when they could get the Capital One Venture X and make $5 every year.
I believe the 6% was back in the day. It’s been decreased over time since then and barely slightly above Visa and MC. Hence why a lot more merchants have started accepting Amex.
Canadas annual fee was raised to $799 recently so stands a chance that would happen here maybe even more. They have def ruffled some feathers with the $195 AU fee but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
Not sure if its just Canadian Amex users, but we got a letter indicating a change in points for restaurant purchases. Its gone down from 3 points per dollar, to 2 points per dollar.
Nobody sees your credit card anymore. You tap or insert it yourself. Only time credit card is seen is paying dinner out. And if you want to impress the waiter (what for?) put down a hundred-dollar bill or a couple of them.
🛫 I’ve been waiting for your video since the changes were revealed! I’ve been considering AU cards for my wife and daughter, who are planning a few trips in the next year, but not any more. If this results in smaller crowds at SkyClubs and Centurion lounges, then I’m all for it.
There is no way they could raise the annual fee right now unless they revamp the card. With the even further (rumored) changes to lounge access as well as the very-soon-to-be lack of value for Clear, the card is already priced too high for what it offers.
All this talk about relieving lounge crowding sounds like Deja Vous. Remember when all the talk about how requiring 75K spend to bring in guests would fix the problem? Evidently, it did NOT. Interesting to see what will happen with these new changes.
Canceling next year for sure unless I get a retention offer. Amex has just become too much a hassel to make sure i get my maximum value. This year I have been to the airport a good 8 times and haven't been able to acess the Centourioun lounge due to the ridiculously long lines. It's just become obsolete at this point.
Damn Sebby,.. I can tell you had your $12 (cash only) haircut today,.. $15 with tip. I love the new Amex Platinum AU Fee change. Less waiting time at the Centurion Lounge bar for my cold beer 🍺.
The more people game the system the more people like me will suffer because of these changes. I appreciate the $195 per added user because this will probably make the lounges less crowded.
This will not reduce the crowds in the lounges. Married couples traveling with kids tend to be way more wealthy than singles so they will pay for access for the whole family whether authorized user etc.. a lot more millionaires were created via 401ks since 2019, people will spend for what they want. They have been for the last three years, Europe is jam packed with Americans. No bank will so no when there is so much money to be made. They will raise the price and families still pay.
When I got the French Platinum they promised 400 Euros restaurant credit (200 in France and 200 elsewhere in the world). A month later they dropped 200 off of that advantage with no warning and no replacements. Not cool.
Have had Amex Plat since 2010, before the credit card point craze took off. I will be cancelling it before my next AF hits. I have 3 AUs on the account. It's just not worth its AF anymore.
This year Amex had NO retention offer for me. Also I have 3 Authorized users (wife and 2 children). So the change in AU fees and no retention offer I’m out.
Just came back to Amex Plat after 18yr hiatus, grabbed the 150k bonus and immediately signed up for all the perks after watching one (several) of your awesome vids (cheers!)... that being said, also did the $175 AUs for wife and two teenage kiddos that we travel with (2-3 times/yr). Been in the lounge twice now and this is what I see, either 10 single/double travelers taking up 10 tables, or 40 families taking up 10 tables... so is it food/bev cost or just headcount they are trying to alleviate? We fly American quite a bit, so maybe I cancel AU cards and pickup AA Exec Plat MC, as their lounges allow families? Between my Delta Plat and Amex Plat, prob spend $75k/yr, which some will now flow to Citi MC... does the math really work out for Amex? Maybe they should tie lounge visits/creds to spend? Having just re-signed for Amex Plat, I'm not happy with this change!
I think it makes sense from a business perspective. AUs are somewhat of a pain in the ass for card issuers. The only reason they allow those is because they get some additional customers but it causes lots of issues with the perks. For instance, the lounges are very useful to business people if they are somewhat quiet and comfy, so you obviously do not want families making noise in there. In the end the business people will cancel the card because they won't get the value out of it, yet they would be much more valuable customers than AUs (which are often children). I know this is an unpopular opinion but as someone that likes to work while travelling, I'm happy to pay simply to keep kids out (if having a platinum does that, cool, if not I don't see the value). That's also the main reason to book business class, I don't care about the comfort that much but reducing the likelihood of a crying kid, is often worth quite a bit. I guess a lot of these issues could be solved by introducing family and non-family sections.
