This has now been confirmed, more details here.
American Express is in the process of adding a new benefit to the American Express Platinum card. High end gym brand Equinox currently offers an app called ‘Variis by Equinox’, this offers on demand classes (Equinox, SoulCycle, Precision Run & more). Currently this app costs $40 per month and Plaitnum cardholders will receive a monthly reimbursement/credit for this fee.
American Express currently has a partnership with fitness app Obé Fitness until August 16th, so I wouldn’t expect this new Equinox Variis benefit to go live before then.
I’ve heard, but am not certain, that AMEX is in business to actually make a profit. Some of the comments seem to ignore this novel idea.
Really wish Amex would stop with the specific restrictive credits that are a win for them and a lose for the consumer. Bloggers will hype it as a great value and it may be for some, but I’m tired of these random niche benefits on what is supposed to be a travel card.
What a crap benefit. I like Equinox, but the notion of anyone paying $40/month for junk maybe half a click above youtube videos or valuing it a fraction of that is sad. Also, if you need exercise videos on the regular, high probability you aren’t going to make it
Now watch the bloggers say how this $40/month benefit SAVED NEARLY $500 a year! WOW! Signup now!
Equinox variis? What a pompous name..
Bring back the extended warranty, they shortened it.
Amex did partner with Equinox for in person memberships and one point but they got rid of that perk
This is no benefit to me, I won’t use it at all. As others have said, give us a more useable airline credit. I’d also like to see us get higher hotel status, and at least one major airline carrier status opportunity. Keeping the wireless, and steaming credits would be nice too. They need to do something, I doubt many of us actually got to use much of our account perks this year.
A $1 credit per month would have been better in exchange for using the card at least once per month.
…but WAIT there is MORE…
I just want a solid travel card, with great customer service, lounge access, hotel status, travel insurance, and maybe annual travel incidentals, and extended warranty benefits. That’s it.
Wishful Platinum Changes:
4x Travel (like green card’s 3x travel)
$200 Airline Credit ($50 a quarter or $100 every 6 months but can be used for airline tickets. Since Amex seems to like breaking up their credits in to chunks I’d be willing to make the trade off for an easier to use general airline credit. Heck I’ll even take the choosing an airline crap too.)
Keep the remaining benefits & annual fee.
I know these changes aren’t really great for the times we live in but in a few years pairing this with the Gold and BBP would be an awesome Trifecta especially with the Schwab version.