The Platinum Card® from American Express review

Travel Rewards Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Top Features

• 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.
• Welcome Bonus
• 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.
• Annual Fee
• $695

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5.0

Credit Score: Good, Excellent

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ALTERNATE CARD TO CONSIDER

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Let’s get this out of the way right up front: CardName isn’t for everyone. It carries a sizable annual fee of AnnualFees and requires a level of fiscal responsibility many consumers find too daunting to take on. But for those with excellent credit and strong fiscal discipline, the card_name offers unique perks and benefits that make membership well worth it, and that led us to name this card a 2024 editor’s choice pick for the Best Luxury Credit Cards and it routinely makes our Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access as well. (American Express is a CardRatings advertiser; See Rates and Fees.)

card_name benefits

CardName has no interest rate since cardholders are expected to pay their balances in full at the end of each billing period. Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. It should also be noted that the card does not come with a spending limit unless the cardholder specifically requests one. Obviously, these factors combined mean this card requires excellent fiscal discipline. Since the card must be paid off each month, however, it could also help you avoid crippling debt or the accumulation of hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest payments.

The annual fee is high enough to give some consumers pause when considering the American Express Platinum Card®, but a quick look at some of the card’s benefits shows that membership easily pays for itself if you utilize the full gamut of perks and features. Some of the top features include:

• A welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
• An ongoing rewards rate of 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; 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and 1X point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
• Access to 24/7 Platinum Club Concierge service to help with travel arrangements, obtain tickets to events or even picking out the perfect gift for that special someone.

This card also offers a plethora of additional value – more than $1,400-worth in a year. Many of these came about as part of a refresh of the card, making it even more valuable for everyday cardholders. Some of these benefits include:

A hotel credit. Cardholders can earn up to $200 back in statement credit each year when using the card for prepaid bookings with American Express Travel at Fine Hotels + Resorts or the Hotel Collection properties. (Requires a two-night minimum stay.)

An incidental airline credit. Cardholders can also enjoy up to $200 each year to cover incidental airline charges with a pre-selected airline.

Clear membership statement credit. Looking to expedite your way through airport security? This card comes with up to a $189 statement credit to help cover your Clear membership costs.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement. More great ways to expidite your way through airport security or through U.S. customs, this card also offers a credit of $100 or $85 for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, respectively, application fee. Learn more about Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck.

A digital entertainment credit. Enjoy up to $240 per year ($20 per month) when you use your Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases at one or more of the following: Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The New York Times.

An Equinox credit. Equinox fitness fans rejoice! This card comes with up to $300 in statement credits each year for eligible Equinox memberships paid with your card.

A Walmart+ credit – Enjoy up to $155 in Walmart+ credit. Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.

Terms apply; enrollment required for some benefits.

card_name requirements

CardName requires good to excellent credit to get approval, but other factors are certainly considered in the application process including payment history of revolving credit, your total open cards, and the average age of accounts open. Also, because this isn’t like typical cards where you can carry a balance each month, there are no strict income requirements to qualify for the card. However, as it is a luxury card with a high annual fee, income may play a role in American Express’ decision to approve you for the card in conjunction with other factors.

card_name travel benefits

If you are a road warrior or just a serious wanderluster, CardName has you covered. In addition to the airline fee credit, hotel credit, and Clear and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits covered above, some additional travel benefits include:

• Uber VIP status and $15 each month, plus a bonus $35 in December, in Uber Cash for your rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
• Access to the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounge locations around the world.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance.
• Baggage insurance plans.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Platinum travel service providing custom itineraries and tailored recommendations to help you make the most of your travels.
• See Rates and Fees; Enrollment required for some benefits.

Hotel benefits

We mentioned the $200 hotel credit above, but this card cards with so much more than that. For those looking for truly luxurious hotel experiences, it is difficult to beat the benefits offered by CardName. The card comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status which provides a variety of benefits from late checkouts, enhanced room upgrades, and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. Earning hotel elite status the old fashioned way can be quite difficult with the number of nights required by programs, so having this perk automatically included is a huge benefit for travelers who would otherwise have difficulty getting there.

It’s not just enhanced status that comes with the card though as you also get access to the Fine Hotel + Resorts program which includes an exclusive suite of benefits. Benefit examples include daily breakfast for two, room upgrades at check-in when available, as well as a unique amenity or service (valued at $100) such as a spa or food and beverage credit.

