Personal Finance Credit Cards

Why the Amex Platinum is Worth It: Platinum Card from American Express Benefits to Activate for Maximum Value in 2025

Three friends hold cocktails together in a toast at the bow of a sailboat facing dark blue water
American Express Platinum cardholders can enjoy thousands of dollars' worth of luxury benefits. But many of these perks require activation — this guide shows you how and where to do so. Yana Iskayeva/Getty Images
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American Express Platinum Card Benefit Overview

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most expensive consumer cards publicly available today.

But the Amex Platinum Card is well worth the $695 annual fee (rates and fees) if you regularly travel through airports with Amex Centurion Lounges or Delta Sky Clubs, use Uber or UberEats at least once a month, spend at least one weekend a year in a hotel, or subscribe to streaming services like Hulu or Disney. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

That's because this card comes with access or reimbursements for all of these services — and many more. Our guide to the Amex Platinum Card's benefits helps you understand how to use and maximize these perks to get your money's worth.

Apply for an Amex Platinum Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5 Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. Earn 1 Point on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$695

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Intro Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)

Cons

con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
Insider’s Take

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.

Amex Platinum Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • 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.
  • 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $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® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.

Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum Card offers dozens of benefits, both big and small. Some require activation or only apply in specific situations, while others automatically kick in when you become a card member.

Benefits that Require Enrollment

With an annual fee of $695 (rates and fees), it comes with several benefits that require enrollment include:

  • Airport access for Priority Pass Select membership
  • $240 annual digital entertainment credit
  • $200 annual airline incidental fee credit
  • $200 annual hotel credit on prepaid bookings of two nights or more through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
  • Walmart+ monthly membership credit
  • $200 Uber Cash credit
  • $199 annual CLEAR® Plus membership credit
  • $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit
  • Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Up to $120 for Global Entry once every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck® every 4.5 years
  • Rental car elite status with select companies

Enrollment or activation is required for all of these benefits before you can use them and terms apply.

Automatic Benefits

The Amex Platinum Card also offers many perks that don't require a prior step. In many cases, benefits only apply if you purchase the product or service using your Amex Platinum Card, or if you're traveling with a specific airline. Terms apply.

  • Platinum card concierge service
  • Purchase protection
  • Return protection
  • Extended warranty
  • Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta (up to 10 visits per calendar year or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year)
  • Lufthansa Lounge access when flying Lufthansa, SWISS, or Austrian Airlines
  • Secondary rental car protection when you pay all fees with this card
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance when you pay all fees with this card and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental car company
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance on round-trip travel booked with this card
  • Trip delay insurance on round-trip travel booked with this card
  • Baggage loss, damage, or theft insurance on round-trip travel booked with this card
  • Cellphone protection when your phone number is listed on the account, and you pay your monthly wireless bill with this card

Most of these benefits come with important restrictions or exclusions, so make sure you carefully read the fine print. For example, car rental loss and damage insurance does not apply in Australia, Italy, or New Zealand, and does not include liability coverage.

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5 Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. Earn 1 Point on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$695

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Intro Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)

Cons

con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
Insider’s Take

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.

Amex Platinum Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • 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.
  • 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $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® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.

How to Activate Amex Platinum Card Benefits

This premium card offers many benefits, and you can easily get at least the value of the annual fee out of it if you use even half of the perks each year.

Here's what to do at the beginning of each new year, or as soon as you get your card.

1. Amex Platinum Card Airline Fee Credit

One of the biggest perks of The Platinum Card® from American Express is an airline fee credit every calendar year. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

To use this credit, you must designate a single airline of your choice from a short list of eight options:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Spirit Airlines
  • United Airlines

The credit cannot be used for airfare itself. Instead, it applies to incidental charges like checked bags, change fees, inflight food and drinks, pet fees, paid seat assignments, or extra legroom upgrade fees.

Simply pay for these add-ons with your Amex Platinum Card, and you'll see a statement credit for eligible expenses within six to eight weeks, often sooner.

You can see how much of your yearly credit you've used by checking your cardholder dashboard.

You can only choose an airline once per calendar year: when you first get the card, and then in January each following year. If you don't designate a new airline, your previous year's choice will roll over to the following year.

