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I caught a domestic flight on continental recently and they were doing a hard sell on their new Continental Chase Presidential Plus card as an invitation card came with my breakfast tray inviting me to join.

Years ago I had a platinum Amex card for the primary purpose of getting access to world airport lounges during business trips. After changing jobs, I no longer traveled as much and therefore didn’t need the card any longer so I canceled it.

I’ve been doing more and more travel now and that has rekindled my interest in applying for a Platinum Amex card again primarily for the sole purpose of accessing world travel lounges.

Evidently, Continental/Chase wants to get in on the action as well so they’re offering a competing product.

The Continental Chase Presidential Plus Mastercard has the following benefits:

  • Presidents Club® Membership for 2 for as long as you carry the card. You and your family or you and 2 guests can relax between flights in the pleasant, upscale environment of any of our 27 private airport clubrooms. Members also have access to over 40 additional affiliated lounges worldwide, including Northwest® WorldClub Lounge and Delta Crown Room.
  • EliteAccess® Priority Airport Services 3 including special airport check-in lines, eService Center check-in and continental.com check-in. The Primary Cardmember and anyone traveling in the same reservation receive priority check-in lines at the airport, express security lines (where available), boarding at any time through special lines, and priority bag tags so your bags are among the first to arrive at the carousel.
  • Earn Flex Elite Qualification Miles 4 - For every $25,000 in purchases, up to 14 times a year, you’ll earn 2,000 Flex Elite Qualification Miles (Flex EQMs). These miles do not expire, so you can redeem them toward Elite status at any time in future years. This unique and valuable feature is not available through any other card or offer.
  • Double Miles on Travel Spend 4 - Receive Double OnePass® miles when you use the card to purchase tickets directly from Continental. You’ll also earn double miles for hotel stays and car rentals you pay for with the card. These additional bonuses for travel-related purchases make it the perfect card to bring with you on any trip.
  • New! Hyatt® Platinum level status 5 - Presidential Plus cardmembers will enjoy Hyatt Gold Passport® Platinum membership, which includes 5 points per eligible dollar, a 15% point bonus when you choose Hyatt Gold Passport points for your stay, no blackout dates for reward stays, an exclusive Platinum reservation line, Platinum Extra Awards after every third stay and more.
  • Exclusive Avis® Benefits 6 - As a Presidential Plus cardmember, you will be invited to join Avis’ President’s Club, an exclusive program that includes up to a two-car group upgrade, guaranteed car even without a reservation, savings on international rentals, and access to a members-only reservation line.
  • Additional Benefits include no preset spending limit 7, online year-end summaries, online fraud protection, travel insurance, trip cancellation insurance, rental car collision/loss damage waivers, roadside assistance and much more.

This card comes with a $375 annual fee.

American Express Platinum has these benefits:
TRAVEL PRIVILEGES

- Platinum Travel Service - Exclusive Travel Benefits
Enjoy exclusive access to a valuable travel resource: Platinum Travel Service, a full-service travel agency available exclusively to Platinum Card members, any hour of the day and night - 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Platinum Travel Service team of travel professionals is on hand to assist you with every detail of your travel plans and help you take advantage of you exclusive Platinum Card member travel benefits such as room upgrades and complimentary companion tickets. Simply call 800-443-7672. View Platinum Travel Benefits


- Airport Club Access Program — complimentary admission
Wait for your flights in the comfort of a private airport club. Platinum Card members—as well as their spouses and children under the age of 21 or up to two traveling companions—can enjoy complimentary access to participating airport club locations worldwide when traveling with the respective airline that is operating the club. Locate Clubs


- The Fine Hotels & Resorts program — special upgrades and amenities
Make your travel experience extraordinary when you book a Fine Hotels & Resorts reservation through Platinum Travel Service. Receive special amenities and comforts when staying at more than 500 hotels and resorts around the world. You’ll receive a room upgrade at check-in when available, continental breakfast for two each day, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, and an additional amenity unique to each participating property. Search Hotels


- Premium Car Rental Programs from Avis® , Hertz®, and National®
Complimentary memberships are reserved for you in premium car rental programs from Avis®, Hertz®, and National Car Rental®. Enroll in any or all of these programs to bypass lines and paperwork, go right to your waiting car, and enjoy special upgrades and discounts. Enroll Now


- Complimentary membership in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program
Receive Gold Preferred membership without having to meet any frequent-stay minimums or requirements. Your Starwood Preferred Guest membership entitles you to room upgrades when available, late checkout, and the opportunity to earn free nights and free flights with over 30 major airline partners. Enroll Now


- Domestic Companion Airfare Program — complimentary airfare
Enjoy your trip with a travel companion. When flying in the U.S., purchase a qualifying coach-class airfare on one of six major U.S. carriers, and receive complimentary airfare for a companion with the same itinerary as your own, up to four times a year.