Still not sold? Well, to add to the already incredible hotel perks offered by the card, it also includes access to The Hotel Collection with American Express. This collection of hotels allows members to pay for rooms with points, or earn 5X Membership Rewards points when making a prepaid booking with their card. With a minimum of two night stay booked, guests receive a $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities as well as a room upgrade at check-in when available. With all of these benefits combined, CardName is in a league of its own when it comes to hotel perks. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Airport lounge access

With complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection, including access to Priority Pass™ Select (enrollment required) and exclusive access to proprietary lounge locations around the world, CardName has some of the best lounge perks in any credit card available. Some other cards on the market also provide Priority Pass™ Select membership, which in itself is a huge perk with over 1,200 lounges available worldwide and the ability to bring guests with you to enjoy complimentary food, drinks and Wi-Fi access; however, the Platinum Card® sets itself apart from the rest with its access to the Global Lounge Collection as well as exclusive American Express Centurion Lounges, offering travelers more lounge options than any other card on the market.

Foreign transaction fees

CardName has no foreign transaction fees, giving you peace of mind to use the card while you travel internationally. This benefit may seem like a minor one, but it really adds up compared to cards that do have foreign transaction fees. For example, cards without this perk generally charge around 3% on any foreign transactions made. For your dream vacation to the Swiss alps, if you spend $10,000 on international purchases you could be shelling out around $300 on foreign transaction fees with a card that charges this fee, or you could save that money when using CardName; See Rates and Fees.

Is card_name annual fee worth it?

CardName annual fee is worth it, that is, if you can take advantage of the luxury travel perks and fee credits the card offers. If you are just an occasional traveler, or someone who is looking for a more basic rewards credit card, the AnnualFees annual fee would likely be difficult to justify. However, if you are able to take advantage of the full annual airline fee travel credit (up to $200), the Uber Cash (up to $200), the credit for Global Entry (up to $100), and the hotel credit (up to $200) you are already at $700 worth of perks without even taking into account any of the other benefits of the card. As mentioned earlier, new cardholders could enjoy more than $1,000-worth of value annually. For serious business or leisure travelers, the perks of the card more than make up for cost. Terms Apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

How do cardholders rate card_name?

CardRatings conducts a survey annually to learn what actual cardholders think of their cards. Here are the results for CardName:

How card_name compares to other cards

card_name vs. CardName

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For serious travelers that are looking for some of the best possible perks, the CardName card is a great alternative to consider.

With the CardName you get some serious travel benefits including a $300 annual travel reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Compared to the $200 airline incidental credit, $200 Uber Cash and $200 hotel credit on the Platinum Card® (terms apply), the CardName $300 credit is less in value but is reimbursed on any travel spend, which provides more flexibility. The CardName also provides up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck as well and a complimentary Lyft Pink membership, a $199 minimum value.

As far as ongoing rewards go, CardName earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a rate of 3X points for restaurants and travel purchases after you’ve earned your annual reimbursement and 1X point for other eligible purchases. Plus, earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after earning the annual travel credit). If you are eating out a lot and want to earn maximum points for those purchases, the CardName is a great option to consider as the American Express Platinum Card® only earns 1X point on restaurant purchases. Additionally, with the CardName, points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. That means 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.

card_name vs. CardName

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With a more budget-friendly annual fee, the CardName could be a good option for you if you’re looking for perks but can’t justify card_name annual fee.

As you might expect, the Gold version doesn’t have as generous a perks package as its Platinum cousin, but don’t move on just yet. New card members earn 60,000 Membership Rewards after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with their new card within the first six months, making the bonus points just a bit easier to attain than with CardName.

CardName users don’t receive the access to airport lounges, concierge service or many of the other special perks that come with the Platinum Card®, but the overall points program matches up well and may even be better for you depending on your spending habits. CardName members earn 4X Membership Rewards® points when dining at restaurants; 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X); 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; and 1X Membership Rewards point on other eligible purchases.

Is card_name a good card?

CardName is a good card for travel rewards, but is specifically geared towards those that don’t mind a high annual fee. If you are an occasional traveler and don’t plan to take advantage of the perks offered by the card, it may not be a good fit for you. For people doing lots of domestic or international travel and who can take full advantage of the monthly Uber credits, airfare and hotel fee credits, and who want exclusive lounge access, there are few cards that can compete with the overall value that CardName provides.

To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees