American Express
Platinum Card®
TravelLuxuryHotelAirlineExcellent CreditNo Foreign Transaction FeesDining
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $895.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Rewards Rate | 1x-5x Points |
| Regular APR | APR for Pay Over Time Feature: 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR on eligible charges. |
| Network | American Express |
Read the full review
Best for those with
Very Good Credit
About this card
The Platinum Card from American Express presents a mixed bag of exceptional benefits offset by a high annual fee and the effort required to maximize its value. Its strengths lie in the strong rewards rate on select travel purchases (flights and hotels), a substantial signup bonus, and an array of luxury travel perks, including unmatched lounge access and elite status benefits. However, the very high annual fee ($895) and the high APR, coupled with the necessity to actively manage and utilize various statement credits to offset the cost, significantly detract from its overall appeal. The card's value proposition is heavily dependent on the user's ability to leverage its specific benefits, making it less suitable for individuals seeking straightforward rewards or infrequent travelers. Although the card has a strong reputation and offers excellent customer service, this is offset by the negative sentiment of many users characterizing it as a 'coupon book' because cardholders must spend money with specific vendors to realize the value of those credits. Factoring in the individual ratings (APR: 1.5, Rewards: 3.4, Fees: 1.8) along with the reputation (4.4) and target audience fit, the overall rating is 2.7. It's a card with considerable potential for the right customer, but it's not a universally strong choice. Strengths include luxury travel benefits and high rewards on travel. Weaknesses include a very high annual fee, high APR, and the need to actively manage benefits.
2.7
Overall Rating
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate on flights and hotels
- Luxury perks
- Lounge membership
- Automatic elite status
- No foreign transaction fees
- Statement credits for various services
Things to consider
- High annual fee
- High regular APR
- Requires good or excellent credit
- Limited rewards categories
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- AS HIGH AS 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Rewards
- 5X Points on Flights Booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- 5X Points on Prepaid Hotels Booked on American Express Travel.
- 1X Points On Other Purchases
Other features
- Choose your preferred Card design, including classic metal or mirror.
- Global Lounge Collection With over 1,550 airport lounges – more than any other credit card company on the market – enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.
- $600 Hotel Credit With over 3,000 hotels – and more hotels than any other credit card company where you can access a suite of special benefits – get up to $300 back in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel.
- $200 Uber Cash Add your Platinum Card to your Uber account to start receiving $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December, to use on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $120 Uber One Credit As a Platinum Card Member, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year after you purchase an auto-renewing Uber One membership with your Card. Terms apply.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit Earn up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits after incidental fees are charged by your one selected qualifying airline to your Card.
- Fine Hotels + Resorts With over 1,800 properties worldwide, when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts through AmexTravel.com, you can receive a suite of benefits with an average total value of $550 in perks.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit You can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible American Express Card.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Getting into your Rental Vehicle can be the start of a great vacation. When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.
- Trip Delay Insurance If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 6 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased with your same Eligible Card, up to $500 per trip, maximum 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance If you purchase a round trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance can help reimburse your non-refundable expenses purchased with the same Eligible Card, up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.
- The Hotel Collection Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com.
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status With Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, you can receive upgrades to enhanced rooms upon check-in when available. Available at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy when booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Hilton Honors Gold Status As a Platinum Card Member, you are eligible to enroll in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status.
- Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World Make each stay memorable with The Leading Hotels of the World. With the Platinum Card, you can receive complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World. Enjoy exclusive benefits such as a 5% Leaders Club points bonus on qualifying stays, and 5 pre-arrival upgrades annually (subject to availability). Enrollment required.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Platinum Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Platinum Travel Service Platinum Travel Consultants specialize in providing custom itineraries and tailored recommendations to help you make the most of your travels.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees No matter where you're traveling, when you use your Platinum Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
- Car Rental Privileges: Avis, Hertz, National Platinum Card Members enjoy complimentary premium status for select car rental programs. Platinum Card Members can view their specific Car Rental Privileges online by logging into their American Express account. Card Members must enroll through their American Express online account using their eligible Card. Terms and limitations apply.
- Premium Global Assist Hotline Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Premium Global Assist Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical, legal, and financial referrals. Emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost only if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline. Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
- $400 Resy Credit Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- Global Dining Access by Resy Get special access to sought-after restaurants when you add your Platinum Card to your Resy profile. Access to Exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy.com or the Resy app.
- $300 lululemon Credit You can receive up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Card for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit Get up to a $12.95 statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card.
- $100 Saks Credit Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on your Platinum Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $200 Oura Ring Credit Oura Ring can help you meet your health goals. You can receive up to $200 in statements credits when you use the Platinum Card to purchase an Oura Ring at Ouraring.com each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $300 Equinox Credit Get up to $300 in statement credits each year at Equinox. Simply use your Platinum Card to pay for an Equinox+ digital subscription, or an Equinox club membership subject to auto-renewal. Enrollment required.
- Amex Offers helps Card Members earn rewards on purchases for things they love. Card Members can browse and add Amex Offers to their eligible Card and earn extra rewards on qualifying purchases made at select brands.
- 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.
- Cell Phone Protection You can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your costs to repair or replace your damaged or Stolen cell phone for a maximum of up to $800 per claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim. Additional terms and conditions apply.
- Purchase Protection Sometimes your favorite new purchase gets stolen, accidentally damaged, or lost. But when you use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases, your Membership can help protect them for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date.
- Extended Warranty When an American Express Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with his or her Eligible Card, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Eligible Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
- Platinum Additional Cards Whether you add an Additional Platinum Card or a Companion Card, you can earn rewards on their purchases the same way you do your own. Plus, their purchases will be backed by the service of Platinum Card Membership.
- American Express App Whether you're planning ahead or improvising in the moment, use the American Express App for restaurant recommendations, trip itineraries, hotel bookings, and more.
- Send & Split You spend with Amex and now you can send with Amex— giving you more flexibility with how you pay other Venmo and PayPal users. Best part? There’s no standard Venmo or PayPal credit card fee and you can do it right from the American Express App. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
- Year End Summary The Online Year-End Summary, typically available in January, reflects charges posted to your account from January 1st through December 31st of the prior year.
- Card Member Services Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
Ratings
4.5
3.4
2.7
1.5
1.8