Amex Platinum to Increase Fee?! New Bonvoy Brilliant Offers (100k+ Bonus and Credits)

[@iTzDritte]

Sebby: “This card is shiny, let’s go flex on them.” Brian Jung: “I feel attacked”

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Brian Jung still a thing? 🤔

[@JohnSkyLey]

@@SolidLiquidFox yes he is

[@2808Heavy]

@@SolidLiquidFox LOL!!!

[@natieya]

You beat me to it. 😂

[@MarkReese]

For a $695 fee I’m hoping for something better than a monthly credit with one retailer 😁✌️

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Altitude Reserve silently smiles from the shadows....

[@MarkReese]

@@SolidLiquidFox - ...and into the shadows I went 😁👊 Love that Altitude Reserve!

[@patrickptmonk8673]

They better not increase the fee. Not unless they are giving more credits. I barely justify the Platinum fee

[@AskSebby]

Doubt they will, but got a lot of messages about it.

[@coffieangel5689]

Hopefully the fee increase will stay at a rumor. I have the business plat and it's even worse. They cut dell and the "pandemic credits" such as 20.00 monthly cell phone credits and left us with more less than desirable than desirable credits. The last thing they need to do is increase fees.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

More credits won't mean anything if they are inconvenient or hard to use. They can continue to close loopholes and backdoors to these credits also.

[@WaterYourSoil]

Yeah, I hope the don't. I just upgraded to the card recently.

[@wannabedal-adx458]

@@SolidLiquidFox The Airlines have helped out AMEX by no longer charging some of the fees that would trigger the credit.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Amex about to give more homework assignments to us in the form of $50 semi-annual credits. Get ready to spend at places you never go to.

[@isabell.etkind9765]

If you are spending on items you do not really want, or need to meet a minimum spend or get a credit, it is costing you more than it would when using another card, it is adding material and mental clutter to your life. Why would you do that? The Gold Card is still expensive, but it provides more value in everyday life situations. I think that unless you are traveling constantly, and truly benefit from the lounges, airline, and hotel credits, this would be a card most people can live without.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

@@isabell.etkind9765 this was exactly my point. If the way to offset the rumored raise in AF is to give more annoying credits, they will lose customers. It's already a chore to manage the existing credits as is. Here is a $50 semi-annual credit for Lord & Taylor and another one to Hertz car rental. That will be $750 AF please. 😒

[@wannabedal-adx458]

@@isabell.etkind9765 IMO the Gold is easy to justify, it earns points at the 2 biggest non-fixed expenses I have Grocery stores and restaurants. Plus with AMEX shifting the airline incidental fee credit to an Uber Eats credit and Uber Eats allows you to do pickup, I can easily justify the AMEX Gold now. I pay $10 EAF for the Gold after 2021. In 2021, I will aim to use the flight credit before it goes away as well as the Uber Eats credit, therefore I will get paid to use the card this year!!!

[@wannabedal-adx458]

@@SolidLiquidFox AMEX needs to rebaseline how they allow you to use the airline fee incidental credit for the Platinum. With airlines dropping most change fees and other things, it does make it harder to justify after the first year. However, a Hertz rent-a -car credit would be fine. Hertz does have a good system and I could rent from them once or twice a year if needed. There are still a few more benefits to the AMEX platinum that make it easier to use than the CSR. AMEX customer service is still (anecdotally) better than Chase's (or their 3rd party provider).

[@akin242002]

I'm still hoping they won't increase the annual fee for the Amex Platinum card. $695 is a bit much for me without a lot of ✈️ flights.

[@antbrooks1625]

$695 is them being nice. The high $700s is a rumor as well.

[@grownsimba8120]

If they're going to increase the price, they would definitely have to add the multipliers to a wider range of spend. Make it like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and make it 5 X on all traveling or something. But then if they did something like that, it would be stepping on their green card. They can't give it a permanent grocery perk because that's the Gold card.

