One of the highlights of the American Express Platinum credit cards is the Love Dining and Chillax program, which offers up to 50% off the bill at selected restaurants, bars and hotels across Singapore.
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American Express has just announced its Love Dining and Chillax partner updates for 2021.
The good news is that three new hotels join the program: Regent Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel. The bad news is that we’re losing TWG Tea, Burlamacco Ristorante, and The Capitol Kempinski (from 15 January 2021).
AMEX Love Dining: 2021 edition
A total of 79 restaurants will be participating in Love Dining for 2021, although it’s important to remember that 20 of those are various Harry’s outlets scattered across the island.
Of the total participating venues:
- 35 are in hotels
- 44 are outside hotels
Love Dining discounts will follow the same structure as 2020, namely:
| Number of Diners | Discount on Food Bill |
| Card member alone | 15%^ |
| Card member + 1 guest | 50% |
| Card member + 2 guests | 35%^ |
| Card member + 3 guests | 25% |
| Card member + 4-9 guests | 20% |
| ^10% and 33% respectively at Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel The Stamford, Swissotel Merchant Court | |
Each diner must order at least one qualifying food item (usually a main course) to enjoy the discount. Blackout dates apply (namely public holidays and eve of public holidays, plus special occasions like Valentine’s Day), and the full T&C can be found here.
Hotels
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(from 15 Jan 21)
Let’s start with the good news. Regent Singapore has joined the Love Dining program, bringing with it Italian heavyweight Basilico.
I’d like to think I have very high standards for Italian food (the death penalty is too kind for those who put cream in carbonara), and I must say Basilico is the real deal. I’ve yet to have a disappointing meal there, and some must tries are the Risotto alla Pugliese, Spaghetti Carbonara (do check that they’re using guanciale on the day you visit, however, as it’s sometimes substituted for pancetta due to supply issues), and Branzino Al Cartoccio. With 50% off, it’s hard to go wrong.
Love Dining benefits at Basilico apply to the a la carte menu and set menus. They do not apply to buffets nor the periodic wine dinners.
Interestingly enough, the rest of Regent Singapore’s restaurants (I’m thinking in particular of Summer Palace) have stayed on the sidelines. Perhaps Basilico is a toe-in-the-waters thing, so let’s hope management sees fit to expand Love Dining privileges sometime this year.
| Don’t hold out hope that Tenshin or Seoul will join Love Dining, as these restaurants are not managed by Regent Singapore. |
Both Fullerton and Fullerton Bay Hotel have signed up too, but between you and me, I don’t think much of my dining experiences there so far. Town Restaurant is extremely mediocre, and nothing I tried at LaBrasserie would justify its price point, even with 50% off. I have yet to try Lantern or Jade, however, and these apparently fare a bit better.
I’m very sad to see Capitol Kempinski drop off the list- its one year stint in the program was way too short. The biggest loss for me is 15 Stamford, which served up innovative and exciting twists on classics like foie gras kaya toast and laksa with onsen quail eggs and dried shrimp floss. Their grilled lobster, with its refreshingly addictive mango and cucumber salsa, was to die for.
There’s still time left for one last hurrah, as the final day for Love Dining is 14 January 2021.
Restaurants
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| FYR remains in Love Dining, but has suspended privileges on Fridays | |
Seven new restaurants join the Love Dining program in 2021, most notably Vineyard. This French-Italian restaurant is a popular venue for wedding solemnizations, thanks to its picturesque location in the midst of HortPark.
Fremantle Seafood Market and Hot Stones also join, although their inclusion is arguably less useful given you can already score 50% discounts through eatigo, while using a different credit card to earn more miles on the bill.
Out goes TWG, which despite its reputation as a tea parlour, actually does some pretty decent grub (the fish dishes, in particular). TWG did force you to order one main course and one drink to enjoy the Love Dining discount, but ultimately the Love Dining program is still poorer off without it.
Gone too is Burlamacco Ristorante, a 40-seat Italian place nestled away in Stanley Street that despite its unassuming appearance, served up high quality fare. Wine vouchers issued under the AMEX Platinum Reserve continue to be honored within their validity period, so be sure to redeem yours ASAP.
AMEX Chillax: 2021 edition
A total of 13 bars will be participating in Chillax for 2021. Promotions differ by venue, but in general you can expect 1-for-1 first drinks at most places.
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Three bars from the Pan Pacific Hotels Group join Chillax in 2021, including Atrium Lounge at the newly-reopened PARKROYAL COLLECITON Marina Bay.
Out goes the Bar at 15 Stamford (along with the rest of Capitol Kempinski, see above), Bar on 5 (Mandarin Orchard’s watering hole), and The Secret Mermaid. In limbo are Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall, Smoke & Mirrors and Gem Bar- their participation has either ended or will end soon as per the Chillax site, and it remains to be seen whether this will be extended.
Conclusion
While the AMEX Platinum cards don’t have the best earn rates out there, perks like Love Dining more than make up for it. I’d gladly take 50% off the bill over 4 mpd, any day of the week.
If you don’t already have an AMEX Platinum credit card, you can enjoy the following bonuses upon approval:
| Joining Gift & Sign-Up Bonus | |
 AMEX Platinum Credit CardApply Here |
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 AMEX Platinum ChargeApply Here |
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sadly the entire Capitol Kempinski group left. At least I had opportunity in 2020 to enjoy the benefit at different outlets there a few times.
Jade at Fullerton is okay but some will say others like Yan Ting or Sze Chuan Court or Xin Cruisine, etc are nicer/better, but then, everyone’s taste buds and perception is different.
I vaguely recall going for a corporate function at lantern a few years back and i think the food was decent. certainly better than the other fullerton F&B outlets.
In other news: SCB terminated their cooperation with Fullerton meaning X Card no longer gets 50% discount.
That was literally my only spend on the X Card in 2020. I dare them to charge the annual fee this summer.
Jade is decent.
But Yan Ting/SCDH/Golden Peony/Hai Tian Lou are better in my opinion.
Agreed though in my experience both Summer Palace(Regent) and Summer Pavilion (RC) are superior to the 4.
If my Platinum Card (the metal version) is issued by Amex UK, can I still use it for Love Dining in SG?
by right no. but depends how cued in the staff are, and i’d be interested to hear some data points.
Thanks, will share the data point if I managed to get any Love Dining benefit for using my UK Platinum Card
Was that you and the Milelioness at 15 Stamford just now? Special occasion? ๐
one last visit for our anniversary!
Thought of having one last 50% off and went TWG at Ion. According to one of the staff, they have already stopped providing 50% off for Amex Platinum cards since last month. Same with the TWG at Takashimaya. Had to pay the full price despite making a trip down. ๐
Hi Aaron, can you relink for Amex Plat. Credit Card as I’m interested to sign up via your referral but the page cannot be found. Thanks!
able to wait a week or so? they’ll be launching a new promotion that i think is very attractive.
Hello! Yes I waited for a week, do you reckon the promotion will be out soon.. I would love to sign up for the card and try for love dining ๐
starting 8 march!
Hello Aaron,
Checking back in on this Amex sign up. Tried to search through your website but it doesnโt seem to have any update on this . Is the latest promotion available for sign up now? ๐ thanks!
https://milelion.com/2021/03/08/milelion-exclusive-80000-mr-points-150-love-dining-credit-with-the-amex-platinum-credit-card/