How to maximize the AMEX Platinum Charge’s 15.6 mpd on EXTRA partners during Circuit Breaker

Last week, AMEX announced one heck of a promotion for AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders. From 21 April to 20 July 2020, members will earn double the usual points on all spending, and receive double the value when redeeming points for statement credit.

Here’s what that means for the AMEX Platinum Charge’s earn rate:

A 1.56 mpd earn rate on general spending is very solid, but it’s the 15.6 mpd on Platinum EXTRA merchants that will turn the most heads. This is subject to an annual cap of S$16,000, but that’s still almost 250,000 miles (assuming you haven’t used any of your annual cap yet), enough for a return First Class ticket to London.

Unfortunately, this promotion also coincides with the extended Circuit Breaker. With all physical retail outlets closed until 1 June 2020 at the earliest, how can you make the most of this?

Who are Platinum EXTRA merchants?

Platinum EXTRA merchants are a curated selection of partners which award bonus points for AMEX Platinum cardholders.

Most people think that Platinum EXTRA partners are only relevant to those shopping  for expensive watches, designer clothes and grand pianos. That’s…somewhat true. A cursory glance at the list and you’ll spot names like Fred Perry, IWC, Montblanc, Shanghai Tang and other chi-chi establishments- not exactly the kind of thing you rush out to buy during the Circuit Breaker.

However, there are a handful of merchants which may come in useful.

Taste & Swiss Butchery

Taste is a gourmet supermarket with locations in Holland Village and near Jurong Fishery Port. It also has two outlets under the Swiss Butchery brand at Greenwood and Tanglin Post Office.

If you don’t feel like heading out of the house, Taste has an online shopping portal with free delivery for orders of at least S$100.

I’m sure the prices here are higher than what you’d find at NTUC or Cold Storage, but you can also find certain items which may not be available elsewhere. For example, it’s one of the rare places you can find proper pancetta (but not guanciale, unfortunately).

Malt & Wine Asia

Malt & Wine is a liquor retailer that offers free delivery with a minimum purchase of S$150. I’m not an expert on alcohol pricing so I can’t say whether the prices here are competitive, but some back of the envelope calculations show the bundles tend to price lower than buying individual bottles elsewhere.

Grand Gru

As the name suggests, Grand Cru focuses on wines. Although Grand Cru wines normally command eye-watering prices, the store carries a wide selection of bottles under S$50. There’s also a decent selection of half bottles, which not enough retailers in Singapore stock.  Free delivery is available, but you have to spend at least S$500(!). Otherwise, expect to pay a flat S$30 fee.

Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve (Qatar Airway’s Business Class champagne) is available for S$61, and interestingly enough, they also offer British sparkling wine- which British Airways is trying to introduce into First Class…

Blissfulthots

Let’s leave aside the etymology of “thot” and focus on the fact that come Mothers’ Day (10 May), we’re all still going to be on lockdown. This means having to source gifts online, and who doesn’t love flowers?

Blissfulthots offers bouquets from S$70, with a further S$15 for delivery.

Where can I transfer Membership Rewards points?

MR points never expire, and members can transfer them to eight different frequent flyer programs and two hotel partners at the following ratios (no conversion fees apply):

	Transfer Ratio (MR Points: Partner Miles/Points)
	400: 250
	400:250
	400:250
	400:250
	400:250
	400:250
	400:250
	400:250
	1000:1250
	1000:1000

Alternative: 24% cashback

If you don’t fancy earning miles at the moment, you could use your Membership Rewards points as statement credit instead. From now till 20 July 2020, a promotional rate of 1,000 points= S$9.60 is available, which translates into an effective 24% cashback when shopping at Platinum EXTRA merchants.

Conclusion

Platinum EXTRA merchants aren’t really for everyday spending, but there are options for stocking up on groceries & alcohol, and settling Mother’s Day gift purchases. 15.6 mpd is very hard to pass up, and while I certainly won’t be maxing out the S$16,000, I’ll definitely be trying to divert whatever spending I can to EXTRA merchants for this period.