AmEx fee worth it??

drdreawisc · Jun 27th, 2008, 08:05 PM

I've just started frequenting the Money Talks forum and there is some really good stuff down here! So I'm thinking some of you ladies (and gents) will be able to help me sort this out.

I'm thinking of getting an American Express card. My reasons for getting one: no spending limit (for the charge cards at lease) and great travel services. Beginning this fall I'm going to be traveling a lot more and think their services and the ability to charge any amount in the case of something going wrong would be really helpful.

The travel benefits seem to be the best on the regular green card and the gold card, both of which I qualify for. However, those are also the cards with the annual fees (95 and 125 respectively). The ones without an annual fee, like Blue, don't seem to tout the travel benefits as much.

I'm wondering based on your experiences with AmEx, is it worth paying the annual fee for one of the charge cards? Or, if you have a Blue card, have you used any of the travel benefits? And just generally how do you think AmEx compares to Visa/Mastercard?? So many questions

For me, this means keeping in mind that I already have a Visa with an $8,500 limit...

Schmodi · Jun 27th, 2008, 08:28 PM

What sort of travel benefits are you expecting? Only perks really are the coverage for insurance and if your bags are lost (only applicable if your ticket is paid on your AMEX).

Otherwise it's GREAT to earn points and redeem for tickets.

socalgem · Jun 27th, 2008, 08:39 PM

They don't advertise a pre set limit, but there is an undisclosed limit based on your personal resources and credit history.

I've never paid a fee for any of the cards I have, including the Amex ones.

drdreawisc · Jun 27th, 2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmodi

What sort of travel benefits are you expecting? Only perks really are the coverage for insurance and if your bags are lost (only applicable if your ticket is paid on your AMEX).

Otherwise it's GREAT to earn points and redeem for tickets.

Sorry, that's what I mean, the point benefits for travel. Especially on the green and gold card they are way better than my visa (from what I can tell), I'm just trying to weight wether it's worth the fee.

Zophie · Jun 28th, 2008, 04:20 AM

My friend says hers is worth it because she gets something like two or four free companion airfares per year, so she can fly with her daughter without paying for the ticket for her. She also gets points for spending a certain amount. According to her, the card pays for itself in the awards she gets. I think she has the platinum card. She's also had a lot of good experiences with the customer service people helping her out. I think they found her a doctor when she was very ill and in a foreign country.

guccimamma · Jun 28th, 2008, 12:54 PM

i love my amex, i like the idea of no spending limit. we put everything in our life on amex, so the rewards are worth any fees.

sand · Jul 22nd, 2008, 07:28 PM

We (or should I say my husband) signed us up for the Platinum Amex card and the annual fee just blew me away...something like $500 for the first card and an additional $175 for mine. They threw in $250 worth in Reward points so we get to try it at a discounted price for a year. I'm not convinced it will be worth it (actually, I'm pretty sure it isn't worth it) but I'll let my husband do the math at the end of the year. The real perk I see is the use of the airport lounges...we have an extensive layover this coming winter so at least we will be comfortable! As for the companion tickets - that is a scam. You have to use their travel people and the first ticket must cost at least $699...unless you're travelling from Seattle to NY, I'm sure you can find it cheaper on an internet travel site (not to mention they also have a lot of blackout dates).

Zophie · Jul 23rd, 2008, 12:40 AM

Well, so far our stay at the horrendously awful Flamingo Hotel in Vegas will be at least half free. So far Amex has credited my friend that paid with her card back the first night and the last night. We are still waiting to hear back about the second and third night. Basically, we complained to Amex and they said that if they don't hear back from the Crap-mingo by sometime in August they will credit back the rest.

TropicalGal · Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalgem

They don't advertise a pre set limit, but there is an undisclosed limit based on your personal resources and credit history.

I've never paid a fee for any of the cards I have, including the Amex ones.

How is it that you don't pay any fees for your Amex cards?

TropicalGal · Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:27 AM

I have a Blue card...and it earns points and is free.

