American Express’ Platinum Card provides access to airport lounges, premium status at hotels and more – however its high annual fee may make it hard for some consumers to justify.
Frequent travelers can often offset their card’s annual costs through its various annual credits and perks, like Uber cash or Equinox credits. Here’s how:
Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on Travel
American Express’ Platinum Card can help you unlock 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent when booking airfare either directly with airlines or through AmEx Travel, and 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at hotels booked through AmEx Travel or made ahead via prepay hotel bookings made prepaid in advance. These rates represent some of the highest travel card earning rates; however there are numerous other strategies for increasing travel card earnings such as shopping portals and taking advantage of Amex Offers to maximize travel card points earnings.
Earn travel points faster by transferring them to participating frequent flyer programs like Qantas Frequent Flyer, Velocity Frequent Flyer and KrisFlyer – AmEx makes this possible for 12 of these programs – while AmEx Points can also be used to book cruises, car rentals and tours through its travel portal.
American Express Platinum Card comes equipped with excellent travel and purchase protection benefits, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance that covers up to $10,000 of nonrefundable expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to an event covered by AmEx. In addition, lost luggage coverage of up to $75,000 per trip and secondary car rental coverage up to $75k are also provided, along with access to its Premium Global Assist Hotline which can provide travel-related advice and assistance services.
Apart from its financial perks, this card also provides high-end travel perks such as airport lounge access and hotel elite status – making it worth carrying around if you frequently travel and can take advantage of these perks.
Spend over $100,000 annually and you’ll gain free access to the Centurion Lounge network – over 40 locations globally offering premium amenities such as food and drink services, massages and dedicated VIP hosts.
On top of this, you can also receive a $200 airline incidental credit every year when using one qualifying airline and charging all fees directly to your card – this may include checked bags, in-flight beverages or seat selection fees.
This card also grants Hilton Honors gold status, with benefits such as upgrades and room credits available to you. Furthermore, frequent Marriott stayers can use their points towards free stays at participating properties.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards Points on Dining
Dining out can be one of the easiest ways to earn Membership Rewards points, with cardmembers receiving 3X points on all restaurant purchases (excluding delivery and takeout orders ) made through their credit card account. This perk can be especially advantageous for frequent diners looking to experience different restaurants’ cuisine.
American Express Platinum Card stands out as an enviable offering with its numerous perks, such as unlimited airport lounge access and premium status at many hotels. By taking full advantage of all these perks, it may quickly offset its $695 annual fee.
Welcome Offer of Card (Lisa/John/Paula) : Once spending $6,000 within six months, receive 80,000 Membership Rewards points which could cover the costs associated with luxury travel experiences like staying at an overwater villa in Maldives or visiting Australia and New Zealand.
Frequent travelers will appreciate a $200 airline incidental credit. Once enrolled with one qualifying airline, up to $200 of statement credits per calendar year can be applied toward incidentals such as checked bags or in-flight purchases charged against your Platinum Card account.
Under the Platinum Car Rental Program of your card, you can take advantage of discounts when renting from select car rental agencies such as Avis and Hertz – making for reduced rental costs on vacation or business travel trips! Don’t pass up this opportunity when possible – take full advantage now.
This card gives you access to exclusive perks through The Centurion Lounge network of 40 locations globally, where gourmet food, craft cocktails and more await. Also use it to gain entry into TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs which help skip long lines at airports.
As an added benefit, your Card comes with extended warranty coverage on purchases made using it at US-based retailers that sell goods and services covered by their original manufacturer’s warranties of five years or less. However, this benefit may have limitations and exclusions; please read through the Terms & Conditions to understand more about them.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards Points on Entertainment
American Express Platinum Card offers some of the best premium travel card benefits available today, such as access to airport lounges and a $300 airline credit; TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits; travel insurance/rental car coverage and much more. However, this card does come with an annual fee of $695 which some may find prohibitively expensive as rewards credit card. In order to take full advantage of it and maximize its perks effectively.
One way the Platinum Card offers maximum value is through redeeming Membership Rewards points for airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals booked through Amex Travel. You can earn at least 1 cent in value per point on these bookings; plus more when using Pay With Points with select partners such as Amazon Boxed GrubHub!
American Express Platinum Card members can earn points and redeem them for entertainment and dining purchases. American Express provides access to an array of exclusive experiences like sporting events, fine dining and art exhibits; using your card, you could attend them either free or with discounted admission rates!
An additional benefit of the card is its ability to earn 2X Membership Rewards points when shopping at select merchants such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call and Horchow – enroll your card in InCircle to unlock this perk!
Purchases made using your card can now take advantage of fast and free shipping through ShopRunner, available to eligible merchants with eligible purchases; sign up online today to take advantage of this benefit.
Finally, American Express cards feature a premium concierge service that you can utilize around-the-clock to receive help with travel, shopping, dining reservations or other issues. Access a 24/7 hotline to access help with travel or shopping arrangements or make reservations through this hotline – this feature is unparalleled by other cards. View its complete list of benefits online via American Express website.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards Points on Other Purchases
American Express’ Platinum Card can provide travelers with top-of-the-line travel benefits, from airport lounge access and elite status at multiple hotels to category bonuses that allow you to earn additional Membership Rewards points – five per dollar spent when booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel; four points at US supermarkets; three at gas stations/restaurants/takeout and delivery services in the US; and two times at department stores in America.
Prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings will earn an annual credit of $200. In addition, premium entertainment credits offer priority entry and exclusive perks at select sports and concert events.
There is no foreign transaction fee when making purchases with this AmEx card; however, keep in mind that its acceptance may differ from Visa and Mastercard products abroad. Therefore, it’s recommended using it primarily within the U.S.
Other benefits include access to over 40 Centurion Lounges and Studio locations, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, Priority Pass Select Lounges for free when traveling abroad and an emergency coordination and transportation hotline that will help with medical, legal and financial concerns as well as emergency coordination and transportation arrangements.
American Express Platinum Card provides premium car rental coverage. You can obtain primary insurance on any new or pre-owned vehicle costing less than $50,000 worldwide – providing collision damage waiver, theft protection and roadside assistance services as standard.
Buying from multiple retailers? American Express’ Platinum Card may be an ideal fit, as its membership in Amex InCircle allows you to earn one point on eligible purchases made at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call and Horchow – plus get free shipping from over 100 ShopRunner(r) retailers when using it!