AMEX Platinum Charge members in Singapore enjoy elite status with several hotel chains, one of which is Shangri-La. Cardholders receive instant Golden Circle Jade status, so long as their card is active.
Or should I say, “received”. There have been rumours that the benefit may not be long for this world, after Platinum Charge members in Germany, Hong Kong and Australia lost theirs.
Unfortunately, it looks like Singapore will be next in line. As per an American Express spokesperson I reached out to:
“Effective 1 April 2021, Shangri-La’s Golden Circle Jade Membership will no longer be a benefit for Platinum Members in Singapore.
Eligible Platinum Members who have enrolled in the benefit by 31 March 2021 will continue to receive their membership benefits in line with the expiry date outlined within the membership page on https://www.shangri-la.com/en/corporate/golden-circle/. We will focus on our continued partnership with Shangri-La and their properties as part of our Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection program.”
tl;dr: if you haven’t registered for your Golden Circle Jade upgrade yet, there’s no time like the present. You’ll receive Jade benefits for the rest of 2021, as well as 2022.
| This is based on the principle that you “qualified” for Jade in 2021, so you have 1-31 December 2022 to “requalify” for Jade membership in 2023 |
If you’ve already claimed your Jade status upgrade before 2021, you’ll enjoy it all the way until 31 December 2021.
What are the benefits of Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade?
Golden Circle Jade status usually requires 20 nights or 10 stays within a calendar year. The main benefit is the free breakfast and room upgrades, although you also earn 25% more GC points than a base member.
| Jade | Diamond | |
| Priority check-in/out | ✅ | |
| Priority check-in/out at Club Lounge | ✅ | |
| Free breakfast in restaurant | ✅ | |
| Free breakfast in restaurant/ lounge | ✅ | |
| Room upgrade* | ✅ | ✅ |
| Club Lounge access | ✅ | |
| Concierge services for non-staying guests | ✅ | |
| Guaranteed room availability | ✅ | ✅ |
| 11 a.m check-in, 4 p.m check-out* | ✅ | |
| 8 a.m check-in, 6 p.m check-out* | ✅ | |
| Free suit pressing | ✅ | |
| Free use of selected resort facilities | ✅ | |
| Bonus GC Award Points | ✅ | ✅ |
| *Subject to availability | ||
The loss of Jade status also means no more enhanced rates on F&B redemptions. Shangri-La allows Golden Circle members to redeem points for F&B credit at Shangri-La and JEN hotels worldwide. The rate is usually 10 GC points= US$1, but Jade and Diamond members enjoy 25% more value.
| Gold | Jade | Diamond | |
| Value per 10 GC points | US$1 | US$1.25 | US$1.25 |
| Shangri-La offers two different redemption options for F&B credit. The first is a fixed value certificate of US$50/$100 for 500/1,000 points. The second is through The Table, which lets you spend points at US$1 (or US$1.25 for Jade/Diamond) per 10 points. The latter is obviously much more flexible, and offers better value to Jade/Diamond members. |
No more KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast track
One of the lesser-known benefits of Golden Circle Jade is a fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold. Thanks to the Infinite Journeys partnership, Jade members can register and get instant KrisFlyer Elite Silver status. By completing three flights within four months of registration, they will be upgraded to Elite Gold. A “flight” refers to every time you set foot on a plane, so one and a half round-trips would do it.
Again, it’s not too late. Existing Golden Circle Jade members will be able to apply for the fast track offer any time up till their membership expires. The bigger problem is figuring out when international travel will open up again.
No more Taj InnerCircle match
An even lesser-known benefit was the opportunity to match Golden Circle status to Taj’s InnerCircle program under the Warmer Welcomes partnership. Golden Circle Jade matches to Taj InnerCircle Gold, which doesn’t offer all that much to be fair:
- Late check-out
- Early check-in
- 2 upgrade vouchers
- 15% discount on room redemption rate
Nonetheless, the benefit could still come in handy on the off chance you visited a Taj property. The majority of the footprint is within India, although there are also hotels in Cape Town, Dubai, London, The Maldives and San Francisco.