[@akin242002]

@@grownsimba8120 The only way to keep it unique would require them to make 5x on rental cars and Uber rides.

[@womanofgoldenwords3881]

@@akin242002 that would be awesome if they did 5X on rental cars- cause the platinum has premium rental car protection which basically is the same thing as primary CDW

[@Luietha13]

I’m glad I recently jumped on the 75k points welcome offer after spending $4,000 in 6 months on Amex gold instead of the 75k with Amex platinum.

[@Alvin_1914]

"What would Sebby do?" .....So Sebby is aware that we ask ourselves this very question!

[@davidjackson2179]

Hopefully they don’t just add more silly credits that are difficult to use. The Platinum card should make your life easier, not give you more errands and hoops to jump through

[@JCizzleSoCal]

Totally agree!

[@Pita_R]

I will cancel Amex Platinum if annual fee is increased. $10 Uber eats credits is not worth $695.

[@cassinic370]

Same here , I agree with you 100% if it increases $695.00 plus, I will Drop Amex Plat like a Box of Rocks.

[@Pita_R]

@@cassinic370 , right, it's not worth renewing now since I'm not traveling and not using TSA and Centurion Lounge benefit.

[@KevinGonzalez-vz7rz]

At $695 it would still be worth it because the airport lounge access alone is worth the cost of the card annual fee. If one travels at least 10 times a year and uses participating program lounges on all trips, the card then pays for itself. FYI, Delta SkyClub recently increased its annual stand alone membership fee to over $800

[@cassinic370]

@@KevinGonzalez-vz7rz That's Great for Some People, but not for Me, Some People will Cancel the Card Like Me , Some People will keep the Card Like you , Amex will Lose Money in one way and Will make Money in another way,, everyone Travel needs are Different ,, but to put in Perks that I don't want to Justify Raising the AF is a Definite Cancel for Me.

[@Roger_viajando]

@@cassinic370 yes jajaja

[@frenchy8794]

Just stayed at the four seasons in Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh on MR points all from watching your videos! Egypt was amazing

[@DrumNBassKidd1]

Stay away from South Beach, go to Aventura, Sunny Isles, Surfside, Bal Harbour, Brickell, Doral, Sweetwater, Coconut Grove, Uptown or Wynnwood

[@AskSebby]

Thanks for the insights!

[@Tortillas707]

Hope amex replace strict annual airline credit with a more flexible travel credit like the chase sapphire reserve has

[@cyril_ogude]

Thoughts on the Hilton 100k + $100 and 150k + $150 offers? I picked those over this Marriott offer

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Incidentally, there is another rumor floating that the Hilton Aspire may get nerfed and ask for spending qualifiers to get Diamond.

[@Blackhoodiefreedom]

I have a few Amex cards. I stopped getting them because they raise their fees to much they just raised all the card fees. Now trying to do it again noooo

[@JohnnyK60]

Folks aren't going to overlook that the fee was just raised, so it's a few hundred bucks over a couple of years if they do this.

[@thejokerspeaks]

Makes sense, the Amex Platinum needs to stay a travel card, regardless where inflation takes the AF and benefits. The Gold card has been properly adjusted for lifestyles. I'm done with Bonvoy, Wyndham and Hyatt have better earning, Hilton better rewards.

[@Kidynamo123]

I snorted a bit when you explained the Amex Platinum persona acronyms

[@SushiTime1981]

Just cancelled my uk platinum card .. Hated to get rid of it but getting very expensive 😌

[@justin7037]

Do you think that Chase will do something similar with Marriott? I’m holding out for a better offer on that card

[@gabrieldalcomune3044]

Thinking about it, the annual fee increase; makes more sense as a new card. I remember something about a card slotting between the centurion and the plat. I can see something like Titanium or Optio.

