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At the beginning of the month American Express announced a slew of changes to their Platinum cards. Changes go into effect today.
New Platinum cards are metal. American Express will replace current Platinum cards with metal cards when those cards are close to their normal expiration, however you can request a replacement metal card now.
I called this morning and was told that a new card will be Fedexed to me for delivery during the day tomorrow.
One key new benefit of the card, to go along with an increased annual fee from $450 to $550 (for new card applications; existing cardmembers will see their fee rise for card renewals September oneward — if you’re an existing cardmember whose annual fee hits by the end of August you’ll get another year at $450) is an annual $200 Uber credit.
Platinum cardholders now receive up to $200 in annual Uber credits for rides within the United States — $15 in Uber credit per month (to be used in that month), with an additional $20 bonus in December — when they add their American Express Platinum Card as a payment method to the Uber app.
Crucially you don’t have to pay for your Uber trips with the Platinum card, just add it to your Uber account. When you do, the Platinum benefit is recognized instantly.
American Express also instantly sends a confirmation email as well.
Platinum cardmembers also receive Uber VIP status (only available in a few markets), giving you the option to have only the highest rated drivers, though VIPs have said it can mean a longer wait time for a car.
Here are official details of the benefits:
Here are two key things to know right now
- Link your card right away because a $15 Uber credit becomes immediately available, each month’s credit expires at the end of the month if unused. So by acting now you get $15 for March. If you want that credit can never be recovered (though of course you’ll continue to receive future credits).
- The $15 monthly credit reportedly works for UberEATS as well. So if you don’t need to go anywhere today or tomorrow, food may be able to come to you.
Remember that you still can earn Starwood points for Uber regardless of the card you use to pay for rides.
Does the benefit only work on the main card holders account? Ie if my son has a subaccount and he links his card does he get the credits or the credits stay with the main account holder? If my card is already in my uber account as a payment method do I need to relink it?
Will we be getting new cards in Canada or is this only available in the US.
Just called and rep said they’re not available yet.
Uber benefit is for primary cardholder only. US accounts only. Mercedes-Benz metal card may not be available (yet)
Thanks for the ping back!
Can you please provide a link on where to link accounts? Thank you.
So I just got off the phone with Amex trying to order my new metal card for biz platinum card. The rep said ever so simply that the new benefit that I’ve been reading about for the past month or more are only for consumer cards! Neat! What kills me the most is i would have gotten a personal card if I had known this prior to today so I could have locked in the 450 annual fee for at least the first year! Does any one know if ANY of the new benefits transfer over on the Business side? And I would hope this means my annual fee won’t be increasing… right?
@Vivek just add your Amex plat as a payment method in your uber account
@M k – Business card fee isn’t increasing at this time, and it has some benefits like gogo internet passes and 50% rebate on pay with points that the personal card does not have
Just logged into my account and ordered replacement card. I have the MB one and just received confirmation that it is on its way tomorrow 😀
Alex H – I have MB card too, and am being told I could order a replacement card, but it will just be the ordinary old plastic, not the new metal (yet). Could you possibly post back here when your card comes, to let us know if you got metal or plastic? Thanks!
I think I’ll request a metal card just to increase their costs…this card will leave my wallet once the larger fee hits, it’s just not worth it any more
Apparently only personal Amex Platinum cards are available in the metal card – I have a Business Platinum card and was told today that they are not issuing metal cards yet, and not sure whether they will be anytime soon.
Personal Platinum member here. Thr Uber credit isn’t working for me because apparently it’s only for First uber account the card is used on. I had an old account a few years back that is heaven knows where know that is preventing me from using it, unfortunately. Uber customer service is no help either
Ordered replacement MB card online so not sure if it will be plastic or metal. Will see tomorrow.
Has anyone been able to successfully request a metal one with a telephone agent today?
I ordered my metal card yesterday and requested UPS next day delivery. But it doesn’t look like I will receive it. Amex must be overwhelmed.
Anyone have luck getting AMEX to honor the $15 for March for an Uber ride earlier in the month? Having to use the credit in two days with so little notice wasn’t ideal…
Seems like Amex is getting a lot of interest with this one, I’d be curious to see if anyone else can make one? Perh