The American Express Platinum Card offers an extensive set of benefits for frequent travelers and those looking for premium rewards. As American Express’s flagship credit card, the Platinum Card provides access to airport lounges, hotel elite status, Uber credits, airline fee credits, and more. The card does come with a high annual fee of $695, but for frequent travelers the perks can easily offset the cost.
Airport Lounge Access
One of the most valuable benefits of the Platinum Card is complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges globally through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes access to Amex’s own Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, and more. The lounges offer comfortable seating, free food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities to make your airport experience much more enjoyable. For frequent travelers, airport lounge access can be worth hundreds of dollars in value each year.
Centurion Lounges
American Express operates over 20 of their own Centurion Lounges located at major airports across the US and internationally. These lounges offer upscale complimentary dining options curated by renowned chefs, premium open bars with custom cocktails, spacious seating with Wi-Fi and power outlets, and spa-like restrooms. The Centurion Lounges are widely regarded as some of the best domestic airport lounges. As a Platinum Cardholder, you and up to two companions get complimentary access.
Delta Sky Club
When flying Delta, the Platinum Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges. You can access over 60 Delta Sky Clubs worldwide when you are flying Delta that same day. Escape the crowded terminal and enjoy free snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, work stations, showers, and more. Authorized users on your Platinum Card account also get complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling.
Priority Pass
The Platinum Card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world. With Priority Pass you can bring in up to two guests for free. This gives you lounge access regardless of what airline you are flying or class of service.
Airspace Lounges
At select US airports, Platinum Cardholders get free access to Airspace Lounges. These lounges feature private workstations, Wi-Fi, TVs, flagship styling, and locally-inspired food and drinks.
International Airline Lounges
When flying internationally, the Platinum Card provides access to over 20 international airline lounges through the Priority Pass network. This includes lounges operated by airlines such as Qantas, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and more.
Hotel Elite Status
The Platinum Card offers complimentary gold elite status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. This provides a variety of hotel perks and upgrades when staying at participating Hilton and Marriott properties.
Hilton Honors Gold Status
As a Platinum Cardholder, you get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Benefits include:
- 80% point bonus on paid stays
- 5th night free on award bookings
- Space-available room upgrades
- Complimentary breakfast
- Dedicated check-in area
- Late checkout
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status provides:
- 25% point bonus on paid stays
- Enhanced in-room internet
- Space-available upgrades to enhanced rooms
- Late checkout
- Dedicated elite reservation lines
Having elite status with major hotel chains can make travel much more enjoyable with perks like free breakfast, room upgrades, and bonus points on paid stays.
Uber Credits
Each year, the Platinum Card provides up to $200 in Uber credits, broken up into monthly $15 credits plus a $20 bonus in December. You can use these credits for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. The credits are automatically applied to your linked Uber account each month – no need to activate. This perk essentially makes Uber rides or delivery free up to $200 per year.
Airline Fee Credit
You get up to $200 per year in statement credits on incidental fees charged by one qualifying airline. This covers things like checked bags, inflight food and drinks, seat selections, in-flight WiFi, and other incidentals. You have to designate your chosen airline each year. The credit resets every January so you can switch carriers if needed. With baggage fees around $30 per bag, it’s easy to use the full $200 credit and offset travel costs.
Airport Meet & Greet Service
When arriving home at over 90 airports globally after international trips, the Platinum Card provides complimentary meet & greet service through airport connections. They will meet you as you get off the plane, assist you through immigration and customs, and help with baggage claim. This exclusive perk can really take the stress out of long international flights and connections.
Fine Hotels & Resorts
By booking qualifying stays through American Express Travel at Fine Hotels & Resorts, Platinum Cardholders get valuable perks including:
- 12pm late checkout
- Room upgrade upon arrival (when available)
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 food/beverage credit
- Complimentary WiFi
- Noon early check-in (when available)
You also get exclusive amenities such as credits for spa or dining. FHR provides an elevated, premium hotel stay.
Purchase Protection
When you use your Platinum Card for eligible purchases, you get access to purchase protection coverage. This provides coverage for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per purchase and $50,000 per year. This gives you peace of mind on big ticket purchases.
Return Protection
If you want to return an eligible item within 90 days from when it was purchased on your Platinum Card, American Express will refund the full purchase price up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year. So you don’t have to worry about return restrictions at merchants.
Premium Car Rental Insurance
When booking car rentals through American Express Travel and paying with your Platinum Card, you get premium coverage including:
- Collision damage waiver
- Loss and damage coverage
- Theft protection
- Rental period up to 30 consecutive days
This means you can decline expensive rental company insurance options and have coverage through your card.
Premium Roadside Assistance
As a Platinum Cardholder, you get complimentary premium roadside assistance services through American Express. This includes towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire changes, lockout service, and more. You can call for help anytime 24/7.
