Advertiser Disclosure

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Learn More
Rates and Fees

Annual Fee: $695

Bonus Miles
Bonus Points
80,000
Recommended Credit
670 - 850
Current Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.

✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

80,000
Bonus Points

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Summary

The American Express Platinum Card offers some of the best perks available. The welcome bonus is an excellent value, and the $695 is completely offset by spending credits. This card will also net 5x the points on select hotel and flight purchases (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Of course, our favorite benefit from this card has to be an entrance to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to the Centurion Lounge. Terms and restrictions apply to these fantastic benefits.

Still afraid of the $695 annual fee? Check out our deep dive on this card where we break down exactly how you can justify this annual fee... and even profit off of it.

Plus, you might be eligible to get an elevated welcome offer on the Amex Platinum card by going through CardMatch, a simple and secure tool. Check it out here!

Earning Rewards

[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel

[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on eligible prepaid hotels booked including The Hotel Collection

[.redeem] 1x [.redeem]per $1 on other purchases, terms and limitations apply

Additional Benefits

  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either up to a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • Terms Apply.

Foreign Transaction Fee

  • None

For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Also consider

🏆 Best for travel credits

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

🏆 Best for travel credits

60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is a premium travel credit card tailored for frequent travelers seeking luxury perks and rewards. With a focus on travel benefits, this card offers a generous welcome offer, airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and valuable rewards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, making it an excellent choice for travelers.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for premium travel perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

🏆 Best for premium travel perks

75,000
Bonus Miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
75,000
Bonus Miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
The Venture X (one of our favorites!) is a premium travel rewards card that offers generous earning rates on travel and dining purchases, along with a wide range of travel perks and benefits. Cardholders can enjoy flexible redemption options for their rewards, making it a popular choice for frequent travelers.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

The Platinum Card® from American Express

CURRENT OFFER

80,000

Bonus Points

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.

✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

REWARDS RATE
1-5x Points
ANNUAL FEE
$695
Our Score
88
Annual fee (20%)
1
Welcome Offer (20%)
8
Point Redemption Value (20%)
9
Rewards Rates (15%)
10
Benefits (15%)
10
Travel Protections (10%)
10
Our Mission
Our Methodology

My Take

I love this card, and I don’t care who knows. While the $695 annual fee can seem scary at first, it’s really not something to be afraid of. The overwhelming number of credits makes that annual fee easy to offset, even if you use only a handful of them. In my mind, the biggest highlight of this card’s the lounge membership. It’s one of the only ways to access the luxurious Centurion Lounges, and the Priority Pass membership gives you unlimited visits to hundreds of lounges in countries all around the world. Throw in the high earning rates on travel, and you’ve got a powerful tool for your credit card arsenal. If you want to learn more about how to offset the AmEx Platinum’s annual fee while making the most of its perks, Brendan explains exactly how to do that in this YouTube video 👇

Comparable Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Annual Fee: $550

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
60,000
Bonus Points
OUR SCORE
88

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Annual Fee: $395

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
75,000
Bonus Miles
OUR SCORE
90

The Business Platinum Card™ from American Express®

Annual Fee: $799 CAD

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
120,000
Bonus Points
OUR SCORE
89
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

[.pro]Statement credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®[.pro]

[.pro]Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges (more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market, as of 03/2023)[.pro]

[.pro]Automatic Gold status with both the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs[.pro]

Cons

[.con]This card does come with a $695 annual fee (rates and fees)[.con]

Rewards Summary

[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel

[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on eligible prepaid hotels booked including The Hotel Collection

[.redeem] 1x [.redeem]per $1 on other purchases, terms and limitations apply

Additional Benefits

  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either up to a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • Terms Apply.

Customer Reviews & Redemptions

WRITE A REVIEW
Maranda
18 Aug

This card has saved me so much money and stress with the airport lounge access. I travel frequently and have discovered the world of airport lounges over the past year since I’ve had this card and it is glorious. Not having to pay for food or beverages at the airport almost makes the annual fee worth it on its own for me. Plus the airline incidental fee credit, hotel credit, CLEAR membership, and streaming service credit are all great benefits that I’ve been able to use. Could not recommend this card more if you travel 6+ times a year!