If you're a new cardholder, you can take advantage of this benefit twice in your first 12 months because the $200 airline credit applies once per calendar year, instead of on a rolling basis calculated from yourfees anniversary (terms apply). For example:If you open the card in August, you can earn the full $200 credit before the end of 2025

  • The credit resets on January 1, 2026, so you will have another $200 at your disposaThis way, you can get up to $400 in value from this credit in your first 12 monts as a cardholder.

How to activate your airline fee credit

You can call the number on the back of your card to choose your airline.

Alternatively, you can designate your airline online:

  • Log in to your online account and navigate to the "Rewards & Benefits" tab toward the top-right of the dashboard
  • From there, click on "Benefits" at the far right, and scroll down through "Your Benefit Highlights" until you see the button for the $200 airline fee credit
  • Within the pop-up that appears, click the blue "Select an Airline" button at the top right, and follow the prompts to choose your airline from the drop-down menu

You don't have to choose your airline until you have travel plans in mind. Once you've made your choice, you can change it online or by phone once each year in January. After January 31, you're locked in with that airline until the end of the year.

2. Amex Platinum Card Uber Cash Credit

The Amex Platinum Card offers cardholders up to $200 in Uber Cash credits each calendar year. If you don't take Uber rides, you can also use the credit toward Uber Eats food delivery and takeout. Term apply.

The Amex Uber credit is broken into monthly chunks. At the start of each month, you'll get $15 of credits added to your Uber account, with a $20 bonus each December (for a total of $35). Additionally, your account will be upgraded to Uber VIP status, which comes with a few perks like the option to only request rides from top-rated drivers. Terms Apply.

How to enroll for Uber Cash credits

  • Add your Amex Platinum Card as the payment method in the Uber app, and turn on the "Uber Cash" option in your wallet.

Your Amex Platinum Card must be the selected payment method in Uber or Uber Eats to redeem this benefit.

3. Amex Platinum Priority Pass Membership

The Amex Platinum Card offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access of any card on the market. Cardholders can enroll to access over 1,500 airport lounges within the Priority Pass lounge network alone, in addition to (Terms apply):

  • Amex Centurion Lounges
  • Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (up to 10 visits per calendar year or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year)
  • Escape Lounges
  • Plaza Premium
  • Lufthansa Lounges when flying on Lufthansa, SWISS, or Austrian Airlines
  • Additional partner lounges

Most of these lounges will grant you access as long as you have a same-day boarding pass (on a specific airline in some cases) along with an acceptable form of ID and your Amex Platinum Card. But you'll have to sign up for membership before entering a Priority Pass lounge. Terms Apply.

How to activate Priority Pass  

To sign up for Priority Pass:

  • Log into your Amex cardholder account online and click on the "Rewards & Benefits" tab in the top right corner
  • Click on "Benefits" again in the top right corner, then scroll down to "The American Express Global Lounge Collection"
  • In the pop-up that appears, click on "Enroll in Priority Pass Select in the top right corner.

Alternatively, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card to activate your Priority Pass lounge benefits.

4. Amex Platinum Digital Entertainment Credit

The Amex Platinum Card also offers up to $240 annually in digital entertainment credits, doled out in chunks of up to $20 a month. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Eligible digital subscription services include:

  • Hulu
  • Disney+ or a Disney Bundle
  • ESPN+
  • Peacock
  • The New York Times
  • The Wall Street Journal

A number of conditions and exclusions apply. If you get Peacock through your cable service, for example, the charge will not qualify for this credit.

How to utilize the digital subscription credit

  • Call the number on the back of your card, or activate the benefits through your online Amex account.
  • After you've activated the benefit, use your Amex Platinum Card to pay your monthly bill, and the statement credit will automatically appear on each card balance.

5. Amex Platinum Marriott and Hilton Status 

Complimentary Marriott and Hilton hotel elite status through the Amex Platinum Card is an excellent perk that offers real value (enrollment required), especially if you don't stay at one chain often enough to earn mid-tier Gold level status on your own. Terms Apply.