I never understood why Amex makes its members jump through so many hoops to enjoy card benefits. Airline credit but only for 1 chosen airline and only for "incidentals." Uber credits but only $15 per month, but they expire every month. Hotel credit but only through Amex portal, which is more expensive. $100 Saks Fifth but only $50 at a time every 6 months. The only thing that's straight forward is lounge access but priority pass is not exclusive to Amex and there are too few Centurion lounges to matter. Makes you wonder who Amex is trying to target....the same types of people who spend like this don't really care about saving a few bucks...
✈️ I love the perks that the cards offer and my husband is an AU on mine- for now the $20 increase in the AU fee is not that big of a deal but I’m hoping that they don’t increase the AF for the Amex plat too much in the near future
They’re doing everything they can to get rid of the people who are clogging up the lounges. They can raise prices and make the customers mad, but as long as people want to flex or try to chase a Centurion Card invite, the top tier customers aren’t going anywhere.
🛫 i’m actually kind of frustrated after hearing about loosing audible. As of Oct 2nd I’ve use the service prior to that it’s been kind of nice having the service paid for through the AMEX platinum card.
✈️ excellent video and analysis Being blind, yes, I “watch” YT to listen to topics. Would love to see any content on travel, travel industry that has services to those with disabilities.
Obvious question: I have almost 400,000 Amex points/ may I contact you to help me plan a really nice trip? I feel like on my own I’ll mess it up with transfer partners etc? Nice video by the way. And yep the lounges are always crowded to the point where I skip it when traveling, so it’s not a benefit. Also, guess I’m old and can’t find the Airplane imogee 😢
I recently flew out of JFK and had a layover in DFW. I have a plat but my gf doesn’t. I know the JFK centurion lounge can get really busy and our flight was at 4 so I didn’t think it was worth it ecspicially being in t4 and I needed to be t8 with no clear. Get to DFW. What we did was I went up to the centurion lounge see what seating is like. Got there around 7 and it was pretty calm and got calmer till close and just paid the 50 for guest.
This seems like bait and switch to me. They had elevated offers for 3 years, so many people signed up under the old pricing, and now they increased it.
I like the change. Will I now be able to add more than 3 additional cards to my account now? Also Amex needs to significantly raise the annual fee for the card and stop giving it free to the military, give them a gold card.
The military members with free cards represent a tiny portion of overall cardholders. There’s no reason at all that benefit should be removed for them.
Losing audible is huge...really the only source of value in that category. Like the Sky clubs but this card is losing value for me given the large annual fee.
I don't watch TV, only RUclips. The digital entertainment credit is useless to me without Audible so that really eats at my benefits for the year. Good thing I'm still ahead of the AF for now.
Love your content Seb. I respectfully ask that you not bass boost the audio. When combined with your fast speech rate it makes listening to your words, work.✈️ WSJ
These new changes and minimum $75k/annual spend is delicious on thinning out the lounge access. Amex needs to clear a lot of the Gen_Z people out of the lounges point blank. The barrier to entry was too low coming out of COVID. I get tired of walking into the lounges as a business traveler to find a Gen-Z flophouse. Including them sleeping in the phone booths where they should be for phone calls to keep the lounge quiet. I get annoyed having to get staff to kick them out for what should be common courtesy. The fees hikes and minimum spend are a good start.
✈The AU change does not affect me. I am said Audible is leaving(?). Working out if the Disney bundle is right for me. If not I will probably cancel the card. Might cancel my Personal Gold and probably my Business Gold as well and just keep my BCP to keep the points.
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Great review Sebby! I’ve been an Amex holder since 1986 and Platinum holder with 1 authorized for half that. I’m good for $150k-$200K spend a year. Never called for a retention offer. If I call do you think they would waive the yearly fee? If not, Id be looking to switch to another credit card.
Thx sebby got it 👍🏾 apply got approved
Equinox is utterly useless for the vast majority of the country, so the $300 credit is uselsss. Makes AmEx seem like they only care about NYC and Cali.
Even me in Cali, it’s useless
I actually like it for the yearly use of Equinox+ for yoga classes on the app. I value it at about $60 though, not really $300
@@jimjimhuerta exactly, only beneficial if you live in sf or la
Losing audible is a big L for me. That was a big source of value for me from the platinum
Same here. Really disappointed
When does audible stop?
@@joyoflife1832 October 1st
Big value for me as well since I’ve been using it for years 😢
Yup. Same here.
✈️ Seeing Amex continue to nerf themselves is really making me look at them in a different light. It just goes to show that no bank is really your friend and you don't wanna be married to just one in particular. Obviously these changes (mostly) suck on their own, but this is just yet another round of negative changes from Amex this year, and it's feeling more like par for the course at this point in my opinion.
