The American Express Platinum card has added many benefits to go along with the $695 annual fee. Some partners seem like natural matches, like the credits from Saks Fifth Avenue and Equinox health clubs. Other credits fit the Platinum Card’s luxury travel image, including the air travel fee credit, CLEAR credit and global lounge access.
However, one credit seems out of place for the AMEX Platinum Card: the Walmart+ Membership credit.
Use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and receive a statement credit that covers the full costeach month.
I don’t see many people who read the AMEX Platinum Departures magazine shopping at Walmart.com and paying for a Walmart+ membership.
While this credit seems out of place, American Express is doubling down on the Walmart/Platinum Card partnership with a recent AMEX Offer targeted to Platinum cardholders.
You can get $10 back after spending at least $40 on a single purchase. You can use the offer 2x for a total of $20.
Considering that other offers for the Platinum card include getting $150 back after spending $750 at a Four Seasons hotel or 15,000 Membership Rewards for spending $750 at Jimmy Choo, I can’t see how $10 back for Walmart fits into the card’s luxury image.
Who am I to second-guess AMEX? They know their cardholders better than I do. But perception is reality and if you’re marketing your $700 credit card to high-income customers, I can’t figure out how teaming up with Walmart helps you meet your benchmarks.
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5 comments
If only they can re code Sams club as a grocery store it would really open things up lol 🙂 But there are alot of wealthy that do shop at Walmart around here.. especially since groceries have sky rocketed over the last 2 yrs.
People who hold a Platinum card need to buy toilet paper and soda too! I’m making use of the Walmart+ membership… and will use these credits. Walmart for the most part has impressed me with their Driveup service… They seem much better equipped than other retailers, certainly do a better job than Target. At my nearest store, orders usually ready within a couple hours, drive up to a special loading area on the side of the building, and there’s a dedicated door for the associates to bring out items. Never thought I would shop Walmart much aside from when I lived in a smaller town, but gotta give them some credit here.
With the free Walmart+ membership, Walmart frequently beats Amazon for two day (or faster) delivery of basic household items. Even with annual household income over $500k, I will definitely get more use out of this Walmart Amex offer than Four Season and Jimmy Choo!
We need to get some household supplies, so I will use the offer as well. That doesn’t mean it’s not a strange fit.
I’m with you. AMEX has been consistently devaluing Platinum by reducing the range of purchases eligible for points and removing important benefits like medical evacuation. I can’t imagine how somebody like me who has already been put off by cheapening the brand will say, “OMG, Walmart! Now I really need this card!”