Elite status perks vary across brands and individual hotels, but typically include services like early check-in and late checkout, a better chance at room upgrades, bonus points on stays, and, in Hilton's case, free breakfast (or a dining credit) — which can add up to hundreds in savings if you're a frequent guest.

How to activate Marriott and Hilton elite status

Before enrolling with Amex, make sure you have loyalty accounts with Marriott and Hilton.

You can call the number on the back of your card or log in to your Amex online account to enroll:

  • Scroll through your list of benefits until you find the blue buttons to "Enroll Now" for Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors gold elite status.
  • Enter your Marriott and Hilton account numbers to request Gold status.

It typically takes a few days for enrollment to process.

6. Amex Platinum Hotel Credit

The Amex Platinum Card offers up to $200 in annual statement credits toward prepaid bookings through Amex Travel from The Hotel Collection (THC, minimum two-night stay) or the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program. Terms Apply.

Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits for cardholders include:

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • $100 credit toward eligible charges
  • Guaranteed 4 p.m. check-out
  • 12 p.m. check-in, when available
  • Room upgrade at check-in, when available
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Stays booked through The Hotel Collection require a two-night minimum to trigger the annual credit. Cardholder benefits include:

  • 12 p.m. check-in, when available
  • Room upgrade at check-in, when available
  • $100 credit towards eligible charges
  • Late check-out, when available

How to earn your $200 FHR and THC credit

To get up to $200 back on your hotel stay through FHR and THC, use your Amex Platinum Card to prepay for your hotel stay through the Amex Travel portal.

7. Amex Platinum Clear Credit

CLEAR® Plus is an expedited airport security program similar to TSA PreCheck®, but it's also available for fast-track entry at select stadiums and arenas.

The CLEAR® Plus credit on the Amex Platinum Card will reimburse you for the annual membership fee up to the full price of $199 when you enroll. Terms Apply.

Keep in mind:

  • CLEAR® Plus isn't available at as many airports as TSA PreCheck® is
  • You'll still have to remove items like your laptop and shoes before getting screened unless you also have TSA PreCheck® membership.

How to activate your CLEAR Plus credit

  • Sign up for CLEAR® Plus at any participating checkpoint or online
  • Pay for your membership using your Amex Platinum Card.

    The credit will automatically appear on your monthly statement. 

8. Amex Platinum Rental Car Benefits

In addition to hotel status, Amex Platinum Cardholders can get elite status with several car rental agencies:

  • Avis Preferred
  • Hertz President's Circle status
  • National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status

Benefits include car upgrades, guaranteed availability, and waived fees for additional drivers. Terms Apply.

How to activate rental car status

Sign up for accounts with Avis, Hertz, and National, then link your account numbers through the Amex Benefits dashboard for complimentary status upgrade.

9. Amex Platinum Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® are two government programs that offer time-saving ways to breeze through the airport.

TSA PreCheck® members don't have to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets during airport security screening. It's a faster, easier experience that typically leads to shorter and quicker lines.

Meanwhile, Global Entry offers expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers when they return to the U.S. after international travel, allowing them to use self-service kiosks at customs instead of waiting in line for manual processing.

There's an application fee for either service, but your Amex Platinum Card will reimburse the cost when you pay with this card: $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee, or up to $85 statement credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck®. Terms Apply.

The Amex Platinum Card isn't the only card that offers credit for these programs. Read our guide to the best cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck to learn more.

How to receive credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application

To get the credit, fill out the relevant program application online and pay for the service with your Amex Platinum Card.

If you already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, you can use the credit to cover the application cost for someone else — just use your card to pay at checkout.

10. Amex Platinum Walmart+ Credit

When you activate this benefit and use the Amex Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership on auto-renewal, you will receive a statement credit of $12.95 plus applicable sales tax each month. Terms Apply.

Walmart+ is a subscription service similar to Amazon Prime that comes with benefits like free delivery and no-minimum free shipping, as well as gas and pharmacy discounts.

