These are exciting times for the AMEX Platinum Credit Card, the entry-level Platinum product which has long languished in the shadow of its big brother, the AMEX Platinum Charge.
In January, we saw the addition of an annual S$200 Lifestyle Credit, as well as an improved welcome offer of up to S$250 eCapitaVouchers. Now, for the CNY period, American Express is bumping up the offer to as much as S$400 eCapitaVouchers- while reducing the minimum spend!
This further bumps the value of the first year sweet spot to S$890- S$1,090, depending on whether you’re a new or existing AMEX customer. It’s an offer worth seriously considering, if you ask me.
AMEX Platinum Credit Card welcome offer
| AMEX Platinum Credit Card |
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| Apply Here | ||
| New Customers | Existing Customers | |
| Spend S$888 (All applicants) |
S$400 eCV | S$200 eCV |
| Spend a further S$112 (i.e. S$1,000 total) |
2,500 bonus MR points | 2,500 bonus MR points |
| S$327 annual fee must be paid | ||
New-to-AMEX customers
| โ Definition |
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New-to-AMEX customers are defined as those who:
For avoidance of doubt, there is no “timeout period” for a customer with a recently-cancelled card to be considered new (provided that card is not an AMEX Platinum Credit Card). All approvals are subject to internal review. The AMEX Platinum Credit Card is a distinct product from the AMEX Platinum Charge and AMEX Platinum Reserve. |
From 7-28 February 2024, new-to-AMEX customers who apply and get approved for an AMEX Platinum Credit Card, pay the S$327 annual fee and spend at least S$888 in the first month of approval (defined as the first 30 calendar days) will receive:
- S$400 eCapitaVouchers
- 1,110 base MR points (S$888 at a rate of 2 MR points per S$1.60)
Should they spend a further S$112 (i.e. S$1,000 total) in the first month of approval, they will receive a further:
- 2,500 bonus MR points
- 140 base MR points (S$112 at a rate of 2 MR points per S$1.60)
Existing AMEX customers
| โ Definition |
|
Existing AMEX customers are defined as those who:
The AMEX Platinum Credit Card is a distinct product from the AMEX Platinum Charge and AMEX Platinum Reserve. |
From 7-28 February 2024, existing AMEX customers who apply and get approved for an AMEX Platinum Credit Card, pay the S$327 annual fee and spend at least S$888 in the first month of approval (defined as the first 30 calendar days) will receive:
- S$200 eCapitaVouchers
- 1,110 base MR points (S$888 at a rate of 2 MR points per S$1.60)
Should they spend a further S$112 (i.e. S$1,000 total) in the first month of approval, they will receive a further:
- 2,500 bonus MR points
- 140 base MR points (S$112 at a rate of 2 MR points per S$1.60)
What counts as eligible spending?
The minimum spend can be met by any transaction on the principal or supplementary card except those on the AMEX exclusion list.
Some examples of ineligible spending include:
- Charitable donations
- Education
- GrabPay top-ups
- Insurance premiums (unless purchased through AMEX authorised channels)
- SPC transactions
- Utilities
CardUp spending and private hospital transactions will count towards the minimum spend.
Terms & Conditions
Maximising this offer
As I mentioned at the start of the article, the AMEX Platinum Credit Card offers an excellent first-year value proposition, whether you’re a new-to-AMEX or existing AMEX cardholder.
| ๐ณ First Year Value Proposition | ||
| New-to-AMEX | Existing | |
| Welcome Offer | S$400 + 2,500 MR points | S$200 + 2,500 MR points |
| Lifestyle Credit | S$300* | S$300* |
| Comoclub C4 Birthday Vouchers | S$390^ | S$390^ |
| Total Value | S$1,090 + 2,500 MR points | S$890 + 2,500 MR points |
| *I use S$300 as the value instead of S$200, because the credit is disbursed as S$100 each six-month period. This means you can use up to S$300 before the second year’s annual fee is due ^Each AMEX Platinum Credit Cardholder, whether principal or supplementary, receives a Comoclub C4 membership with S$130 birthday vouchers. Up to two supplementary AMEX Platinum Credit Cards are offered for free |
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New-to-AMEX and existing cardholders can look forward to S$1,090 and S$890 respectively, a significant return on the first year’s S$327 annual fee- and that’s before even factoring in the value of other benefits such as AMEX Love Dining and Chillax.
For a full rundown of maximising your first year value, refer to the post below.
Overview: AMEX Platinum Credit Card
| AMEX Platinum Credit Card |
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| Apply Here | |||
| Income Req. | Not stated* | Points Validity | No expiry |
| Annual Fee | S$327 |
Min. Transfer |
450 MR points (250 miles) |
| FCY Fee | 3.25% | Transfer Fee | None |
| Local Earn | 0.69 mpd | Points Pool? | Yes |
| FCY Earn | 0.69 mpd | Lounge Access? | No |
| Special Earn | 3.47 mpd on 10Xcelerator merchants | Airport Limo? | No |
| Cardholder Terms and Conditions *AMEX no longer publishes income requirements for any of its cards. All applications are subject to internal review |
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The AMEX Platinum Credit Card has a S$327 annual fee, which must be paid in the first year. Fee waivers in subsequent years are possible, but will come at the expense of the annual Lifestyle Credit.
Cardholders earn 2 MR points per S$1.60 spent (0.69 mpd) in Singapore or overseas, with an upsized 10 MR points per S$1.60 spent (3.47 mpd) at 10Xcelerator merchants.
Other benefits include:
- Up to 50% off dining at selected hotels and restaurants with the Love Dining programme
- 1-for-1 drinks with Chillax
- Complimentary green fees at more than 40 golf clubs in Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam
- 12-month Comoclub C4 membership
Frankly speaking, this isn’t a card you get for earning miles. Like the AMEX Platinum Charge, this is all about the benefits that come with the annual fee, so be sure you can fully utilise the perks before pulling the trigger.
Conclusion
| AMEX Platinum Credit Card |
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| Apply Here |
American Express has further upgraded the welcome offer for the AMEX Platinum Credit Card, with up to S$400 eCapitaVouchers for new sign-ups.
Together with the annual Lifestyle Credit and Comoclub C4 membership, there’s plenty to recover the first year’s S$327 annual fee, and then some.
This offer is valid for approvals by 28 February 2024, so don’t leave it till the last minute to apply.
Is the Lifestyle Credit and Comoclub C4 Birthday Vouchers only for new sign-ups? Don’t see this offered as an existing holder of the card
It’s a benefit for all cardholders
Ok, this is looking a lot more appealing now. But can someone tell me what kind of freebies I can get from Comoclub birthday vouchers?
Would paying our taxes count as eligible spend? Couldn’t locate it as an excluded spend in the list you’ve provided. Thank you for your help!
If I make a purchase that is eligible for the Lifestyle credit, does my purchase still count toward the minimum spend? So for example, I’ve spent $800 and need another $88 to make the minimum spend for the $400 Capita vouchers. I purchase $100 worth of goods at Decathlon, an eligible merchant, so now my total spend is $900. Did I reach the spend requirements for the vouchers? Or does the Lifestyle credit cancel out the $100 spend at Decathlon, therefore bringing my eligible spend back to $800?