Follow Me Foodie to the American Express Platinum Dining Program!
There are friends with benefits and then there are charge cards with benefits. There can be complications with the first, but the second? Hook me up!
When it comes to spending, I tend to limit my credit cards and am selective on what I use. Nothing wrong with high standards, right? But it has to fit my needs. It’s great to have a card that is as useful as it is rewarding, especially if rewards span the food and travel categories. I confess – I am a lover of these pleasures in life.
As a food and travel enthusiast, it’s nice to have a card which doubles as a concierge service.
The American Express Platinum Card (Amex Platinum Card) gives access to the Amex concierge, special perks at select restaurants, entertainment benefits, global airport lounge access, lodging benefits at over 700 fine hotels and resorts, and access to exclusive Cardmember experiences.
The Platinum Concierge is available 24/7 to help with restaurant suggestions and inventive ideas for any situation. From recommending and reserving hotels to helping with booking travel, and from planning birthdays to helping arrange special surprises, they are there to help.
Think about it? It’s having a restaurant advisor and personal assistant all in one! The less planning I have to do, the more time I can spend relaxing.
As helpful as The Platinum Concierge can be, the Platinum dining program, Taste from Platinum, is also pretty exciting!
Of course when it comes to restaurants I always have an opinion or suggestion, but without the card I don’t have access to the exclusive benefits and events.
These aren’t non-welcoming dinners either, but social events. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who appreciate excellent food and wine, and share unique and memorable dining experiences.
When I travel, my itinerary is literally all over the map and sometimes I don’t know where I’ll be in the next few weeks. When something comes up, I have to go so I need a lot of flexibility in my schedule. This doesn’t always work when I need a reservation to a restaurant, which requires booking months in advance, but the Amex Platinum Card holds reservations for hundreds of the most acclaimed restaurants all over the world.
The Concierge can also give me all the information I need to know before dining at a restaurant. From the “must try” items, to special requests, updated menus, complimentary perks for your whole table, for example appetizers, custom cocktails, and desserts just for booking with your Platinum Card. It’s especially useful if you’re somewhere where you don’t speak the language or limited with wifi access and service.
Restaurants participating in the Taste from Platinum in Vancouver include: Black + Blue, Blue Water Café, Chambar, CinCin, Coast Restaurant, Glowbal Grill Steaks & Satay, Hawksworth, Italian Kitchen, Market by Jean-Georges, West, and I’m sure more will be added to the list.
In a few weeks, I’ll be attending an exclusive Cardmember dinner on Tuesday, September 30th at Hawksworth, named Vancouver’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant by Vancouver Magazine last year. This SOLD OUT dinner is exclusive to Amex Platinum Cardmembers, but I’m going behind the scenes to share the delicious details. I look forward to meeting some of you there!
What: Join Hawksworth Restaurant in their luxurious private York Room for a premium dining experience uniquely designed for Platinum Cardmembers. A celebration of Vancouver’s cultural diversity and natural environment, Hawksworth Restaurant showcases ingredient-led, contemporary Canadian cuisine that demonstrates the highly skilled technique and relentless drive for perfection that has become Chef David Hawksworth’s trademark. Platinum Cardmembers will enjoy a curated menu showcasing the first tastes of Fall, with dishes that heavily feature fresh produce from local producers.
Where: Hawksworth Restaurant, York Room, 801 West Georgia St.
When: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This post was sponsored by Amex Bank of Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.
