Should We Sign up for an AMEX card?

[tiffany123]

We haven't been to WDW for 11 years but will now be going every other year or so. Sometimes we'll be flying and other times we'll be driving. I'm wondering if it would benefit us to get an AMEX card. Have never had one and wonder if we would benefit enough to justify the yearly fee. We have always had fee free credit cards. What perks do you get with "white glove treatment" and how beneficial is the card for free airline tickets? We belong to Northwest World perks and would probably fly either NWA or Delta. Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[NancyIL]

You'd be surprised at just how many different American Express cards there are - and a number of them have no annual fee! http://home3.americanexpress.com/cards/benefits/default.asp?CCREG=MAYC9

 

[janette]

Amex Optima card has no annual fee.

 

[Penny2]

I have had an amex card since the eighties and LOVE it. They do have MANY options now so go to their website and check out which option is best for you. One of the things I like most about Amex is that their customers come first. Any time I've had a problem with a charge, they take it off the bill right away and they investigate the issue. For example, when I had a charge from an unknown hotel once, they wrote to the hotel and asked for proof. After thirty days, when the hotel hadn't answered (because it was a mistake on their part), I was clear. All the time, though, I had a credit on my account. Many cards these days make YOU do the work.

Their staple cards are not truly 'credit' cards in the sense that you have to pay them off every month and although for most of these you pay a fee, you can accrue points towards gift certificates, trips (including Disney) and merchandise. This feature called membership rewards costs something like $50 extra per year but is worth it if you figure you'll spend enough in a year to get an airline ticket or vacation, etc. We use ours to pay for anything we can....gas, groceries, cell phone, office supplies....anything to get the points. Again, it depends on how much you spend whether you can justify the $50 fee. We usually earn enough points each year to get two airline tickets, plus a few other certificates. In fact, I use mine so much that the signature line is worn off and I have to call them to get a new one!

As far as their 'white gloves' package with Disney. Last time I was there (11/00) we got a fanny pack, a booklet with some discount coupons and a pin. Wasn't much and I had to ask for it. It may be different if you book your vacation through their travel service, though.

Again, they have many different types of cards from the one we use which we pay every month to actual credit cards where they offer you 'credit' and you pay a fee on your accrued balance. I love my amex card and have never had a problem but you need to research their options to see if it is right for you.

Hope this helps!

 

[macs4us]

....you can get a Platinum Costco Rebate AMEX card with no annual fee. That also gives you a lot of Platinum benefits that you would not get with some other fee-free AMEX cards. Check this link for Platinum benefits:
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,789,00.asp?CCNR=MAYC6

 

[Humpbacks1962]

And if you go for the Delta Skymiles card, guess what: You get free miles! Double when you use your card at gas stations, supermarkets, post offices, to pay your cell phone bill and each time you buy plane tickets from Delta.

Then you go to the World and you get White Glove Treatment. You get a pin, a lanyard, a tote bag at check up plus qualify for discounts in a ton of restaurants and stores.

Wanda

 

[tiffany123]

Thanks for all the AMEX advice. Unfortuately we don't have Costco here so the Platinum Costco card isn't an option. However, the Delta Skymiles card sounds promising. Any thoughts on whether the $85 yearly fee for the gold card is worth it? I know that Delta and AMEX have a special right now where the first year's fee is waived but I don't like the idea of the $85 fee for future years. Again, thanks for all the replies, suggestions and advice.

 

[ceecee]

Did I read that right??? For 52,000 points you get a 6 day hopper plus ticket? That would be worth $300.00 or so. My USAir card...free airline ticket for 20,000 points. So 2 free tickets would more than likely be worth more than $300.00 (depending on air fare at the time). What other perks are you getting that make this such an attractive deal?

 

[Otisp]

Macs4us:
If you have actually been able to get these Platinum Card benefits, you've been luckier than us! I've tried a couple of times and have been told that the Platinum Cash Rebate Card isn't the same as "The Platinum Card" and isn't much better than a straight AMEX card (except that you don't have to pay it off each month). Which bennies have you been able to get? (maybe we've been trying for the wrong ones!)

 

[glyndaw]

I was not an amex card holder. Through my research I used the amex code "CHF" and found they had the best discount for when I was going. We are going April 4 - 9. I got a room at the PO Riverside for $605 for the 5 nights, which is $120 per night. I made my reservation only a week ago. Needless to say I did get a card. I just have to pay for my vacation with the card. The disney agent said this was the best discount available for that time.

Also looks like they have great perks w/ the points and discounts of 15% available at downtown disney. With my DC I would only get 10%.

I got the free blue card. May be worthwhile to get. You can always try the discount code and see if it works for you and then decide. I didn't have to have my card at the time of reservation, you need it when you check in though.

Good Luck!

 

[Gillian]

The 15% AmEx discount is off purchase of $50 or more. I used it at the world of disney store, but had to use the DC discount at the Pooh store for the one thing I needed there.

 

[Susie Dismom]

AMEX also has a Membership Rewards option which is at no charge. It is different from the one that costs $40 in that the options for which you cam use your points are not as extensive, but they tell me Disney is one of them. I just applied for the card last week and am waiting for details. I got the free blue card.

 

[SuzyQue]

The AMEX Blue card also has a 2% cash back rebate (verses Discover Card's 1%) on all purchases, (we pay the balance off each month). You'd be surprised how quickly that 2% builds up, the more you use the card, the more you make! ~~

 

[tiffany123]

I'm appreciating all your AMEX comments and suggestions. Does anyone know if a Blue card owner can accumulate airline miles. We'll be taking at least 10 family members to WDW in the next few years and will be paying for the entire trip. We're looking for a card where we can start earning some air miles and maybe then we'll get a break or two on a ticket or two in a few years.

Thanks again for all the suggestions

 

[jacrazy]

Yes, you can earn miles on the Blue Card as long as you are a member of the awards program with AMEX. I never wanted to pay for a card either, but I got a Gold card a few years ago and I try to charge everything I purchase on it. At the end of the month I pay it off. All of the money I spend gets credited to the awards program. Then I got a blue card. Now I'm about to get an AMEX Delta Skymiles, for the double points someone mentioned above and I'll get either 5,000 or 10,000 bonus miles depending on which card I get.

I've have had the card a few years, but just this year have I used my points. I've gotten 2 free roundtrip tickets to Florida this year. And I have enough for a free ticket to the caribbean and I'm working on that other free ticket for my daughter for our Jamaica trip next April. All of this will save me around $1,500.

 

[RobinMarie]

I have three credit cards, all of which 'work' for me. When I get a credit card bill and an annual membership fee is on the bill, I will immediately call customer service and explain that I would prefer not to pay the fee and what options do I have?

You'd be amazed at the options!

If all else fails, I hang up and call back and tell them I would like to cancel my card. When they ask why, I tell them and then they will offer me another option.

This works well with your interest rate too. If you find that your card has steadily inched up in APR, then call the customer service number and ask the representative for other APR options.

I don't think you will have to pay the 85 dollar fee, if you are flexible and willing to accept another type of AMEX card in a year.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

tiffany123
AMEX offers a Platinum cash rebate card without Costco membership. The interest rate is a little more, but the other benefits are the same and there is no annual fee for it either.