Trading Audible for the WSJ is a Big L. Audible is the way.
I agree 100%. I have spoken.
Losing Audible is a big hit for me because I use that was where I got the most value for the digital entertainment credit.
Long term I was looking at the Schwab version of the Platinum but without the bonus does it make sense?
I think the CSR & VX will definitely benefit from this change
I am definitely considering CSR the moment I finished this video.....
@@shirusun9062that’s what I just got. Even though everyone on RUclips is calling it dated, it’s perfect for my situation. Sometimes we can be caught up in the hype and completely overlooking what’s best for YOU
Updated comparison of the Amex plat, CSR and VX would be dope. Starting to look like the Wild West in this credit card game…. 💳
I’ve never experienced overcrowding but I also rarely fly in the middle of the day. If you’re comfortable with red eye flights or flying earlier than 9am, the lounges will always have seating.
I fly during day. I just used Denver Centurian Lounge 2 weeks ago. I travel a lot and use Centurian lounge at least once or twice a months. Most frequent include SFO, Denver, Houston, and Las Vegas.I never seen long lines except when lounge opens for day. I never had issue finding empty seat or table, though lounges can be full. I never had issue using showers. Side note SFO I have used a lot and it is about 3 times size and lots of room.
Let’s just say the AU charges is forcing me to look at Chase Sapphire Reserve after 20 years with the Platinum. Will see the retention offer, but not expecting much.
I think a lot of people will cancel it specifically small families, that don’t use the lounge as much, yet keep the card for 1 or 2 trips per year, and now will get more value from chase,
Definitely upset about the loss of audible.
Losing Audible sucks so badly. Ugh! The lounge situation doesn't bother me. I live in Los Angeles and I travel to NJ a lot. You can get into the lounge at LAX if you're flying internationally. And NJ doesn't have one. The only time I've been a Centurion Lounge was in Houston & Vegas. I tend to go into Delta more.
✈️ The authorized user fees are going to hurt me big time. I have the Morgan Stanley platinum where I was getting 4 AU cards for $175 total. I got them for my family for the lounge access but I likely won’t be able to afford them all next year.
I have 5 AU good lord I definitely have to see if they can afford it because it was a no brained before and only using it for lounge and tsa but now it might be cheaper to pay for entry
That’s good. More lounge space for the rest of us.
@@Mike11219USA Wow…sorry the comfort of my aging parents is cramping your style. Sheesh.
✈️ the worst part is not being able to get a SUB for the other platinums. I was just thinking of applying for the CS a week ago. Now it may be too late 🤷🏽♂️. But second worst for me is the removing of Audible, as that was a 100% credit for me. Since we already paid for it prior. the AU part doesn’t affect us as P2 has the biz Plat. So we both can get into centurion lounges. And IF it helps make them less crowded I’m for it. I’m just not sure it will.
Most people that hesitated to apply to the other versions because of prioritizing 5/24 or just getting in late in the game just lost possibly 200,000 MR. Moral of the story is that rules will get tighter and the game will get harder. Eat while the food is hot.
@@SolidLiquidFox true I try to apply once every 6 between myself and P2. I was just a few days late on this.
I just realized AmEx has been doing offers with Scribd which is an Audible competitor. I would LOVE if they covered that with the digital entertainment credit instead.
I finally canceled mine this year. I don't live in a city with equinox and the lounges were crowded and not worth it to me. I kept my Chase Sapphire Reserve though. Or at least for now.
Increasing AF or charging more for AU is fine with me - my MS plat should catch all that. If they limit lounge access though… that could consider me to dump them.
Definitely interested in the process to get the Morgan Stanley as most information out there is more about how to get the annual fee refunded
The TLDR as far as I remember is that you need a combination of a certain amount of cash in the account (25k?) AND maintain a certain amount of direct deposits coming in (5k or so per month) to qualify. Could be wrong - its been a while.
Google "Morgan Stanley Platinum CashPlus"
@@raymondwzeng Those are the requirements to waive the annual fee. I am more interested in just getting the card for a free AU and paying the $695 AF.
audible was the best use of that credit and a 100% win... losing audible means that credit is less usable
Im all for it…no reason I should be paying full price for the card and cant get into the lounge because of a bunch of AU cardholders
The one bonus per lifetime change certainly sucks. I have devalued MR heavily because of it and will probably be leaving the Amex ecosystem long-term after I do one last transfer to ANA. Sucks because I was planning on using that MR towards the Maldives.
