American Express Platinum Concierge: What to Know

Many American Express premium cards come with a slew of benefits from Centurion and Priority Pass lounge access to premium hotel programs like Fine Hotels and Resorts and the International Airline Program offering flight discounts. But, there is one perk that may seem a bit underrated.

The American Express concierge service can help you score hard-to-get reservations, theater tickets or tours you may not be able to secure yourself. In addition, they can send flowers, help during travel disruptions and even work on your behalf to get travel refunds you’re owed. Think of it like a built-in travel assistant without the payroll headaches (it’s all part of the annual fee as long as you don’t abuse the privilege).

Here’s a rundown of how the American Express concierge service works.

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How to use the American Express travel concierge

Just pick up the phone — American Express has concierges that speak 13 languages to help you. The number is listed on the back of your card. While using the concierge service is free, you’ll be charged for any purchases you use via their service (tickets, deliveries, reservations, etc.). But, of course, if you use them for assistance on travel refunds or other service-related requests, it’s free. That’s where some big-time value can come into play instead of managing certain things yourself, especially during the pandemic when many people struggled to keep up with airline credits or refunds.

When you call, you explain what you need. Flowers sent to a loved one in another city? No problem. Last-minute, front-row seats to a concert that seems sold out online? Let them give it a try! You make the request and they are there to help.

They’re not magicians, but they have clout working for American Express.

Those with the top-notch Centurion Card can even request the same dedicated concierge when they call that knows their personal preferences rather than working with a new person each time. Terms apply.

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Outlandish Amex concierge reservations and requests

As you might expect, big spenders might also have some out-of-the-ordinary purchase habits. The American Express Platinum concierge team has seen it all. Their job is to impress clients.

From having ice cubes replenished to a private island via helicopter to hard-to-find toiletries delivered in a speedboat to an overwater villa in the Maldives, the requests run the gamut. But, of course, you’ll have to foot the bill for the extra expenses.

They can organize truffle hunting in Italy or gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Regarding travel, they can coordinate luxury suites on cruise ships and hotels and coordinate destination itineraries like a top travel advisor.

AmEx Platinum concierge dinner reservations are sure to lead to a better table than what you might be able to get yourself. One cardholder says the American Express travel concierge secured a VIP table next to former pro footballer David Beckham at a world-renowned steakhouse and was attended to by the celebrity owner himself.

In a medical crisis, the concierge can help secure hospital admissions and even file your insurance claims for you.

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Which cards are eligible for the American Express concierge?

Check your wallet. If you have an American Express card with a sizable annual fee, you might have access to the American Express travel concierge. These are some of the major cards that have access:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695).

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($695).

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($650).

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($550).

• The Centurion Card from American Express.

Terms apply.

The bottom line

Coupled with all the other rich benefits high-end American Express cards provide, the concierge service is a nice add-on perk. If you’re too busy to handle certain tasks yourself or are in desperate need of something you don’t think you can get on your own, then this service can come in handy. Given that the phone call and assistance are free, why not use it? If you were going to pay for something anyway, using this American Express service, while not a guarantee, can often help make your life easier and even better.

All information about The Centurion Card from American Express has been collected independently by Nerdwallet . The Centurion Card from American Express is no longer available through Nerdwallet.