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The Platinum Card® from American Express is like a flashy suitcase overflowing with premium benefits for your travel experience.
NerdWallet rating
It has a $695 annual fee, yes, but it also comes with a slew of valuable benefits that can easily make up for that cost, assuming you'll use them. From travel credits and airport lounge access to purchase protections and exclusive services, this card is all about luxury.
Here are the benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express:
» MORE: Complete card details for the American Express Platinum
Points: Rewards on spending
The Platinum Card® from American Express earns Membership Rewards points, which offer flexible redemption options that vary in value.
1. A jet-setting welcome offer
The introductory offer can take your travel further: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
» MORE: American Express card benefits you may not know you have
2. Big travel rewards
You earn ongoing Membership Rewards at the following rates:
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
2 points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked through American Express Travel.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Terms apply (see rates and fees).
» MORE: NerdWallet review of the American Express Platinum
3. AmEx Offers
As a cardholder, you’re eligible to earn additional rewards or rebates in the form of a statement credit when you activate AmEx Offers and use your card to shop with specific merchants. Terms may apply, so read the fine print carefully to ensure you can collect an offer. Enrollment is required.
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Perks: Goodies that come with the card
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a long list of perks, most of which require you to use the card to qualify for them.
Credits
4. Up to $200 in annual credit for airline incidental fees
You can choose one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 per calendar year in statement credit when you enroll and charge incidental fees such as checked bags or in-flight refreshments to your card. Learn more about travel credits.
5. Up to $200 in Uber cash for rides
You’re automatically enrolled in Uber VIP status, which connects you with top-rated drivers. And you’ll get up to $15 monthly in Uber Cash for rides in the U.S. on your Uber account, plus a bonus of up to $35 in December. You must add your card as a payment method in the Uber app.
6. Up to $200 in annual hotel credit
You'll get a credit on prepaid bookings with American Express Travel at The Hotel Collection (two-night minimum required) or Fine Hotels + Resorts properties (more than 2,200 worldwide) when you pay with the card, up to $200 each calendar year.
7. Up to $300 Equinox credit
You'll get up to a $300 statement credit when you use the card to pay for an Equinox fitness club membership. Or it can be applied to Equinox+, an on-demand fitness app.
8. $300 SoulCycle credit
When you purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike, you'll receive a $300 statement credit. Enrollment is required, and you need to have an Equinox+ subscription to qualify.
9. Up to $240 in digital entertainment credit
This credit can be applied at $20 per month when using the card to pay for one of the following services: Peaco*ck, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, up to $240 per calendar year. Enrollment is required.
10. $189 Clear credit
This annual credit covers the cost of Clear, which uses biometrics to let members bypass part of the security line at airports and stadiums in some cities.
11. Reimbursem*nt of application fees for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
You get a statement credit either once every four years for Global Entry or once every 4.5 years for TSA Precheck. Learn more about TSA Precheck and Global Entry. TSA Precheck costs $85, while Global Entry costs $100.
12. Up to $100 in statement credits annually at Saks Fifth Avenue
Receive this amount annually for purchases made in-store or online with your card. Credits are divvied up in $50 increments; one from January through June, and the other from July through December. Enrollment is required.
13. Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit
Use the card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get reimbursed with statement credits for the full amount (up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes). Terms apply. A Walmart+ membership offers perks like free delivery on groceries, free shipping, savings on gas, returns from home and video streaming with Paramount+, among others.
Terms apply.
Lounge benefits
14. Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at airports
This portfolio includes Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta only), Priority Pass Select, International American Express lounges, Airspace and Escape lounges. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
15. Centurion Lounge Complimentary Guest Access
Get complimentary guest access to a Centurion Lounge after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. You can bring two guests per visit into locations of The Centurion Lounge in the U.S., Hong Kong International Airport and London Heathrow Airport. Terms apply.
Hotel-friendly benefits
16. Upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
You don’t have to do much work to earn this status. Simply enroll and you’ll be eligible for a 25% Marriott Bonvoy points bonus, an enhanced room at check-in (when available), 2 p.m. late checkout, free in-room Wi-Fi and more. Terms apply.
17. Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status
When you enroll in this status, you get room upgrades at select properties (when available), a complimentary fifth reward night on standard room reward stays of five nights or more, and 80% bonus points on all Hilton Honors base points. Terms apply.
18. Money-saving perks for stays booked through The Hotel Collection
If you book a stay of at least two consecutive nights with The Hotel Collection at over 600 properties, you can get a $100 hotel credit to spend on dining, spa and resort activities. You can also qualify for a room upgrade upon arrival depending on availability.
19. Complimentary benefits through Fine Hotels & Resorts
At over 1,300 properties, you can get a room upgrade (when available), daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, noon check-in (when available), complimentary Wi-Fi and an amenity credit valued at $100.
Terms apply.
Services
20. Free shipping with ShopRunner
Get unlimited free two-day shipping and free return shipping on qualifying items when you sign up for a ShopRunner membership using your card. Enrollment required.
21. Concierge service
You have 24-hour access to assistants for personal, travel or card-related needs. The service is free, but fees may apply for costs incurred to fulfill your requests.
22. Low fares through the International Airline Program
You and your travel companions could earn savings on International First, Business and Premium Economy Class tickets on over 20 participating airlines when you book through American Express Travel.
23. Savings with the Cruise Privileges Program
Use your card to book cruises of five nights or longer through American Express Travel and get up to $300 in shipboard credit per stateroom. Additional perks include exclusive amenities that vary per cruise line and one extra Membership Rewards points per dollar spent.