Last times I was at lounges, there were lines, and it was crowded, especially in Dubai for some reason. I travel solo, so for me the AU changes are not important but I wish we could have kept Audible.
Last times I was at lounges, there were lines, and it was crowded, especially in Dubai for some reason. I travel solo, so for me the AU changes are not important but I wish we could have kept Audible.
would be great if amex added Apple One Premiere to the entertainment credit. It has Apple News+ which already gives me access to WSJ and NYT. Or any tier of Apple’s entertainment offerings even a la carte (Music, TV+, Fitness+, etc.).
I do hope the Centurion lounges get less crowded with their changes (though still a better option than the super packed Priority Pass lounges) since I don’t always fly Delta to use the sky lounge which is amazing at LAX.
Glad I cancelled my platinum after the first year. It's too much of a pain in the butt.
This is Ridiculous. instead of expanding the lounges to accommodate more guests they instead penalize cardholders. NY, LA, TX lounges are a complete mess. Not a good look AMEX.
If Amex is going to penalize cardholders with families then they should take it a step further and penalize single cardholders too by disallowing guests 18 and older. Restrict lounge access to cardholders only and only allow them to pay for guests not old enough for a credit card (12 and under).
audible was a HUGE perk for me. bummed about that!
@AskSebby: Audible vs WSJ is no contest! Audible has much more value. This one change is the worst because there are many, many folks who have been using audible religiously!
FYI. Lark creek priority pass restaurant at SFO does not work with the AMEX priority pass. Only the Chase CSR Priority pass. Another change AMEX made that suck is removing restaurants from their priority passes.
Amex gives out less sign up bonuses and charges higher fees. Just more glutton for punishment for Platinum card users in addition to the highest annual fee of $695 and the tiresome huddles they need to jump in order to recoup any of it. Not to mention the highest interchange fee of almost six percent to retailers. Greed has no bound. Don’t know why Amex cardholders put up with this year after year when they could get the Capital One Venture X and make $5 every year.
That sweet, sweet Amex marketing?
I believe the 6% was back in the day. It’s been decreased over time since then and barely slightly above Visa and MC. Hence why a lot more merchants have started accepting Amex.
I just feel like my 2% unlimited cashback on everything with no annual fee is better? Maybe that's just me.
✈ The AU fees and losing audible is gonna hurt. I was questioning things after the last AF increase. I don't think I can justify the plat anymore.
Canadas annual fee was raised to $799 recently so stands a chance that would happen here maybe even more. They have def ruffled some feathers with the $195 AU fee but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
Not sure if its just Canadian Amex users, but we got a letter indicating a change in points for restaurant purchases. Its gone down from 3 points per dollar, to 2 points per dollar.
✈️ ✈️ ✈️
I hate that audible is leaving!
If the cancel the lounge benny then I'll downgrade to Gold...maybe.
Sign up for a new Gold card don’t product change.
I'm in pop-up jail anyway, so if they raise the AF again, I'm okay with a product change and no bonus.@@SuperVeganShark
Nobody sees your credit card anymore. You tap or insert it yourself. Only time credit card is seen is paying dinner out. And if you want to impress the waiter (what for?) put down a hundred-dollar bill or a couple of them.
🛫
I’ve been waiting for your video since the changes were revealed!
I’ve been considering AU cards for my wife and daughter, who are planning a few trips in the next year, but not any more. If this results in smaller crowds at SkyClubs and Centurion lounges, then I’m all for it.
There is no way they could raise the annual fee right now unless they revamp the card. With the even further (rumored) changes to lounge access as well as the very-soon-to-be lack of value for Clear, the card is already priced too high for what it offers.
All this talk about relieving lounge crowding sounds like Deja Vous. Remember when all
the talk about how requiring 75K spend to bring in guests would fix the problem?
Evidently, it did NOT. Interesting to see what will happen with these new changes.
Canceling next year for sure unless I get a retention offer. Amex has just become too much a hassel to make sure i get my maximum value. This year I have been to the airport a good 8 times and haven't been able to acess the Centourioun lounge due to the ridiculously long lines. It's just become obsolete at this point.
Damn Sebby,.. I can tell you had your $12 (cash only) haircut today,.. $15 with tip. I love the new Amex Platinum AU Fee change. Less waiting time at the Centurion Lounge bar for my cold beer 🍺.
This version is lack of sleep hair 😴 Haircut was last week. lol. We'll have to wait and see if the AU fees improve the lounge situation.
@@AskSebby 😂👍.
Do you think Amex is pushing to have this be more of a exclusive card instead a card for everyone?
Visa and Matercard are not peers of Amex. Amex does the network and issue cards.
Thanks for compiling all the pro/cons!
Well guess I'm keeping the CSR ✈
The more people game the system the more people like me will suffer because of these changes. I appreciate the $195 per added user because this will probably make the lounges less crowded.
This will not reduce the crowds in the lounges. Married couples traveling with kids tend to be way more wealthy than singles so they will pay for access for the whole family whether authorized user etc.. a lot more millionaires were created via 401ks since 2019, people will spend for what they want. They have been for the last three years, Europe is jam packed with Americans.
No bank will so no when there is so much money to be made. They will raise the price and families still pay.
our Amex Platinum card in Canada just got worst, but I'm still keeping it......
✈ I am unhappy with these changes
If u cant afford $50/guest or $195/ per card they don’t want you. Don’t force it. They’re drawing their line.
When I got the French Platinum they promised 400 Euros restaurant credit (200 in France and 200 elsewhere in the world). A month later they dropped 200 off of that advantage with no warning and no replacements. Not cool.
Please make a video on how to get the Morgan Stanley card, i think people would find that helpful.
Diving around TX sirius xm us necessary for remote areas ❤.
Have had Amex Plat since 2010, before the credit card point craze took off. I will be cancelling it before my next AF hits. I have 3 AUs on the account. It's just not worth its AF anymore.
This year Amex had NO retention offer for me. Also I have 3 Authorized users (wife and 2 children). So the change in AU fees and no retention offer I’m out.
Just came back to Amex Plat after 18yr hiatus, grabbed the 150k bonus and immediately signed up for all the perks after watching one (several) of your awesome vids (cheers!)... that being said, also did the $175 AUs for wife and two teenage kiddos that we travel with (2-3 times/yr). Been in the lounge twice now and this is what I see, either 10 single/double travelers taking up 10 tables, or 40 families taking up 10 tables... so is it food/bev cost or just headcount they are trying to alleviate? We fly American quite a bit, so maybe I cancel AU cards and pickup AA Exec Plat MC, as their lounges allow families? Between my Delta Plat and Amex Plat, prob spend $75k/yr, which some will now flow to Citi MC... does the math really work out for Amex? Maybe they should tie lounge visits/creds to spend? Having just re-signed for Amex Plat, I'm not happy with this change!
I think it makes sense from a business perspective. AUs are somewhat of a pain in the ass for card issuers. The only reason they allow those is because they get some additional customers but it causes lots of issues with the perks. For instance, the lounges are very useful to business people if they are somewhat quiet and comfy, so you obviously do not want families making noise in there. In the end the business people will cancel the card because they won't get the value out of it, yet they would be much more valuable customers than AUs (which are often children).
I know this is an unpopular opinion but as someone that likes to work while travelling, I'm happy to pay simply to keep kids out (if having a platinum does that, cool, if not I don't see the value). That's also the main reason to book business class, I don't care about the comfort that much but reducing the likelihood of a crying kid, is often worth quite a bit.
I guess a lot of these issues could be solved by introducing family and non-family sections.
I never understood why Amex makes its members jump through so many hoops to enjoy card benefits. Airline credit but only for 1 chosen airline and only for "incidentals." Uber credits but only $15 per month, but they expire every month. Hotel credit but only through Amex portal, which is more expensive. $100 Saks Fifth but only $50 at a time every 6 months. The only thing that's straight forward is lounge access but priority pass is not exclusive to Amex and there are too few Centurion lounges to matter. Makes you wonder who Amex is trying to target....the same types of people who spend like this don't really care about saving a few bucks...
✈️ I love the perks that the cards offer and my husband is an AU on mine- for now the $20 increase in the AU fee is not that big of a deal but I’m hoping that they don’t increase the AF for the Amex plat too much in the near future
I primarily use this card for lounge access and based on my travel patterns the Citi AA Exec card is looking much more beneficial right now...
To be fair 1,000 per month spend for a SUB on what is marketed as a “premium” card seemed low.
They’re doing everything they can to get rid of the people who are clogging up the lounges. They can raise prices and make the customers mad, but as long as people want to flex or try to chase a Centurion Card invite, the top tier customers aren’t going anywhere.
🛫 i’m actually kind of frustrated after hearing about loosing audible. As of Oct 2nd I’ve use the service prior to that it’s been kind of nice having the service paid for through the AMEX platinum card.
