American Express Platinum

The American Express Platinum card is the ultimate travel experience card with perks for you in the airport, hotel, store, or wherever you want to be.

Sign Up Bonus + Annual Fee

American Express is quite tricky when it comes to sign up bonus (SUBs). Location, VPN use (to spoof location), browser cookies, and relationship with American Express all can affect the offer you see. Try using the “Pre-Qualify” or “Check for Offers” button on the American Express site to check to see if there are more competitive offers. If you don’t find a more competitive offer, please consider using our referral links.

Please read the Membership Rewards Points Guide prior to applying.

Review

The American Express Platinum card is my go-to card for luxury travel. It has the largest SUB for any personal American Express card, the highest earnings on airline bookings, the most lounge access offered by any typical personal credit card, and just the most options when it comes to premium experiences. It is easily one of my top 3 favorite cards!

Who is this card for?

I wouldn’t recommend this card to someone who doesn’t fly at least 2 or 3 times a year. You get the most value from this card when you fly into airports with Centurion Lounges/Delta Sky Clubs/Priority Pass Lounges/Lufthansa Lounges, enjoy staying at high end hotels, find value in the status the card provides, and/or have high airline/hotel spend. If you fly Delta a lot, this card could be very valuable just because of access to Delta Sky Club locations.

The Platinum card doesn’t have a downgrade option to a no annual fee card. You could downgrade to a Gold or a Green card, but those still have an annual fee. This would be considered a keep or cancel card. There is an annual fee of $550, however, credits amount to $200 for the airline credit, $100 for Saks, $200 for Uber, $20 (per year if you divide the max $100 credit by 5 years) for PreCheck/Global Entry. If you value each of these credits for 100% of their worth, you have to value the hotel status/insurance and other perks greater than $30. I absolutely value these other perks higher than $30, so this is a great card for me. If you do too, this is a great card for you!

Multipliers

• 5x on Flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel

• 2x on Cruises booked through American Express Travel

• 1x on Everything else

• Temporary benefit: 10x on grocery stores and gas stations, up to 15k in first 6 months

Global Lounge Collection

My favorite thing about the American Express Platinum card is access to the American Express Centurion Lounges, as well as their partner lounges via Priority Pass, located across the world, with up to two guests.

Centurion Lounges are known for being the most luxurious lounges in airports around the world, rivaling even first class full service airline lounges. While there, you can expect excellent meals, free Wi-Fi, free alcohol, near perfect customer service, and a relaxing, exclusive environment away from everyone else in the airport. You can visit a Centurion Lounge up to 3 hours before a flight, or anytime if you are in the middle of a same day connecting itinerary.

American Express has also given notice to Platinum card holders relating to their Centurion guest access. Guests will no longer be complementary and now cost $50 per guest, unless you spend $75,000 on the card starting February 2023.

The Platinum also comes with Priority Pass and their huge network of 1000+ lounges. You still get two guests with this access. One thing to keep in mind is that American Express no longer supports non-lounge experiences (aka restaurants) on any of their cards.

In addition to these lounges, when flying Delta Airlines, you can also visit the Sky Club. Like the Centurion Lounge, you can also expect a quiet and clean getaway from the regular passenger seating area. There are refreshments, alcohol, lounge chairs, meeting rooms, rooms for children, and more. Unfortunately, this benefit does not allow free guests.

Elite Hotel Benefits

The Platinum Card has the most benefits when it comes to elite hotel offerings, regardless of the brand. It comes with automatic Hilton and Marriott Gold status. Please note that in order to get Gold status, you must add your account information in the benefits tab first.

While this isn’t the most elite for both brands, this can get you upgrades (not usually to suites), late checkout (based on availability), bonus points on stays, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast with Hilton. The Platinum also comes with access to the Hotel Collection (HC), and more importantly, the Fine Hotel + Resorts Collection (FHR).

While getting guaranteed status with Marriott and Hilton sounds good, I think the most value comes from booking with the Fine Hotel + Resorts Collection (FHR). Unlike the limited, based on availability benefits of Hilton and Marriott Gold status, the Fine Hotel + Resorts Collection properties give some guarantees! Free breakfast for 2, GUARANTEED 4PM LATE CHECKOUT, noon check in when available (could even be before noon, depends on property and availability), free Wi-Fi, space available upgrades including suites, and at least an additional $100 credit to use at the hotel per stay (not to be used on room rate)! Please also note that if you do not prepay in full, you will not get the 5x MR points. I suggest using the American Express Green card or Chase Sapphire Reserve instead if you are not willing to prepay your stay in full, so that you get 3x back. There are times where it may not make sense to prepay in full using the Platinum card, such as staying at a Hilton property when you also hold a Hilton Aspire. 14x back is much better than 5x back if you value Hilton points.