Conclusion
The loss of Golden Circle Jade for Platinum Charge members should also mean that Centurion members lose Golden Circle Diamond. I’m getting official confirmation on this, although I wouldn’t hold my breath.
It remains to be seen what benefit American Express rolls out to replace Golden Circle status; I certainly hope ASR Platinum wasn’t meant to be it, because that’s underwhelming with a capital U.
How big a loss is Golden Circle Jade to you?
I am surprised to see this change unless I see AMEX throw out other benefits which can be used in this extreme period of time to replace golden circle… will you still renew the card in next anniversary day?
i take it year by year so we’ll have to see, but the pain points are piling up- conversion of 4 x $50 st regis vouchers to 4 x $50 “not quite” vouchers (capped at 1 per visit, must be min 2 people, no LD to stack), loss of the free spa treatments, the way they’re handling the $800 travel credit…
let’s see if they pull something out of the hat a la double points/statement credits or $500 groceries credit again.
I really like the programme. I qualified under a long term stay through corporate previously, but am considering actively maintaining it to qualify again for 2022, based on how my second Valley Wing experience is like. My partner is slowly coming round to the idea of Shangri-la only staycations. Service standards aside (excellent in my limited experience in both SG and LN), if you use the points only for F&B, I think Jade members effectively get a fairly generous ~15% or so rebate on their base room rates, assuming the USDSGD rates are similar at the point that you earn… Read more »
I converted so many Kris flyer miles from the bank to my Kris flyer account, coz I tot I could still convert to golden circular for Dinning at worst, what now🤣
well you still can until the end of the year- time to feast!
GHA Platinum or Black would be a worthy replacement
If I got Jade status in 2020 through the platinum card and I continue to hold the platinum card in 2021, doesn’t that mean the status will end in 2022?
I assume this loss of Shangri-La Jade impacts all Amex Platinum cards, regardless of where they have been issued?
On a side note – I really enjoyed Taj Innercircle Gold Status. The 2 upgrade vouchers you refer to are 2 Complimentary Taj Club room upgrade vouchers. On top of that you get 20 complimentary room upgrade vouchers to next level from room booked (upto standard suite)! I got a fantastic double upgrade at the all suite property – Taj Falaknuma. It’s easily one of the most luxurious experiences one can have.
it appears the change is global, yes.
thanks for sharing on taj innercircle. Their maldives resorts look pretty sweet, perhaps one day…
This was a main reason why I got this card, my renewal is due so I think is the end of my platinum membership.
No big lost for me as I have redeemed most of my GC points ever since my company switched to Accor, and I further enhanced it by signing up AccorPlus. Just that it’s now difficult to continue to maintain the Elite Platinum status given the current condition.
I also hold a Radission Platinum, so Gold is not very useful for now.
Hilton Gold is the only useful one and Marriott is just a bonus.
Will be nice if they can replace it with GHA Black. lol
Haven’t stayed in Shangri-La much except 2 times overseas but always a wonderful experience. Don’t quite have enough GC points to redeem 1 night and no travel in near future.
GHA Black would be fantastic but if there is a tie up, probably be GHA Platinum for Amex Plat members (with GHA Black for Black Centurion holders). But then, Amex Spore just lost Capitol Kempinski eateries from Love Dining program which makes me wonder…
But I feel AMEX should do a better job securing better deals and benefits for members during this pandemic now from hotels, airlines and other providers.
Hi Aaron I am thinking of signing up for the charge card despite the COVID situation as I plan to charge an upcoming online insurance fee of $28k. Any idea if this will qualify as the first $20k spend – ie qualify for 215,000 MR points? Also, AMEX website doesn’t mention about the free 1 night hotel stay – does it mean no more? I have been trying to piece together all your previous articles on the charge card to determine if it would be worth it to sign up for the card – “wished” it was all listed in… Read more »
thanks for pointing that out! i have updated the sign up bonus page info to reflect the latest.
amex no longer counts insurance payments sadly. there is still a free 1 night hotel stay, you will get it in welcome pack.