American Express Platinum Card^® Review [2025]: A Worthwhile Splurge for Luxury Travel Perks

Card basics

Who we recommend the American Express Platinum Card^® for

The American Express Platinum Card^® is undoubtedly an impressive card, but whether it belongs in your wallet depends on how you travel and how often. Your everyday spending will also be a factor since many annual credits apply to non-travel services and subscriptions. Here's who we confidently recommend the Platinum Card® for:

• People who want the ultimate luxury travel experiences (such as airport lounges and exclusive resorts)
• People who can use at least a few of the card's statement credits every year
• American Express^® Gold Card cardholders who aren't getting enough benefits and want to upgrade

Points toward travel aren't the only thing that makes this rewards card so prestigious. What you get on top of earning points is upgraded access and lucrative credits. Instead of it just being about award travel, cardholders can gain access to upscale travel experiences that might be out of reach for non-cardholders.

For instance, you could skip the standard hotel room and instead unlock upgrades at over 2,200 luxury hotels through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. Or, you could make the airport less of a hassle by ducking into an exclusive Centurion Lounge to relax and fill up on complimentary food and drinks. Keep in mind that some benefits do require enrollment.

Who should skip?

While the Platinum Card® from American Express offers a ton of value for frequent travelers, its high annual fee and travel-focused benefits may not be the best fit for everyone.

If you don't travel often enough to make use of perks like lounge access and hotel elite status, or if you can't take full advantage of the annual credits, the $895 price tag may be hard to justify. In that case, a card with a lower annual fee like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with its $395 annual fee and amazing travel benefits could be a great fit for your needs.

We'd recommend the Amex Gold instead if the fee is too much but you still want travel rewards and annual credits. It offers reasonably comparable value as the Platinum Card® with a $325 annual fee.

Learn more: American Express Gold vs. Platinum Card®: Which Card Is Better?

What you should know before applying

The American Express Platinum Card^® offers over $2,700 in annual credits. This is a significant increase in potential value from the roughly $1,600 offered before the card's 2025 shakeup.

One of the key factors in determining if the Platinum Card® is worth the $895 annual fee is whether you can take advantage of its numerous annual credits.

While the credits can provide a ton of value, they're only useful if they align with your spending habits and lifestyle. Here's a breakdown of the main credits:

When you add up all these credits, they total over $2,700 in value. But this isn't all. The Platinum Card® also provides you with extensive lounge access, Global Entry application fee credit every four years or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four and a half years, and more (select benefits require enrollment). If you can take advantage of most of these benefits, the hefty annual fee becomes much easier to swallow.

American Express Platinum Card^® benefits and perks

A generous welcome offer

The American Express Platinum Card^® enables you to earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer).

I remember when I first got the card, I used the welcome offer to book a three-night hotel stay in downtown Seattle. It was an incredible experience that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise.

High reward rates on flights and hotels

One of the great features of the American Express Platinum Card^® is its impressive rewards rates. You'll earn 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

If you frequently book flights and hotels, these bonus categories can really accelerate your point earnings. Since I qualified for this card, I have earned over 20,000 points just from my travel bookings. If I assume a value of one cent per point, I'd value these points at $200. However, oftentimes I earn even higher value for my points through Amex transfer partners.

$200 annual airline fee credit

Each calendar year, you can receive up to $200 back in statement credits for incidental fees (enrollment required) charged by the airline you select. While it doesn't cover airfare, this credit can still save you money on certain fees.

I always select my favorite airline for this credit and use it to cover the cost of pesky airline fees.

$600 annual hotel credit

When you pay with your American Express Platinum Card^®, you can get up to $600 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which require a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel®.

This has become one of this card's most exciting benefits since the boost from $200 to $600, and the increased value on this benefit alone helps to offset the difference between the old and new annual fee.

I love using this credit to book a weekend getaway at a luxurious hotel. The Hotel Collection properties often offer a room upgrade, hotel credit, and other perks that make the stay feel extra special. Last year, I used it for a stay at a stunning resort in the Maldives and got a $100 spa credit on top of the money I saved on the booking.