24. Car Rental Privileges
Get complimentary premium status for car rental programs like Avis Preferred, National Car Rental Emerald Club and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards when you enroll in Car Rental Privileges. You’ll be eligible to receive upgrades, discounts and priority service for your next car rental at participating locations, depending on availability, when you pay with the card. Terms apply.
25. Deals through the Amex Auto Purchasing Program
You’re connected with eligible dealers that accept American Express. Dealers on the auto purchasing program's website accept your card for at least $2,000 and up to the full purchase price of the car. These same dealers also offer a Guaranteed Savings Certificate on your configured car and in-stock cars that align with your preferences. Terms apply.
26. An extra point when booking Platinum Destinations Vacations
Get one extra Membership Rewards point per dollar spent with your card on an eligible vacation package booked through the Platinum Travel Service.
27. Additional value through the InCircle rewards program
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 cards can be used to shop at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow and CUSP. Terms apply.
28. AmEx Carbon Emissions Tracker
Receive an estimate of your carbon emissions based on purchases made with the card, contribute monthly to carbon removal projects and get carbon reduction tips and information.
Terms apply.
Access to unique experiences
29. The Global Dining Access by Resy
Get access to exclusive reservations at popular restaurants, Priority Notify and a badge on your Resy profile that confirms membership to the Global Dining Access program.
30. Exclusive events
The “By Invitation Only” platform offers an open invitation to purchase tickets to exclusive events from sporting and fashion to dining, art and performances.
31. An open invitation to events with Membership Experiences
Get access to presale tickets, offers, special events and experiences in music, theater and sports, to name a few.
32. A better view with American Express Preferred Access
Get dibs on coveted seats and advance ticket sales for concerts, sports and entertainment events.
Terms apply.
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Convenient features
33. No foreign transaction fees
The Platinum Card® from American Express doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but you may experience limited merchant acceptance abroad. American Express cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa and Mastercard products. See NerdWallet’s best no foreign transaction fee cards.
34. Upgrade with points
Redeem Membership Rewards points for an airline ticket upgrade. The dollar amount of the upgrade will be charged to the card and points will be subtracted from your Membership Rewards to cover the expense as a credit. Terms apply.
35. No preset spending limit
The Platinum Card® from American Express doesn’t have a preset spending limit. You’ll still have a general limit, though, that fluctuates with changing factors such as your purchases and credit history. Regardless of how much you spend, you’ll have to pay it off in full every month.
36. A lower annual fee on additional cards
Add authorized users to your account and earn Membership Rewards points for all qualifying purchases made by additional card members. The annual fee is $195 for every additional card. Terms apply.
37. CreditSecure
Enroll in CreditSecure with the card to receive fraud assistance services and monitoring for your credit and identity. You’ll pay $1 for the first 30 days and $16.99 per month thereafter.
Terms apply.
Protections
Retail and travel
38. Cell phone protection
Get reimbursed after paying to fix or replace a lost or damaged cell phone, up to $800 per claim, with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period. To qualify, you must pay for the cell phone bill with the card and pay a $50 deductible for each approved claim. Terms apply.
39. Purchase protection
This benefit protects qualifying purchases made with your card if they’re accidentally damaged, stolen or lost for up to 90 days from the purchase date. Coverage includes up to $10,000 per incident for up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. Learn more about purchase protection.
40. Return protection
If a merchant won’t take an item back within 90 days, American Express may refund you the value up to $300 item purchased with your card (for a maximum of $1,000) per year. The benefit doesn’t cover costs for shipping and handling. Learn more about return protection.
41. Extended warranty
Get up to an extra year added to an original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less when you use the card to pay for qualifying purchases. Terms apply. Learn more about extended warranty protections.
42. Baggage insurance plan
If your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen, this plan covers you up to $2,000 for checked bags and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage. You have to pay for the entire fare with your card to be covered. Terms apply.
43. Car rental loss and damage insurance
This benefit offers secondary coverage for a rental car that is damaged or stolen. To qualify, you must pay for the rental car with your card and decline the collision damage waiver. Exclusions and terms apply. Learn more about rental car coverage provided via cards.
44. Premium Car Rental Protection
When you enroll and purchase Premium Car Rental Protection with the card and pay for rental charges with the card, you’ll be charged a flat rate per rental for up to 42 consecutive days and receive primary rental coverage. The flat rate also applies to rentals of eligible luxury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks. Terms apply.
45. Trip delay insurance
Pay for a round trip with the card and get covered if your trip is delayed by more than six hours for a qualifying reason. Trip delay insurance will reimburse certain expenses made with the card (up to $500 per trip) that result from the delay. Examples of expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and personal use items, to name a few. You’ll get a maximum of two claims per eligible card for every 12-month period.
46. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
When you purchase a round trip with the card and the trip is interrupted or canceled for a qualifying reason, the insurance will reimburse non-refundable expenses made with the card. Coverage applies on up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per consecutive 12-month period. Terms apply.
Emergency services: Assistance 24 hours a day
47. Premium Global Assist Hotline
If you’re traveling farther than 100 miles from home, American Express offers around-the-clock medical, legal, financial or other select emergency and assistance services. This benefit may also provide emergency medical transportation assistance. You may be responsible for any costs charged by third-party service providers.
More about the card
Complete card details for The Platinum Card® from American Express
NerdWallet review of The Platinum Card® from American Express
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
Cell phone protection
Coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two claims per eligible card account per 12 month period.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Purchase protection
Purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Return protection
With return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Extended warranty
When an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item, up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Baggage insurance plan
Baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car rental loss and damage insurance
Car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Trip delay insurance
Up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and two claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
The maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card.
Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit Travel and Retail American Express Card Benefits | AmEx for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
