Review of the Platinum Card (r) by American Express
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American Express offers and benefits are subject to terms. Select American Express offers and benefits may require enrollment. Learn more at americanexpress.com.
Since its launch in the 1980s, it’s always been known for its exclusivity, suite of perks, and stellar customer service. Since its launch in the 1980s, it’s always been known for its exclusivity, suite of perks, and stellar customer service.
While it does have the highest fee in the game ($695, See Rates and Fees), it offers a ton of bang for your buck. Take advantage of the many benefits that this premium credit card offers. This card is great for me, but not everyone will like it. This review will help you decide whether it is right for you.
This Card unlocks a lot of lounge access, travel perks, hotel discounts and luxury goods and services credits.
This Card unlocks a lot of elite status benefits, including special hotel discounts and travel perks. Here’s a glance at just some of the benefits:
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards(r) Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
Earn 5x Membership Rewards(r) points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel(r) (on the first $500,000 spent per calendar year)
- Earn 5x Membership Rewards(r) points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel
- Travel insurance coverage including secondary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, lost luggage reimbursement
- Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection (for eligible Card Members)
- Up to $200 in airline credit (Valid on one qualifying airline that you must choose in advance. Earn 5x Membership Rewards(r) points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
- Travel insurance coverage including secondary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, lost luggage reimbursement
- Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection (for eligible Card Members)
- Up to $200 in airline credit (Valid for one qualifying airline that you must choose in advance Up to $200 in statement credits per year for bookings made through American Express Travel with your Platinum Card on Fine Hotels + Resorts (r) or The Hotel Collection. The Hotel Collection requires at least a two-night minimum stay. )
- Up to $199 annual CLEAR(r) Plus statement credit (covers an annual membership) per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck(r) (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card(r). Card Members who are approved for Global entry will receive TSA PreCheck access at no extra cost. You can earn Membership Rewards points by using The Platinum Card (r) of American Express. These are some of the most valuable transferable points out there, thanks to their impressive suite of travel partners:
Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
- Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
- ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
- Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
- British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
- Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
- Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
- Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
- Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
- HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
- Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
- Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
- JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
- Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
- Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)
- You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. This is not the best way to use your points. It’s better to transfer points to other travel partners than to use the travel portal on your card. ()
- Analyzing the Amex Platinum Credits and Benefits
I like Amex cards because of their benefits and perks. The Amex Platinum has over $1500 in them. This card is like a coupon book. What you get: Perks for a Streamlined Airport Experience (
) (Lounge access, CLEAR Plus and Global Entry/TSA preCheck)
One my favorite perks is that this card offers some of the best lounges available. Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges both offer excellent lounges. The Amex Platinum card also gives you access to Priority Pass, which has over 1,700 lounges in the world. The Amex Platinum Card offers up to $199 in annual CLEAR(r), Plus statement credits (covering an annual membership). This credit is subject to automatic renewal. When you charge your Platinum Card(r), you will also receive a statement credit of up to $85 per 4.5 years, for the TSA PreCheck (r) application fee through a TSA official enrolling provider. If you are traveling internationally, Global Entry is the best option. It’s a little more complicated (you need to attend an in-person meeting), but the process is worth it. You can only use the credit on one airline that you have to pre-select. It can also only be used for incidentals and not airfare. If you check your bag regularly (and do not already have a credit card with free baggage), you will use that $200 up in no time. You can use the $200 on paid seat selection, in-flight meals and beverages and other things. The card offers up to $200 in statement credits for bookings made through American Express Travel with Fine Hotels + Resorts (r) or The Hotel Collection using the Platinum Card(r). This benefit is not enough to get you a free stay at these hotels, as they are typically very luxurious. But if you’re looking to splash out with a high-end hotel or resort stay, $200 off is pretty nice.
Plus, the Amex Platinum offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy(r) Gold Elite and Hilton Honors(tm) Gold Status, which offer extra perks and benefits when staying at these properties.