$200 annual Uber Cash + $120 Uber One credit

Each month, you'll receive $15 in Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S., plus a bonus of $20 in December. That's up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Just make sure to add your American Express Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to start receiving this benefit. Enrollment required. And the $120 Uber One credit is enough to more than cover an Uber One subscription, which costs $9.99 per month or $96 paid annually.

This is probably one of my favorite credits, especially for Uber Eats. I use it to treat myself to a nice meal from a local restaurant about once a month. It feels great to order a $30 meal and only pay $15 out of pocket.

$300 annual digital entertainment credit

You can receive up to $25 back each month on eligible purchases made with your American Express Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following (enrollment required):

As a big fan of streaming shows and movies, this credit is hugely valuable to me. I use it to help cover my monthly Hulu and Disney+ subscriptions, which saves me over $200 each year.

CLEAR Plus and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits

The American Express Platinum Card^® offers two valuable credits that can help you navigate airport security more efficiently. First, you can earn up to $209 in annual statement credits for CLEAR Plus membership, which uses biometrics to help you skip the long security lines at select airports and stadiums across the U.S. Enrollment required.

Second, the American Express Platinum Card^® will reimburse you when you charge the application fee for Global Entry ($120) or the five-year TSA PreCheck plan (up to $85) to your card, a benefit that's available once every four years for Global Entry or once every four and a half years for TSA PreCheck. I used this credit for Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, and it has made international travel so much smoother. Even if you only travel internationally occasionally, this benefit can save you significant time and hassle.

Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection

For eligible Card Members, the American Express Platinum Card^® grants you access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes airport lounges across 140 countries and counting. This includes the luxurious Centurion Lounges, eligible Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass lounges, and more. Enrollment may be required. According to American Express, this benefit offers up to $850 in value.

I can't stress enough how much this improves the airport experience, especially during long layovers or delays. The Centurion Lounges, in particular, are a real treat, with curated menus, premium cocktails, and even spa services in some locations. I once spent a three-hour delay at the Hong Kong Centurion Lounge and it felt more like a mini-vacation than an inconvenience.

Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors

With the American Express Platinum Card^®, you can receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors™ Gold Status. This can offer benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and more. Enrollment required.

Having this status has improved my hotel stay experience. Almost every time I asked for an upgrade, I was offered a better room. I also often receive late checkout. The free breakfast that comes with Hilton Gold status can also save a lot of money on longer stays.

$155 Walmart+ membership credit

When paying with the American Express Platinum Card^®, you can earn up to $155 in statement credits annually for your monthly Walmart+ membership. This membership offers free shipping, free delivery from your local store, member prices on fuel, and more (free shipping excludes most marketplace items). Enrollment is required.

As someone who frequently shops online, the free shipping benefit of Walmart+ simplifies ordering household items like shampoo, cleaning supplies, and more. This benefit makes it easy to get my needs delivered when I'm too busy to go to the store. It's a valuable membership to have, especially when the American Express Platinum Card^® essentially pays for it.

$400 Resy credit

This credit, which is split into $100 statement credits per quarter, applies to Platinum Nights by Resy bookings. Many American Express cardholders can access exclusive Resy dining experiences offered only to Amex members, but only Platinum Card® cardholders can access "Platinum Nights." This means being treated as the ultimate VIP within this program and receiving priority reservations and updates.

$300 Lululemon credit

This new statement credit fits right in with the other lifestyle credits included for all Platinum Card® members. Whether you already love the Lululemon brand or not, you shouldn't have a hard time making use of this credit for you or someone else in your life who loves on-trend activewear.

Saks Fifth Avenue and Equinox credits

Using your American Express Platinum Card^®, you can earn credits of up to $100 annually, split into two $50 credits, for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com. Enrollment required. While I like the idea of this credit, I find it difficult to use since only a few items at Saks Fifth Avenue are reasonably priced for my budget.

Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy up to $300 annually, divided into $25 monthly credits, for Equinox memberships or the Equinox+ app. Enrollment required. This is another credit I don't make much use of, but I can see how it can be quite beneficial for someone who has an Equinox fitness club nearby.

