Looking for a premium travel credit card? Look no further than the Amex Platinum Card. Although its high annual fee may give you pause, this American Express Platinum Card Review will demonstrate that the benefits are well worth the cost.
In this article, we’ll start by taking a closer look at the card’s features and benefits. From exclusive perks to premium services, the Amex Platinum Card is designed for the discerning traveler. Next, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of earning and redeeming Amex points with this card, and explore the various ways you can maximize its rewards program. Finally, we’ll round things out by comparing the American Express Platinum Card to its closest competitors.
Ready to explore all that the Amex Platinum Card has to offer? Read on for the full review!
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Amex Platinum Card Details
If you’re a new card member, you can 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.
Yes, the Amex Platinum Card comes with a $695 annual fee, but wait until you hear about the value-packed credits and benefits that make it worth every penny. Plus, you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees.
In this American Express Platinum Card Review, we’ll delve into the details of the card, highlight its perks, and show you how to maximize your rewards points.
Amex Platinum Card Credits
Are you considering getting the Amex Platinum Card? Well, let us tell you about one of its major selling points – the credits. With the Platinum Card, you’ll have access to a range of credits that make it a must-have in your wallet. Let’s take a closer look at them.
First up, the $200 Hotel Credit. Each year, you can enjoy statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, requiring a minimum two-night stay through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Who doesn’t love a good hotel stay?
Next, the $240 Digital Entertainment Credit. This credit offers $20 back 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, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Just make sure you enroll to receive this credit.
Looking to stay fit? Then the $300 Equinox Credit is perfect for you. It comes in the form of $25 monthly credits on the Equinox+ digital fitness app or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Amex Platinum Card. You need to enroll in Equinox to get this credit.
Need to stock up on groceries? The $155 Walmart+ credit covers the $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ with your Amex Platinum Card.
If you’re a frequent traveler, the $200 Airline Fee Credit will be music to your ears. It is a statement credit that covers the cost of airline expenses like baggage fees and seat assignments with one select qualifying airline.
For those who prefer to Uber around town, the Platinum Card offers Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber Cash for rides and eats annually. You’ll receive $15 per month and $35 in December. Who doesn’t love a free ride?
Another great credit is the up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year when you use your Platinum Card to pay for your annual CLEAR membership.
Lastly, the $100 Global Entry or $85 TSA PRE✓ Credit is also offered by other credit cards. As a result, this credit is redundant if you carry another card offering it. Cardmembers receive this credit every 5 years.
And there you have it! The Platinum Card’s credits are a no-brainer for anyone who wants to enjoy great perks and save some cash. Don’t wait any longer, apply for your card today!
American Express Platinum Benefits
Not only does this card offer a range of exciting credits, but it also comes with a host of exclusive benefits that make it stand out from the crowd.
With the Platinum Card, you have access to a range of exclusive benefits. Take the Global Lounge Collection, for example. This gives you access to the Centurion Lounge, International AmEx lounges, Priority Pass Select lounges, and even Delta Sky Clubs when you fly with Delta Air Lines.
Or, consider the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program. With this benefit, you’ll enjoy daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade (when available), a $100 property amenity, and more. The Hotel Collection offers similar benefits, including a $100 hotel credit and room upgrade (when available).
And let’s not forget about the elite status benefits. As a Platinum Card member, you’ll enjoy Gold elite status with both Marriott and Hilton. Plus, you’ll have access to car rental discounts and upgrades with Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rental.
But perhaps one of the most exciting benefits of the Platinum Card is the Platinum Concierge service. This benefit can help you book hard-to-get reservations and tickets to high-demand events. Simply call the number on the back of your card or email platinumrequests@concierge.americanexpress.com for assistance.
And if you’re a foodie, you’ll love the Global Dining Collection. This benefit gives you special access to reservations and experiences at some of the top restaurants in the world. Plus, the Global Dining Access by Resy benefit offers even more exclusive dining experiences.
Finally, the Platinum Card comes with Trip Delay Insurance to cover travel expenses incurred when your round-trip flight is delayed more than six hours.
In short, the American Express Platinum Card offers a range of exciting credits and exclusive benefits that can help you get more out of your credit card.
How to Earn Points with the Amex Platinum
Looking at the Amex Platinum Card, it’s important to note the earning rates. With this card, you can earn 5X points on airfare and 5X points on prepaid hotels. That’s a fantastic rate!
Now, let’s look at some other cards for comparison. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, offers 3X points on airfare and 3X points on hotels. While this is still a great earning rate, it falls short of the American Express Platinum’s generous 5X points.
So, if you’re someone who frequently travels and stays in hotels, the American Express Platinum Card could be a great choice for you. With its high earning rates, you could quickly accumulate a substantial amount of points to use towards future travel or other rewards.
How to Redeem Points with the Amex Platinum
As an American Express Platinum cardmember, you have the option to transfer your points to 19 different airlines and 3 hotel programs. The best airline programs to consider transferring your points to are Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Etihad Guest, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
When it comes to redeeming your AmEx points, here are some great flights to check out:
1) Use 85,000 Asia Miles to fly Cathay Pacific business class from New York to Australia,
2) Use 53,000 Flying Blue miles to fly Air France/KLM business class from the US to Europe, or
3) Use 110,000-120,000 Flying Club miles to fly ANA first-class from the US to Japan.
With these options, you can maximize the value of your points and enjoy luxury travel experiences that make your investment in the Platinum Card even more rewarding.
What Cards Compete with the Amex Platinum
First up, we have the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. With the Capital One Venture X, you’ll earn 2X points on all purchases, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3X points on dining and travel.
If you’re looking for even more options, there are four other competing cards to consider: the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Green Card, Amex Gold Card, and Citi Premier Card. The Sapphire Preferred card earns 2X points on dining and travel, while the Green card offers 3X points in those categories. Gold cardmembers get a whopping 4X points on dining and US grocery stores, while Premier cardmembers earn 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels.
So if you’re in the market for a premium card, be sure to check out these options and see which one is the best fit for you.
Amex Platinum Card FAQs
Is Amex platinum a hard card to get?
While it’s true that it can be a tough card to get, don’t despair just yet. If you have a good credit score and a high income, you might have a decent chance of getting approved. It’s definitely worth a shot!
Who qualifies for Amex Platinum?
To qualify, you’ll need to have good to excellent credit, which is generally defined as a credit score of 690 or higher. With its impressive rewards program and travel benefits, it’s worth putting in the effort to boost your credit score and secure approval.
Is it worth having Amex Platinum?
While it comes with a higher annual fee, it also offers a range of valuable benefits and statement credits that can more than make up for the cost. Plus, with boosted rewards on travel purchases, you’ll have even more opportunities to earn points and enjoy even more perks.
What income do you need for Amex Platinum?
To be eligible for this card, you need to have an annual income of $100,000 or more and be at least 18 years of age.
Conclusion on the American Express Platinum Card
Overall, the American Express Platinum Card is a fantastic premium card that offers great benefits and rewards. If you’re someone who frequently travels and spends on airfare, the 5x points on airfare and access to various airline lounges make this card a no-brainer. Additionally, the annual credits and concierge service can come in handy for making travel experiences more enjoyable. However, if you don’t travel often or can’t take advantage of the annual credits, the high annual fee may be difficult to justify. Ultimately, it’s important to evaluate your spending and travel habits to determine if the Amex Platinum Card is the right fit for you.
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