Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits: a comparison between 2021 vs 2020 benefits from American Express

This is a review of the Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits, and a comparison of the perks offered between 2021 vs 2020.

Platinum Charge Card: short backstory

It’s been over a year since I’ve used the Amex Platinum Charge card. Over the past year, I’ve gotten a massive use out of it; the Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits included massive hotel and dining perks, complimentary membership at Tower Club and Nook by Platinum, complimentary spa treatments, and a host of other goodies

In a previous blog post, I extensively reviewed whether the Amex Platinum Charge card benefits are worth the SGD 1712 annual fee.

In a nutshell, yes, I personally felt that it was worth the cost. The annual fee was paid and the card renewed for another year.

I’m looking forward to another year of the card’s benefits, so here’s the comparison of how the perks of 2021 compared to that of  2020.

Note: this is a comparison post of 2020 vs 2021. To read a summary of the latest Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits (as of November 2021), please check out this link instead.

Hotel Benefits Comparisons

Amex Platinum Chard Card Benefits 2021: Hotel Voucher for One Night Complimentary Stay. Choose from a list of reputable properties – both in Singapore and across Asia

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits 2021: Special weekend rate at Swissotel the Stamford Singapore (hotel voucher)

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits for both 2020 and 2021: Complimentary room upgrade at Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel the Stamford, or Swissotel Merchant Court (x5 vouchers)

Thoughts on Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits: Hotels

Plus points: Amex has expanded the complimentary 2D1N hotel stay options. While the W hotel Singapore is no longer a participating property, the possibilites for local Singapore redeptions have expanded to include: The St. Regis Singapore, the Ritz Carlton Millenia, the Fullerton Hotel Singapore, and Mandarin Oriental Singapore. All 2D1N redemptions include breakfasts for up to x2 Adults – EXCEPT for the Ritz Carlton Millenia, which does not include breakfast.

FHR (Fine Hotels and Resorts Rates) are also pretty sweet – and my family has used it once to stay at Shangri-La Singapore.

Similarties: The entire voucher package for Fairmont Singapore, for Swissotel the Stamford, and Swissotel merchant Court remain unchanged.

Likewise to the Complimentary 3D2N stay at participating Frasers Hospitality properties worldwide. Note: this is actually a benefit of the Platinum RESERVE card. However, with the Amex Platinum Charge Card, the moment one pays the annual fee of S$1712, all other credit cards have their annual fee waived. As I do not pay the annual fee of S$535 for the Platinum Reserve card, the hotel voucher was a nice complimentary add-on. 

Differences: In terms of Hotel status – Shangri la’s Golden circle has left, but it is replaced by DISCOVERY hotels instead. As for the S$400 hotel credits – I’m classifying it as a ‘difference’ as for most of 2020, the S$400 hotel credits was only for overseas usage, but halfway through the COVID19 pandemic, Amex announced that it can be used for local hotels / combined with FHR benefits. So while technically the same amount, the terms and conditions for it’s USAGE can greatly differ. 

I was fortunate in the sense that my family and I could use the S$400 credits locally (we caught it at a good timing), and we used it to offset a stay at the Fullerton Hotel Singapore.

Minus points: The only real bummer – would be that a stay at Capella doesn’t come with renewal of the card. However, that is somewhat understandable, as the stay at Capella was technically a welcome gift for new Platinum Charge card members. 

Plus, as a word of caution: Welcome gifts are very subjected to change by American Express. For example, in September 2021, the welcome gift is actually an Omni Desk.

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits for both 2020 and 2021: S$400 lodging credit at participating hotels. Book via Amex travel concierge or the Amex Travel website.

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 140,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 62,500 Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 35, 000 Krisflyer miles when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

Dining Benefits Comparisons

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits 2021: SGD 50 voucher at Jaan by Kirk Westaway (x2)

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits 2021: SGD 50 voucher at Violet Oon Singapore (x2)

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefit 2021: 25% off English Afternoon High Tea for 2 to 5 Adults at Lobbe Lounge, Marriott Cafe

Thoughts on Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits: Dining

Similarties: Can I say that the more things change the more they stay the same? Honestly, any amendments to Dining benefits were almost negligible – the exit of some dining parters were replaced by the coming of others. Generally, even with the slight rotation in dining establishments, card holders could enjoy the similar extent of the Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits for food and drink. The vouchers – for both Tower Club dining and at a number of hotels, were also nearly identical (except for the one for Afternoon Tea at Marriott hotel).

Hence, I’ll focus on what I consider the biggest Minus and Plus points respectively.

Minus point: The biggest change is the S$200 dining vouchers. In 2020, the S$200 vouchers – S$50 x 4 pieces – were for St. Regis Singapore. Patrons could use as many vouchers as they liked, AND on top of it, combine the usage of vouchers with Love Dining benefits. Personally, my family and I used it to dine at Brasserie Les Saveurs, and it’s one of our favourite restaurants to date.

