American Express
Platinum Card®
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $895.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Up to 175,000 points |
| Rewards Rate | 1X-5X Points |
| Regular APR | APR for Pay Over Time Feature: 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR on eligible charges. |
| Other Fees | The annual fee each Additional Additional Platinum Card® is $195. There is no annual fee for Companion Platinum Cards. |
| Network | American Express |
About this card
The American Express Platinum Card earns an overall rating of 2.8, placing it in the 'Fair' category. This reflects a card with exceptional potential value for a very specific type of consumer, but also significant limitations and costs that make it an average or even poor choice for the broader market. Its prestige, extensive luxury travel benefits, and strong brand reputation (4.5) are undeniable strengths, offering unparalleled lounge access, elite statuses, and comprehensive travel protections. The rewards program (3.5) provides an excellent 5x points on specific travel purchases, and the suite of statement credits can significantly offset the high annual fee if fully utilized. However, extracting this value requires considerable effort and specific spending habits, often criticized as a 'coupon book' approach. The primary drawbacks are its extremely high $895 annual fee (Fees Rating: 1.2) and the high variable APR for its 'Pay Over Time' feature (APR Rating: 1.5). While this card is not designed for carrying a balance, the high APR represents poor value for anyone who might. The low 1x earning rate on everyday purchases also makes it unsuitable as a primary card for general spending. Ultimately, the Platinum Card is a niche product: 'Exceptional' for the affluent, frequent traveler who can diligently leverage every perk and credit, but 'Poor' for those seeking straightforward rewards, low fees, or who carry a balance. Its high cost and complexity prevent it from achieving a higher universal rating, despite its premium offerings and strong brand. Strengths: - Extensive luxury travel benefits, including unparalleled airport lounge access and hotel elite status. - Generous sign-up bonus (though with high spending requirement). - High rewards rate (5x points) on specific travel categories. - Valuable statement credits for various lifestyle and entertainment expenses if fully utilized. - No foreign transaction fees. - Strong brand reputation and excellent customer service from American Express. - Comprehensive travel and purchase protection features. Weaknesses: - Very high $895 annual fee. - High regular APR (19.49% to 28.49% variable) for the Pay Over Time feature. - Low 1x earning rate on most everyday purchases, limiting its value for general spending. - The 'coupon book' nature of benefits requires active management and specific spending to offset the annual fee. - No introductory APR period. - Benefits, particularly lounge access, can experience overcrowding.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate on travel purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Extensive luxury travel benefits including lounge access and elite status
- Valuable credits for a variety of lifestyle and entertainment expenses
- Comprehensive travel and purchase protection features
Things to consider
- Very high annual fee
- High regular APR for Pay Over Time feature
- Limited high-value rewards categories
- No intro APR period
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.
- Apply and find out your welcome 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.
- The 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 Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass 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 American Express Travel® when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $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 the Card. Terms apply.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit Earn up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits after incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, 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.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit CLEAR+® gets you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you. You can receive up to $219 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◆ 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Hotel Collection Explore over 1,300 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® 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. Card Members must enroll through their American Express online account using their eligible Card.
- 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.
- $400 Resy Credit With the $400 Resy Credit, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter after you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying 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 U.S. Resy 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.
- Platinum Nights™ by Resy With your Platinum Card®, you get access to Platinum Nights™ by Resy which offers you sought after reservations at participating top Resy restaurants on select nights in select cities.
- Premium Events Collection™ Your Platinum Card® is your key to specially curated Premium Events Collection™ experiences.
- Amex Special Ticket Access and more Card Members can access Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® to select events. Plus, Card Members can enjoy additional perks when attending select events.
- American Express Venue Collection™ Enjoy an enhanced experience at select stadiums and arenas thanks to on-site benefits including dedicated entrances or fast lanes. Plus enroll your Card and get 10% back on qualifying concessions purchases up to $250 per calendar year. Limit one enrolled Card per Card Member.
- $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®. Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- $200 Oura Ring Credit You can receive up to $200 in statement 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 calendar year after you pay with your Platinum Card® for an Equinox club membership or Equinox+ digital subscription (subject to auto-renewal). Enrollment required.
- Amex Offers 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 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. Up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account.
- 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.
- Purchase Protection Up to $10,000 per Covered Purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Extended Warranty Up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. 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.
- Instant Card Number If your application is approved and you are eligible, you can begin using your Card number online and through your digital wallet today.
- 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.
- American Express® App Use the American Express® App for restaurant recommendations, trip itineraries, hotel bookings, and more.
- Send & Split® Send & Split® enhances the way you send money and split purchases with other Venmo and PayPal users, all in the American Express® App. Now you can pay friends without the standard Venmo or PayPal credit card fee. You can also seamlessly split your Amex purchases with others and get paid back directly to your Card as a statement credit.
- 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 Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. We are available to help 24/7.
Additional Notes
The Platinum Card® has no Preset Spending Limit, a unique feature that gives you the ability to unlock more purchase power as you use your Card.

