DFRESH Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 (edited) I have the American Express Platinum Card. I highly recommend it if you go TDY a lot or do a lot of personal travel. They will waive the annual fee ($450) for active duty military just by simply filling out their online form:American Express SCRAIt has a ton of benefits. My favorite perk is free access to The Centurion Lounge. My wife and I were able to settle in and get some free food and drinks before flying to Venice from Vegas. Additionally, it earns rewards points that you can use for just about anything you can imagine, from purchases on Amazon to trading points with Hilton, Delta, or many other travel partners. Some more benefits:Free Global Entry$200 a year in statement credits for your choice of airline in-flight purchases (I chose Delta and got seat upgrades)Free Boingo Wi-FiImmediate SPG Gold StatusRoadside assistance (up to 4 requests per year)Airport lounge access for Centurion Lounge, Delta Lounge, Airspace Lounge, and free Priority Pass membershipLink to the card:https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/platinumit appears like they have reduced the annual fee to $175. Edited August 20, 2015 by DFRESH
ARIs 'R' Us Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 I signed up a few weeks ago and am awaiting my SCRA decision. Heard a rumor they're no longer doing that though...does anyone have any recent info?
DFRESH Posted August 14, 2015 Author Posted August 14, 2015 I got my SCRA approved in November of last year... so not last week, but fairly recent.
brabus Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Dude in the squadron just did this about 2 months ago, no problems. If you talk to someone who says no, they don't have any idea what they're talking about. Hang up and call back to get someone else. If only such thing worked so easily with all the non-support agencies on base. 1
DFRESH Posted August 14, 2015 Author Posted August 14, 2015 Technique, don't call, use the link I posted. Web programs don't have feelings, they just do what they're told.
ARIs 'R' Us Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Technique, don't call, use the link I posted. Web programs don't have feelings, they just do what they're told.Good info, I'll update when able.
MooseDriver1 Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Free cards for family, excellent extended warranty/accident protection and no international transaction fees are some additional perks. Has been my go-to card for a few years now. Bought $200 in United gift certificates the past two years. Never paid any interest or fee on the card.
stract Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 I'm curious...I have a friend who has an AMEX Hilton HHonors Platinum, and whose account was treated quite nicely via the awesome AMEX SCRA implementation. Said friend is no longer on AD, but AMEX doesn't know that. If my friend wanted to switch to the straight up AMEX Platinum (not the Hilton branded one), would AMEX reverify military status or not? If the choice is stick with the Hilton branded AMEX and have fees waived or switch to AMEX Platinum and have to pay the $450 annual fee, my friend would rather maintain the status quo. Any insight is appreciated.
DFRESH Posted August 15, 2015 Author Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) I'm about to change my AMEX Delta to an AMEX Delta Reserve card... I'll let you know if I have to reapply for the SCRA or if it transfers... As far as I can remember, I didn't have to re-up my SCRA when I switched my HHonors to HHonors Surpass.... Edited August 15, 2015 by DFRESH
stract Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 the difference is you're still on AD, so a reverification won't affect you. My friend is not.
DFRESH Posted August 15, 2015 Author Posted August 15, 2015 Valid, but I'm saying I wasn't asked to re-validate.
WTFAF Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Centurion Lounge in Dallas is worth it alone if you'll pass through once or twice a year. Free food and booze and your wife can get her nails done. Best card I have that I rarely use to actually buy anything.
brabus Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 I know a couple dudes who transferred to the Reserves and AMEX pulled SCRA from them, even though they're ARTs/full time (they had SCRA benefits for years prior while on AD). They never said anything to AMEX, didn't try to add/change cards, change address, etc. AMEX obviously does periodically check your AD status.
Lawman Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Not a problem I've had with AMEX, but USAA credit cards have tried pulling the "only on title ten orders" game with me. Essentially had to "prove" I was on active duty. That's another thing I like about the AMEX card, none of my other institutions give me anywhere near the level of customer service. They only needed a couple pieces of info like what meps I signed up at and they tracked it all down themselves. Chase and USAA etc, I've gotta go get memos and old ORBs and find a fax machine because," we can't accept email sir."
Guest Posted August 20, 2015 Posted August 20, 2015 Big fan of the AMEX Platinum. I have both the personal and business versions of the card, so I can double up on the annual airline credit.
osulax05 Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 The AMEX platinum is great for the benefits; but if you are looking to rack up extra points their Everyday Preferred card is better. 2-3x points per dollar at grocery stores and gas stations plus 50% bonus if you have more than 30 transactions per month. It is now my day to day card and the platinum card gets little use except for the benefits.
ARIs 'R' Us Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Not sure why I was worried. Got the Platinum in mid-July, SCRA bennies approved today.
jtk2010 Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 Free cards for family, excellent extended warranty/accident protection and no international transaction fees are some additional perks. Has been my go-to card for a few years now. Bought $200 in United gift certificates the past two years. Never paid any interest or fee on the card.Looking to do the same thing this year. How long did it take to get reimbursed from AMEX?
MooseDriver1 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 It was so quick that I never even paid the initial fee. This was a few years ago
MooseDriver1 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Unless you mean the $200? Those just get credited at end of billing cycle.
jtk2010 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Yeah I was referring to the $200. Definitely not letting that $200 go to waste.
Ripit31 Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 Yeah I was referring to the $200. Definitely not letting that $200 go to waste. Takes mine no more than a week each time I do it. Going on 3 years now. 1
tunes Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 any reservists able to get the annual fees waived? I signed up when on AD and it seems they finally found out i'm a reservist now and asked me to send more orders....just wondering what orders to send them.
ARIs 'R' Us Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 Amex platinum now = HHonors Gold. Which makes me slightly question the need for my HHonors card.
Guest Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 Amex platinum now = HHonors Gold. Which makes me slightly question the need for my HHonors card. 6x hhonors points on gas, groceries, and dining. Most of the bloggers value them at .5 cents each so that's 3% back, which is pretty decent. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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