I have thought about getting a Platinum, so I can use the airport lounges...as I travel a fair amount...and would be nice. But still, paying out $500 for a card doesn't seem right to me...

lelgin · Jul 23rd, 2008, 10:28 AM

If you travel, then yes the AmEx is worth it. If an airline ticket is purchased on the card, you have instant insurance for your beneficiaries. Also, if you rent a car, the additional insurance, should you crash, is covered by your gold card. Oftentimes upgrades at hotels are available if you reserve with your AmEX.

If you choose the platinum, you can get into the airline lounges free.

mmmpurses! · Jul 23rd, 2008, 11:50 AM

There are certain Mastercards that operate similar to AMEX "without a limit" and no fees. Look into them at citicards.com. However do note that even though these offers (both AMEX and MC) say no 'preset spending limit' or "no limit" they do have some sort of internal limit, so ask questions so you know where you stand at all times so you are not embarrased at the register.

BagsRmyLife · Jul 23rd, 2008, 01:39 PM

I've had my gold Amex for about 4 years now and I like it. It really helped my build great credit and the points really make a difference. Also it's helpful when you want to fit a charge and they can get your money back. I missed my flight with jetBlue and I called my Amex and they're fighting the charge for that amount. It's basically the amount for the fee for the year so it was worth it for me!

guccimamma · Jul 23rd, 2008, 02:44 PM

i have amex gold, but don't want to pay for platinum

what goes on in these airport lounges, are they really worth it?

Vegas Long Legs · Jul 23rd, 2008, 03:31 PM

We also don't pay a fee for our platinum AE. It probably has to do with how much you spend. They are making alot of money off of us, we put everything we can on it. Its one of only 2 cards we have.

In the airport lounges they have more comfortable chairs, TV's, wifi, newpapers, magazines, snacks, drinks & usually beer, wine, & alcohol. They used to serve small meals but years ago they quite doing that.
The best one I've been in recently was Air France. They would bring in a light lunch of sandwiches or salad stuff.
I've seen a few celebrities in these lounges. People left them alone, so it probably is worth it to them.

With the way the economy is & the way some people have no self control over what they buy, I can't believe CC companies think its OK to have no spending limit. Wait, yes I can, they are greedy.

Jun 27th, 2008, 08:05 PM	#1
drdreawisc Member Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 604	AmEx fee worth it?? I've just started frequenting the Money Talks forum and there is some really good stuff down here! So I'm thinking some of you ladies (and gents) will be able to help me sort this out. I'm thinking of getting an American Express card. My reasons for getting one: no spending limit (for the charge cards at lease) and great travel services. Beginning this fall I'm going to be traveling a lot more and think their services and the ability to charge any amount in the case of something going wrong would be really helpful. The travel benefits seem to be the best on the regular green card and the gold card, both of which I qualify for. However, those are also the cards with the annual fees (95 and 125 respectively). The ones without an annual fee, like Blue, don't seem to tout the travel benefits as much. I'm wondering based on your experiences with AmEx, is it worth paying the annual fee for one of the charge cards? Or, if you have a Blue card, have you used any of the travel benefits? And just generally how do you think AmEx compares to Visa/Mastercard?? So many questions For me, this means keeping in mind that I already have a Visa with an $8,500 limit...

Jun 27th, 2008, 08:28 PM	#2
Schmodi Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Greater San Diego Posts: 1,899	What sort of travel benefits are you expecting? Only perks really are the coverage for insurance and if your bags are lost (only applicable if your ticket is paid on your AMEX). Otherwise it's GREAT to earn points and redeem for tickets. __________________

Jun 27th, 2008, 08:39 PM	#3
socalgem Because I can... Joined: Apr 2007 Location: California Posts: 4,388	They don't advertise a pre set limit, but there is an undisclosed limit based on your personal resources and credit history. I've never paid a fee for any of the cards I have, including the Amex ones. __________________ Life is too short to drink cheap champagne. Last edited by socalgem; Jun 27th, 2008 at 08:45 PM.

