If you’ve not been a fan of the AMEX Platinum Charge’s recent welcome gifts, here’s some good news.
From 3 November 2021, American Express is adding an additional welcome gift option of 35,000 MR points. This will be offered as an alternative to the existing OTO Quantum Advanced Full Body Massage chair.
| ๐ณ Previous Platinum Charge Welcome Gifts |
|
However, it’s important to note that this isn’t the most generous welcome gift we’ve seen for the AMEX Platinum Charge- from September 2020 to March 2021, new cardholders received a welcome gift of 75,000 MR points.
AMEX Platinum Charge 35,000 MR points welcome gift
 |
| Apply Here |
To be eligible for the welcome gift, cardholders must apply and receive approval for the AMEX Platinum Charge between 3 November 2021 and 31 January 2022.
The full annual fee of S$1,712 must be paid in the first statement, and cardholders must not have cancelled an AMEX Platinum Charge in the past 6 months. It’s fine if they hold or held other AMEX cards however (including the Platinum Credit Card or Platinum Reserve), since there’s no “new customer” requirement.
The applicant will receive a call from AMEX to indicate their choice of reward approximately 8 weeks after their card is approved and the annual fee is paid:
- Option 1: 35,000 MR points
- Option 2: OTO Quantum Advanced Full Body Massage Chair
Applicants who apply through The Milelion will receive a further gift of 40,000 MR points (aka MGM bonus) with a minimum spend of S$5,000 in the first 3 months. If they spend an additional S$15,000 (i.e. S$20,000 total), they will receive a further bonus of 75,000 MR points.
| Welcome Gift | MGM Bonus* | Sign-up Bonus | |
| Spending | Pay annual fee | S$5K in first 3 months | S$20K in first 6 months |
| Reward | 35,000 MR points or OTO Quantum | 40,000 MR points | 75,000 MR points |
| *The MGM bonus of 40,000 MR points also applies to existing American Express cardholders | |||
| โ ๏ธ 35,000 points or 75,000 points? |
|
This makes it seem as if you must spend S$5,000 to receive anything, but that’s not correct. You will receive 35,000 MR points or an OTO Quanum upon paying the S$1,712 annual fee, with no card spending required. Spending S$5,000 in the first 3 months is to trigger a further 40,000 MR points, which is how you derive options (a) and (b). |
American Express presents the offer slightly differently on their website, which may cause some confusion. They state the choices as (a) 40,000 MR points + OTO Quantum, or (b) 75,000 MR points, both of which require a min. spend of S$5,000 in the first 3 months. In other words, new cardholders who spend S$20,000 in the first 6 months will receive:
- 35,000 MR points or OTO Quantum (welcome gift)
- 40,000 MR points (MGM bonus for signing up via Milelion)
- 75,000 MR points (sign-up bonus)
- 25,000 MR points (base points @ 2 MR per S$1.60)
That’s a total haul of 175,000 MR points, equivalent to 109,375 miles with any of American Express’ transfer partners (remember- AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders can convert MR points to miles at 400:250, versus 450:250 for other Platinum cards).
Cardholders will also receive a S$350 dining credit that can be spent at over 1,000 restaurants worldwide, including 1-Altitude, JAAN, Les Amis, Odette and Alkaff Mansion.
Which gift should you take?
35,000 MR points are equal to 21,875 miles, which assuming a value of 1.8 cents per mile comes up to just under S$400.
In contrast, an OTO Quantum Massage Chair has a retail price of S$3,480, although if your intention is to resell it, the going rate for a brand new unit on Carousell is around S$1,000. If you’re confident in your ability to drive a bargain, perhaps the massage chair would be the better choice.
Conclusion
|
| Apply here |
American Express is offering new AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders 35,000 MR points as an alternative welcome gift. While it’s good to have more options, it’s notably less generous than the 75,000 MR points offer we saw in late 2020.
For further reading, do check out the review of my latest year with the AMEX Platinum Charge, as well as some new uses for the S$400 air credit.
Does the full 175,000 MR haul also applicable to those who previously had (but cancelled) the Plat Charge card?
+1. I did referral before, but cancelled 4 months back. I’m looking to renew again soon, so can I get the MGM bonuses? Understood on the 6 months for the advertised sign up bonus.
Can a person get the referral offer twice?
Anyone giving up waiting and just applying? Which offer will you choose?
Still waiting for 75K MR Points
Might be a stupid question, but would there be a reason for me NOT to get this card with welcome bonus of 140K miles, which almost amounts to a return flight in Business Class to Europe? I read your article on renewing, and I understand that’s a more contentious topic, but combined with the Travel & Lodging credit this seems almost impossible to pass on?
You have to spend 20k. And the previous offer in 2020 gave 190k with the same spend.
Sorry 215k
Any new sign up promo for Dec 2021?
So what’s the offer after 31st Jan? No point selling it on carousell if there is no takers
Hey Aaron, is there a CSO that you can recommend to speak to if I’m under the 200k mark? I thought I read it somewhere but can’t seem to the find article anymore.
You can apply online so long as your income is at least 150k! Don’t need cso intervention
Does it have to be pure base >150k? What if the total OTE is >150k but 10% of it is made up of a variable quarterly bonus?
Also, I’m assuming the amount has to be reflected in the past 3 months’ statements, or would it work if I’ve only crossed the mark starting this month (company’s letter to show the total amount)?
Hi,
if I have an Amex kf ascend card, which card should I use to buy air tickets if I also have the platinum charge card? Abit confusing.
I read the terms and conditions. It says the promotion period is until 31 Jan 2022? Where does it say until 31 mar 2022?
you may be looking at an old or cached version of T&C. try looking in incognito.
Realised that when I click through your ‘apply’ link it shows an older page with outdated T&Cs. But directly go to the website and it shows the correct 31 Mar 2022 date
I have asked amex to update the t and c, thanks
hello, its a pity they extended the OTO massage chair till 31 Mar. Almost flipped as i was waiting eagerly to see what new gift there will be.
On top of that, i think the welcome gift has completely changed when i clicked on your link.
Another thing to note here is that if yo spend at preferred partners, the 20x points will be capped at 16K of spend.
Guess i will rough it out and wait for 1 April…
i’m checking what happened here. i was not informed about the MGM getting cut but yes, i can see it now shows as 20k points.
any word about the next welcome offer for april?
Amex site still shows the offer valid till 31 Mar 2022 on 1 Apr. Hope they update soon. Hoping for more MR points or Hotel stays as before.
They were supposed to roll out a new offer on 1 April but there are technical issues. I’ve been told that anyone who applies now will still get the old offer (the one labelled valid till 31 Mar). New offer will be live next week. What I can say is that it’s not a massage chair…