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The Platinum Reserve credit card is the second most premium credit card that American Express offers, only next to the  Platinum card, which is a Charge Card (Charge cards have a variable credit limit). Looking at the benefits that it offers, from Taj Epicure membership to the Hotel Collection program, one might consider it a travel credit card. However, it offers many other benefits, including exclusive dining benefits, complimentary golf, and movie vouchers.
Apart from all these benefits, AmEx cards are known for their brand value. Many prefer AmEx cards over Visa and MasterCard just for that reason. Here, we’ve covered in detail all the features and benefits this card offers.
Read on to find out whether it fits your needs.

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
(4.6/5)

Fees

Joining Fee

Rs. 5,000 + GST

Renewal Fee

Rs. 10,000 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Dining | Shopping |

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

11,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points on a minimum expenditure of Rs. 30,000 within 90 days of card issuance.

Movie & Dining

BookMyShow vouchers worth Rs. 500 on the monthly expenditure of Rs. 25,000, complimentary Taj Epicure membership, complimentary membership of EazyDiner Prime.

Rewards Rate

1 Membership Reward Point for every Rs. 50 spent with the card except for spends on fuel, utilities, insurance, cash transactions, and EMI conversion at Point of Sale.

Reward Redemption

Membership Rewards Points redeemable for online shopping vouchers, INSTA rewards for offline purchases, transfer to various flight and hotels loyalty programs and for making credit card bill payments under the Cash + Points scheme.

Travel

Complimentary domestic lounge access annually, Priority Pass membership, Complimentary Taj Epicure Membership

Golf

2 complimentary rounds of golf per month at 32 premium golf destinations in India with a 100% waiver on the green fee.

Domestic Lounge Access

12 complimentary domestic lounge visits (limited to 3 per quarter)

International Lounge Access

Complimentary Priority Pass membership. USD 32 / person / visit chargable.

Insurance Benefits

Air accident cover worth Rs. 1 crore, purchase protection against loss, damage, or burglary of any item purchased using the card

Zero Liability Protection

No liability on cardholder for fraudulent use provided the loss of card is reported within 3 days. Liability limited to Rs. 1000 if loss of card reported after 3 days.

Spend Based Waiver

N/A

Rewards Redemption Fee

Nil

Rewards Redemption Fee

Nil

Foreign Currency Markup

3.5% of the transaction amount

Interest Rates

3.5% per month

Fuel Surcharge

Waived at HPCL fuel stations for transactions up to Rs. 5,000, 1% surcharge on BPCL and IOCL stations and 2.5% surcharge at all other fuel stations.

Cash Advance Charges

3.5% of the advanced amount, subject to a minimum amount of Rs. 250.

Add-on Card Fee

4 add-on cards free, Rs. 1,500 / card chargable for each additional card.

  • 11,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points as a welcome gift.
  • 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent with the card (except fuel, insurance, utility, EMI conversions).
  • Monthly Flipkart/BookMyShow or other brands vouchers as milestone benefits.
  • Complimentary (limited) visits to domestic airport lounges and a complimentary Priority Pass membership.
  • Complimentary membership of Taj Epicure.
  • 2 complimentary rounds of golf every month at 32 premium golf courses across India.
  • Dining offers with complimentary membership of EazyDiner Prime.
  • 24×7 American Express concierge service.
  • Air accident insurance cover worth Rs. 1 crore.

Pros

  • For frequent flyers, this card offers 12 domestic lounge visits and a Priority Pass membership.
  • You would get 11,000 Membership Reward Points on the realisation of card joining fees.

Cons

  • Although the joining fee is Rs. 5,000, the annual fees chargeable from the second year is Rs. 10,000.
  • There is no complimentary international lounge access (with Priority Pass Membership, you can access them at discounted rates).

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card Benefits & Features

Welcome Benefit:

You get 11,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points as a welcome benefit on the expenditure of Rs. 30,000 within 90 days of the card issuance, subject to the realization of the joining fee.

Milestone Benefits:

  • You can choose between Flipkart, BookMyShow, or other brand vouchers worth Rs. 500 on the expenditure of Rs. 25,000 in a calendar month.
  • Taj stays voucher worth Rs. 10,000 on the expenditure of a minimum of Rs. 5 lakhs in a membership year (subject to realization of the annual membership fee).

Travel Benefits:

  • 12 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits (limited to 3 per quarter) to partner airport lounges across India.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass membership for international lounge access at 1200+ VIP lounges across 120+ countries around the world. USD 32 will be charged per visit per guest as the usage fee for international lounge visits under the Priority Pass program.
  • Complimentary Taj Epicure membership that gives you special privileges, including a 10% discount on stays, late check-outs and unlimited validity of Taj InnerCircle Points.
  • USD 100 hotel credit and a complimentary room upgrade at luxurious hotel chains, including Hyatt & Hilton Hotels, under the Hotel Collection program.