Extensive travel protections

You can travel with peace of mind knowing you're covered by the American Express Platinum Card^®'s broad suite of travel protections, which includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹ <p>The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> , trip delay insurance² <p>Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> , and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance³ <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p> .

Fortunately, I haven't had to use Amex travel protections, but knowing I have them makes me feel more secure about my trips. For example, the trip delay insurance can help me if a flight gets delayed overnight by reimbursing me for my hotel stay and meals.

Premium purchase and return protections

The American Express Platinum Card^® also has your back on your purchases with benefits like purchase protection⁴ <p class="">Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.&nbsp;<br></p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p> , return protection⁵ <p>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. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li></ul><p></p> , extended warranty⁶ <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p> , and cellphone protection⁷ <p>Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> .

These protections can help with various issues you may face with your purchases, electronics, and more. For example, the purchase protection might come in handy if you buy a pair of expensive sunglasses that get stolen – Amex could reimburse you for the full purchase price.

Drawbacks: Why you may want a different card

The hefty annual charge

The $895 annual fee of the American Express Platinum Card^® is one of the highest among travel cards, and it's only gotten higher with every card refresh. While you receive various credits and perks that can outweigh this cost, it may still be a large amount that is due upfront after you qualify for the card and upon renewal every year.

If you're unsure about whether you'll use enough benefits on the card to justify this fee, you could consider opting for a lower-annual-fee card — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It has a great set of travel perks and a more manageable annual fee of $395.

Adding extra cardholders can be expensive

If you want to pass on your American Express Platinum Card^® benefits to your family or friends, you would need to pay $195 for each additional cardholder every year. This means that if you want to include three authorized users, you will pay an additional $525 annually on top of the primary cardholder's $895 annual fee.

Even though additional cardholders receive some perks, such as their own access to lounges and hotel elite status, they don't receive their own airline fee credit or Uber Cash. That's why I didn't add any authorized users to my card, especially considering that other premium travel cards, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, allow adding up to four authorized users for free.

Some credits aren't simple to use

The American Express Platinum Card^® comes with many statement credits to help you make the most of being a cardholder. So many, in fact, that the card is referred to as the "Amex coupon book" within card rewards enthusiast circles. This coupon book has gotten a whole lot longer since the card was first launched, more than outpacing the climbing annual fee if you look at total potential value alone. However, some credits aren't so easy to use and may need more deliberation and attention to fully take advantage of them.

For example, I never made much use of the Equinox credit, which amounts to up to $300 a year. I also didn't take advantage of the Saks credit, which offers up to $100 annually. Neither of these credits is for services or places I typically use or shop at.

The monthly $15 Uber Cash is a nice perk that I make sure to use. But it requires remembering to use it every month or forfeit the credit for that month. Essentially, to get the maximum value from the American Express Platinum Card^®, you must be organized and proactive in using your credits. If you favor a premium travel card that is plain and simple, albeit with fewer benefits, you should consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Earning & redeeming American Express Membership Rewards

When you spend with your American Express Platinum Card^®, you earn Amex Membership Rewards points. If you're a regular traveler who likes to pay for quality and wants to reap the benefits, you can maximize your earning potential by using your card to book flights and prepaid hotels, since you'll earn up to 5X points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.

When it comes to redeeming Membership Rewards, each point is typically worth one cent toward flights booked through American Express, but they could be worth less when redeemed for hotels, gift cards, or merchandise. Because of this, you may want to prioritize redeeming your points for air travel since you could get more value out of your rewards.

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your Membership Rewards points can add up with the American Express Platinum Card^®. To calculate this value, we used a point valuation of $0.01.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

• Year one earnings: $4,210
• Year two earnings: $2,460

This value is based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome bonus, and the annual fee.

Best ways to earn

Your best bet when earning points is to do so through American Express Travel or directly with an airline. You can earn the maximum number of points per dollar with prepaid hotels or flights.

