Thursday, September 28, 2017

[Extra] Amex Business Platinum goes Metal

*Please be advised: English translation has been added by some requests after posting this article.

今朝,アメリカンエキスプレス社から更新されたクレジットカードが届きました。
This morning, I received a modified version of Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
プラチナカード® のメタル版です。ステンレススチール製で19グラム弱ありました。予想よりは軽い。
It's made with stainless steel and weighs a bit less than 19 gram, which is lighter than I expected.

素材がプラスチックから金属に変更された他,デザインがパーソナル版とほぼ同様になったのは嬉しい。
Besides the material has been switched from plastic to metal, its design became similar to the personal version is a great surprise.
カード番号,有効期限などは裏面へ移動しました。もともとアメックスのプロパーカードにはホログラムが無かったので,メタル版にもありません。(J.P.Morgan Chaseは気合いが入ってて,メタルカードでも鳩ぽっぽが貼ってあります)
Card number and valid date have been moved in the rear. It doesn't come with hologram since Amex' charge cards don't have any originally. (J.P. Morgan Chase cards have pigeon holograms even in metal versions)

Apple Payのほうも新券面に変更されました...。
The card face on Apple Pay has been updated as well.
使い勝手が変わるわけではありませんが,ようやくホントのプラチナカードを手に入れた気分?(笑)
ただしグラフィックスデザイナーの厳しい視線でチェックすると,カード周囲の飾り枠が狭くなっています。
Nothing particularly changed but because of the similarity to The Platinum Card®, I feel I got a real Amex Platinum Card finally. (LOL)
However, if checking the new design carefully with my designer's eyes, the ornaments around the edge are thinner than personal version.

そして... 普段持ち歩くクレジットカードはすべて金属に。 
Finally all credit cards in my wallet are made with metal.
重いとかより,ポケットの中で曲がらないのが有り難いです。
ただ,やらないとは思うけどアドバンスト・キャッシングでATMマシンに入れるのは無理ゼッタイ。
Those weights don't matter but it's more convenient because it's harder to bend.
I don't think I would need any cash advance, but these cards are not appropriate for ATM machines for sure.

【投稿後追記】以下のスクリーンショットがU.S. Amexオンラインでのメタルカードの申し込み画面です。ここで交換を希望しない場合,現在使用しているカードの有効期限が切れる1ヶ月ほど前に新しいカードが届きますが,今後発行されるプラチナカードはメタル化される模様です。
The following screenshot picture has been added afterwards, showing the replacement option at US Amex online. If you didn't request earlier replacement, your current Business Platinum works fine until the valid date shown on the card. Then a new metal version will be arrived about a month before its expiration as usual. From now on, all Platinum Card® will be metal version.


2 comments:

  1. obaKoba-sann,

    I’m surprised to know one of the alterations occurring to the Amex Platinum Card is that the card presently is in possession of a metal form.
    This is a brand-new fad with excellent credit cards, isn’t it?
    It might not considerably evolve the financial worth of the card, but it is a glorious advanced gadget, I guess.

    You’re an actual cardmember, right?
    Are there two means you can gain the new metal one?

    #1 Spontaneously accept delivery of the card about 2 months prior to your present card expiration
    #2 Individually demand a metal one, even if your present card doesn’t expire

    best denki

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Best-denki sensei,

      well... my honest opinion when I saw this new card was "not too shabby." As a J.P.Morgan Reserve cardmember, as well as other metal cards from Chase, this metal version of Platinum Card® by American Express is not so much impressive unfortunately. The good part is it's made with sturdy stainless steel and closer design to the personal version. However, those huge letter sizes of the card holders' name and the company name are unbalanced, bad design due to my experiences and knowledge as a graphic designer. But this is still better than the previous version I expected, then I have applied from Amex online.

      And yes, I am an actual cardmember, have access to my Amex card accounts over the Internet. I do not know how Amex Japan takes care of their customers, supposedly way behind from US Amex online, but in the States, there is a menu named [Account Services] and under that selection, you can find [Order a Replacement Card for Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Cards] submenu which now includes [replace to metal card]. I will add that screenshot.

      Delete