Please Kill These Amex Platinum Benefits NOW

Amex Platinum Benefits

Like many of you, I’m patiently awaiting the refreshed versions of the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum.  I’m the type who generally prefers managing my expectations rather than wishing and hoping certain things.  I could dream of what could come, only to have those thoughts dashed when the new card versions are unveiled.  So instead of blathering on about what new Amex Platinum benefits could appear (I did just a bit of that last week), I’m focusing today on what I want the bank to kill ASAP and why.

Walmart+ Membership

In a change I’m confident absolutely no one asked for a few years ago, Amex added a monthly $12.95 statement credit for Walmart+ membership to the consumer Platinum card.  Plenty mocked this move, mentioning the addition made the Platinum seem less prestigious.  I can personally understand that take but find it largely inconsequential in our situation.  All I know is that I got free Paramount+ out of the deal.  But so what?  Paramount+ has pretty much given itself away since rollout; free subscription promo codes are floating around all the time.

Maybe my wife knows something I don’t, but I’m fairly confident we haven’t used Walmart+ in any substantial way since this benefit appeared.  Rather, this benefit got the best of me several months ago.  I cancelled the Platinum card I had been using to pay for the Walmart+ membership.  Walmart.com subsequently flanked to charging another card I had on file, of course one that didn’t include this benefit.  I paid $12.95 for pretty much nothing.  Yes, that one’s on me, but regardless, I want this benefit gone.

Shop Saks with Platinum

I’ve enjoyed the consumer Platinum’s Saks benefit over the years, tinkering to get the most out of it while minimizing my out-of-pocket expenses.  But, in my view, this benefit has run its course.  Saks has raised the minimum purchase amount for free shipping, sufficiently eating into the credit for smaller purchases.  Certain Saks employees have been tremendously unhelpful when I’ve tried to use this benefit.  Plus, while we’ve never truly had any need for items at Saks, we don’t really have any wants left there, either.

Equinox/SoulCycle Credit

I will now make three irrefutable statements for my situation.  Perhaps some of you can relate.

• No Equinox gym exists in my region.
• I do not need another app of questionable additional value in my life.
• I’m not interested in storing a bulky workout device in my home.
• I’d rather not fill my house with the stench of workout sweat.

Conversely, I’m NOT sweating the loss of this Amex Platinum benefit.

TSA PreCheck/Global Entry/CLEAR Benefits

These benefits on the consumer and business Platinum versions, in the form of statement credits after enrolling, are undeniably valuable to many.  But they’re also quite superfluous.  So many other cards, many less expensive, offer them.

Dell Technologies Statement Credit

I remember that years-old commercial where there’s a dude on a computer whose screen states, “you’ve reached the end of the internet.”  I pretty much feel that way about Dell.  I’ve bought everything I could ever possibly want or need from Dell.com.  This biannual Business Platinum credit has decreased, perhaps compatible with my lack of needs at this point.  And, what a clunky site, too!  Just end this one, Amex.

Indeed Benefit

My small business is pretty much as small as one can get.  Understatement of the year – I will not be hiring anyone to work for my business.  Second understatement of the year – even if I was, I would not be using Indeed to do so.  Indeed, I have absolutely zero use for this Business Platinum benefit.

Adobe Statement Credit

I also don’t have any need for Adobe products.  But even if I did have a minor one, this benefit is pretty icky.  A Business cardholder must spend a minimum of $600 on Adobe purchases in order to receive a $250 statement credit.  The only individuals who make out ahead here are the ones who already use Adobe and have a need, anyway.  That’s not me.

Amex Platinum Benefits – Conclusion

Of course, these perks provide many individuals a certain amount of benefit.  But, in my view, the current Amex Platinum benefits apply to too few of us for too little.  But that’s the rub.  Naturally, as a business, Amex is looking to offer a balance of useful benefits attractive to a just-wide-enough audience while ensuring they aren’t too valuable.  I don’t blame them.

I like what seems to be coming up with certain benefits, but I’m also looking for some new ones.  Amex, please throw out the above benefits and replace them with something else that I can sort-of use, at the very least.

What Amex Platinum benefits would you like to see disappear and why?