[@Mr_Butterbean]

Love the channel man! I’ve learned so much

[@AskSebby]

Thank you! :)

[@pepperweeks1]

Went to their online portal but must have gone to a beta site for this new rate hike because it said 795 annual fee with the first year waived if you join before March 31, 2021. I went back just now and it said the site was temporarily down...something is about to happen with that annual fee. I knew I should have screen shot it.

[@EvilGenius007]

Dunno if you'll see this on an older video like this, but AmEx has reverted back to 3 months to hit minimum spend on welcome bonuses. Not great for me, I was planning to add a Schwab Platinum and maybe a Gold but I won't do either if I can't hit the SUB with my regular spend and 3 months is kinda tight when you don't have rent or tuition to pay.

[@aeroAdvocate]

No offers to upgrade my cards though.

[@NissanSkylineVR30]

I honestly don't think AMEX gives a fuck if people drop AMEX Plat. The rumor is they are increasing the PLAT to a more prestige level card and adding another card between Gold and Plat to fill the space. They'll still make their money, just not with the Plat card. EDIT: I think Sebby made a good point about them changing to a lifestyle card. But I don't think they are fully changing to lifestyle. It could be like a hybrid. They'll keep some travel and add lifestyle which would make sense.

[@Xenaisthebusiness]

Nice fx. Your production has grown as much as my wisdom & credit since I discovered your channel!

[@tezt3740]

lol ..just remarking on thsi time stamp when u mentioned the fee amex increase and it happened lol

[@MusicandTravel-2024]

Could you pair the JPM Chase Marriott card with the Amex Business Marriott card to get your 30 nights credit per year ?

[@TheBrady0012004]

Hey Sebby, thank you for the awesome videos. Quick question, thinking of using some of my points for a room in Vegas, but its not on the Amex website since it's a higher end room. Will the concierge team be able to book this for me? Have you had any experience with this before. Cosmopolitan

[@Coecoebrown]

Let’s hear about the Aspire card rumors.

[@jordanc8388]

sebby stay in the ritz in key biscayne, not coconut grove. coconut grove is an older resort. it is not worth it. trust me I live next to it. go to the ritz carlton in key biscayne its not far at all and wayyyyy nicer, an actual resort feel and its on the beach.

[@AskSebby]

Thanks for the insights!

[@ahkeen]

Maybe the new Titanium card will be that “life style” card. And the annual fee is higher.

[@sscustomcaraudio]

Haven’t checked in while. If we have the chase bonvoy card right now can we apply for the Amex one now?

[@Parthsean]

For Amex Plat Schweb Airline Incidental credits, I was able to get $87 and $27 credit for my tickets on southwest flights. I did not receive credit for a ticket which was over $100, booked similarly on SW website. It was just regular flights. Seems like if the ticket is

[@jdp1113]

Hi Sebby. Do you know when 15 elite nights will be posted if I apply for Marriot card now? I was wondering if it would be posted some time after I get the card this year or will it be posted next year in 2022?

[@shahnulislam9897]

Is Amex Gold a charge card or credit card ?

[@Loem]

hey sebby will collections prevent being approved for a card?

[@lrsnypah7]

I just got the chase marriott bonvoy CC. I was wondering what the 15 elite night credits mean? Thanks!

[@Ahuromazda]

Is there any card to get priority boarding and check in when flying??

[@9dawayne]

what credit cards give 100K limits?

[@samr6148]

So is this a no on the Optio...?

[@mikee357]

Hey Seb, is there a way to find out what date each of my hard inquiries were pulled? I use Chase.

[@jrdnfla]

Try using credit journey/chase or credit karma. Under inquiries tab will tell you month you got the inquiry and the year it will be removed

[@MarkReese]

Hey Mike! The Credit Karma app is great to check your inquiry dates for Equifax and TransUnion. And the Experian app is great for checking inquiry dates on Experian 😃👍

[@ABABABABABABABABABABABABAB]

What about Wells Fargo American Express credit card is that being discontinued some KZbinrs say it is starting next month

[@Soycrema]

If I get approved for both Bonvoy Brilliant and business card do I get both certificates? So 1 for 35K and one for 50K ? I know you get 15 each elite nights with both cards but not sure about certificates

[@Drolywa]

What does “13 nights toward status” mean?

