AmEx Platinum Edge Vs Platinum Reserve

Lmtfranklin on 20/07/2015 - 09:18

Hi

I recently received an offer from Amex to upgrade my CPA no annual fee gold card with rewards to Amex platinum reserve CC. The annual fee of $295 is waived for the first year and 15000 points. The card allows domestic and international travel insurance, annual flights including Sydney to queens town, Perth, Christchurch, Uluru etc. however the downside is points earning which is different from platinum edge. No 3x points for supermarkets. My offer for platinum edge is $149 pa with no annual fee waiver. Which is a better one platinum edge or the above platinum reserve?

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Comments

  • ninjawarrior on 20/07/2015 - 10:25

    Depends a lot on what you think you'll be spending on.

    I've got a Platinum Reserve through Law Society and I've just redeemed my return flight to Queenstown this weekend.

    I'm still living with parents so not a lot of grocery and supermarket spending and the Reserve is much better for me. I eat out with friends at restaurants a lot, which rakes in 3x bonus points I wouldn't earn on the Edge.

    For me, the extra $150 annual fee easily off set by the NZ flight and my spending habits but YMMV.

    My general advice is if you're at home you'd probably spend more on food and travel so get the Reserve. If you're living out, better to get the Edge.

  • jlien on 20/07/2015 - 11:08
    +2

    In this scenario, take the platinum reserve. Hands down.

    Even if the points stucture is not as good on the reserve, it's unlikely you will spend enough at supermarkets or petrol stations within the year to offset the benefits with the extra points on the edge.

    In a year's time, then reconsider if the reserve is right for you and if not, downgrade. You'll be better off overall.

    • mtfranklin on 20/07/2015 - 12:16

      Thanks for the replies. I know the deal is better for Reserve at this stage. I will make an application to upgrade.

      Given the more options for return flights with the Reserve, any reason as to why people prefer the platinum edge to the Reserve (at Ozbargain wiki)? Is the points earn at supermarkets and service stations the only reason? I don't use CC's in supermarket as I buy gift cards from work and they don't accept Amex(usually 5% off wish cards and Coles). The wish card is also used at Woolworths service stations.

      I understand that the Reserve isn't available to all through the website, but I believe it can still be obtained (by the public) through CPA or other professional society websites that doesn't require membership logins to access the benefit page.

      Is the annual fee of $295 of Reserve vs $149 for the Edge is main deal breaker?

      • jlien on 20/07/2015 - 14:32
        +1

        Generally yes, most people prefer the edge as it's cheaper and the flight options are almost as good.
        The point structure is also much better on the edge, most people spend far more on groceries and petrol in a year than they would on restaurants.

  • stevoplaystation on 01/10/2015 - 21:26

    Reserve also includes Priority pass complimentary which you can use overseas for lounge which really pays itself.

    I'd get both to be honest to get the best in both worlds.

  • lilkid28 on 02/10/2015 - 14:28

    A different Amex card.. but also received an email invite offer to upgrade my DJ Amex to DJ Amex Platinum, which gives bonus 50k points or 37.5k QFF points depending on program chosen.

    Upgrading link brings me to Amex application page. My question is: Does making this upgrade application lead to another credit check and impact credit score afterwards? Reason is my credit score is pretty low, still recovering from last year's couple of applications.

  • coolsteps on 01/06/2016 - 17:00

    yes it does

  • alchew on 10/12/2017 - 13:23

    I have both the platinum reserve and the platinum edge
    You can actually link both of the cards to qantas direct as you can link your existing amex cards to the rewards program of your most premium amex card.
    This means that at the moment, I am earning 3 qantas points per dollar spent at Supermarkets, 2 qantas points per dollar spent at petrol stations by using my edge card.
    Then I earn 3 qantas points per dollar spent at restaurants and on qantas services, and 2 points per dollar spent on flights/ accommodation/ other travel expenses using my reserve card.
    $400 travel credit for the reserve card for $295 annual fee and $200 travel credit for the edge $145 annual fee.

    • LemonShapedRock on 11/12/2017 - 20:11

      Is the Platinum Reserve on the Ascent Premium program? Is that why you can transfer to Qantas? I thought the Plat Reserve was on the Ascent program.

      Unless I've misread.

      • alchew on 12/12/2017 - 10:13

        The platinum reserve can be enrolled into either of the 2 programs (ascent or Qantas). The platinum edge can only be enrolled in ascent usually.

        • MathNerd on 12/12/2017 - 14:34
          +1

          When you say "Qantas", do you literally mean that every point gets swept to your QFF account or do you actually mean "Ascent Premium", where Qantas is a transfer partner? As far as I'm aware, the only AmEx cards that earn directly to QFF are the Ultimate, Premium and Discovery cards.

        • alchew on 12/12/2017 - 17:23

          @MathNerd: I mean that literally every point gets swept straight to my QFF account, i don't do manual transfers. This happens for both my amex reserve and platinum edge card. They do not offer new applications on the amex reserve card unfortunately, so this is why i'll never give that card up otherwise i'll lose this perk. If i cancel my amex reserve card, my platinum edge will no longer be able to be enrolled in the qantas direct and i will go back to only earning ascent points

        • MathNerd on 12/12/2017 - 17:56

          @alchew: Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard of a non-Qantas branded AmEx card sweep points directly to QFF. Looks like you've got quite a unique setup going on here!

        • grasstown on 14/12/2017 - 08:19

          @alchew: I have the reserve enrolled in ascent. Not sure I can now enrol in Qantas but will check it out. What are main ascent benefits we forfeit? Do you still get cashbacks offers? Obviously you wouldn't get MR bonus offers. Do you have a link to the enrolment details? I also assumed you do not get the travel credit. I recall not be eligible for the free flight if enrolled in Qantas

        • alchew on 14/12/2017 - 13:05
          +1

          @grasstown: I don't believe there are any ascent benefits that you forfeit, I still get the usual cashback offers, but not the MR bonus offers. There is no link to the enrolment, it is done over the phone i believe you can change it from one to the other up to once a year.
          I also do get the travel credit of $400 every year and I did get the free virgin flght earlier this year despite being enrolled in qantas.

        • grasstown on 14/12/2017 - 21:41

          @alchew: thanks for the full answer. Will check it out sounds too good to be true

        • FirstWizard on 22/05/2018 - 11:40

          @alchew:

          :O I thought when they switched to $400 travel credit they stopped the free flight (With platinum reserve).
          Do we still get both?

        • FirstWizard on 22/05/2018 - 13:26

          @grasstown: Have you managed to get it enrolled in Qantas?

  • bt91 on 31/01/2018 - 06:45

    Can anyone confirm the Platinum Reserve is still available? Specifically looking at the Platinum Charge to then have reserve as companion card for $700 travel credit - but the reserve no longer appears on the Amex site.

      • bt91 on 31/01/2018 - 11:18
        +1

        Beauty, thanks!

    • donbot on 22/05/2018 - 14:12

      As a further data point to the poster above:

      • $400 Travel credit is each 12months you hold it (eg. Day 1 & Day 366, etc)
      • Dont need to hold Plat Charge to KEEP this card (must have it to obtain in first place). Annual fee applies of $395 from memory.
      • 3pts/dollar on restaurant spend
      • Reverts to Ascent Program
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