Credit card concierge services

What is a credit card concierge service?

Concierge services are designed for those who don't have enough time to do their requests themselves. A concierge service is a complimentary benefit offered by your credit card provider to make your life easier by handling requests. They are usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone.

A concierge service shouldn't be the only reason why you choose a credit card because these cards often come with high fees. You want to aim to get good value for money, so if you think you'll only use it once or twice a year, it may not deliver the best bang for buck. While this feature is handy, you pay for it with your high annual fee, so it's most suitable for people who will use this service on a regular basis.

How does a credit card concierge service work?

When you get your card, you'll be given a list of phone numbers you can contact to make your requests. The concierge will inform you of the costs (if any) and options you have before booking or making a purchase that you request. The concierge will not incur any costs on your card unless you’ve approved.

Some high-tier concierge services also come with an app, letting you put your requests in writing as you go. Your concierge will notify you about the details of the request, like the time it will take for your items to be delivered or the details of your restaurant reservation.

The specific type of services available to you depends on the card provider. For instance, Westpac's Personal Concierge Service invites eligible Black Mastercard credit card holders to use services such as reserving a golf or spa package, making travel arrangements, shopping for personal gifts or even planning a party. Meanwhile, NAB's concierge service can help organise medical or legal services while you're overseas and also offers emergency interpretation assistance.

What are the types of credit card concierge services?

Platinum concierge: This is the standard concierge service to cover all types of personal assistance, including sourcing and booking flights; purchasing and delivering tickets for a show, concert or sporting event; providing details of events and shows in your city; and arranging hotel and restaurant reservations. These services are on a referral or arrangement basis and any third-party expenses will be the cardholder's (i.e. your) responsibility. No purchases will be made without you approving the spend first. For example, the ANZ Concierge Service is available for all ANZ Black cardholders.

Rewards concierge: This concierge offers eligible card members a personal concierge service using their membership rewards points. Rewards concierges can organise your requests by spending your rewards points. For example, American Express has a rewards concierge available exclusively to eligible American Express credit card holders.

How to compare credit card concierge services

Here are some things your concierge should be providing:

• Lifestyle services. This should cover all types of personal assistance and lifestyle requests not limited to but including car rental, limousine and car service bookings, mailing packages, holiday house information, shopping location information, floral arrangements, party planning, arrangement of hairstylists, fitness trainers and massages.
• An approval process for expenses. All concierge services should provide you with detailed information about any costs with your request. You are not charged for the research performed by a concierge. As the cardholder, you are responsible for the following: cost and delivery of the goods and services purchased, any deposits you’ve put down for the item, costs of cancellation, custom duties and any other costs incurred to fulfil your request.
• Convenience. The real benefit of these concierge services is the convenience of having someone take care of arrangements for you at no extra cost.

Pros and cons of credit card concierge services

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Frequently asked questions about credit card concierge services

What are the fees for using a credit card concierge service?

While there is no extra fee for using the concierge service, any other fees incurred are payable by you, such as the purchase and delivery of the item you’ve requested. Also, these services are usually offered on cards that come with a high annual fee of around $300-$400 per year (or more).

Written by

Sarah Megginson

Head of editorial

As an authority on all things personal finance, Sarah Megginson is passionate about helping you save money and make money. She is an editor and money expert with 20 years’ experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. Sarah holds ASIC RG146-compliant Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, and she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV (Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Nine news), radio (KIIS FM, Triple M, 3AW, 2GB, 6PR) and in digital and print media. See full bio

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Sarah has written 191 Finder guides across topics including:

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