[@randoff32]

What country does not accept cash or credit cards? The Czech Republic!

[@JacksonWelch]

Amex Platinum should add a GameStop credit.

[@kevindo3365]

I just used 5 marriott 50k certs at Maui and they come with resort fees?

[@davidrosales2820]

can i get the Marriot Brilliant card if i alraedy has a Marriot card from chase?

[@kdawg9477]

I am literally staying in marriott for a long long time in germany but it is useless for me to get this one cause can't use 200 us restaurant credit. So so sad..

[@BBoYSHaDoE]

I am hurt that you didn't wear your hoodie here 06:33 :(

[@JJ-wd4rb]

Let’s just say if they do increase again I would cancel it simply because I don’t think it makes sense. Looks like I’ll stay with my CSR

[@jimmymooo]

Can I still get the Brilliant 125pts if I already have a Bonvoy card that was converted from SPG card?

[@cyssoK]

The bonvot brilliant’s 300$ credit is way wayyy better than the 250$ hilton resort credit that the amex aspire gets

[@jm4020]

It will be interesting to see what happens with the Morgan Stanley Platinum engagement bonus.

[@whyyoubetrolling]

Yes agreed

[@jay9058]

I live in miami. There’s not stop curfews because no one wears a mask and tourist have started problems in south beach. Google before you book, there’s always a random curfew and businesses are force to close at 8 or 10pm

[@LeandrewRowsey]

I never understood feed on credit cards

[@modelsandbottles]

What the hell is the end credits song????

[@clippdiaz7015]

I just get approved Amex everyday card. When I can apply for Platinum Amex. My Experian CS 691

[@colemandavis9140]

Marriott brilliant VS Hilton aspire??

[@AskSebby]

Why not both? Especially if the math works out :) Bonvoy for easier to use credit and night. Hilton for the upside w/ status + weekend certificate.

[@jconti123]

Why did you say "the only major competition (in entertainment) is Citi" ? What Citi card has entertainment?

[@d05wtt]

As far as I know...Citi Entertainment is available with all the Citi cards. I had it with my Citi Diamond Preferred and when I product changed it to the Double Cash Card, it said, I had it with the new card too.

[@Astralkiller47]

@@d05wtt Same

[@thebeddoctor4273]

If they added diamond status with Hilton I could justify it because I could cancel my aspire card.

[@kenlee2923]

Bad Idea. Unless they plan to add more perks onto the card.

[@joesegreto1795]

Could this be the intro of the Optio or the Titanium card? The middle of the road card between the Platinum and Centurion card?

[@elliswashington1659]

Good point. Looks like the current Platinum will become either the Optio or the Titanium. This will leave room for a new card to replace the old Platinum. Sounds interesting (if only just a rumor). That may explain why Amex just removed the name “Platinum” from the current cards. Again, just speculation though.

[@wannabedal-adx458]

MBB: Tempting offer. If I get this card then I won't get the Hilton Aspire. I don't want to have 4 x $450+ AF cards. Might use to stay at an alternate hotel in Singapore, other then the Andaz downtown. AMEX Platinum fee increase. It would suck because the Airlines are getting rid of most of the fees that trigger the credit. IF they did switch to more of a lifestyle branding, it would be to make room for the 'other' cards that are coming. The ones in between the Platinum and the Centurion, and I think there was one coming in between the Gold and Platinum too. Either way AMEX needs to be careful, to much movement once travel opens back up and life returns to normal will alienate customers. AMEX did a good job taking care of customers during the pandemic. They need to eat the cost and slowly rebuild revenue and profits post pandemic.

[@karelcamacho5428]

I would like for someone to explain to me Bonvoy pts have a value of 0.8 - 1 cpp ?? 90% of my searches across different properties in different cities give me a 0.5cpp value at best compared to cash price.

