Platinum Charge Card by American Express: summary of Amex benefits as of late 2021

Above Image Source: American Express Singapore

New 2023 update!

Hello Everyone! The current article here describes the Amex Platinum Charge Card’s benefits as of late 2021. For the most updated version (February 2023), please check out this link instead!

PLATINUM CHARGE CARD BENEFITS: BACKSTORY

In mid 2020, I wrote two blog enteries abou tthe Platinum Charge Card

(i) a very extensive post about the American Express Platinum Charge card benefits and

(ii) a quick and dirty summary version of (i).

After using the Amex Platinum Charge Card for over a year, I also chronicled my thoughts on whether the card is worth the SGD 1712 annual fee.

However, since mid-2020, there’s been some changes to the benefits – I’ve outlined the 2020 vs 2021 Platinum Charge Card changes in this other comparison post (click to read more).

This blog entry will focus SOLEY on the benefits of the American Express Platinum Charge Card benefits, as of November 2021.

BENEFITS: FOOD AND DRINK

1) Extensive Dining Vouchers

Upon annual fee Amex Platinum Charge Card holders would receive the following vouchers, also on an annual basis.

SGD 50 dining voucher for Violet Oon Singapore (x2 pieces) 

• S$100 vouchers at Jaan by Kirk Westaway (S$50 each, x2) – limited to one voucher per visit, no minimum spend required
• S$100 at Violet Oon Singapore (S$50 each, x2) – limited to one voucher per visit, no minimum spend required
• S$100 voucher for Tower Club Singapore
• 50% off 8-10 Adults at either Asian Market Cafe (Fairmont), Clove (Swissotel the Stamford), or Ellenborough Market Cafe (Swissotel Merchant Court)
• Complimentary cake / bottle of wine at participating restaurants at Fairmont, Swissotel the Stamford, or Swissotel Merchant Court (x2) – Previously, I’ve personally redeemed cake from Prego and Mikuni
• 25% off Marriott Cafe’s English Afternoon High Tea Set for 2-5 persons (Mon to Fri)
• $50 off at participating restaurants at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel (minimum spend $100)
• Complimentary bottle of house wine with 4 paying adults for buffet lunch / dinner at Marriott Cafe.

SGD 50 dining voucher for JAAN by Kirk Westaway (x2 pieces)

2) Chillax! By American Express

Chillax features perks such as huge discounts or 1-for-1 Drinks – I’m not a big drinker, but this is pretty cool for those who love to wind down with a good drink after work. Especially if you’re in the Orchard or Central Business District areas.

See full list of participating drinking places here.

3) Love Dining Benefits

Similar to 2020, American Express Platinum Charge Card holders get to enjoy huge discounts (Up to 50% off!) when dining in participating restaurants and hotels. Places include: St. Regis Singapore, Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel the stamford, Regent Singapore, and other distinguished dining venues.

Check out my Hotel Dining Guide and Restaurant Dining Guide here:

American Express Platinum Charge Card (Image source: American Express)

Want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points, vouchers and / or Krisflyer miles:

• 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. 

TRAVEL BENEFITS: HOTELS / FLIGHT

1) Complimentary 2D1N stay at a reputable hotel

Voucher: Complimentary One Night’s Stay at a list of selected properties

Participating hotel establishments include one of the following places:

• The St. Regis Singapore (Executive Deluxe room, breakfast included)
• The Ritz Carlton Millenia, Singapore (Deluxe Kallang Room, no breakfast)
• Fullerton Hotel Singapore (Premier Courtyard Room, breakfast included)
• Mandarin Oriental Singapore (Deluxe Room, Ocean View, breakfast included)
• Other Overseas locations across  Mandarin Oriental Properties (e.g. Bangkok, Jakarta), Banyan Tree Properties (e.g. Yangshuo, Kuala Lumpur), Angsana hotels (e.g. Phuket, Vietnam, Laos)

2) Vouchers: Discounts / Room upgrades at Fairmont, Swissotel Merchant Court

Vouchers include the following:

• Complimentary Room Upgrade Vouchers for Fairmont Singapore, and Swissotel the Stamford, and Swissotel Merchant Court (x5)
• Special Weekend Rate voucher at Swissotel Merchant Court:  SGD 230 / night
• Special Weekend Rate voucher at Swissotel the Stamford: SGD 250 / night
• Special Weekend Rate voucher at Fairmont Singapore: SGD 270 / night

Voucher: Complimentary Room Upgrade at Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel the Stamford, Swissotel Merchart Court (x5 pieces)

3) Elite Hotel Statuses

Amex Platinum Charge Card holders receive Elite Hotel Statuses in the following hotel membership programmes:

• Marriott Bonvoy – Gold Elite Status
• Radisson Rewards: Gold Status
• Hilton Honors – Gold Status
• DISCOVERY – Platinum Status

4) Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR)

Booking at participating hotels includes these benefits:

• • Complimentary breakfast for two daily
  • Room upgrade at check-in, subject to availability
  • 12pm check-in, subject to availability
  • 4pm late check-out gauranteed
  • Hotel credits: USD 100, use during stay for spa / dining
  • Bonus: FHR benefits can combine with benefits of hotel loyalty programmes.