What is game changing about this is the fact that you don’t need status with the hotel to be treated like an elite that does. In May 2021 I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and I was given a credit of $200 for my one night stay when I booked the with FHR. You also cannot book multiple single night stays in a row to get multiple $100+ credits, you can however book one night with FHR and then 2 nights with the Hotel Collection, then another single night with FHR.

In terms of hotel availability, there might be overlap, but in my experience, a hotel part of FHR is not part of HC, so you will have to consider if it is worth moving hotels back and forth.

The Hotel Collection (HC) is not only available with the American Express Platinum card but also the Gold Card as well. This is a nice but slightly limited collection of mid-level luxury hotels that comes with limited benefits, compared to FHR. You still get the space available room upgrades, however, you must stay 2 nights minimum, you are not guaranteed free breakfast, and there is no late checkout benefit. This collection is limited, so you may not find the hotel you want on it. If it is a higher end luxury hotel, it’s most likely with FHR.

One last thing to keep in mind with FHR and HC is to check the price of booking directly with the hotel first. In my experience FHR and HC have been competitive 100% of the time, but it is all about perspective. Sometimes times FHR / HC happens to be $5-$20 more expensive per night than the lowest available price (including discounts), but in my experience, when you add the $100+ minimum credit and other valuable perks it is still worth it. For some it might not be worth it, but if you use FHR to stay at a Waldorf Astoria and you are Diamond status with Hilton already, you already get free breakfast, late checkout, early check-in, and you might not plan to spend additional dollars at the hotel. In this particular case, it doesn’t make sense to spend what could possibly be additional dollars more than the direct rate to get a $100+ credit if you don’t have any plans to spend more at the hotel in the first place.

In my most of my travel experiences with FHR / HC I try to eat at least one meal at the hotel in addition to breakfast because it’s a luxury hotel with usually great food, so it is a no brainer for me to spend whatever extra dollar cost FHR / HC has, as long as with the $100+ credit it is a net positive.

Airline Incidental Credit

This is one of the most controversial credits of the Platinum card because of how tedious it is to use it. Officially according to American Express, you can use this credit on things “like checked bags and in-flight refreshments”. You must log in and select an airline and enroll on the benefits tab before getting this credit. In my experience you will be credited within 3 business days. Keep in mind American Express suggests that it might take upwards of 4 weeks. If you do not see a credit within 3 days, I suggest calling. You can select from this list of airlines:

• Alaska Airlines

• American Airlines

• Delta Airlines

• Frontier Airlines

• Hawaiian Airlines

• JetBlue Airways

• Spirit Airlines

• Southwest Airlines

• United Airlines

This could sometimes include things such as trips to airline lounges and alcohol and or beverages inside. Unlike the travel credit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve that can be used on a variety of things that code as travel, American Express is extremely picky on what counts and what does not. Officially this cannot be used for gift cards. This credit is each calendar year, this means if you get the card December 21st and it comes in the mail before the end of December, you could use the $200 for that year; then starting in January you would get another $200 refresh. This is why it is especially useful to get cards with calendar year credits at the end of the year to get additional credits for the same annual fee.

While I won’t suggest you do this and I am absolutely warning that if you try, you try at your own risk… United Travel Bank has been working off and on and has worked for me 3 times now. Flyertalk has a bunch of forum info on usage data points.

$300 Equinox

$200 Hotel Credit

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit

$155 Walmart+ Credit

I know many people might not associate Walmart with American Express Platinum card holders but there is some value to be held. Walmart+ offers free same day delivery for many items. For hard to get items this membership can also come in handy; I was able to secure 3 PS5’s for family and friends using this membership during the rough times of 2021 where people really wanted one but could not find one in stock for MSRP.

Uber Cash

Along with the American Express Gold card the Platinum also comes with Uber Cash credits each month. You get $15 each month, and in December you get an additional $20. These credits do not rollover each month. These credits can be used on Uber rides, Uber Eats, and now also Postmates orders as well. In order to get these credits you must add your Platinum card to your Uber wallet.

In addition to these credits, you get Uber VIP in cities where available. Uber VIP gives you high rated drivers and vehicles. In my opinion, it’s kind of a gimmick, but I’ll take any free benefits.