There are a few important exclusions to note:

  • This credit does not apply to annual memberships
  • Plus Up (enhanced delivery service) is not eligible for the credit

How to activate Walmart+

  • Sign up for a monthly Walmart+ subscription on auto-renew
  • Charge the monthly fees on your Platinum card

11. Amex Platinum Card and Paramount+ Access

A fringe benefit of Walmart+ is free access to Paramount+ Essential, the ad-supported version of this streaming service.

How to activate Paramount+

This benefit isn't offered directly through Amex. To activate:

  • Sign up for Walmart+
  • Create a Paramount+ account or log into an existing account
  • Link your accounts by clicking on "Video Streaming with Paramount+" under the Benefits hub in your Walmart+ online dashboard.

    The email address you use for Paramount+ must match the one you use for Walmart+.

    If you already have a paid Paramount+ membership, wait for your Paramount+ subscription to lapse before signing up through Walmart+.

12. Amex Platinum Card Saks Credit

When you use your Amex Platinum Card in-store at Saks Fifth Avenue or online at saks.com, you can get up to $100 in statement credits. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

This credit is split into two chunks: You'll get up to $50 in statement credits between January and June, and another $50 from July through December.

How to enroll in Saks benefits

  • From the "Benefits" tab under the "Rewards & Benefits" section of your online dashboard, scroll down to find the "Shop Saks with Platinum" options.
  • Click "Enroll," and you're all set going forward; you don't need to re-enroll for future credits.

13. Amex Platinum Equinox Credits

The Amex Platinum Card credits up to $300 per year toward any Equinox gym membership, including digital subscriptions for fitness classes through the Equinox+ app. Terms Apply.

  • Activate this benefit by calling Amex or logging on to your account to enroll in the Equinox benefit, then use your card to pay your monthly membership charge.

14. Amex Platinum SoulCycle Credit

The Amex Platinum Card also comes with a $300 credit toward a SoulCycle at-home bike purchased through https://www.equinoxplus.com/amexbikebenefit. Terms apply.

A number of conditions and exclusions apply, so read the fine print carefully before you click "Buy now":

  • An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content
  • Must charge full price of bike in one transaction
  • Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only
  • Purchases made in-store or through the Equinox mobile app are not eligible for the statement credit
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5 Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. Earn 1 Point on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$695

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Intro Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)

Cons

con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
Insider’s Take

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.

Amex Platinum Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • 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.
  • 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $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® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.

FAQs

What travel benefits does the Amex Platinum card offer?

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With an annual fee of $695 (rates and fees), the Amex Platinum Card comes with travel benefits include access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide; elite benefits at select hotel chains and rental car companies; no foreign transaction fees; and annual statement credits for select hotel bookings and airline fees. Terms apply.

How can I maximize my Amex Platinum card benefits?

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The best way to maximize your Amex Platinum Card's benefits is by tracking them carefully and using them in full each year. Many perks require activation or enrollment before use.

What lifestyle perks come with the Amex Platinum card?

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The Amex Platinum Card comes with an annual fee of $695 (rates and fees) and comes with many lifestyle perks include access to high-end airport Centurion Lounges; elite status with Marriott and Hilton hotels and Avis, Hertz, and National rental car companies; premium benefits at select hotels booked through Amex; and an annual statement credit for CLEAR® Plus expedited security. Terms apply.

Why is the Amex Platinum card so prestigious?

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The Amex Platinum Card is prestigious because it's expensive and luxurious. Its distinctive metal design and weight make it a classic status symbol, and members have access to high-class Centurion Lounges throughout airports worldwide.

Is the Amex Platinum card worth it, according to Reddit?

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Redditors say the Amex Platinum Card is worth it if you travel frequently enough to take advantage of most benefits. Cardholders praise its many travel perks including elite status with Marriott and Hilton, credit for CLEAR Plus, and extensive airport lounge access (many require enrollment and terms apply).

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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Katherine Fan was a personal finance expert, journalist, and public speaker with 10 years of industry experience. She covered all things credit cards for Business Insider's personal finance hub.ExperienceKatherine has published more than 1,800 articles, guides, and reviews covering credit card benefits and rewards, small business finances, points and miles travel, loyalty programs, and real estate investing. She wrote full-time for The Points Guy and NerdWallet before joining Business Insider.