American Express Platinum Card® is jammed packed with over 54 amazing benefits.
The Platinum Card offers over numerous statement credits, elite status, and comprehensive airport lounge access, including the extensive Global Lounge Collection, which has more lounges than any other U.S. credit card program.
This post will cover all of the Platinum’s card benefits and perks so that you can take advantage of each one. Just remember that many of the benefits require enrollment before you can use them.
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- 5x Points on Flights Booked Directly With Airlines (up to $500,000 in purchases each calendar year)
- Airport Lounge Access (Centurion, Delta Sky Club when flying Delta, Priority Pass, Escape, and Plaza Premium)
- $895 Annual Fee (Rates & Fees)
1. Welcome Bonus
The American Express Platinum currently offers the following welcome bonus:
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2. 5x Points on Flights
The Amex Platinum card earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on airfare purchases made directly with the airline, up to $500,000 per year.
This can be a great way to rack up lots of points if you fly frequently.
3. 5x Points on Prepaid Hotels Via Amex Travel
The card also offers 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, but I don’t recommend it for chains like Hilton, Marriott, IHG, etc., since you will forgo the ability to earn hotel points and utilize any elite benefits by booking with Amex Travel.
4. 1x Points on All Other Purchases
The Amex Platinum earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This is the one weak point of this card compared to 2 points per dollar on all spending with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review).
5. Airline Fee Credit
Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your card.
Your options for airlines for the airline fee credit are:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
6. Hotel Credit
You’ll receive up to $600 in hotel credits annually with this card, split into two convenient semi-annual periods. The credit structure gives you up to $300 from January through June and another $300 from July through December.
Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts has no minimum stay, but The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
7. Digital Entertainment Credit
You’ll receive up to $25 monthly (up to $300 annually) in credits toward popular streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, and digital subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
8. Uber Cash
Enjoy $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
9. CLEAR® Plus Credit
You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with this card.
10. Saks Credit
Get up to a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit, split into two $50 statement credits between (1) January and June and (2) July through December.
11. Walmart+ Credit
Receive up to $155 in statement credits annually (up to $12.95 monthly plus applicable taxes) covering a Walmart+ membership when paying with your Platinum Card.
12. Global Entry Credit or TSA PreCheck Credit
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® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
TSA PreCheck is a membership program offering dedicated airport security lines and faster security screening (typically 5 minutes or less) at more than 200 airports across the United States and includes over 81 airlines.
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and expedited immigration upon arrival from an international trip back to the United States.
13. Equinox Credit
Get up to $300 back per calendar year via statement credits on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment is required.
14. SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit
Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction, and an Equinox+ subscription is required.
15. American Express Centurion Lounges
American Express Centurion Lounges are luxurious airport lounges that offer amenities such as complimentary food and cocktails, high-speed Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.
The current U.S. locations include Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York LaGuardia, New York JFK, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle.
You can access these lounges up to three hours before departure or at any time at a connecting airport on your way to your final destination.
Guests cost $50 per adult, $30 for guests between ages 2-17, and free for babies under two. You can unlock free guest access for two people if you spend at least $75,000 per calendar year on the Amex Platinum or Business Platinum card.
Amex Centurion Lounge Locations
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|---|---|
| Airport | Location |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Charlotte (CLT) |
| Dallas (DFW) | Denver (DEN) |
| Houston (IAH) | Las Vegas (LAS) |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Miami (MIA) |
| Newark (EWR)* | New York (JFK) |
| New York (LGA) | Philadelphia (PHL) |
| Phoenix (PHX) | Salt Lake City (SLC)* |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Seattle (SEA) |
| International Locations | |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) | Delhi, India (DEL) |
| Hong Kong (HKG) | London, U.K. (LHR) |
| Melbourne, Australia (MEL) | Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) |
| Monterrey, Mexico (MTY) | Mumbai, India (BOM) |
| São Paulo, Brazil (GRU) | Stockholm, Sweden (ARN) |
| Sydney, Australia (SYD) | |
| * Under Construction | |
16. Delta Sky Clubs
Cardmembers can access Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta Air Lines within three hours of departure or on arrival.
Guests are not free and cost $50 per guest, with a limit of two guests or immediate family members (spouse/domestic partner and kids under 21).