Jun 28th, 2008, 04:20 AM	#5
Zophie I <3 my Maltese! Joined: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 6,585	My friend says hers is worth it because she gets something like two or four free companion airfares per year, so she can fly with her daughter without paying for the ticket for her. She also gets points for spending a certain amount. According to her, the card pays for itself in the awards she gets. I think she has the platinum card. She's also had a lot of good experiences with the customer service people helping her out. I think they found her a doctor when she was very ill and in a foreign country. __________________

Jul 23rd, 2008, 12:40 AM	#8
Zophie I <3 my Maltese! Joined: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 6,585	Well, so far our stay at the horrendously awful Flamingo Hotel in Vegas will be at least half free. So far Amex has credited my friend that paid with her card back the first night and the last night. We are still waiting to hear back about the second and third night. Basically, we complained to Amex and they said that if they don't hear back from the Crap-mingo by sometime in August they will credit back the rest. __________________

Jun 28th, 2008, 12:54 PM	#6
guccimamma guccimamma Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,673	i love my amex, i like the idea of no spending limit. we put everything in our life on amex, so the rewards are worth any fees.

Jul 22nd, 2008, 07:28 PM	#7
sand Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 48	We (or should I say my husband) signed us up for the Platinum Amex card and the annual fee just blew me away...something like $500 for the first card and an additional $175 for mine. They threw in $250 worth in Reward points so we get to try it at a discounted price for a year. I'm not convinced it will be worth it (actually, I'm pretty sure it isn't worth it) but I'll let my husband do the math at the end of the year. The real perk I see is the use of the airport lounges...we have an extensive layover this coming winter so at least we will be comfortable! As for the companion tickets - that is a scam. You have to use their travel people and the first ticket must cost at least $699...unless you're travelling from Seattle to NY, I'm sure you can find it cheaper on an internet travel site (not to mention they also have a lot of blackout dates).

Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:27 AM	#10
TropicalGal Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,584	I have a Blue card...and it earns points and is free. I have thought about getting a Platinum, so I can use the airport lounges...as I travel a fair amount...and would be nice. But still, paying out $500 for a card doesn't seem right to me... __________________ Visit me! www.theportablemother.blogspot.com

Jul 23rd, 2008, 10:28 AM	#11
lelgin Member Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,551	If you travel, then yes the AmEx is worth it. If an airline ticket is purchased on the card, you have instant insurance for your beneficiaries. Also, if you rent a car, the additional insurance, should you crash, is covered by your gold card. Oftentimes upgrades at hotels are available if you reserve with your AmEX. If you choose the platinum, you can get into the airline lounges free.

Jul 23rd, 2008, 11:50 AM	#12
mmmpurses! Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,433	There are certain Mastercards that operate similar to AMEX "without a limit" and no fees. Look into them at citicards.com. However do note that even though these offers (both AMEX and MC) say no 'preset spending limit' or "no limit" they do have some sort of internal limit, so ask questions so you know where you stand at all times so you are not embarrased at the register. __________________ I can't be good all the time.

Jul 23rd, 2008, 01:39 PM	#13
BagsRmyLife Member Joined: Mar 2007 Location: - NyC - Posts: 3,466	I've had my gold Amex for about 4 years now and I like it. It really helped my build great credit and the points really make a difference. Also it's helpful when you want to fit a charge and they can get your money back. I missed my flight with jetBlue and I called my Amex and they're fighting the charge for that amount. It's basically the amount for the fee for the year so it was worth it for me!

Jul 23rd, 2008, 02:44 PM	#14
guccimamma guccimamma Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,673	i have amex gold, but don't want to pay for platinum what goes on in these airport lounges, are they really worth it?

Jul 23rd, 2008, 03:31 PM	#15
Vegas Long Legs Member Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,115	We also don't pay a fee for our platinum AE. It probably has to do with how much you spend. They are making alot of money off of us, we put everything we can on it. Its one of only 2 cards we have. In the airport lounges they have more comfortable chairs, TV's, wifi, newpapers, magazines, snacks, drinks & usually beer, wine, & alcohol. They used to serve small meals but years ago they quite doing that. The best one I've been in recently was Air France. They would bring in a light lunch of sandwiches or salad stuff. I've seen a few celebrities in these lounges. People left them alone, so it probably is worth it to them. With the way the economy is & the way some people have no self control over what they buy, I can't believe CC companies think its OK to have no spending limit. Wait, yes I can, they are greedy. __________________ Planning next voyage! Oct/Nov '08 Last edited by Vegas Long Legs; Jul 23rd, 2008 at 03:36 PM.