Lifestyle Statement Credits
The “lifestyle” statement credits are where this card can be a bit less useful depending on your spending habits. The $200 Uber Cash is my favorite. The benefit is distributed monthly as $15 Uber Cash, plus you get an extra $20 bonus in December when you add your Amex Card to your Uber Account. I am often outside the U.S., so I find it annoying that I can only use my Uber Cash for rides and orders within the U.S. Amex Benefits are only available in the United States. )
Other lifestyle credits include up to $50 biannual Saks Fifth Avenue credit and up to $155 Walmart+ Credit when you use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership.
You’ll also receive up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit via up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. If you have any of these subscriptions, it’s easy to set up and forget. Amex Offers
In additional to the statement credits you will also have access to Amex offers. You can earn points or save money at select retailers. These offers are constantly changing and tailored, so you will never have the same offer as another cardholder. The majority of these offers are “spend X, get Y amount back.”
The Amex Platinum’s Travel Insurance
Last but not least, you’ll get great travel insurance with this card. Travel insurance is essential for any trip, no matter where it takes you. You may not need it, but if you ever do, I’m sure you’ll appreciate it. It’s been a lifesaver for me, and I have used it all over the world from Argentina to South Africa to Italy. While I wouldn’t rely on the card’s travel insurance, it is a nice benefit. While I wouldn’t solely rely on the card’s travel insurance, it’s a nice benefit.
Here are the travel protections that the Platinum offers:
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $10,000 per person, per trip (on round-trip tickets only, $20,000 per 12 consecutive month period)
Trip delay coverage up to $500 if the delay is six hours or more (on round-trip tickets only, two claims per 12 consecutive-month period)
Emergency evacuation and medical transport coverage: no limit; must be coordinated via the Premium Global Assist Hotline
Cell phone protection up to $800 minus a $50 deductible (two approved claims per 12-month period, and you must have paid your cell phone bill with your card)
Lost luggage coverage up to $3,000 per person
Secondary car rental coverage
Keep in mind that to be eligible for these protections, you have to pay for your trip (or cell phone bill) with your Amex Platinum. Also, always be sure to always read the fine print so that you understand exactly what’s covered!
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Amex Assurance Company.
Who should get the Amex Platinum?
The Amex Platinum will be best for frequent travellers who want to take advantage of the premium perks like easier airport experiences or elite status in hotels. You can get a good deal if you also use the lifestyle credits. Do the math and check if it’s worth it for you. If you want more information, read my article on choosing a travel card. As with any rewards card you shouldn’t get this card if your balance is already high or you plan to keep it that way. Travel cards have high interest rates and the rewards are not worth it when you are paying monthly interest. Check out our list of the best credit card for people with bad credit to improve your credit score. )
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Amex Platinum may not be cheap, but if travel is a regular part of your life, you’ll find that the benefits easily outweigh its hefty fee. It’s the card for people who are always on the go. From access to airport lounges to generous travel credit, this is a card designed specifically for those that live a life of adventure. This card is worth the money if you are a frequent traveler who wants to make your trips more comfortable and smarter.
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Book your Trip: Logistical Tricks and Tips
Book your Flight
Find Cheap Flights Using Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine, because it searches all websites and airlines in the world.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. Booking.com is the best option if you don’t want to stay in a hostel. It consistently offers the lowest rates for hotels and guesthouses.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. This is comprehensive coverage in the event of an accident. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Want to Travel for Free
- Travel Credit Cards allow you to earn rewards that can be used to redeem for free flights or accommodation. Discover Cars offers affordable international car rentals. They’ll find you the best – and cheapest – rental car for your trip, no matter where you are going!
- Need help finding activities for your vacation?
- GetYourGuide is a large online marketplace where cool walking tours, fun excursion, skip-the line tickets, private guided, and more can be found. Ready to book your trip? Here are all the companies I use to travel. You can’t go far wrong with them. They are top-of-the-line and the best you can get.
