Amex Platinum - any experience?

[smalldog]

I am considering getting a Platinum Amex - I know the ¥143,000 annual fee is absurd however my motivation is specific: Now Tokyo is back firing on all cylinders again after Covid getting decent restaurant reservations for important dining with customers has become really difficult.

In the US it is well known that the most valuable feature of Amex platinum is their concierge service - they can get you last minute reservations at more or less any restaurant (I’m looking at you, Dorcia).

Does anyone know if Amex Platinum Japan is similarly powerful/useful here? I’m concerned I’m going to sign up for the card, fork out the money but find out the Platinium concierge in Japan doesn’t have the same power as they do in London or New York.

Also if anyone know if they have English speaking agents in the concierge line that would be a real bonus - for ¥150k a year I would like to be able to communicate my needs fluently rather than in my broken Japanese.

Appreciate your guidance if any forum members have experience with the card and more-so have put the concierge service really to the test.

[TokyoBoglehead]

I am considering getting a Platinum Amex - I know the ¥143,000 annual fee is absurd however my motivation is specific: Now Tokyo is back firing on all cylinders again after Covid getting decent restaurant reservations for important dining with customers has become really difficult.

In the US it is well known that the most valuable feature of Amex platinum is their concierge service - they can get you last minute reservations at more or less any restaurant (I’m looking at you, Dorcia).

Does anyone know if Amex Platinum Japan is similarly powerful/useful here? I’m concerned I’m going to sign up for the card, fork out the money but find out the Platinium concierge in Japan doesn’t have the same power as they do in London or New York.

Also if anyone know if they have English speaking agents in the concierge line that would be a real bonus - for ¥150k a year I would like to be able to communicate my needs fluently rather than in my broken Japanese.

Appreciate your guidance if any forum members have experience with the card and more-so have put the concierge service really to the test.

I would suggest that this might be a better question for r/japanfinance over on reddit. Wider audience.

You also might want to specify if you are talking about the Platinum Business or Regular Platinum.

[smalldog]

Thanks for the idea - will ask it over there too.

[Viralriver]

Thanks for the idea - will ask it over there too.

Did you end up getting an answer? Curious too!

[smalldog]

There was some pretty useful feedback - although the consensus seems to be that the card is not the magic tool I was hoping (dreaming) for. Main surprise to me was how many Japan Reddit users have a Platinum Amex - clearly some money being on Wall Street Bets by a few guys in Tokyo.

Suggest you go and check out the thread.

In summary decided to stick with my Bonvoy Premium + ANA Superflyers Gold cards for the time being as don’t think the additional ¥150k a year is going to solve my poor planning problem for booking restaurants.

[RetireJapan]

In summary decided to stick with my Bonvoy Premium + ANA Superflyers Gold cards for the time being

Ha, ha, I have those as well as the JAL Global Club one.