Movie and Dining Benefits:

  • You can choose between a BookMyShow and a Flipkart voucher worth Rs. 500 on a minimum monthly expenditure of Rs. 25,000.
  • Complimentary Taj Epicure Program with exclusive benefits on dine-outs at bars, restaurants and spas across Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta Hotels, including 50% discount on first three dining transactions, 2 room upgrade vouchers and happy hours from 6 PM to 8 PM at participating bars.
  • Complimentary membership of EazyDiner Prime, which entitles you to benefits like a minimum of 25% off on Prime restaurants, complimentary drinks with every booking,
  • Preferential reservation and VIP Line for Prime members.

Golf Privileges:

  • Two complimentary rounds of golf every month at 32 of the top golf destinations in India with a 100% waiver on the green fee.
  • Primary and add-on card members can also get golf lessons at a discounted price.

Concierge Service:

You get a global 24×7 Platinum concierge service with this credit card. You’ll get assistance regarding-

  • Delivery of flowers and gifts
  • Booking movie tickets,
  • Arranging a round of golf,
  • Booking a spa session at participating partners,
  • Dining reservations
  • You can avail of the American Express concierge service by dialling 1800-180-1030 or 1800-419-1030.

Insurance Benefits:

  • Personal air-accident cover worth Rs. 1 crore (applicable only in case of loss of life).
  • Purchase protection in case an item (purchased via the credit card) is stolen due to burglary or damages or breaks due to fire, earthquake, flood, storm, cyclone, etc., within 60 days of purchase. In such a case, the amount paid may be refunded.
  • Both these insurance benefits are provided in partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited.

Fuel Surcharge:

  • No fuel surcharge is applicable at HPCL fuel stations for transactions of up to Rs. 5,000 (1% surcharge applicable thereafter).
  • 1% fuel surcharge applicable at BPCL and IOCL filling stations (subject to a minimum surcharge of Rs. 10).
  • 2.5% fuel surcharge at all other filling stations (subject to a minimum surcharge of Rs. 10).

Zero Liability Protection:

The cardholder is not liable for any fraudulent transaction made with the card if the loss of the card is reported within three days. Otherwise, the liability of the cardholder is limited to a maximum of Rs. 1,000.

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card Rewards:

You earn 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent with this card with the exception of spends on fuel, insurance, utilities, cash transactions and EMI conversion at Point of Sale.

Reward Redemption:

  • The Membership Rewards Points earned on the American Express Platinum Reserve Credit card can be redeemed for purchasing e-vouchers from American Express’s online shopping portal, INSTA purchases at offline stores, and also to make credit card bill payments under the card issuer’s Cash + Points scheme.
  • Membership Reward Points can also be transferred to airlines and hotel loyalty programs like Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Club Vistara, Emirates, Skywards, Etihad Guest, Finnair Plus, InterMiles, Qatar Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer, Virgin Points, Marriott Bonovoy and Hilton Honors.
  • The monetary value of the Membership Reward Points varies for different modes of redemption.

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card Eligibility

Eligibility for this credit card as per the table below-

Criteria Salaried Employees Self-Employed Individuals
Age >18 Years >18 Years
Income Minimum Rs. 6,00,000 per annum Minimum Rs. 6,00,000 per annum (as per ITR) and an at least 12 years old company.

American Express Customer Care

American Express has a dedicated helpline for their Platinum Reserve credit card customers. You may dial 1800 180 1030 (toll-free), 1800 419 1030 (toll-free), or 0124-280 1030 to report the loss of your card or in case you need assistance. These numbers are operational 24×7.

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card Review

Look at the travel-related benefits that this card offers. You might find a resemblance between the Platinum Travel card and this one, with the former offering similar benefits at half the annual membership fee. The reward rate for both cards is also similar. So, if travel benefits are all you need from your credit card, you might consider the Platinum Travel card instead.

If you’re looking for a premium credit card packed with all kinds of benefits, including some exclusive travel privileges, this card is worth looking at. If we leave behind the extra travel benefits that this card offers, it is in direct competition with HDFC’s Infinia and ICICI’s Emerald credit cards. If you’re one of those people for whom the AmEx logo increases the worth of their wallet, you can pick this one without a second thought.

It’s not a bad deal, at least as far as premium cards are concerned. For all others, HDFC’s Infinia and ICICI’s Emerald are also worth consideration. Let us know in the comments what you think of American Express’s premium offering and what benefits you seek in a high-end credit card.

FAQs:

American Express Membership Rewards Points never expire.
Yes, you can pay your credit card bill using the Membership Rewards Points that you had earned. The Points are adjusted against your card's statement balance.
You get complimentary Priority Pass membership with this credit card, but you have to pay a usage charge of USD 32 per head per visit.
You can get up to 4 complimentary add-on credit cards, post which you'll have to pay Rs. 1,500 per add-on card.
American Express credit cards are available only in Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh/Tricity, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodra, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Nasik, Trivandrum and Mysuru subject to conditions.
Yes, this card does support contactless payment. You need not even enter the PIN for transactions up to Rs. 5,000.

1 Comment

  1. Naitik Reply

    Dont purchase. It’s a complete waste of money. There are many better cards than this.

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