KEEP READING
Mariana
18 Aug

My luggage was lost during an international trip and thanks to this card's travel insurance benefit I was able to get money to buy new clothes and toiletries without adding more expenses to my trip. I'm giving it four stars because of the hefty annual fee but honestly if you use the card well, you'll be able to get your money back easily. I also signed up for the card during the all-time high sign-up bonus and got 175k points! If you don't see that many points right away, either use incognito mode or keep checking back. Happy travels :)

KEEP READING
WRM
17 Aug

This card has opened up a new world of travel that would never be possible before while traveling and at home.  I LOVE all the perks and deals.  I have saved tons on travel and use the monthly perks to save money on things that I already buy.  Traveling in business or economy never felt so special, stepping into the Centurion Lounge makes you feel like a superstar!  thanks Daily Drop for helping me navigate this card!

KEEP READING
Anthony
17 Aug

First to get it out of the way, yes - the annual fee is high. The fee does allow you to access many benefits that can offset the fee, or at least come close. The perks could also add conveniences that’s worth its own. Personally, I place value in the lounge network. Between amex centurion lounges, access to delta sky clubs, and priority pass; it gives plenty of options in any airport. The automatic status at Hilton and Marriott and hertz brings its own perks. Mainly, the benefit of such a flexible points programme makes this card valuable. You can transfer points to so many other places and it’s usually with a bonus. I use the card and its’ benefits all the time. With its points I’ve redeemed for countless trips. Some trips include Hong Kong, Dubai, Milan, Iceland, and so many more. It’s not for everyone, but for those it is for, it becomes the most powerful tool in your wallet for travel.

KEEP READING
Vicki Beltz
15 Aug

Even with its higher annual cost, year in and year out, I am getting far more value out of this card than its membership fee! Not only that, but I've also gotten some pretty awesome value from point redemptions. For instance, thanks to information in the DailyDrop fee newsletter, I learned about low-point flights on Iberia between the US and Europe. I just got back from my trip where I transferred points from my AmEx Platinum card to British Airways (with a 30% bonus)! I ended up using  170,000 Avios points (which I got from my AmEx pts transfer + 30%, and a few Avios I already had in my account). We booked two Business Class seats from the US to Madrid, and two Premium Economy seats from Madrid to JFK.  We spent just $473 in cash, for flights that were selling for a total of just under $20,000 cash. The points we transferred from our AmEx Platinum card got us close to $0.15 each, when compared to the cash price we would have spent in order to travel in these upgraded seats!

KEEP READING
Nicki
15 Aug

I cannot say enough about how much I love this card also.  At first, I signed up for the global entry and lounge access, which is hard to beat peeps!  But I've become attached to the monthly Uber and streaming benefits,  $200/yr hotel and airline fee benefits, their owne rental car coverage, Walmart plus membership for paramount+, ability to build points thru Rakuten and ability to transfer points to so many loyalty programs.  Yes, the yearly fee is high but if you use the benefits, it is worth it.  As a global cosmetics Co ad once said, "I am worth it."

KEEP READING
Stacy
15 Aug

I recently got this card after going back and forth on the annual fee. My partner and I have a big trip coming up so we figured it was the perfect opportunity to get the card so we can take advantage of all the welcome points after the minimum spend. There are so many perks that come with this card so after weighing out the pros and cons it made sense for us!

KEEP READING
Andrew Heaton
15 Aug

Yes, the annual fee is high, but the perks of this card can easily surpass the annual fee. I get $20 a month towards a Disney+Hulu bundle, $15 per month for Uber expenses (pick up a free Chipotle bowl every month), and other benefits that make it totally worth it. My local airport has a Centurion Lounge, too. Now, my favorite perk of the Platinum card is AMEX insurance for your rental cars. Use your platinum card to pay for a rental car and if you’re enrolled in the program they’ll simply charge you an extra $20-25, regardless of how long you have the car, and AMEX becomes the primary insurance on the vehicle. Daily Drop has a fantastic video on their YouTube page discussing some of the pros and cons of the platinum card you can reference, too.

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The reviews above are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Customer reviews have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. 

How to make the most of your

The Platinum Card® from American Express

When it comes to Membership Rewards points, the best way to maximize your points is to redeem them with travel.

[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Redeeming your Membership Rewards points for cash back [.dontreco] 

While you can use your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit, essentially getting cash back, those points are typically worth just 0.6 cents each. This simply doesn’t provide the best value for your points.

[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Booking through the AmEx travel portal [.sometimesreco]

You can redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals through AmEx Travel, but this usually gives you a value of 1 cent per point or less, which is at least 50% lower than the normal value of Membership Rewards points. While this is a decent option, it’s still not the best.