To enjoy these benefits, book them online via the Amex Travel website.

I’ve used these benefits for a stay at Shangri-la Singapore – check out the details of the staycation over here

5) $800 worth of Travel Credits

 Platinum Charge Card holders receive:

• S$400 Air Travel Credits – Can be used on IAP (International Airline Programme) rates
• S$400 Lodging Credits – As of July 2021, and at the time of writing, the S$400 Lodging credits can be combined with FHR Benefits or other hotel bookings made via the Amex Travel website. Benefits can also be redeemed by calling the Platinum Travel concierge.

(Note: I’ve used my S$400 Lodging Credits on a staycation at Fullerton Singapore – so I can confirm that it’s legitimate)

S$400 in Hotel Lodging Credits

6) IAP: International Airline Programme

Platinum Charge Card holders receive:

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.

S$400 in Travel Credits

7) Unlimited visits to Airport Lounge

For both the cardholder and one guest.

Amex Platinum Charge card holders receive a complimentary unlimited Priority Pass membership – for both the principal card holder and ONE supplmentary card holder.

Lounge programs and partners include:

• The Centurion Lounge
• International American Express Lounges
• Priority Pass
• Delta SkyClub
• Plaza Premium Airport Lounge

OTHER BENEFITS

Spa Rael Voucher

1) Spa Vouchers and Discounts

Adeva Spa

• S$100 voucher, with minimum spend of S$180 on a la carte spa service
• 25% off for other a la carte services

The Ultimate

• S$130 voucher, with minimum spend of S$180 on a la carte spa service
• 50% off other a la carte services

Spa Rael

• S$100 voucher, with minimum spend of S$180 on a la carte spa service
• 30% off other a la carte services

Spa Rael Voucher

2) Exclusive Club Access

Tower Club

• $100 voucher for dining at Tower Club (I’ve also indicated this in the dining benefits section above on this page)
• Complimentary Gym Access to Tower Club
• Complimentary usage of Tower Club meeting room

3) Fee Wavier of other Amex credit cards

Platinum charge card holders do NOT have to pay the annual fees of other American Express cards that they own.

Personally, I also hold the American Express Platinum Reserve card (not to be confused with the Platinum Charge card), and the Krisflyer Ascend Credit card – and both annual fees of $535 and $337.05 respectively are waived.

The Platinum Reserve card – should you choose to have it, comes with the following extra perks (these are SEPARATE and IN ADDITION to the Platinum Charge Card)

• Voucher for Complimentary 3D2N stay at a participating Fraser Property
• ADDITIONAL S$100 Voucher for Tower Club Singapore 
• Complimentary bottles of wine vouchers at: Napoleon Food and Wine bar (x1 pieces), Grand Cru (x2 pieces). Also, Complimentary cake/bottle of house wine at Fairmont, Swissotel the Stamford, or Swissotel Merchant court (x2 pieces). Additionally, Marriott Cafe has complimentary cake with either 2 paying adults (500g) or 4 paying adults (1kg). 
• More Dining vouchers: 50% off 8-10 Adults at either Asian Market Cafe (Fairmont), Clove (Swissotel the Stamford), or Ellenborough Market Cafe (Swissotel Merchant Court), Complimentary bottle of house wine with 4 paying adults for buffet lunch or dinner at Marriott Cafe, 40% off 4-20 Diners at Lawry’s the Prime Rib, S$50 off at participating restaurants at Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel (minimum spend $100)
• Hotel Special rates vouchers: Swissotel Merchant Court (S$230++/night), Swissotel the Samford (S$250++/night), Fairmont (S$230++/night), The Outpost Hotel Sentosa (S$190 nett/night), Rendezvos Hotel (S$150 nett/night), M Social Singapore (S$190 nett or S$150 nett depending on room type), Hotel Fort Canning (S$190 nett), Dorsett Singapore (S$190 nett or S$150 nett depending on room type)

4) Random periodic offers for American Express Card Holders

Every now and then, I receive news that Amex has released new promotions (typically lasting a few weeks to months); these can be saved to the card by logging into the account via the amex app or online. 

A notable one was a recent S$350 credit given to Platinum Charge Card members for dining at selected places. 

The ones to really lookout for are: cashback at hotels, various other shopping and dining cashback promotions, and even rebates from grocery stores.

5) Welcome Gift (new card members only)

In 2020, when I signed up for the Platinum Charge Card, I received a complimentary 2D1N stay at Capella Singapore (Premier Garden view room)

However, as this is a welcome gift for a credit card sign up, the gift is subjected to change by American Express. Currently, as of September 2021, the welcome gift is an Omni Desk.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There is no question that I love the Platinum Charge Card to death.

This is a card for someone who longs for a certain lifestyle – to the one who loves fine dining, travel, staycations – and is willing to go out all to experience those things.

Over the past year, I used the card more than what the SGD1712 annual fee is worth – and have written a piece about it as well. I can 100% recommend it without reservation – If you love the lifestyle benefits, this is a card that’s definitely not to be missed.

New 2023 update!

Hello Everyone! The current article here describes the Amex Platinum Charge Card’s benefits as of late 2021. For the most updated version (February 2023), please check out this link instead!

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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