Okay, maybe not quite, but how about complimentary airport club access, preferred seating at theater and sports events, and your own personal concierge to get you a reservation at the hottest restaurants in town? Not interested? What about customized traveling services, such as private yacht rentals or a private helicopter ride over the Costa Rican rainforest? Now we got your attention?
Credit cards get a lot of bad rap with their inflated APRs, punitive late fees, and sky-scraping default rates. However, most credit cards also come with some pretty cool benefits. Learn to take advantage of these, and you might begin to think of those credit card fees as, gulp, almost a bargain.
While most standard credit cards offer some pretty great credit card deals, the coolest perks come from premium cards with an annual fee, such as the American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card. The annual fee is no small change at $125. But before your jaw drops clear down to your feet, take a look at the benefits.
Want some cool tips on what to see on your trip to Thailand? Amex travel specialists will help you plan your trip. Lose your wallet while abroad? The Amex Global Assist Hotline stands by with a 24/7 emergency service to get you out of your predicament. Looking to get in on exclusive premium ticket deals for concerts, shows and other events? You’ve got it. Planning an event and want help? The Amex Meetings & Events web-based planning guide will help you find venues, and access special offers online.
Want more? Like access to private sales and personal shoppers or the once-in-a-lifetime experience of special seating at a Rolling Stones concert-look into the American Express Platinum Credit Card. The annual fee, mind you, is a steep $450 a year. However, for those who can benefit from the premier services offered, the card is well worth its price.
The Amex Platinum comes with access to the Amex personal concierge service, which gives you 24-hour access to a personal assistant who can help you get tickets to the hottest shows in town or seating at exclusive restaurants. Need help shopping for a hard-to-find gift? Your personal concierge is available day or night, prepared to meet your every whim and fancy.
How about access to exclusive American Express “By Invitation Only Events,” like fashion shows or a cooking class with top chef Thomas Keller? You’ve got it. Stuck in the airport? The Amex Platinum will give you complimentary Airport Club access-all for the asking (and, of course, that $450 fee).
You also get access to Amex Private Yacht program, which lets you custom-tailor your own charter vacation on motor yachts and sailing yachts, and gives you access to exclusive amenities like that helicopter ride over the Costa Rican rain forest.
Last but not least, you get free companion tickets when you purchase a first class or business class ticket (no word about whether the Amex concierge will also stand by to deal with your children, who are cranky about being stuck back in coach.) And, you get opportunities for complimentary room upgrades at Amex partner hotels-which might just include that free continental breakfast in bed.
Of course, before you sign up for a card with such exclusive, luxurious benefits, take a candid inventory of your lifestyle and habits. Such a card is only worthwhile if you can actually make use of what it offers. Otherwise, carrying around a $450 piece of plastic you only use to purchase groceries is like doing addition with a graphing calculator-too much of a good thing. And as for that breakfast in bed? In that case, you’d be better off preparing it yourself.