This benefit will be limited to limited to ten annual visits starting on Feb. 1, 2025.
17. Priority Pass
This card offers Priority Pass membership, which gets you access to over 1,550 airport lounges.
18. Escape Lounges
Cardmembers get access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner. These are similar to smaller versions of the Centurion Lounges.
19. Plaza Premium Lounges
Plaza Premium Lounges are a global network of more than 135 airport lounges in more than 70 major international airports.
From their spacious seating to gourmet food and high-end beverages, these lounges deliver an unprecedented level of luxury to frequent flyers.
20. Select Lufthansa Lounge Access
Amex Platinum cardholders receive complimentary access to select Lufthansa lounges when flying on select Lufthansa Group airlines (including Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian):
- Platinum cardmembers have complimentary access to Lufthansa Business Lounges when flying in economy class.
- Platinum cardmembers have complimentary access to Lufthansa Senator Lounges when flying business class.
21. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle
The Amex Platinum Card offers complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite status. Enrollment is required, and the status is valid for as long as you’re a cardmember.
Hertz President’s Circle gets you the following benefits:
- Ability to choose any card from the President’s Circle section of Hertz Ultimate Choice locations when you book an intermediate car or higher.
- Guaranteed car upgrades, a minimum of one-class, at participating locations.
- No additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner in the United States.
- 50% bonus on Gold Plus Rewards points on all qualified rentals.
- A dedicated President’s Circle call center line.
Another cool perk is that cardmembers get a four hour grace period for rental car returns, which has saved me a lot of money when I need a car for just over a day.
22. Hilton Honors Gold
The Amex Platinum offers Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as you have the card. Enrollment is required.
Hilton Gold status offers nice benefits such as:
- Free breakfast credit and/or executive lounge access;
- Late checkout (subject to availability);
- Preferred rooms (higher floor, better view, and potentially on the executive floor);
- 80% points bonus;
- Fifth night free on award stays.
23. Marriott Bonvoy Gold
The Amex Platinum offers Marriott Gold status for as long as you have the card. Enrollment is required.
The benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status includes:
- 25% bonus points on stays;
- Room upgrades to enhanced rooms (when available);
- 2 p.m. late checkout (when available);
- A welcome gift of 250 or 500 points; and
- Free in-room Wi-Fi.
24. Avis Preferred Plus
The Amex Platinum also offers complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status, which is their mid-level elite status.
The benefits of Avis Preferred Plus are:
- Free 1 car class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above (when available)
- Dedicated reservations number
- Access to exclusive offers and discounts
25. National Emerald Club Executive
The Amex Platinum Card also offers National Emerald Club Executive status. You need to enroll to take advantage of this status, and it’s valid for as long as you have your card.
The benefits of National Emerald Club Executive include:
- Choose any car that’s a full size or above from the Executive section and you’ll only pay for a midsize (available in the U.S. and Canada).
- Guaranteed upgrade when you rent a midsize or above in the U.S. or Canada.
- A free 1 class car upgrade when renting at participating locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany.
- No second driver fees.
26. Cell Phone Protection*
Breaking or losing your cell phone is never a pleasant experience, especially when cell phones cost over $800+ to replace.
You can avoid paying these steep costs when you pay your cell phone bill with this credit card.
There is no cost for cell phone insurance saving you about $10 per month per phone, but you will have to pay a small deductible if you make a claim.
27. Extended Warranty*
Credit card extended warranty protection adds up to an additional year of coverage for eligible purchases on manufacturer’s warranties up to 5 years.
For example, if you bought a TV with a manufacturer’s warranty of three years, this card would extend the warranty for free to the fourth year.
28. Return Protection*
American Express offers return protection which allows you to return an item purchased in total with an eligible card when the retailer refuses to accept the item under its return policy.
Some items are excluded, such as jewelry, plants, perishable items, software, books, formal wear, tickets, and seasonal items.
This coverage is up to $300 per item with a maximum of $1,000 per cardmember year.
29. Purchase Protection*
Purchase protection could save you a lot of money if you bought an eligible item that is damaged or stolen within 90-days.
For example, if you accidentally dropped your new phone or laptop and broke the screen, you could file a claim to get it replaced if the item was purchased within the last 90 days.
