American Express Has Run Out Of Metal Platinum Cards – Expect Delays

American Express has apparently run out of metal cards for their Personal platinum product. When new changes went into effect on March 30th, one of the changes was that the card would now be made out of metal. It was possible to request a new metal card and it was showing as deliverable the following business day.

Few readers did receive their new card on the 31st (shipped by FedEx) but American Express have changed most of these requests to US Mail instead. In addition it’s no longer possible to request a new metal card. Note that this only applies to people that requested a new metal card under damage/replacement (a specific option was also added for metal cards), if you requested a replacement card due to it being lost or stolen then you should receive a metal card. Reddit user nealcaffreyy was offered 3,000 points due to the inconvenience when they called in to complain. Other users were either offered no points or a random offer of points.

It seems like poor planning on American Express’ behalf due to the fact that the Chase Sapphire Reserve ran into the same issue and American Express had an existing cardholder base and specifically gave them the option to request a metal card. It also seems like poor customer service to say that something will be next day shipped and then change it to regular US Mail.

New Platinum Card-Flat

At the end of the day, it’s a metal card and card aesthetics should mean very little to readers. American Express obviously upgraded to metal cards for a reason and I’m somewhat perplexed they haven’t been able to meet the demand. There is also an imgur album of the new card that can be found here.

 

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DHF
DHF (@guest_471875)
September 5, 2017 11:40

They just decided to send me one. Never asked. Thought it was a joke. Keeping my unexpired plastic card in case an old fashioned carbon machine is used.

Joshua
Joshua (@guest_382457)
April 3, 2017 15:07

Got a tracking number for one of my cards today, but it hasn’t shipped yet.

EARL THOMAS
EARL THOMAS (@guest_382092)
April 2, 2017 23:59

I don’t mind the wait, Amex has helped me with so much in the past. Shit happens!

Rob-L
Rob-L (@guest_382051)
April 2, 2017 22:14

Spoke with Amex today and asked for a metal card. CSR said that the SHOULD be able to have it to me by 4/11, as they had a backlog of cards to ship at the moment

Saved A Lot
Saved A Lot (@guest_381919)
April 2, 2017 17:56

Use the American Express Plantinum Uber credits for UberFeet…piggyback rides

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/uber-feet-piggyback-rides/

P
P (@guest_381855)
April 2, 2017 14:33

In my case only the centurion agents will ever see the card. It’s pretty much a sock drawer card. No Need for it it to be metal

Mark O
Mark O (@guest_381902)
April 2, 2017 17:06
  P

It is also good for airfare but that is almost always done online.

P
P (@guest_381903)
April 2, 2017 17:08

Exactly! I’m going to show it off this summer when we need to slice some onions for a barbecue or something.

Mark O
Mark O (@guest_381907)
April 2, 2017 17:14
  P

Haha nice! You could keep requesting lost replacements and then juggle them as a death defying stunt for entertainment!

Luke Vader
Luke Vader (@guest_382040)
April 2, 2017 21:39
  P

LOL, yeah. Or for real travel ninjas, keep a quiver of metal cards in your wallet to use as shuriken (throwing stars) whenever you walk the streets at night.

P
P (@guest_382041)
April 2, 2017 21:53

Traveling ninja!

Nick
Nick (@guest_381851)
April 2, 2017 14:24

My shipping was delayed but not downgraded. The original shipment was cancelled (Friday delivery), but they reshipped with UPS next day (Monday delivery).

It’s kind of funny that people are up in arms about others ordering replacement cards as if that wasn’t an intended use case. Amex’s FAQ page specifically says you can contact them and ask for one. Then again, it is also dumb to be upset about the delays without a non-aesthetic need.

TechBBBFan
TechBBBFan (@guest_381824)
April 2, 2017 13:03

I couldn’t care less about a metal card. In fact, I had Chase replace my Sapphire Reserve metal card with a plastic one, simply because the metal card interfered with my work ID such that I couldn’t get into my building without taking the card out of my wallet. Who needs it? I really don’t understand this obsession with metal cards.

ncsam
ncsam (@guest_381906)
April 2, 2017 17:14

I had the same issue. The Ritz card interfered, but not the CSR. Also, it should be noted that the metal Amex cards don’t have contactless payment capabilities (at least this is what the rep told me).

LG
LG (@guest_381810)
April 2, 2017 12:11

Ordered my metal Friday for next day Saturday delivery. Nothing came. Hopefully I actually get the metal one by Monday.

Elias
Elias (@guest_381803)
April 2, 2017 11:34

Wow why is it that so many churners have this card?? Maybe from the 100k leak? I have it from long time ago but I travel for work A LOT and use the centurion lounge all the time. That is pretty much the only reason I use this card for.

JohnFromATL
JohnFromATL (@guest_381818)
April 2, 2017 12:55

People churn through the variations of the Plat for the sign-up bonuses and the first year double/triple dip on travel credit. Plus, if you are rotating them, you can be on “first year high” for 5+ years 🙂

Elias
Elias (@guest_381823)
April 2, 2017 13:02

Gotcha, pretty smart!