[@brians2733]

If Amex Platinum fee goes up with travel being so restricted, I will be out. Possibly even just to the Amex Everyday and then wind down my use of Amex.

[@sladesurfer]

Good, I hope they increase it to $1000...freaking to lessen the crowd in centurion lounges. When it was open ,there’s never a day I go in that’s not crowded.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

They give Delta Reserve holders access to it now. Annual fee increases on Amex Platinum won't correlate to better lounge experience. May be limiting guest to 1?

[@siamesebb]

I'm still waiting for the long rumored Optio card to be release lol

[@gillian32]

The AMEX Trailblazer Card sounds interesting. Is it bullet-proof?

[@preahko]

I'm actually not that happy about the increased Bonvoy Brilliant offer. I was already planning to get the card at the end of this month; along with the mattress runs I've done this month, rollover elite qualifying nights from last year, and my existing Chase Business Marriott card EQNs, that will allow me to hit Marriott Platinum fairly early in the year. But I was prepared for $3k spend, not $5k! I'll still get the card, and I can make the $5k spend, but it will require me to do some juggling and make some purchases now that I was planning to make on a new Schwab Platinum this fall...sadly, that card will now have to be postponed. Don't get me wrong--I'm happy to be getting 125k Marriott points, especially since I'll be spending a lot of points at the end of this year in Thailand (fingers crossed), where they really go far...but I'd rather have my cake *and* eat it, haha. Oh, well.

[@crhussong]

If the platinum increase is true, I'm canceling my trifecta and moving to chase.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

This here is why everyone should try and remain cool with all banks. Never go full churn on a bank because they may not take you back.

[@crhussong]

@@SolidLiquidFox if you have money in your pocket, the bank will take you back.

[@Dwilsonmusic145]

Can you please do a video explaining status for different hotels and airlines and what that all means? Im really not sure what value comes from any of this status.

[@JohnSkyLey]

He already made a video on this topic

[@Timinator004]

Damn, I just upgraded to platinum a few weeks ago lol. If they raise the annual fee, they should at the very least make the 10x points on gas and supermarkets a permanent thing.

[@Isaiah094]

A fee INCREASE? We ain’t been able to do shit all year and most of the offers are from dogshit retailers... we need a DEcrease

[@tylerhorner4387]

Wireless/Streaming credit, Dell credit, Home depot offer, PayPal offer...I've made more in 2020 than any other year.

[@hsbthree]

CHURCH!

[@Isaiah094]

@@tylerhorner4387 that’s you not I 🤣🤣🤣

[@tylerhorner4387]

I guess you need more education....sorry you failed.

[@EavesDropYT]

Hey Sebby, I got an offer to upgrade my gold card for 75,000 points + the 10X on super markets and gas stations after $5,000 in spend over the next 6 months, the exact same as the new card offer. I took the offer since it gave the same bonus as applying for a new card but without wasting a 5/24 slot. Didn’t want to wait around forever to hopefully get a 100K or 125K offer on card match since I’m already an Amex customer and the likelihood is low. Awesome video as always! Have a good one!

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you

[@pezdacandyboi]

Is elite nights on the brilliant card worth it when you can get gold status from amex platinum?

[@jrome1135]

Nights from being a cardholder stack, so if you have brilliant & bonvoy biz, you start with 30 nights (Of 50(?) toward platinum if you're already gold).

[@ezioaltairac]

^this. It’s only really worth it if you’re aiming for platinum elite status.

[@amarigrant]

I already have the boundless....not sure if I would ever also add the brilliant to my wallet 🤔 but definitely a decent offer for anyone who had that card on their radar for some time 😌 -great informative vid once again

[@Frederico.Huguenin]

$700 annual fee is absurd 😡

[@jpanic2]

For the MarriottBonvoy: can you collect the Certificate Nights or do they expire?