30. Trip Delay Insurance*
This card offers trip delay insurance when you purchase your flight with this card.
This reimburses you for reasonable expenses things like hotels, food, transportation, and other necessary items.
Flights are increasingly delayed or canceled, and it is too risky to not use a card that offers free trip delay insurance.
31. Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance*
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance reimburses you for non-refundable expenses if your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason such as illness, severe weather, or an accidental injury when you pay for your travel expenses with this card.
32. Secondary Rental Car Insurance*
Secondary rental car insurance covers any damage to or theft of a rental car not covered by your primary insurance when you pay for the rental using this card.
Other credit cards offer primary rental car insurance, which pays before your insurance and saves you the hassle of filing multiple insurance claims.
You still need to maintain liability car insurance to cover damage to another person or property.
*(Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/
33. Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection
The American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program is a hotel benefit program that offers select American Express card members exclusive benefits at over 1,300 luxury properties.
The list is vetted and periodically reviewed to ensure every hotel and resort meets Amex’s exacting standards.
- Daily breakfast for two people.
- Room upgrade upon arrival (if available).
- A unique property amenity (typically a $100 property credit, spa credit, etc.)
- Guaranteed 4 PM check-out.
- Noon check-in (if available).
- Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi (exclusions apply)
34. No Foreign Transaction Fees
This card has no foreign transaction fees on purchases outside the U.S., which is helpful if you travel internationally to help you avoid paying a 3% fee on those international purchases.
35. Complimentary ShopRunner Membership
This card offers a complimentary membership to ShopRunner, giving you free two-day shipping and free returns at 100+ online retailers.
Eligible stores include Bloomingdales, Under Armour, American Eagle, Saks Off 5th, Cole Hann, Fanatics, Vera Bradley, Jockey, Kate Spade, NFL Shop, NBA Store, MLB Shop, and Coach.
36. Access to Amex Offers
This card has access to Amex Offers, which are deals that are linked to your card, allowing you to save money or earn extra points on shopping, dining, and travel.
For example, there could be an offer such as spending $200+ at Marriott Hotels and Resorts and receiving $50 cash back as a statement credit.
You can find all of your Amex Offers by signing into your American Express account. You will need to “Add to Card” each offer to be eligible for the special offer.
37. Ability to Transfer Points to Airlines and Hotels
American Express Membership Rewards points are a versatile and valuable currency for travelers. The program offers numerous redemption options, with transfers to airline partners being the most lucrative way to use your points.
Amex partners with 18 airlines and 3 hotel chains, allowing you to access a wide range of travel possibilities. Some of the best redemptions include booking business class flights to Europe through Air France-KLM Flying Blue for as low as 50,000 miles one-way. Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club offers excellent value for Delta One flights to Europe at 50,000 points, significantly less than booking directly through Delta.
For those planning a trip to Asia, transferring to ANA Mileage Club can yield incredible value. Round-trip business class flights from the West Coast to Tokyo can be booked for just 90,000 miles. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is another great option, especially for their renowned long-haul flights like New York to Singapore.
Domestic travelers can benefit from transferring to British Airways Executive Club for short-haul American and Alaska Airlines flights, with awards starting at just 8,250 Avios for distances up to 650 miles.
While transferring to airline partners typically offers the best value, Amex also allows direct redemptions for flights through their travel portal. However, this option generally provides lower value at 1 cent per point.
To maximize your Membership Rewards, focus on high-value airline transfers for premium cabin international flights. With strategic planning, you can unlock extraordinary travel experiences and significant savings on your next adventure.
Membership Rewards Transfer Partners [1 to 1]
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|---|---|
Aer Lingus Avios
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AeroMexico [1 to 1.6]
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Air Canada Aeroplan
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Air France/KLM Flying Blue
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ANA
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Avianca LifeMiles
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British Airways Avios
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Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
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Delta SkyMiles
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El Al [1,000 to 20]
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Emirates
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Etihad Guest
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Hawaiian Airlines
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Iberia Avios
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JetBlue [250 to 200]
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Qantas
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Qatar Airways
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Singapore KrisFlyer
|
Virgin Atlantic
|
Choice
|
Marriott Bonvoy
|
Hilton Honors [1 to 2]
|
38. Global Dining Access by Resy
American Express owns the dining reservation company Resy. You can unlock special dining experiences, exclusive reservations, and more when you add your card to your profile.
