Good morning everyone, I hope your Fourth of July weekend is going well.  I know there has been a lot of news this week about the American Express Platinum Cards, but I still wanted to share the details of the changes that were posted to my American Express Business Platinum Card.  I don’t have any other varieties or flavors of Platinum Cards, so I am not sure if these changes apply to all Platinum Cards or only to the Business Platinum Card.  To start, American Express is revising / clarifying the language regarding additional card members and how refunds are handled if you cancel an authorized user / employee card.  These changes mention the Cardmember Agreement which can be found here, then click on Small Business Cards, and then click on the Business Platinum Card.

Here are the terms related to the annual fee and authorized user / employee cards.

Here are the terms for closing your card and receiving a refund within 30 days of when the annual fee posted.  If you live in Massachusetts, you are excluded from the 30 day period, which I believe means you can receive a refund of the annual fee (either in full or pro-rated) after the 30 day period.

The next 2 changes introduce the $179 CLEAR Credit which is an annual statement credit.  I have had CLEAR in the past but didn’t think the service was worth pay $179 every year.  Now that I get a $179 statement credit for CLEAR, I plan on reactivating my membership and adding my wife.  Follow these steps to get 2 members for the price of 1.

The next change goes into effect on February 1, 2023 (18 months from July 2021) that affects access to Centurion Lounges.  After February 1, 2023, only the primary cardmember will get free access and guests will be charges $50 per visit ($30 for children).  This restriction is waived if you spend at least $75,000 on your Platinum Card in calendar year 2022.

Here are the details of the $179 CLEAR Credit.  It says if you apply for CLEAR but are not approved, CLEAR will refund the charge and the refund will post to your account.  Both the primary and additional cardmembers can use the CLEAR credit, up to the combined $179 annual limit.  Your CLEAR membership will automatically renew each year.

Here are the details regarding the new Centurion Lounge guest access policy that will go into effect on February 1, 2023.

It mentions some lounges will only allow you in with a same day departure boarding pass, while some lounges will allow you in with a same day departure or arrival boarding pass.  All lounge access is subject to space availability.

I am exciting to use the $179 CLEAR Credit and I’m dreading the new Centurion Lounge guest access policy, but I have 18 months to live it up before the change goes live.  If you have any questions about any of these changes, please leave a comment below.  Have a great Fourth of July everyone!