[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Using Membership Rewards points to book with transfer partners [.alwaysreco]

The bottom line is — if a flight or hotel room can be bought with cash, you can use your points to book it. Transferring your AmEx Membership Rewards points can score you more than 1.25 cents per point by moving rewards to AmE’s super-duper-wonderful airline and hotel partners. Top picks include Delta, Emirates, Qatar, Hilton, Marriott, and so many more. Taking advantage of these transfer partners is one of the best ways to justify your Amex Gold Card.

But how can I actually transfer my Membership Rewards points?

Simply log into your AmEx account, click on “earn and redeem,” and you’ll see AmEx’s long list of transfer partners. From there, make your transfer selection based on your trip and transfer those points. And just like that, you’re on your way! ✈️

Transfer Partners

Here’s that sweet list of American Express Membership Rewards points transfer partners we were just chatting about:

PROGRAM NAME
TRANSFER RATIO

ANA

1:1

Aer Lingus

1:1

Aeromexico

1:1.6

Air Canada

1:1

Air France / KLM

1:1

Avianca

1:1

British Airways

1:1

Cathay Pacific

1:1

Choice Hotels

1:1

Delta Air Lines

1:1

Emirates

1:1

Etihad

1:1

Hawaiian Air

1:1

Hilton

1:2

Iberia

1:1

JetBlue

1:.8

Marriott Bonvoy

1:1

Qantas

1:1

Qatar Airways

1:1

Virgin Atlantic

1:1

Our Favorite Redemptions

Kara and Nate flew Lufthansa first class, a ticket normally costing around $8,000. But…drumroll please…they booked with miles and points! 🎉 Because of that, the price tag was under $100 for one of the most exclusive seats in the sky. We’re talking lie-flat seats, caviar and champagne, and tailor-made service throughout the flight. The first step? Applying for an American Express card! Want to learn more about how to use your AmEx Platinum to book this seat? Check out this video:

Offer History

OFFER DATES
OFFER DETAILS
Current Offer since
Aug 2023
through
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership
Current Offer since
Nov 2022
through
Aug 2023
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership
Current Offer since
Jan 2022
through
Nov 2022
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership
Current Offer since
Jul 2021
through
Jan 2023
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10 points per dollar on "Shop Small" purchases in the U.S. and at restaurants worldwide, on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, also in the first six months of card membership
Current Offer since
Nov 2020
through
Jul 2021
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10 points per dollar on U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, also in the first six months of card membership

The Best Complementary Cards

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers an enticing bonus, allowing you to earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (up to $20,000 in the first year). This can amount to a substantial $300 cash back. But the real magic happens if you have another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, like the Sapphire Preferred, for example. With these cards, you can convert your cash-back rewards into valuable Chase points, opening up opportunities to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for greater value. Besides the Sapphire Preferred for points transfers, consider the Freedom Unlimited for 1.5 points per dollar on miscellaneous purchases, and a Chase Freedom card for the rotating 5% categories. This combo helps you maximize the World of Hyatt points earned via Ultimate Rewards transfers.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

ELEVATED OFFER

Why? It’s no secret that, here at Daily Drop, we’re pretty much obsessed with the Sapphire Preferred — and can you blame us? First of all, the Sapphire Preferred is just an easy card to keep in your wallet, especially because of its small annual fee. When paired with the AmEx Platinum, you’re covering the map of transfer partners and earning rates pretty well.

Pairing the Sapphire Preferred with the AmEx Platinum is a smart move for several reasons. With the Sapphire Preferred, you earn 3x points on dining and 2x points on travel, while the AmEx Platinum offers 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, among other perks. By strategically using both cards, you can earn points across various spending categories and access a wide range of transfer partners, enhancing your flexibility. Plus, you'll enjoy superior travel benefits such as lounge access, airline fee credits, and elite hotel status. With comprehensive purchase protections and exclusive deals, this card combination offers exceptional value and convenience for frequent travelers.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

ELEVATED OFFER

Why? With this combo, you’re simply unlocking two very separate earning categories with two very separate programs. The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a must-have for frequent travelers looking to maximize their Hyatt loyalty. With this card, you’re looking at 9X points per dollar on Hyatt purchases, 2X points on dining, airline tickets, local transit, commuting, and fitness club memberships, and 1X points on everyday purchases. You’ll also get complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open, which provides exclusive benefits during your stays. For each cardmember anniversary, you'll receive a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort. Plus, if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year, you'll earn an additional free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property, making it even more rewarding.