- International Airline Program — complimentary companion tickets
Why travel alone? Receive a complimentary overseas companion ticket on one of 18 participating airlines when you purchase a qualifying, full-fare First or Business-Class ticket through Platinum Travel Service. Find Destinations


- Cruise Privileges program with exclusive amenities
Book your cruise vacation on any of our world-class cruise line partners through Platinum Travel Service and discover the difference between an ordinary cruise and an extraordinary vacation. Platinum Card members enjoy a $300 shipboard credit or a two-category stateroom upgrade, depending on the cruise line and stateroom category booked. In addition, receive special amenities unique to each Cruise Privileges partner. Browse Cruise Partners


- Platinum Destinations® Vacations — unforgettable vacation adventures
The world’s best-known travel specialists provide one-of-a-kind travel experiences tailored to your personal interests and schedule. Receive up to 25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you reserve your place on these exclusive vacations through Platinum Travel Service. Find Destinations


- Platinum Villas — unique stays in world-class private residences
Enjoy a luxurious stay in an exquisite private residence on your next vacation, all coordinated through Platinum Villas. Four Seasons Residence Clubs, LaCURE, The Mansion at MGM Grand, and Villas of Distinction join us in offering an outstanding list of properties throughout the world. For more information and to receive an exclusive Card member amenity valued at $500 or more, contact Platinum Travel Service. Find Villa Destinations


- Private Jet Services Program
The Private Jet Services Program can transform not only how you fly, but also how you feel about flying. The Program features six of the most respected names in the industry and offers three attractive options: charter, membership, and fractional ownership programs. As a Platinum Card member, you enjoy an exclusive extra benefit with whichever private jet option you choose. Review Private Jet Partners


- Private Yacht Program — enjoy exclusive amenities
Chart your own course with custom itineraries and personalized menus while enjoying exclusive amenities tailored to each sailing. Learn More


- The Ritz-Carlton Club
Enjoy a taste of The Club voted Best of the Best Fractional Residence Club by Robb Report through your benefits as a Platinum Card member. Members of The Ritz-Carlton Club enjoy 21 to 35 days in residence annually in some of the world’s most sought after destinations, complete with on-site world-class amenities and the service for which the Ritz-Carlton is renowned. Learn More


- The Limousine Program — travel in style
Make car travel more comfortable and convenient with chauffeured transportation through our limousine service partners. And for each booking, you can earn triple Membership Rewards points when you call 1-800-AXP-LIMO or contact Platinum Travel Service to make your reservation and pay with your Platinum Card.
View Services


- International Communication Solutions from Vodafone — Stay in touch with home while traveling overseas
Avoid the hassle of international roaming by renting an international cell phone from Vodafone. Request the exclusive YouToMe service and forward calls from your U.S. cell phone or give friends and family (in the U.S.) a Toll Free number that rings directly on your international cell phone. As a Platinum Card® member you can benefit from $25 worth of free airtime on rentals of one week or longer. Free delivery & collection on rentals of two weeks or longer. View Special Rates


- American Express Travel Website
You’ll find fantastic deals to almost anywhere you can imagine. At the American Express Travel website, you have access to worldwide destinations at low web fares. Plus, you can earn double Membership Rewards® points virtually every time you book with your Card or instantly redeem for travel on virtually any airline by using Membership Rewards Pay with Points. Book Now


- Annual Travel Benefit — Earn credit with travel
Once a year, you can receive a statement credit of up to $100 when you book a qualifying vacation with Platinum Travel Service.1 You can combine your Card member Annual Travel Benefit with Cruise Privileges amenities, Platinum Destinations Vacations program amenities, and most special promotions.

- Fee-Free Travelers Cheques and foreign currency by phone
Platinum Card members can have fee free foreign currency and American Express Travelers Cheques delivered directly to their home or office by postal mail or Next Day delivery (delivery fees vary). When ordered by phone, there are no per item fees for Travelers Cheques (single or dual signature) or foreign cash. The fee for Gift Cheques is $2.50 each. Order directly from American Express at 1-800-673-3782. Delivery fees will apply to each order.

Cheques can also be purchased at banks, at an American Express office near you, or visit americanexpress.com/travelerscheques to purchase online, however per item fees will apply to these non- phone purchases.

As you can see from the list, American Express Platinum has many more features and less restrictions on car/hotel memberships and this is just listing Amex’s travel benefits! It doesn’t include any of the other card benefits.

I’m not a big fan of continental though and that’s a big problem for me since many of the cards benefits I simply wouldn’t use. I also don’t like being locked in to Avis/Hyatt for car & hotel, or at the very least received preferred benefits from just these two companies.

The big problem I have with American Express is that they are notorious for raising their annual fee on their cards. The Amex Platinum has an annual fee of $450 per year and it’ll likely climb to $500 in a year or two.

So are these cards worth it? For me, having access to a hot shower after traveling on a plane for 18 hours has its definite advantages. I also live and die by high speed internet connection which is available in most travel lounges as it keeps me connected to my blogs, stock & options data and world economic news. If you read this blog regularly, you know I rake in cash all the time so not having internet access while on a four hour lay over can cost me some serious cash.

I’ll likely apply for the Amex platinum card, hopefully I can talk them into waiving the fee for the first year ;) . Hint, hint Amex if you’re reading this….