It is time to renew my American Express card and I am not sure that the price of the card is worth the benefits.I have had the platinum card for the past two years. I have tried to tap into the "free" first class companion fare, but found the cost of the other ticket ridiculously expensive. I have heard that the platinum card covers loss of luggage and includes trip cancellation insurance and free emergency flights home but am having a hard time verifying this. Does someone have experience enough to tell me if the cost of this card is worth having it?

Did you happen to check the website? http://www201.americanexpress.com/ap...i=17/12122/b/3

All of your features and perks are on there. We have bought discounted theater tickets, Georgia Aquarium tickets and other discounted tickets using our Platinum card.

In both Mexico and Costa Rica, they typically take a $1500 or $2000 deposit for a rental car. With our platinum Delta Skymiles Amex, they only required a $250 deposit.

If it is a Platinum card, it will also include access to the airline club room while you're traveling. (The Delta Skymiles Platinum card does NOT have this feature, I just discovered, only the Platinum AMEX does.)

I found the same thing with the "free" companion ticket also.

The Delta Skymiles one does give you some other perks, however.

Hi Mom 23. I will try the link now. Do you know if they also fly you out and no cost in case of emergency?

Good question, Wassy. I'd call them and ask. The platinum concierge should be able to email you a sample travel policy with all of the terms and benefits.

We just changed ours back to Gold. It cost too much and the last time I tried to use my membership rewards to get to Europe, I could get there, I just couldn't get home! For that kind of aggravation I can forgo flashing the Platinum. I hope I didn't give up a benefit that I could really use, not just would like to use.

THX zwho and Mom23. I have calls into friends who all have mixed reviews.... I was told by one friend that Am Ex platinum will fly you out the remotest of areas on a Lear jet if needed for medical crises. Since my hubby is a hunter this really appeals... but then I have heard this is not entirely true.... so I am still baffled as to benefits. I have to go to Singapore and Hong Kong in February and just found out that one business class ticket will cost $9,000 for one........Lordy...

Don't forget about their concierge service. We've been able to get sold out tickets and reservations at a full restaurant before with this service.

We struggle with this also. But, whenever we have conversation, I come back to a few instances where it really helped.

- I got stuck at O'Hare when a thunderstorm that closed the airport around 9 pm. When they finally cancelled my flight, everyone else had to go to a bank of telephones or the one rep working the gate. Instead, I called AMEX Platinum and got the last hotel room at the O'Hare Hyatt and the last seat on the first flight out the next morning.

- Several years ago my wife lost a new ring she had purchased while in St. Martin. Amex Platinum covered the full cost. Actually, they gave her a choice, we'll refund the price or send a jeweler with the same type of ring. She took the latter option.

- I've used them to get a tough table a restaurants in NYC when a few minutes earlier I had no luck on my own.

The card gives me access to Continental's Presidents Club. As I use Newark several times a year, that's a big plus for me. If I lived somewhere that didn't have that option, not sure I'd think of it the same way.

I also use them to get no fee travelers checks. I never use them but as it doesn't cost anything, I'll get a few hundred as an option to paying ATM fees away from home.

I, too am wondering if it's worth it to renew, I have never really used any of the benefits. Actually, I forgot about them and went and bought travel insurance for our upcoming trip.

But, my question is, are you Rewards members, or do you get miles? I have a delta sky miles platinum card, and if I have understood correctly, I have to choose between miles and points. What do you do? I chose miles but I always wonder if that is the best use for the card.

I think it comes down to how much you fly. If you fly enough and want lounge access, then it is worth it. All of the other stuff is of minimal value, or available more cheaply with the Gold card or through other providers.

With Amex Platinum you get Reward Points. They can then be applied to your FF account at one of their partner airlines. The "do you fly enough" comment is valid. I'd add to that do you fly most, if not all, of your flights on one of their partner airlines. If so, then consider that. If not, I agree no reason to pay the premium fee.

Agree with travelgourmet. For us, the lounge access alone is worth it. We have also used the first class check in and security lines even when not flying first class. And we have had good luck with restaurant reservations, hotel upgrades and early check-ins (even as early as 6:00 AM).

Buyer beware when you purchase a Platinum American Express Card.The International Companion Ticket Program is totally deceptive in their advertising !!! Under normal circumstances a travel agency helps you get the best tickets at the airlines current rates. Amex advertises that if you buy a full fare first class or business class ticket ,you get one free. If you check full fare prices with airlines and then have the Amex Platinum Travel Service book it for you,wait for the shock! Their prices are much more expensive. When asked why,they explain that the prices they get may have been negotiated some time ago and the full fares that are currently being advertised are irrelevant.The other excuse they give is in the "microscopic" fine print that you receive "AFTER" you purchase the card, is that the fare has to be an unrestricted fare whether you want that or not! When you check the current unrestricted cost with the airlines it still may be thousands less than what Amex wants to charge you. My advice is don't trust that you will be getting a bargain with the Two for One program. K