Premium Global Assist Hotline
When traveling more than 100 miles from home, you have access to the Platinum Card’s Global Assist Hotline. They provide medical assistance, legal referrals, coordination with embassies, lost travel document assistance, translation services, and more. This service can really come in handy when traveling internationally.
Cruise Privileges
By booking cruises through Amex Travel Cruises, Platinum Cardholders can enjoy valuable perks including:
- $100 – $300 onboard credits
- Complimentary wine tastings
- Specialty dining packages
- Upgraded shore excursions
- Photo packages
- Internet packages
- Private car transfers
You also get exclusive access to select cruise sailings and advanced booking privileges. These cruise benefits provide significant added value.
Entertainment Access®
Get access to exclusive entertainment experiences through the Platinum Card’s Entertainment Access® program. This includes elite access to concerts, events, movie premieres and more. There are also dining events at exciting restaurants arranged just for cardholders. These entertainment perks are only available to Platinum and Centurion members.
Membership Rewards Points
The Platinum Card from American Express earns valuable Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed in many ways like travel, gift cards, merchandise, events, and more. You earn 5x points on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel. You also get 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Points are worth approximately 1 cent to 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
There are no foreign transaction fees when using your Platinum Card internationally. This makes the card very useful for travel and saves 3% on international purchases.
Global Dining Collection
Access exclusive dining reservations through the Global Dining Collection. Enjoy benefits like a $100 dining credit, complimentary tasting menu, priority notification when special menus or events come up, and more at top restaurants in major cities globally.
Hotel Room Upgrades
When booking eligible prepaid hotel stays of two consecutive nights through Amex Travel, you get complimentary space-available room upgrades at check-in. So you can enjoy even better rooms and service during your hotel stay.
Billing & Payments
The Platinum Card has flexible payment options including the ability to enroll in Pay Over Time features to carry a balance on large purchases over a set repayment period if needed. This can help manage expenses. Account management is easy through the online account dashboard and mobile app.
Annual Statement Credits
Each year with the Platinum Card you get up to $200 in Uber credits, up to $200 airline fee credit, and up to $100 credit towards purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue. That’s up to $500 in annual credits towards incidentals that can offset the annual fee.
Annual Fee
The Platinum Card does have a high annual fee of $695. However, for frequent travelers the statement credits and the value of the many lounge access, hotel, airline and other travel benefits can easily exceed this annual fee. Paying the annual fee gives you access to a tremendous selection of premium perks. See the value breakdown below.
Benefit | Potential Value for Frequent Traveler |
---|---|
Airport Lounge Access | $500+ |
Hilton & Marriott Elite Status | $400+ |
Uber Credits | $200 |
Airline Fee Credit | $200 |
Fine Hotels & Resorts | $250 |
Premium Car Rentals | $100+ |
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | $100 |
Membership Rewards | $500+ |
Total Potential Value | $2,250+ |
As shown above, a frequent traveler can easily get well over $2,250 in value from the card per year, making the $695 annual fee pay for itself multiple times over.
Application Eligibility & Requirements
Since the Platinum Card is a premium charge card, approval is based on a review of your creditworthiness including factors like:
- Credit score (good to excellent score recommended)
- Income
- Debt levels
- Payment history
- Existing American Express cards
There are no preset spending requirements or limits for approval but you generally need great to excellent credit. Income plays a role but there is no public income threshold.
Welcome Bonus Requirements
New cardholders can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening. These are very lucrative bonus points worth around $1,500 or more in travel redemptions.
Is the Platinum Card Worth It?
The Platinum Card has one of the highest annual fees among premium travel rewards cards, but it can absolutely be worth the high fee if you can make use of the card’s extensive lounge access, hotel elite status perks, airline fee credits, Uber credits, Membership Rewards points, and other premium benefits. Frequent travelers who already spend on flights, hotels, Uber rides, dining, and other travel expenses can get over $2,000 in value.
However, if you don’t travel often the value of the perks likely does not justify the fee. The card is designed for luxury travelers who spend substantially on flights, hotels, dining and other eligible purchases.
Alternatives for Less Frequent Travelers
For those who want premium card benefits but travel less frequently, the following cards offer similar rewards with lower annual fees:
- American Express Gold Card – $250 annual fee with dining rewards and credits
- Chase Sapphire Reserve – $550 annual fee with lounge access & travel perks
- Capital One Venture X – $395 annual fee with lounge access and credits
- Amex Green Card – $150 annual fee with 3x travel and transit rewards
Conclusion
The Platinum Card from American Express is packed with high-end travel rewards, lounge access, statement credits, and perks that can provide thousands in value each year. While it does come with a steep $695 annual fee, frequent travelers who can take advantage of the benefits are able to extract significant value that offsets the fee. It pays for itself many times over for luxury travelers and remains the premium flagship card within the American Express portfolio.