The card also includes 5 qualifying night credits towards your next tier status every year and an extra 2 qualifying night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card. Currently, the welcome offer makes it even more attractive: Earn up to 60,000 points: 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2X total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent. When paired with the AmEx Platinum, you’re covering the map of flights and hotels, making for a more well-rounded trip. Plus, you’ll be adding a very small annual fee to your wallet, which is nice considering the AmEx Platinum’s is pretty steep. (rates and fees)

The Trifecta

Interested in pursuing an “AmEx Trifecta"? In this YouTube video, Brendan explains why he holds three cards from the same bank in his wallet 👇

Who Should Get The

The Platinum Card® from American Express

?

  1. The Boujee Traveler

By now, you’ve probably guessed the Amex Platinum is not a beginner card — quite the opposite, actually. If you’re trying to climb the credit card ladder, this one sits somewhere near the very, very top. The Amex Platinum is the epitome of luxury, loaded with perks that elevate your travel experience:✨ Travel credits ✨ Hotel elite status ✨ Airport lounge access ✨ Faster airport security ✨ Uber VIP status ✨ Access to The Luxury Collection, a group of world-renowned hotels and resortsLet’s talk about Centurion Lounges for a second. Any airport lounge is a nice escape (most of the time). But if we’re ranking airport lounges based on quality food, atmosphere, space, and service — the Centurion Lounges reign king. This is one of very few cards on the market offering access to those lounges.

  1. The Frequent Traveler

The Amex Platinum should live in the wallets of those frequenting the airport. Do you find yourself flying through the air quite often? Our team can certainly relate, which is why we choose to keep this magical piece of metal close by. Most of the credits and perks you’ve seen listed make the most sense for people traveling pretty often.

  1. The Credits Lover

The Amex Platinum is loaded with credits. LOADED. To start, you’re looking at a few major travel credits: up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement (every 4 years) and up to $199 (in statement credits) to use annually for CLEAR® Plus. People tend to look over these, but if you’re making your way to the airport more than twice a year, this is a super nice perk to have. Saving all of that time in the security line gives you more time in that Centurion Lounge. 😎 You’ll get that $200 in annual airline credits that we were talking about earlier, and up to $200 in hotel credits each year. For this credit, you’ll have to book prepaid hotels through AmEx Travel. And, your hotel must be part of AmEx’s propriety hotel collection (Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection).

Still — we’re at $699 so far. So we’ve already exceeded that annual fee! The Amex Platinum isn’t just about travel; it also offers benefits for entertainment, wellness, and retail. Other statement credits to be excited about include: up to $155 in Walmart+ credits each year, $200 in Uber Cash each year, and up to $240 in digital entertainment credits each year. Not to mention, this card’s travel insurance is something to be excited about. While he used the Canadian version, Mike recently had a nightmare-ish medical experience abroad. Thankfully, he had The Platinum Card® handy, which saved him tons of money in a really stressful and scary situation. Read more here about how Mike used the Canadian version of this card. And if you’re in the U.S., read our travel insurance guide here.

Who Should Not Get The

The Platinum Card® from American Express

?

Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 700, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, is unlikely.

Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does upgrading my AmEx card affect my credit score?

No, simply upgrading your card should not have an effect on your credit score.

When should I upgrade from Gold to Platinum AmEx?

For everyday spending and dining, the Amex Gold card shines with great rewards at restaurants globally and U.S. supermarkets. Meanwhile, for those who prioritize luxury travel perks, the AmEx Platinum card is the top choice.

How do Amex Platinum statement credits work?

Amex statement credits let cardholders offset their purchases. For instance, if your Amex card offers a $100 credit for spending $1,000 at a specific store, you'll get a $100 credit on your account after meeting the spending requirement.

Which lounges can you access with Amex Platinum?

Cardholders enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges in more than 140 countries, including lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes unlimited complimentary entry to all Amex Centurion Lounges, access to U.S. Escape lounges, complimentary entry to Plaza Premium Lounges with a guest, access for the cardholder and a guest to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta, and entry to Emirates First Class or Business Class Lounges in Dubai and worldwide, plus one adult guest and two guests under 17.

Is it worth getting the Amex Platinum?

Despite its $695 annual fee (rates and fees), the Platinum offers benefits that can provide up to $1,600 in annual value if fully utilized.

Is it hard to get approved for Amex Platinum?

Getting approved for the Amex Platinum can be tough, usually needing a credit score of 680-690 or higher. A good FICO score ranges from 670 to 739, with anything above considered excellent. If your score isn't there yet, focus on building it up before applying.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Content Specialist

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor

For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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