While the AMEX Platinum Reserve might not be worth holding in and of itself, it’s a no-brainer add-on for those who already have an AMEX Platinum Charge. Thanks to American Express’ “one annual fee” policy, Platinum Charge members pay no additional fee for the Reserve, while still getting all of its vouchers and benefits.ย
I’ve just received my Platinum Reserve renewal pack, which has a couple of changes worth taking note of.ย
New wine vouchers
In the previous year’s renewal kit, AMEX Platinum Reserve cardholders received 1x wine voucher (with no minimum spend) valid at:
- Napoleon Food & Wine Bar
- Praelum Wine Bistro
- Burlamacco Ristorante
This year, Praelum and Burlamacco have been removed (a real shame on the latter, as they do a mean lobster linguine), replaced instead by two vouchers for Grand Cru.
This is intriguing to me- although Grand Cru looks like a shop for all intents and purposes, it’s actually a wine store cum restaurant (menu here). At the same time, however, the voucher’s T&Cs state that it’s only valid for takeaways, and no minimum spend is required. So if I’ve understood this correctly, you can just waltz into the store, show your two vouchers and walk away with two free bottles of wine.ย
I have no idea what wines they’re giving away, but the cheapest bottle I can find on their website starts at S$35 so make of that what you will.ย
New staycation options
One of the AMEX Platinum Reserve’s unique features is the Near Away program, which offers subsidized staycation rates at various hotels in Singapore. The Near Away website is no longer accessible, but here’s a listing of the vouchers available this year:
- Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa (Deluxe Room)- S$190 nett
- Dorsett Singapore (Balcony Room)- S$150 nett
- Dorsett Singapore (Loft Room)- S$190 nett
- Hotel Fort Canning (Deluxe Room)- S$190 nett
- M Social Singapore (Alcove Cosy Room)- S$150 nett
- M Social Singapore (Loft Gallery Room)- S$190 nett
- Quincy Hotel (Studio Room)
- Rendezvous Hotel Singapore (Deluxe Room)- S$150 nett
- The Outpost Hotel Sentosa (Deluxe Room)- S$190 nett
The main difference is that the voucher for The Sultan Hotel has been replaced with one for The Outpost Hotel. That’s just fine with me actually, given how I enjoyed my Outpost Hotel stay last year.
The Outpost Hotel is currently hosting SHN guests and closed to general reservations. The website has tentatively opened bookings from 22 March 2021 onwards, and room-only rates start from S$314++ (S$370 nett).ย
A S$190 nett rate looks pretty reasonable in that respect, but do note that it isn’t available on public holidays, the eve of public holidays and other blackout dates. The rate is fully refundable up to 4 p.m the day before arrival.
What else is included?
The rest of the vouchers remain the same as previous years, namely:
- 3D2N stay at selected Frasers Hospitality properties
- S$100 Tower Club dining voucher
- 50% off high tea buffet for 2-6 diners at Marriott Cafe*
- S$50 off with min S$100 spent on dining at Marriott Tang Plazaย
- Free bottle of wine with 4 paying adults at buffet lunch or dinner at Marriott Cafe
- Free bottle of house wine or cake at Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel The Stamford or Swissotel Merchant Court restaurants x 2
- 40% off 4-20 main courses at Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore (Mon-Sat during lunch only)
- 50% off food bill for 8-10 adults at Asian Market Cafe, Ellenborough Market Cafe or Clove
- Adeva Spa: HANN Prive Body Massage at S$78 nett (60 mins)
- Spa Rael: HANN Tremella Hydrate Treatment at S$98 nett (60 mins)
- The Ultimate: Hyaluronic Firming Face Spa at S$68 nett (60 mins)
- 5X room upgrade vouchers at Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel The Stamford, Swissotel Merchant Court
- Weekend rate of S$230++ per night at Swissotel Merchant Court
- Weekend rate of S$250++ per night at Swissotel The Stamford
- Weekend rate of S$270++ per night at Fairmont Singapore
*Since buffets are temporarily unavailable, this benefit has been temporarily replaced with either 35% off the a la carte menu items at Marriott Cafรฉ for 2 to 5 diners only OR 35% off the English afternoon tea set at Lobby Lounge for 2 to 5 diners only (3-tier afternoon tea set)
The pick of the lot is clearly the S$100 Tower Club dining voucher and 2 night Fraser Hospitality stay, although the only place you can redeem the latter in Singapore is the Capri by Fraser Changi City- hardly an aspirational stay.ย
From what I hear in the AMEX Platinum chat group, Ba Xian is fully booked for weekend dim sum up till March 2021, so if you’re looking to combine the Tower Club voucher with the 50% off promotion, you’ll need to wait a while.ย
Conclusion
I’ve written before about why the AMEX Platinum Reserve probably doesn’t justify its S$535 annual fee, but for those with AMEX Platinum Charge cards, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t apply. Remember: with two AMEX cards, you may be able to enjoy the same AMEX Offer twice. For example, I was able to utilize the S$50 off S$100 dining at Pan Pacific offer multiple times, thanks to my multiple AMEX cards.ย
If anyone’s gone down to Grand Cru, do sound out about the free wine available.ย
I went and opened letterbox just because… no vouchers inside yet! ๐
How do platinum charge members get this? Do we apply online ourselves?
You can apply on amex website here: http://www.amex.sg/refer/tZEYOCHe4N?XLINK=MYCP
Sneaky. LOL.
Nice try ๐
you can just apply via the usual route. if you get charged the annual fee (like I did at first), call them up and make sure they link your two accounts (reserve + plat charge), they will reverse the fee
Has anyone tried to redeem the wine via takeaway without having to spend on anything?
Yes, have done it before personally without spending on anything; just show them your voucher and card and ask for the wine to go
What wine was it?
I got this 2018 Domaine de la Janasse – Cotes du Rhone (retail price $42). Didn’t check what was given for the white, unfortunately.
merci.
cake and hse wine flipped? =P
i’d like a free bottle of cake!
Hi Aaron, I believe there are more changes to the vouchers, specifically the Frasers Hospitality vouchers. Previously, properties like Fraser Suites in London Queens Gate (for 3D2N stay) & Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Elysees, right on the famous boulevard (2D1N) were on the list. Not anymore for this year, which is a huge loss, considering their prime location and in these two major cities & therefore, higher rates. They are gone from the list; truly disappointing. The spa vouchers have all inched up considerably too, ranging from $68 – $98 (was $38 – $58 previously), which is not far away… Read more »
thanks! i’ve not been tracking the overseas hotels actually, so didn’t notice those were gone. I suspected the spa voucher prices had increased, but didn’t have previous years to compare.
atlantic food quality is awful, I use my voucher for straits bar. on friday evenings from 5pm they have oyster night and happy hour 1 for 1 champagne.