Would love a video on switching to morgan stanley
I'm confused. Are paid AUs losing lounge access? Or is it only the courtesy card holders losing it? What about a free guest w/ 75K spend/year?
wow this is good value ty seb!!
Glad you found it helpful! 😉
i know your not old enough to have every version of that card but damn thats alot of versions of that card lol that was cool to see xD
✈️ excellent video and analysis
Being blind, yes, I “watch” YT to listen to topics. Would love to see any content on travel, travel industry that has services to those with disabilities.
🛩️ would like to hear more about the Morgan Stanley card please
Thank you! Exactly what I’m looking for! Except I am located at NY, but I can apply the same strategy 😊
✈ my audible, I really loved that benefit. The other changes dont affect me because I don't have a player 2.
I would like to know how to get the Morgan Stanley platinum card ✈️
Obvious question: I have almost 400,000 Amex points/ may I contact you to help me plan a really nice trip? I feel like on my own I’ll mess it up with transfer partners etc? Nice video by the way. And yep the lounges are always crowded to the point where I skip it when traveling, so it’s not a benefit. Also, guess I’m old and can’t find the Airplane imogee 😢
Lounge overcrowding is the main issue due to people who are added users ruin it for main users
its interesting that at the same time the US card gets these changes the Canadian card just got a brand new bonus $200 annual dining credit
Very disappointing with amex , and not suprise too big corporations
I recently flew out of JFK and had a layover in DFW. I have a plat but my gf doesn’t. I know the JFK centurion lounge can get really busy and our flight was at 4 so I didn’t think it was worth it ecspicially being in t4 and I needed to be t8 with no clear. Get to DFW. What we did was I went up to the centurion lounge see what seating is like. Got there around 7 and it was pretty calm and got calmer till close and just paid the 50 for guest.
✈️ good stuff man! 3 videos this week! Keep them coming 👍🏽
This seems like bait and switch to me. They had elevated offers for 3 years, so many people signed up under the old pricing, and now they increased it.
Would definitely love to see you cover the Morgan Stanley card more in depth!
Covered here: ruclips.net/video/V9d-1BSrIZQ/видео.html
Canada has increase up to $799 and lowered earning rates.
I found the Uber credit to be a gimmick I’m not sure the amount even covers tip. It would be better if it was just mileage based.
I like the change. Will I now be able to add more than 3 additional cards to my account now? Also Amex needs to significantly raise the annual fee for the card and stop giving it free to the military, give them a gold card.
The military members with free cards represent a tiny portion of overall cardholders. There’s no reason at all that benefit should be removed for them.
Love Audible!! I'm not very thrilled with SiriusXM or the WSJ.
Love Audible!! I'm not very thrilled with SiriusXM or the WSJ.
Losing audible is huge...really the only source of value in that category. Like the Sky clubs but this card is losing value for me given the large annual fee.
Ive been subscribed to the NY times fir 13 months and NEVER received a copy...
They keep telling me its on the way, but no dice...
I don't watch TV, only RUclips. The digital entertainment credit is useless to me without Audible so that really eats at my benefits for the year. Good thing I'm still ahead of the AF for now.
Do you think they will ever add a centurion lounge to either Chicago airports?
This really sucks. Cannot wait for more C1 lounges
Love your content Seb. I respectfully ask that you not bass boost the audio. When combined with your fast speech rate it makes listening to your words, work.✈️ WSJ
Great, everything that makes the card worth it for me is going away.
These new changes and minimum $75k/annual spend is delicious on thinning out the lounge access.
Amex needs to clear a lot of the Gen_Z people out of the lounges point blank. The barrier to entry was too low coming out of COVID. I get tired of walking into the lounges as a business traveler to find a Gen-Z flophouse. Including them sleeping in the phone booths where they should be for phone calls to keep the lounge quiet. I get annoyed having to get staff to kick them out for what should be common courtesy. The fees hikes and minimum spend are a good start.
the amex plat variants were things I planned to get years down the line once I collected the sub from other cards. sad it's no longer an option.
I’m willing to pay more to ensure a less crowded lounge and lower wait time for food and drinks. I’m just say’n.
✈️... most don't effect my spending with platinum.
I don't think the Schwab card has this rule implemented yet. Applying today
✈The AU change does not affect me. I am said Audible is leaving(?). Working out if the Disney bundle is right for me. If not I will probably cancel the card. Might cancel my Personal Gold and probably my Business Gold as well and just keep my BCP to keep the points.
If you only keep the BCP, then you’ll lose the MR points