However, for 2021, the S$200 was split into S$50 x2 for Violet Oon Singapore, and S$50 x 2 for Jaan by Kirk Westaway. However, unlike 2020, a maximum of ONE voucher could be used per visit. This is considered okay for Violet Oon, whose prices are lower and a $50 bill offset can be very significant. However, Jaan by Kirk Westaway can have exorbitant prices – with set meals being over S$150 to S$250 depending on the season. I imagine that many will forgo trying to use the voucher just because you will need to pay so much upfront anyway even with a voucher. However if you are willing to pay the price, it is a super awesome place to go (read reviews here!).

Plus points: The addition of several Hotels to the Love Dining programme – Fullerton, Fullerton Bay, and Regent Singapore – would be the main highlight of 2021.

To date, I’ve reviewed Basilico (Regent Singapore) twice – once for the a la carte menu, and once for the set lunch – and both reviews were rather positive.

Generally, among all the Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits, the Love Dining benefits rank as my favourite one. I’ve written about so many places I’ve practically lost count – check out the list below to see ALL the Love Dining Hotels and Restaurants that’s been reviewed on this blog.

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 140,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 62,500 Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 35, 000 Krisflyer miles when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

Travel Benefits Comparisons

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits for both 2021 and 2020: S$400 worth of Air Travel Credits

Thoughts on Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits: Travel

Travel? What Travel?: With the COVID19 Pandemic, all travel plans came to a halt, and all the benefits in this category were pretty much unutilised. Sigh.

Many card holders abandoned the travel benefits altogether, which was a real pity – especially for the unlimited Airport lounge usage or the IAP (Special/Discounted airfares on Business and First class flights. Participating airlines include: Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates). 

In 2020, in an attempt to give everyone an alternative usage of the S$400 travel credits, a few rather poor options were rolled out – the milelion has written an excellent article on that. 

For 2021 – the alternative Travel Credit usage options are much better: these include spa treatments, credits for Mandarin oriental, and discounts at Challenger for purchase of either a new iphone13 or Samsung Galaxy Z fold 3. The full details are found on the American Express website right here.

Spa Benefits Comparisons

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits for 2021: $100 off at Adeva Spa  (minimum spend: S$180)

Thoughts on Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits: Spa Treatments

Similarities: General discounts on a la carte spa treatments remain unchanged across all three spas. 

Differences: I was almost inclined to label this a Minus point, but hear me out. In 2020, there were a total of THREE (one at each location) complimentary spa sessions dished out as Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits. 

However, in 2021, there are no complimentary spa treatments – just a bunch of discount vouchers provided a minimum qualifying spend is met.

Here’s the thing – the 2020 treatments were FIXED – so while complimentary, patrons did not have a choice of what they might like to do at a spa. For 2021, there is at least a choice of a la carte spa treatment to choose from, but patrons would have to fork out a little on their own as well. 

Whether you find this a Plus or Minus point, i suspect, will depend on what you value – free spa treatments that are fixed VS cheaper spa treatments that’s for your pick. 

Full details of spa benefits are found on the American Express website right here. 

Amex Platinum Charge Card Benefits for 2021: $100 off at Spa Rael (minimum spend: S$180)

Some Personal Thoughts

There is no doubt that I love the Amex Platinum Charge Card benefits. I’ve used the card extensively – there are benefits that I’ve been unable to put an exact value here, namely

(i) Supplementary card holders: I’ve got x2 of them, and these two people get to enjoy the card benefits as well.

(ii) Experience is intangible. Countless precious memories were had with family. Be it going for a weekend getaway in a hotel, or enjoying a meal while Love Dining – how can one put a value on that? I remember the joy and fun we enjoy as a family on staycation, and the conversations over many lunches with the husband… Ultimately, no matter what the credit card perks, the personal experiences were the most valuable. And for that, I am very grateful to American Express for creating the Platinum Charge Card and making all this possible. 

The past year was unusual due to the lack of travel (I used to travel a lot for both personal and professional reasons). However, as the year comes closer and closer to the end, looking forward,  it looks like Singapore and the rest of the world is slowly but surely opening up for more travel opportunities.

While I definitely hope to use the travel benefits in the near future, what I REALLY am looking forward to, is the chance to make more new wonderful memories through travel. 

If you’ve actually read this far, thank you so much Dear Reader, for staying with me. Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful time towards the end of the year, and stay safe to all.

Maybe I’ll get some wine sometime 2021 – 2022. Voucher for Complimentary Cake or Bottle of Wine at Participating locations in Fairmont, Swissotel the Stamford, or Swissotel Merchant Court

Image Source: American Express

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 140,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 62,500 Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 35, 000 Krisflyer miles when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

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