[@AskSebby]

They expire

[@jpanic2]

@@AskSebby would be nice if they didn't.. do you know how long they will last for or when they expire after earning it?

[@coffieangel5689]

Not sure if anyone remembers the 50% points back on your preferred airline for the amex plat. It was very short lived but it was an amazing program and I think that would be an excellent way to get people who have both the business and regular plat amex excited about having it again.

[@JoeyOrlando]

Is that a Salesforce trailhead mug? lol

[@AskSebby]

Yes :)

[@JoeyOrlando]

@@AskSebby nice, I’m in the salesforce game as well. Very cool!

[@cinnreds18]

For $695 they had better add substantial perks or I would downgrade and just use my other travel cards instead

[@AviatorTravis]

I hope this rumor is not true, but honestly, you never know.

[@scottco1]

Do you value the hyatt > Marriot? I'm on the fence because of the free night and I'm 4/24

[@AskSebby]

Mainly depends which hotel group you prefer.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Hyatt = New SPG

[@scottco1]

@@SolidLiquidFox what do you mean?

[@SolidLiquidFox]

The way they take care of customers is more consistent (for the better) compared to Marriott

[@sincere355]

I have the old retired $85 annual fee Marriott card and it’s definitely worth the money.

[@fiercebon14]

Using it on the cosmopolitan in Vegas!

[@Th3120ck]

Love sebby!!

[@WaterYourSoil]

I believe a good amount of people will downgrade or cancel the card if they increase the fee.

[@JoseTheRover]

At this rate.... I guess I’ll go for the Black Card

[@craigb4449]

Can anyone confirm if Amex platinum points get reimbursed for trip cancellation? Miami Beach is on a fuckin curfew because of morons and I’m supposed to be there Friday through the weekend. Need to switch hotel to downtown. Amex on such a back up on phone calls I can’t get through

[@Joniyah444]

They lowered my limits Idk if I’ll renew

[@clintonstumpf5210]

Absolutely foolish for Amex to increase the AF for Platinum, that would be just bad business. Thinking they are going to introduce a new card.

[@lewiss3824]

Doctor of credit reports that their will be an increased sign up bonus for both sapphires starting tomorrow. I called my local chase and they confirmed. If you go in branch, they will wave first annual fee (in branch on Monday)

[@AskSebby]

Waive fees for both CSP and CSR? Or just CSP?

[@jrome1135]

@@AskSebby doc reported that there will be 2 offers for csr/csp...60k/80k 1w 1st a.f waived, 1w a 50$ credit (grocery I think) if i remember properly

[@lewiss3824]

I asked about the CSP but I’m under the impression that it’s both

[@lewiss3824]

Hi Sebastian, just wanted to let you know that I got the 80k + 50$ grocery credit + AF waiver today on the CSP. I didn’t ask about the CSR but I’m pretty sure they have a promotion on it. There was no advertisement on the website or in the store. I went in and asked and they showed it to me in writing on the computer screen. Give your local chase bank a call to confirm

[@Aryck143]

Let's be honest, the credits AMEX would add to justify a higher AF would be most likely useless and if they are decent credits, AMEX would still close the gift card loophole for idiots calling about OMG why didn't I receive my credits yet?? It's a never ending cycle...

[@ca6vtec]

Somebody has to pay for all these benefits. Plus, the customers they want can afford it.

[@armytruth6860]

Even know I dont pay the fee, amex better give me more money for uber credit or travel credit

[@staceye8211]

Salesforce easter egg ftw

[@usecriticalthinking243]

I know where you are staying, make sure you go to Brickell, wynwood and coconut and not south beach.

[@user-bc7cb8uu7e]

Increasing the platinum fee is interesting. If they offer valuable benefits, I'm all for it, but"lifestyle" worries me a bit. If the do something like offer delta status or Hilton diamond status, though, I'll happily pay the extra. I don't really think it makes sense to move away from being travel focused, as most of us who got the card did so for travel benefits. If they start to drop benefits, I'm probably cancelling the card