American Express has launched a new flash deal for the AMEX Platinum Charge, which offers new cardholders a choice of 88,000 bonus MR points or S$800 statement credits, together with 2x Samsonite Choca Spinner bags.
The offer is open to both new and existing AMEX cardholders, so you’ll be eligible even if you currently hold another principal AMEX card.
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| AMEX Platinum Charge | ||
| Offer 1 | Offer 2 | |
| Welcome Offer | 88,000 bonus MR points + 2x Samsonite luggage | S$800 credits + 2x Samsonite luggage |
| Min. Spend | S$8,000 spend in 180 days |
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The S$800 statement credits alone cover just under half of the first year’s S$1,744 annual fee, so together with the two pieces of luggage, your first year of card membership will be significantly more rewarding.
However, as we’re approaching the end of the calendar year, extra caution needs to be taken as you may not have a lot of time to spend the first year’s Platinum Statement Credits. I’ll explain more about that in a moment (or click here to jump to the relevant section), but first, let’s cover the details of the offer.
AMEX Platinum Charge welcome offer
 AMEX Platinum Charge |
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| Apply | ||
| Offer 1 |
Offer 2 | |
| Pay S$1,744 Annual Fee | – | – |
| Spend S$8,000 (First 180 days) |
S$800 credits + 2x Samsonite luggage | 88,000 MR points + 2x Samsonite luggage |
| Base Points from S$8,000 (@ 2 pts/S$1.60) |
10,000 MR points | 10,000 MR points |
| Total Spend | S$8,000 | S$8,000 |
| Total Return | 10,000 MR points + S$800 credits + 2x Samsonite luggage | 98,000 MR points + 2x Samsonite luggage |
American Express is offering new-to-AMEX and existing AMEX customers a choice of two welcome offers for the AMEX Platinum Charge.
| โ ๏ธ Exclusion |
| If you cancelled a principal AMEX Platinum Charge in the past 24 months, you are not eligible for this (or any) welcome offer. |
Since the offer is the same for new-to-AMEX and existing AMEX customers, those who meet the new-to-AMEX definition should not be applying for the AMEX Platinum Charge as their first American Express card. Instead, get approved for a different card first, fulfill the welcome offer, then apply for the AMEX Platinum Charge.
Here’s a reminder of the new-to-AMEX offers on other AMEX cards.
| Card | New-to-AMEX offer | Min. Spend |
 AMEX KrisFlyer AscendApply |
36,800 bonus miles + S$50 credits | S$1,000 (in FCY) in 30 days |
 AMEX Platinum Credit CardApply |
S$350 statement credits | S$1,000 (in SGD or FCY) in 30 days |
AMEX Platinum Charge Welcome Offer 1
Customers who apply for an AMEX Platinum Charge and receive approval from 3-19 December 2024 will receive:
- S$800 statement credits
- 2x Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25
A minimum spend of S$8,000 within 180 days of approval is required, which will earn a further base reward of 10,000 MR points.
AMEX Platinum Charge Welcome Offer 2
Customers who apply for an AMEX Platinum Charge and receive approval from 3-19 December 2024 will receive:
- 88,000 bonus MR points
- 2x Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25
A minimum spend of S$8,000 within 180 days of approval is required, which will earn a further base reward of 10,000 MR points.
Which offer should you take?
When deciding between Offers 1 and 2, the choice boils down to whether you prefer S$800 statement credits or 88,000 MR points (55,000 miles).
Based on my personal value of a KrisFlyer mile, 55,000 miles are worth S$825, so it’s marginal to me- I could see arguments either way. Keep in mind that MR points can be converted to other airline and hotel programmes as well (see below), so the value would could be higher or lower depending on what you choose.
Of course, taking the statement credits provides upfront value, and assuming you can sell the 2x luggage bags (current resale price on Carousell: S$230 apiece), you’d have covered more than half of the first year’s annual fee.
What counts as qualifying spend?
Qualifying spend refers to all online and offline retail purchases, whether in Singapore dollars or foreign currency.
