Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.One of the perks of my American Express Platinum card that I don’t use as much as I should is the Platinum Concierge, which offers services like arranging restaurant reservations, securing Broadway shows, or having your laundry picked up. However, in an era where everyone is texting and on the Internet, I think many cardholders don’t fully utilize this benefit.American Express must have felt the same way, since the company is testing out a new texting service to make reaching concierges easier.One of the perks of the Amex Platinum is the concierge service, which can help you make restaurant reservations, among other things.As an American Express Platinum Card Member and Platinum For A Year ambassador, I received the exclusive opportunity to test out the Text To Concierge pilot program. Here is some information on the pilot program:American Express is rolling out a new platform where Platinum cardmembers will be able to text back and forth with concierges for all of their requests, whether that be dining reservations, searching for show tickets or planning a special night out. This is an evolution of the program through which cardmembers could text a concierge with a request, and the concierge would call back (one-way texting). So far, access to the two-way texting program is by invitation only.Your American Express Platinum card can provide you with Delta SkyClub access.As a reminder, other Amex Platinum benefits include:$200 Airline Rebate: As a cardholder, you get a $200 airline rebate once per calendar year, meaning every January 1st you get $200 to spend on an airline that you designate. The rebate is automatic; you should receive it when you charge any airline fees directly to your card from your airline of choice.Airport Lounge Access: This was one of the cornerstones of the Platinum card, though the benefit experienced major changes this past year. As of May 1, 2014, only cardholders get complimentary access to Delta SkyClubs when holding a valid ticket for same-day travel; guests must now pay $29 per person. Perhaps to offset the loss of American Airlines/US Airways lounge access, Amex has ramped up access to its own Centurion Lounges, with locations in Dallas (DFW), Las Vegas (LAS), New York (LGA) and San Francisco (SFO), with more to come in Miami (MIA) and Seattle (SEA) this year. Amex Platinum cardholders get complimentary access along with immediate family or up to 2 guests.Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check Application Reimbursement: Platinum cardholders can receive a statement credit for the $85 TSA PreCheck application fee or the $100 Global Entry application fee once every five years. Global Entry (which also qualifies you for TSA PreCheck, and which I personally love) will get you out of lengthy customs and immigration lines when you return from traveling abroad.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Automatic Starwood Gold Status: With the Platinum card you can get automatic Gold status with Starwood, which is normally earned after 25 nights or 10 stays, and gets you a 50% bonus on Starpoints (so you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Starwood properties), free internet, room upgrades, 4 pm late checkout, and overall better customer service.Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: The Fine Hotels and Resorts program for American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders is a hotel booking site that includes a bunch of added perks and benefits when you use it to book hotel stays. Benefits include availability-based room upgrades, free night offers, complimentary breakfast, early check-in and guaranteed 4 pm check-out, resort credits for expenses like restaurants or spa treatments, and sometimes free WiFi.I’m also a huge fan of the swanky new American Express Centurion lounges.My ThoughtsOn the heels of the American Express Platinum Business card removing the 20% Pay with Points bonus, it’s nice to see Amex adding new perks to its cards as well. I’m still hopeful that American Express will roll out some more great benefits soon, but I’m glad to see that texting a Concierge will soon be an option.In the meantime, you can also email a Platinum concierge at Platinumrequests@concierge.americanexpress.com.Would you plan on using this texting benefit in the future?
