3 Unique Perks of the Amex Platinum Card
KEY POINTS
- Many travel cards include airport lounge access, but this is one of the few that can get you into American Express® Centurion Lounges.
- It includes elite status with two hotel chains, which makes your stays more enjoyable.
- This American Express card has all kinds of spending credits, including a digital entertainment credit.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has a seemingly endless list of features. You'd hope so, considering the $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). When you're spending that much, it's important to get your money's worth.
You certainly can -- some cardholders say they save $1,000 or more per year. If you're trying to decide if this American Express card is right for you, it helps to know about the unique perks it offers that you can't find with most other cards.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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Good/Excellent (670-850)
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Rewards 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
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Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy, and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Terms apply.
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- Big welcome offer
- Substantial spending credits
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel benefits
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Spending credits can be complicated to manage
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- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get 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. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 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 Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
1. American Express® Centurion Lounge access
Airport lounge access is a pretty common perk now. Most of the higher-priced travel rewards cards have it, usually via a Priority Pass membership. That's an airport lounge program with over 1,400 lounges.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has that, but it also gets you access to several other types of lounges. Enrollment required, terms apply. The most illustrious of these are the American Express® Centurion Lounges, which are known for being a cut above the competition. Here are a few reasons why:
- They serve higher quality food and beverages. Offerings from these lounges have included vanilla French toast, avocado bruschetta, wellness shots, and fancy cocktails, to give you a few examples.
- They're comfortable and well-designed. American Express® Centurion Lounges look and feel more luxurious than a typical airport lounge.
- They have thoughtful amenities. Examples include showers, complimentary spa service, and pool tables for guests.
Because these lounges are so highly rated, overcrowding can be a problem. But they're still well worth a visit.
Only a select few American Express cards include access to Centurion Lounges. It's a useful benefit that can really improve your airport experience. You can also save money on food compared to what you'd spend dining at an airport restaurant.
2. Elite status with Marriott and Hilton
Normally, getting elite status with a hotel chain involves staying at its properties a lot. Some credit cards include complimentary elite status, in most cases with a single hotel chain.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the rare card that gets you elite status in two hotel loyalty programs. As a card member, you're eligible for Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status. Enrollment required, terms apply.
This is another one of those benefits that can make your travel experience more enjoyable. Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status both include complimentary room upgrades when available. Hilton Honors Gold Status also gets you a Daily Food and Breakfast Credit or Continental Breakfast, depending on the brand and the region.
3. A digital entertainment credit
No one can accuse American Express of being light on spending credits. This card offers over $1,500 in yearly value with its spending credits, more than enough to make up for the annual fee. Terms apply. The downside is that most people won't be able to use every last one of these credits. You'll probably find that some of them fit your lifestyle much better than others.
One of the most useful is a $240 digital entertainment credit. You get up to $20 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Amex Platinum Card at participating partners. Enrollment required, terms apply. As of June 2024, here's the list of options:
- Disney+
- A Disney Bundle
- ESPN+
- Hulu
- The New York Times
- Peacock
- The Wall Street Journal
You can probably find at least one streaming service you like. And if you're able to use the full $20 per month in statement credits, that will shave quite a bit off this card's annual fee.
Remember, those three perks are just a few of the special benefits you get with this American Express card. This is far from an exhaustive list.
If you like the idea of getting into American Express® Centurion Lounges, having elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hiton, and saving some money with that digital entertainment credit, then this card could be a great fit. Check out the rest of its benefits, and that will help you decide if you should apply.
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For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
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