It excludes the following transactions:
| โ Qualifying Spend Exclusions |
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a) Charges processed and billed prior to the Enrolment Date or charges prepaid on any Card Account prior to the first billing statement for that Card Account following the Enrolment Date; |
For the avoidance of doubt, CardUp, private and non-profit hospital bills, charitable donations, education, and anything else not explicitly stated in the exclusion list will count as eligible spend. While American Express added charitable donations and education to its exclusions list on 1 October 2023, an exception was carved out for the AMEX Platinum Charge.
If you plan to use CardUp to meet the minimum spend, do note that there are certain restrictions on AMEX payments. However, there’s also a ongoing offer that reduces the admin fee to as low as 1.8%, which is a great way to meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
CardUp x AMEX promo: Buy miles from 1.36 cents, meet welcome offer minimum spend
Spending by both principal and supplementary cardholders will be combined when determining whether the minimum spend threshold has been met.
When will bonus MR points be credited?
All gifts will be awarded within 10 weeks of meeting the spend threshold.
Any questions about the crediting of bonus points should be directed to American Express.
Terms & Conditions
How does this compare to previous offers?
For the sake of comparison, here’s a summary of the recent welcome offers we’ve seen for the AMEX Platinum Charge.
New customers
| ๐ณ AMEX Platinum Charge Welcome Offers (New-to-AMEX) |
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| Date | Min. Spend | Bonus MR Points & Gifts |
| Current | S$8,000 | 88,000 + 2x Samsonite luggage or S$800 + 2x Samsonite luggage |
| 1 Oct to 2 Dec 24 | S$8,000 | 88,000 + Samsonite luggage + S$100 or Samsonite luggage + S$900 |
| 6-30 Sep 24 | S$8,000 | 131,000 + S$100 eCV |
| 24 Jul – 5 Sep 24 | S$8,000 | 131,000 |
| 1-23 Jul 24 | S$8,000 | 93,000 |
| 30 May-30 Jun 24 | S$6,000 | 132,500 |
| 9-29 May 24 | S$6,000 | 127,500 + S$350 voucher or Samsonite luggage |
| 1 Apr-8 May 24 | S$10,000 | 137,500 |
| 1-31 Mar 24 | S$6,000 | 127,500 + RC stay |
| 29 Jan – 28 Feb 24 | S$6,000 | 132,500 + S$200 voucher |
| 27 Sep 23- 28 Jan 24 | S$6,000 | 132,500 |
| 12-26 Sep 23 | S$8,000 | 60,000 + Samsonite luggage |
| 5-11 Sep 23 | S$10,000 | 100,000 |
| Spending time periods may not be the same across all offers; refer to the respective articles for the full details |
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Existing customers
| ๐ณ AMEX Platinum Charge Welcome Offers (Existing AMEX customer) |
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| Date | Min. Spend | Bonus MR Points & Gifts |
| Current | S$8,000 | 88,000 + 2x Samsonite luggage or S$800 + 2x Samsonite luggage |
| 1 Oct to 2 Dec 24 | S$8,000 | 88,000 + Samsonite luggage + S$100 or Samsonite luggage + S$900 |
| 6-30 Sep 24 | S$8,000 | 120,000 + S$100 eCV |
| 24 Jul – 5 Sep 24 | S$8,000 | 120,000 |
| 1-23 Jul 24 | S$8,000 | 93,000 |
| 30 May-30 Jun 24 | S$6,000 | 85,000 |
| 5 Apr-29 May 24 | S$6,000 | 127,500 |
| 29 Feb – 4 Apr 24 | S$6,000 | 80,000 |
| 29 Jan – 28 Feb 24 | S$6,000 | 85,000 |
| 12-26 Sep 23 | S$8,000 | 60,000 |
| 5-11 Sep 23 | S$8,000 | 60,000 |
| Spending time periods may not be the same across all offers; refer to the respective articles for the full details | ||
What can you do with Membership Rewards points?
AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders can convert MR points to airline miles or hotel points at the following rates:
| ๐ณ Membership Rewards Transfer Partners | |
| Frequent Flyer Programme | Conversion Ratio (AMEX: Partner) |
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400:250 |
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450:250* |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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400:250 |
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1,000:1,000 |
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1,000:1,250 |
| *This is the only partner with a 450:250 ratio, thought there’s little reason to transfer MR points to HighFlyer in the first place | |
Do note that AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders receive a preferential conversion rate of 400 points = 250 airline miles, compared to regular cardholders who get 450 points = 250 airline miles.
