6 ways an Amex Platinum concierge can help get you through the pandemic
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
As a The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholder member, you know all the great perks that come with its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). One of the most overlooked of these benefits is the Platinum Concierge, not to be confused with the Global Assist Hotline for help with travel.
Related reading: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
Cardmembers know they can use the concierge for tasks such as restaurant reservations, tickets to concerts and other entertainment events and purchasing flowers and gifts. But did you know that they are also there to help with more unusual tasks?As I continue to shelter in place with my family in San Antonio, we’ve been working on home repairs and upgrades. When it was time to look for a new stove top, I decided to hand the search over to Miss Rebecca, a Platinum Concierge.
After giving the stove’s dimensions and what types I was looking for, Miss Rebecca asked me a series of questions including: price range; just a stovetop or an oven too; gas, electric or glass top; number of burners; grill or no grill; and stovetop color. We were on the phone for about 15 minutes. By the end of the call, she informed me it would take about three days to compile the information.
Related reading: No travel, no problem: 6 Amex Platinum benefits you can use from home
Exactly three days later, I had a full list of great stovetop options, ranging from $400 to $1,000, to choose from. Once I make a final decision, the concierge can arrange to have the stovetop delivered and installed.
As I was waiting on the line, Miss Rebecca told me that American Express also offered other resources to help cardmembers as we continue to stay in our homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including creating a personalized daily or weekly calendar of activities for all ages. Below are six options for you to consider.
Find COVID-19 updates on TPG’s coronavirus hub page and sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest news.
Travel wish list
Your concierge can work with you to create a wish list for family, solo or group travel so you’ll be ready to go once the pandemic subsides. Inspirations include traveling to baseball stadiums across the country, getting stamps in a National Park Passport or booking a trip to Mauritius (the current favorite on my personal wish list). Concierge services include research on sightseeing ideas and ideas for unique experiences.
Related reading: 7 far-flung and obscure spots to add to your bucket list
Science ideas for kids
I’ve been in the house with a restless and surly 14-year-old and a very active seven-year-old. Parking them on iPads or in front of the television as I work (don’t judge me) only goes so far. The concierge has several resources, including:
- A link to the Mommy Poppins website -- which covers 11 cities and a national tab -- yields a treasure trove of resources: Boredom busters; online summer camps; online tutoring/classes; and virtual parties.
- For kids who like to cook, there’s the Kitchen Pantry Scientist website, where they can do things like balloon experiments, fun with dry ice, making giant soap bubbles and a series of how-to science videos.
- For your budding space geeks, there’s the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory website, a gold mine of space-related projects and activities.
Education
When you’re trapped in the house for hours on end, you may want to brush up on your skills or just learn new things. The Amex Platinum Concierge has a full list of resources, including: Khan Academy for students ages 2-18; Scholastic Learn At Home For Families; language apps such as Duolingo, Babbel or Rosetta Stone; the TEDTalks of more than 3,300 speakers; Class Central Online Courses, comprised of more than 500 online courses from the eight Ivy League schools; and the Udemy online academy.
Pro tip: Check your local library’s website. You may be able to get free access to Rosetta Stone, which usually costs between $80 and $250.
Theme park virtual tours
Although Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are now open with strict social distancing rules in place, you may not feel comfortable taking the kids for a visit. The concierge offers links to virtual tours to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot. There’s also The Great Lego Race and Miniland USA virtual tour at Denmark’s LEGOLAND and virtual tours of Discovery Cove and option to “ride" roller coaster Mako at SeaWorld Orlando.
Related reading: 14 ways to travel the world without leaving your sofa
Working and studying remotely
As we continue to be stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, you can call a concierge to research the best video conferencing services, find out how to rent a high-speed pocket Wi-Fi for internet access or seek options for how students can collect personal belongs left behind at school when asked to vacate.
For pets
If you have pets, you may not want to go out to pick up their food, medication or toys. Your concierge can help you find online resources to place an order with companies including Petco, PetMeds, PetCareRX and Chewy. If you need more help, the concierge can help you find pet sitters, pet walkers, pet care and mobile pet grooming in your area.
Bottom line
With cardmembers questioning whether there’s enough coronavirus-related perks to keep carrying the travel perks-heavy Amex Platinum card, it’s always nice to find an existing benefit that can help justify the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Now is the perfect time to think about all those pesky tasks and projects that could use the professional touch of an Amex Platinum Concierge.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.