Authorized User Benefits

There are two options when it comes to authorized users, the free Gold card (not to be confused with the regular Gold Card), and the Platinum authorized user.

The free gold card is free! It comes with no real benefits but will get 1x on everything.

The more interesting option is an authorized Platinum user. It costs $175 total for up to 3 cards, whether you get 1, 2, or 3. Each user gets Gold status benefits with Hilton and Marriott. They also enjoy the Global Lounge Collection, which includes the Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounges, Lufthansa lounges in Germany and additional partner lounges such as Plaza Premium. Keep in mind that in order to get priority pass, an authorized user must call the number on the back of their card to enroll for priority pass. They also enjoy the FHR and HC. Lastly, they also get a Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit as well.

Saks Fifth Avenue

American Express has a partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue giving all Platinum Card holders $100 each year, in the the form of a semi-annual $50 credit. This cannot be used to buy gift cards. What’s cool about this credit is that it is entirely based on the 6 month mark each year. This means if you get the card at the end of the first or last 6 months you could get $50 credits the following month for the same single annual fee.

Please also note, you cannot use this benefit at outlets, such as Saks OFF Fifth Avenue. This applies to in store or online, must be purchased from Saks Fifth Avenue, not the outlet. In order to use this credit, you must also first enroll from your benefits tab.

Global Entry / PreCheck

The Platinum also comes with a Global Entry / PreCheck credit every 5 years. This is for either $85 for PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry. Both Global Entry and PreCheck last for 5 years. Global Entry allows you to enter America from certain locations at an expedited rate. Global Entry also comes with PreCheck so you might as well sign up for Global Entry. To use this credit, simply purchase either using your Platinum card.

Car Rental Status and Protection

You also get Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status by having the card as well. You must enroll from the benefits page. To pair with your rental car, you also get free rental damage insurance when you pay for your rental with your Platinum card. Taking this step further, you could opt to pay for “premium car rental insurance” if you plan to get a super luxury car and want to be extra sure that you are covered.

Cruise Benefits

When you book your cruise that is 5 days or longer, you can get some free credits per stateroom, depending on the room type that you choose. American Express has deals with most of the major cruise lines, however, the best way to find out if your cruise is eligible is calling Platinum Concierge.

Travel Insurance

If something happens while you are on a trip, it is good to have travel insurance. If it falls under the category of covered instances you would be covered by simply using your Platinum card for your purchase.

Before you go on a spending spree for lost luggage or one of the items that appears to be listed here or on the benefits page, please call American Express customer service to be sure that your situation will be covered.

Phone Insurance

Phone insurance is a common thing people get to avoid the fears of paying a lot of money for a broken and or lost phone. With your Platinum card you don’t even need to purchase insurance. All you need to do is pay your bill with your Platinum card, and if your phone is eligible based on American Express terms and conditions, you’ll be covered for up to $800 with a $50 deductible.

Concierge

Sometimes I think of the American Express concierge as wizards. They somehow get access to things that will blow your mind. I’ve heard stories of the concierge getting tickets to sold out concerts, dinner reservation at places that are sold out, and last minute gifts that left a lasting impression. If you have a special request, it is absolutely worth calling the concierge.

My personal experience with the concierge was for assistance with hotel booking in Maldives and Dubai. I did not want to pay international calling fees and I had questions about 4 different hotels. I gave the questions to the concierge and they got all my answers and did the booking for me all while I was watching TV. This is an absolutely excellent service!

ShopRunner

When I’m not shopping on Amazon, I sometimes consider how long is this going to take to arrive? With ShopRunner you can get free 2 day shipping on eligible items, from specific stores at no cost to you. All you need to do is enroll from the benefits tab. I have used this benefit with Ebags, Calvin Klein and Adidas!

International Airlines Program

This benefit is super cool but, I’m not rich, I use points to do things that rich people can afford with cash. That being said, it might not be the most commonly used feature of the card. There are some interesting use cases, however, every once in a while, there will be cheaper premium economy or business class fares. If you happen to be willing to pay the price, I would absolutely recommend using this feature; it could shave off a couple hundred or thousand dollars on your fare.

Summary

The American Express Platinum card offers more lounge access than any credit card, offers status or the equivalent of hotel status benefits with hotel stays, discounts on flight incidentals, premium economy/business/first class tickets, store credit with Saks, Uber cash, Global Entry every 5 years, and a bunch of luxury travel perks that any luxury traveler will want.

If you think this card would be a good fit for you please consider using our referral link below.