Amex Platinum Reserve: no more S$100 Tower Club voucher; reduced Fraser property stay benefit

Above Image: Amex Platinum Reserve Card. (Source: American Express Singapore)

Amex Platinum Reserve: changes to benefits

Recently, I received notification from American Express that, with effect from 1st January 2024, holders of the American Express Platinum Reserve card will see some of their benefits reduced.

The following benefits are affected:

• The 3D2N complimentary stay at a participating Fraser’s property will be reduced to 2D1N instead.
• The S$100 Tower Club voucher will no longer be issued.

Do note that, these changes are to take place only from the card holder’s next card cycle onwards – this means that those with vouchers that are still valid / not expired, are still entitled to use their vouchers.

However, when it is time for the new card cycle year’s worth of vouchers to be mailed out, the next set of vouchers will reflect the above changes.

Thoughts

This is definitely bad news for existing card holders; after all these two benefits are deemed as the two most noteworthy benefits of the Platinum Reserve Card.

The Fraser property reduced benefit is a real bummer. Personally, within Singapore, I’ve used it before at Capri by Fraser Changi City. Abroad, the voucher once covered a 3D2N stay at Fraser Suites Akasaka Tokyo. (The Tokyo property has shut down since then, but a whole list of other hotels globally are still available).

I’ve also dined multiple times at Tower Club Singapore, so sadly, it looks like I won’t be visiting as much in the near future.

For myself, as the holder of the Amex Platinum Charge Card, these changes appear even more significant, in lieu of a brief history of reduced benefits.

Historically, despite possessing both the Amex Platinum Charge and Platinum Reserve cards, I’ve only paid the annual fee for the Platinum Charge card due under Amex’s previous one annual fee policy. However, in November 2022 this changed and new card applicants had to also start paying from the card’s annual fee (S$545 from 1st January 2024 onwards).

Moving forward

For existing card holders, particularly Platinum Charge card holders who’ve had their cards approved before November 2022 – hang on to the cards if they have been working out for you.

For new card holders: what I usually recommend people to do is to go for EITHER the Platinum Charge Card itself – there is a whole list of extensive benefits despite the hefty annual fee (S$1744 from 1st January 2024 onwards).

OR stick with the regular American Express Platinum card (Annual fee: S$327 from 1st January 2024 onwards) – you will get the most basic Love Dining benefits, which may be sufficient for those who just wish to have amazing dining experiences.

The Amex Platinum Reserve card is an awkward middle ground – for a difference of S$545 – S$326 = S$218 between that and the regular Platinum card, one has to decide if that price is worth paying for that extra one night at a participating Fraser’s property – the property itself may be cheaper or more expensive depending on where you go. 

Just my two cents’ worth on the matter.

For easy reference, I’ve listed the referral links for the Platinum Charge card and regular Platinum card below. 

Apply for an American Express credit card and get bonus points!

Platinum Charge Card. Image Source: American Express

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 140,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 62,500 Membership Rewards points when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 35, 000 Krisflyer miles when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

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