Is the Amex Plenti Rewards Program Worth Using?
TPG reader Stephen sent me a message on Facebook to ask about a new rewards program from Amex:
"Hi! I've been enjoying your postings. What are your thoughts about Plenti?"
Earlier this year, Amex launched a new loyalty program called Plenti, which offers rewards across a coalition of merchant and retail partners. The roster is still small, feauturing 11 brand partners that vary pretty widely from Direct Energy to Hulu to Exxon/Mobil. Each partner has its own earning structure (like 1 point per dollar spent on your AT&T bill, or 1 point for every $3 on insurance premiums from Nationwide). On the redemption side, points are generally worth 1 cent apiece toward future purchases from the same list of partners.
Plenti doesn't have any impressive travel partners — apart from gas, there's just Alamo, Enterprise and National car rentals — but it does have a few things going for it. First, you're not locked in to any particular method of payment, which means you can earn Plenti Rewards on top of whatever points or miles you'd normally get from your credit card, as well as rewards from each partner (like Star Rewards at Macy's). That creates some opportunities to maximize your purchases by double- or triple-dipping.
Second, while the everyday earning rates are uninspiring, there are some special offers for bonus rewards that give you a decent return (like 500 points when you spend $25 at Rite Aid). That equates to a 20% discount, and again, it's in addition to whatever other points you earn.
All that said, I'm not impressed by Plenti so far. The list of partners is too short and the incentives just aren't enough to get me interested. For example, the standard offer from Exxon and Mobil is 1 point for every gallon of gas you buy. That will probably get you 10-20 cents back for filling your tank, which might cover the fuel you burned getting there. Some of the offers are more rewarding, but at best you're getting about 1% back.
I love to maximize my spending, but maximizing time is important as well, and it's not worth going out of your way to earn what might amount to only a few cents extra. If you already do business with these partners and if it's not too much hassle to keep track of offers and incorporate Plenti into your purchases, then you might as well get the extra return. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother — your time is too valuable!
When it comes to award travel, I prefer to focus on the easy wins. I take advantage of bonus spending categories and online shopping portals to boost my rewards for each purchase. I look for special offers from airlines and hotels to make my flights and stays more lucrative. I also earn big chunks of points and miles by getting in on the best credit card sign-up bonuses. Those strategies (and others) help me rack up rewards quickly, and give me a much better overall return.
Plenti will be more worthwhile when Amex expands the list of partners and begins offering redemption options outside of those partners (like cash back or gift cards). However, I think the biggest step would be to allow transfers from Plenti to Amex Membership Rewards. Even if the exchange rate isn't good, access to flight and hotel awards would make the program way more compelling.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
[card card-name='The Platinum Card® from American Express' card-id='22504813' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.