39. Platinum Card® Concierge
American Express Concierge can help you with variety of different requests such as dinner reservations, buying concert and show tickets, delivery of flowers, travel assistance, and more.
I’ve used them to get hard-to-find dinner reservations and tickets to broadway plays.
40. Premium Global Assist Hotline
American Express offers a Premium Global Assist on several of its premium cards.
This 24/7 hotline can assist you wherever you are in the world with customs information, emergency medical transportation, information of nearby medical facilities, replacement of prescriptions, legal assistance, or help with missing luggage.
The helpful advice is free, but the services are at your own expense.
41. International Airline Program
Cardholders get access to Amex’s International Airline Program, which gets you special discounts on International First, Business, and Premium Economy Class tickets booked through American Express Travel.
On average, you can expect to save average of $150 on premium economy tickets, $300 on business class tickets, and $600 on first class tickets.
42. No Preset Spending Limit
American Express’s No Preset Spending Limit feature is a unique aspect of their credit cards that offers users flexible spending capacity.
Unlike traditional credit cards, there is no predetermined limit on the amount you can spend. Instead, the amount you can spend adjusts according to factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
43. Departures Online Magazine
Platinum cardholders get online access to Departures, which was previously a print lifestyle again, which is now a digital magazine published seven times per year.
44. Invitation Only Events
Platinum cardholders get special access to seats and VIP packages by just holding the card.
45. American Express Experiences
Cardholders get access to American Express Experiences, which is early access to tickets at events such as the U.S. Open and Broadway plays.
46. American Express Global Venue Benefits
Cardmembers get access to special areas in venues for exclusive perks and discounts.
I’ve used this perk several times for Lakers and Clippers games where I would buy the cheapest ticket and watch the game from the Amex Lounge.
Here are the venues:
- Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
- Brooklyn Steel (Brooklyn, NY)
- Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, WA)
- Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
- Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA)
- Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles, CA)
- OVO Arena Wembley (London, UK)
- The O2 (London, UK)
- UBS Arena (Elmont, NY)
- United Center (Chicago, IL)
- Vivint Arena (Salt Lake City, UT)
47. Wheels Up
For those of you who are wealthy enough to fly private, Platinum cardholders receive special perks at the private jet company Wheels Up.
Cardmembers get a waived booking transaction fee (normally $495) when you book your first flight through their app, discounted membership ($2,396 instead of $2,995), and guaranteed capped hourly rates on 1 roundtrip or one-way flight on a Wheels Up King Air 350i within the continental U.S. (subject to availability).
48. Cruise Privileges Program
With the Cruise Privileges Program, cardmembers that book via American Express can enjoy exclusive benefits and complimentary amenities that are unique to each cruise line.
Many times is a shipboard credit, excursion credit, or bottle of champagne.
49. Amex Auto Purchasing Program
The American Express Auto Purchasing Program powered by TrueCar allows cardholders to buy a new or used car at competitive pricing and put at least $2,000 of the purchase price on your American Express card.
50. American Express® MyCredit Guide
American Express offers a free online tool to show you your credit score, credit report, and provide alerts if there are any changes to your TransUnion credit report.
51. InCircle®
Enroll your card into InCircle, a Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman rewards program, and you can earn a $100 point card every time you earn 10,000 InCircle points.
Points can be used to shop at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow and CUSP.
52. Premium Car Rental Protection
American Express offers only secondary rental car insurance on select cars, but American Express offers primary rental car insurance under their Premium Car Rental Protection for an extra fee of around $19.95 to $24.95 per rental period (not per day).
This is a good deal for longer rentals because it covers up to 42 consecutive days, whereas other primary car rental programs only cover shorter rentals.
53. Metal Card
The Amex Platinum is a metal card weight approximately 18 grams, making it one of the heaviest cards on the market.
The Verdict
Whew, that’s a lot to cover. The Amex Platinum is jammed packed with tons of benefits from statement credits, airport lounge access, elite status, and special access.
If you can take advantage of all of its benefits, the Amex Platinum can be a very lucrative card to hold in the long term.
So are you going to add the Amex Platinum to your wallet?