Maximizing your redemptions

To maximize your redemptions, consider using your points to book travel. Each point is worth $0.01 when booking flights through American Express Travel. You can even transfer your points to a participating airline or hotel's loyalty program. Depending on the exact program you move your points to, you may be able to make them stretch further with this strategy.

Don't forget, you can also receive a $200 credit for qualifying charges through The Hotel Collection, which requires a minimum two-night stay, when you book via American Express. Plus, if you book at a hotel where you can take advantage of your Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors gold status, you may receive extra perks, like room upgrades and complimentary WiFi.

American Express Platinum Card^® transfer partners

If you prefer to book through another loyalty program, American Express has several airline and hotel transfer partners. Most Membership Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, with some exceptions.

If you want to use your Amex Membership Rewards points to pay for a hotel room, you can do that as well. Amex currently partners with three hotel rewards programs.

FAQ

Alternatives that might be better for you

If American Express Platinum Card^®'s high annual fee or specific benefits don't quite fit your needs, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card as a premium travel card with a lower annual fee or Chase Sapphire Reserve^® as another premium travel card with a different set of benefits.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card burst onto the premium travel card scene in 2021 and is one of my favorite alternatives to the American Express Platinum Card^®. It has a lower annual fee of $395 and offers some unique perks:

• Up to $300 annual travel statement credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Up to four authorized users at no extra cost
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit every four years

I have the Capital One Venture X and find its benefits way more simple to use than the American Express Platinum Card^®. The ability to add authorized users for free is also a nice perk for families or couples who travel together.

However, I prefer the American Express Platinum Card^® for its wider array of luxury benefits, like the Centurion Lounge access and hotel elite status. But if you're looking for a premium travel card with a lower annual fee and don't mind booking through the Capital One portal, the Venture X is definitely worth considering.

Learn more in our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is another premium travel credit card that competes against the American Express Platinum Card^® with a slightly higher annual fee of $795 and a different set of travel benefits:

• Up to $300 in annual travel credits that apply to a wide range of travel purchases
• Priority Pass Select lounge access
• Up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years
• Comprehensive travel protections, including primary car rental insurance and trip delay coverage

If you can't maximize the American Express Platinum Card^®'s numerous credits, the Sapphire Reserve could be a better fit, especially if you spend a lot on travel and dining. The Sapphire Reserve's $300 annual travel credit is also easier to use, as it automatically applies to many travel purchases.

I believe Sapphire Reserve would better align with my spending habits. However, I know I'd miss the American Express Platinum Card^®'s Centurion Lounge access and hotel elite status.

Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve^® review.

Luxury Travel Benefits

American Express Platinum Card^®

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

American Express Platinum Card^®

Learn How to Apply

See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)

Annual Fee

$895

Rewards Rate

5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
• Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
• Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
• Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
• Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance

Drawbacks

• Comes with a hefty $895 annual fee
• Charges $195 for each authorized user
• Some credits are challenging to use

Card Details

• Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
• 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
• Terms apply

Top Checking Offer

Alliant High-Rate Digital Checking

Get your paycheck up to 2 days early with their Early Payday feature.⁸ <p>With Early Payday, Alliant Credit Union may make incoming electronic direct deposits made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) available for use up to two days before the scheduled payment date. Not all direct deposits are eligible for Early Payday. Early availability of direct deposits is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit. Early access to funds is dependent on submission of direct deposit by payor and standard fraud prevention restrictions. Whether we make funds available early depends on when we receive the payor’s payment instructions, any limitations we set on the amount of early availability, and standard fraud prevention screening. Available for personal accounts only. Eligible direct deposits are limited to electronic direct deposits of items such as your payroll, pension, and government benefit payments made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to your personal account. Other deposits or credits to your account, such as deposits of funds from person-to-person payment services (e.g., Zelle®, Venmo, or PayPal transfers), check or mobile deposits, and other online transfers or electronic credits are not eligible for Early Payday.</p> <p>If Alliant makes funds available early through Early Payday and the payor reverses or requests a return of the deposit, or the funds are otherwise uncollected by Alliant, Alliant may debit your account for the deposit amount previously made available early, which may draw your account negative.</p>

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