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The Platinum Card® from American Express is designed for frequent travelers who are looking to get quite a boost in luxury amenities. New cardmembers can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
Cardmembers can get 5X Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel in addition to prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. All other purchases earn 1X Membership Rewards points.
This card does come with a $550 annual fee, but the list of benefits are long, so get ready to explore what the Platinum Card® from American Express has to offer.
Learn more about this card and its features here.
The Platinum Card from American Express Summary
 The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This card comes with an annual fee of $695 (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. Terms Apply. |
Why You Should Apply for This Card
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Make sure you enroll in the Membership Rewards program as soon as you receive your card.
Up to $200 Annual Credit for Uber: This perk allows you to enjoy $15 in Uber credits for rides each month. In addition, you’ll receive an extra bonus of $20 every December with your Platinum Card Membership. That means, you can earn up to $200 in credits to use annually. Note that the credit may only be applied to rides within the U.S. and credit and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Members only.
Earning & Redeeming Membership Rewards Points
Earn 5X Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines, Amextravel.com Hotel Bookings, or with American Express Travel. On all other eligible purchases, earn 1X Membership Rewards points per $1 spent.
You can accumulate an unlimited amount of points and use them when you’re ready because they don’t expire. Pay with points for travel – fly anytime, anywhere with no blackout dates or restrictions, or shop online on their website.
If you’re short on points and you can’t wait to redeem a certain reward, you can purchase extra points. Plus, you can transfer your points to over a dozen frequent traveler programs. Some include Delta, JetBlue, Hilton, Best Western, and Starwood.
Amex Platinum Card Travel Benefits
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Receive $200 Airline Fee Credit per calendar year toward baggage fees and more. Enroll and choose a qualifying airline at the American Express Airline Choice landing page. Incidental air travel fees must be charged to your enrolled card account for the benefit to apply. These can be baggage fees, flight-change fees, in-flight food and drinks, and airport lounge day pass. Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not incidental fees.
Complementary Lounge Access: Unlock access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across 120 countries and counting with the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs. However, you must first enroll in the Priority Pass Select Program. With this, you don’t even need to fly first class to enjoy everything an airport club offers. Get plush sofas, complimentary food and drinks, upscale washrooms, internet, and more. Each guest you bring will be $27 per guest.
Free Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck: Every 4 years, receive $100 fee credit for Global Entry or an $85 fee credit for TSA Precheck for the application fees on your statement. Just pay the fee using your Amex Platinum Card. You’ll get through the airport lines quicker with these benefits. The application process takes some time, and generally includes at least one interview. But it is absolutely worth it if you frequently travel outside of the U.S. Plus, you’re getting your cost covered.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card outside of the U.S. without the hassle of paying a foreign transaction fee.
Other Amex Platinum Card Benefits
Complimentary Statuses and Memberships: Get complementary Gold Elite Status at Hilton and Starwood hotels. Enjoy luxurious resorts and hotels at Hilton and Starwood. Earn bonus points for free nights faster. Also match your status to Marriott Gold status. Plus, get complimentary memberships in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive.
Save on Companion Tickets: Enjoy savings on a companion ticket each time you purchase a qualifying Business Class or First Class international ticket with your card. Choose from over 25 participating airlines. Purchase the ticket through Platinum Travel Service or any American Express Travel office. Then, pay with your Platinum card. A $39 fee per ticket applies to your ticket, the companion ticket, each additional ticket, and itinerary change.
24/7 Concierge Service and Premium Access: Use this service to call and make reservations. Enjoy an exquisite dining experience with the Amex Platinum Dining Program. Also, Premium Access gets you advanced tickets and preferred seating to theater, concerts, sporting and family events.
Complimentary Benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts: When you stay at any of the 975+ Fine boutique, resort and luxury hotels around the world, you’ll receive benefits, such as upgrades, late check-out, and many more with an average total value of $550.
Travel and Purchase Perks: Get travel accident insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, roadside assistance, baggage insurance and more. Plus, get purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty. Terms and limitations apply.
Amex Offers: As an American Express credit card, you can participate in Amex Offers. This way, you can get more points and savings across select merchants. Just check your account weekly and add your desired available offers to your card. Then, go shop and you’re on your way to saving hundreds of dollars and earning tons of extra points.
Bottom Line
With a hefty $550 annual fee, The Platinum Card® from American Express is a luxury and prestigious charge card chock-full of travel privileges. Enjoy access to selected airport lounges around the world, concierge service, hotel upgrades, and benefits when staying at any of the boutique, resort and luxury hotels around the world, and many more.
As a side note, this is a charge card and not a credit card. Therefore, you must pay the balance in full each billing cycle. If you must carry a balance, go with a credit card instead.
If you plan to spend a few thousand dollars with it every month and are a frequent traveler, consider getting this card to make full use of its benefits. As with all American Express cards, terms apply. If you’re looking for other American Express credit card bonuses, take a look at our complete list of credit card bonus promotions.
Learn more about this card and its features here.