Membership Rewards points do not expire, and all conversions are free of charge.
AMEX Platinum Charge: Key benefits
AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders can enjoy benefits such as:
- S$1,354 of dining, entertainment, lifestyle, travel and fashion credits each calendar year
- COMO Club C5 membership with S$260 of annual birthday vouchers (valid for both principal and supp. cards)
- Unlimited airport lounge access for the cardholder + 1 guest
- Priority Pass Lounges
- Centurion Lounges (2 guests allowed)
- International American Express Lounges
- Delta Sky Club Lounges
- Plaza Premium Lounges
- One complimentary hotel night every membership year
- Tower Club access
- Tower Club & assorted dining vouchers
- Access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts programme, which offers perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades (subject to availability), a US$100 experience credit and guaranteed late check-out
- Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum status & Radisson Rewards Premium status
- American Express Love Dining
- American Express Chillax
- Platinum Golf privileges
The S$1,354 of statement credits are split into:
- S$150 fashion credits at Mr Porter and NET-A-PORTER (disbursed as S$75 per six-month period)
- S$200 dining credits at participating local restaurants
- S$200 dining credits at participating overseas restaurants
- S$400 lifestyle credits at participating retail partners
- S$204 entertainment credits for news or music streaming services (disbursed as S$17 per month)
- S$200 airline credits for Singapore Airlines or Scoot
For more details on how to use them, refer to this comprehensive guide.
Guide: AMEX Platinum Charge annual S$1,354 statement credits
The problem with applying towards the end of the year
Under normal circumstances, the first year of card membership is especially lucrative, because AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders can enjoy two sets of credits in their first membership year (except the entertainment credits, which are disbursed on a monthly basis), regardless of whether they choose to renew their card from the second year onwards.
However, those applying towards the end or start of the year need to take special care, because there won’t be a lot of time to spend one set of credits.
For example, suppose you’re approved on 5 December 2024. You will need to spend the following by 31 December 2024:
- S$75 fashion credits at Mr Porter and NET-A-PORTER (issued bi-annually)
- S$200 dining credits at participating local restaurants (issued annually)
- S$200 dining credits at participating overseas restaurants (issued annually)
- S$400 lifestyle credits at participating retail partners (issued annually)
- S$17 entertainment credit (issued monthly)
- S$200 airline credit (issued annually)
On 1 January 2025, you’ll receive another set of the abovementioned credits, which you then need to spend by 31 December 2025 (except for entertainment credits, which must be spent by the end of the month, and fashion credits, which must be spent by 30 June 2025).
This means that if you have no overseas travel plans for the year end, you’ll have to forfeit the S$200 overseas dining credits- unless you plan to use them in Japan. Participating restaurants in Japan use the Pocket Concierge system, which requires prepayment at the time of booking. You can therefore spend the overseas dining credits in 2024, even if you’re travelling in 2025.
The other important thing to know is that the statement credits require registration via AMEX Offers, which only populate about 5-7 days after card activation. So in our hypothetical 5 December approval example, it may be 10-12 December before you can actually spend the credits.
In short, you’ll need to decide whether this offer is worth the last-minute rush to spend your first year’s credits. And if you do want to apply, do it sooner rather than later. The more you wait, the more likely you are to miss out on some calendar year 2024 credits!
Conclusion
| AMEX Platinum Charge |
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| Apply |
The latest AMEX Platinum Charge welcome offer gives new cardholders 2x Samsonite Choca Spinner bags, plus 88,000 bonus MR points or S$800 statement credits.
The offers are the same regardless of whether you’re a new-to-AMEX or existing customer, so the former should get approved for a different AMEX card first before applying for this one, in order to take advantage of two welcome offers.
In order to get maximum value, be sure to share the AMEX Platinum Charge’s benefits with friends and family. Two supplementary cards are free for life, and enjoy perks such as Como C5 membership, complimentary lounge access, hotel elite status, Tower Club access and AMEX Love Dining & Chillax. Also be sure to sign up for an A/C card to enjoy additional AMEX offers, which can save you money or earn extra MR points.
An AMEX Platinum Charge is no small investment, so be sure to weigh the cost and benefits carefully before you apply!
