American Express Platinum Card® is a heavy hitter in the travel credit card world — and not just because it’s metal.
Between statement credits, serious travel perks, and plenty of other benefits, this card comes loaded with perks that add up to over $1,900 in annual value.
But here’s the catch: most of those perks require a few clicks to activate. So if you just tossed your shiny new card into your wallet without doing anything else, you may be leaving hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on the table. And we’re not about wasting here at Daily Drop.
Let’s walk through exactly what to do after you get your Platinum Card®, so that the $895 annual fee starts paying for itself.
Step 1: Set Up Your Travel Credits
New $600 Hotel Credit
Every year, you can get up to $600 (split into $300 every six months) back in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel®.
These bookings often come with perks like room upgrades, early check-in, and daily breakfast, so they’re worth considering even if you’re not chasing high-end hotels. Free breakfast? Uh, yeah… sign me up. Just note that The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
How to activate: Book a qualifying stay at AmexTravel.com using your Platinum Card®.
$200 Airline Fee Credit
Pick a qualifying airline, and Amex will reimburse you up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees like seat assignments, checked bags, and lounge passes.
How to activate: Log in to your Amex account, go to “Benefits,” and select your preferred airline before making any purchases.
$200 Uber Cash
You’ll get $15 per month in Uber Cash, plus a bonus $20 in December. This works for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, but is only valid in the U.S. and expires monthly if not used. As someone living in New York, this is one of my favorite perks… basically a free lunch every month (and that’s with girl math).
And, you’ll now get a $120 Uber One credit, which includes Uber rides, Uber Eats, and Uber One membership value. It’s still monthly/quarterly usage, but it's worth $120 annually.
How to activate: Add your Platinum Card® to your Uber app wallet. You must use an Amex card as the payment method to utilize your monthly Uber Cash benefit.
Step 2: Don’t Miss Out on Everyday Credits
$300 Digital Entertainment Credit
The card’s entertainment credit is now $25 per month ($300 annually). Eligible services include Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Peacock, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the newest additions: Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV.
How to activate: Enroll in this benefit via your Amex account, then switch your billing to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Oura Ring Credit
This new perk gives you $200 back once per card membership year toward the purchase of an Oura Ring. But it’s only valid for the ring itself, not the subscription. Still, if you’ve been curious about sleep and wellness tracking, this is a nice way to offset the cost.
How to activate: Buy your Oura Ring directly from Oura and pay with your Platinum Card, and the credit will be applied automatically.
$300 Lululemon Credit
Every quarter, you’ll get up to $75 back in statement credits when shopping at Lululemon. That’s $300 in annual value toward workout gear, travel clothes, or even accessories like bags and water bottles. It’s basically a seasonal excuse to shop (yay!).
How to activate: Use your Platinum Card® to pay directly at Lululemon (online or in-store). The credits are automatic; no enrollment required.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit
Get up to $20 in monthly statement credits when you pay for services like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal using your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
How to activate: Head to the “Benefits” section of your Amex account and enroll before updating your payment methods.
$155 Walmart+ Credit
A Walmart+ membership includes free shipping (excludes most marketplace items), grocery delivery in select areas, and streaming via Paramount+ (Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required).
When you use your Platinum Card® to pay the monthly fee, you’ll get back up to $12.95 each month. This is an easy one that many people miss… don’t be one of them.
How to activate: Sign up for Walmart+ and make sure your Platinum Card® is your primary payment method.
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
You’ll receive up to $50 in statement credits from January through June, and another $50 from July through December, when shopping in-store or online at Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks Fifth Avenue is for sure random, but their catalog is huge. You could easily spend this $100 on a Christmas or birthday gift once a year and get some money back. Enrollment required.
How to activate: Enroll in this benefit through your Amex portal before making a purchase. No minimum spend required.
Step 3: Maximize Your Travel Perks
Global Lounge Collection
The Platinum Card® gives eligible card members access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
These include:
Delta Sky Clubs (must be flying Delta, limited to 10 visits per year between February 1 and January 31)
Escape Lounges
Priority Pass Select lounges (enrollment required).
Gosh, I’m blushing just reading that!
How to activate: Enroll in Priority Pass via your Amex account. You’ll receive a separate membership card in the mail. And, don’t forget to download the app!
$209 CLEAR Plus Credit
CLEAR lets you skip the ID check line at airport security by using some fancy-schmancy screening. With your Platinum Card®, you can get reimbursed for up to $209 annually when you pay for a CLEAR Plus membership.
How to activate: Sign up at clearme.com and pay with your Platinum Card® to use the credit.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
Use your Platinum Card® to receive a $120 statement every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® application fee.
How to activate: Apply through the official government websites (here for TSA, and here for Global Entry) and use your Platinum Card® for the payment.
Leaders Club Sterling Status
With your Platinum Card®, you’ll now get complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status at The Leading Hotels of the World. This boutique collection includes some of the most unique luxury properties worldwide, and the status unlocks perks like room upgrades, daily continental breakfast, and priority access to availability.
How to activate: Enroll through your Amex account to link your Platinum Card with Leaders Club.
Step 4: Maximize Dining Perks and Bonus Earnings
$400 Resy Credit
Foodies, rejoice! You’ll now get up to $400 back each year (split into $100 per quarter) on eligible Resy dining purchases. That’s a fancy dinner every few months, basically covered.
How to activate: Use your Platinum Card® to book and pay at Resy restaurants. Credits are automatic, but keep an eye on the quarterly expiration.
Platinum Nights by Resy
Beyond the credits, Platinum Card® cardholders now get access to Platinum Nights by Resy, a curated set of multi-course tasting menus, chef collaborations, and exclusive events in select cities.
How to activate: Log in to Resy with your Platinum Card®-linked account to view upcoming Platinum Nights events and reserve directly through the app.
Global Dining Access by Resy
This benefit gives you access to exclusive tables and special dining experiences at some of the world’s best food spots. I use this one all the time, and it’s gotten me a seat at some pretty nice restaurants. Turn on Resy notify and let the fun begin!
How to activate: Add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile and look for restaurants with the “Global Dining Access” badge. You can filter this on the app, which is the best strategy, in my opinion.
Amex Offers and Bonus Categories
Don’t overlook the Amex Offers tab in your account. You can earn extra Membership Rewards points or statement credits with certain merchants.
Also, remember that the Platinum Card® earns 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), and 5x points on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel.
How to activate: Check your Amex Offers regularly and activate any that align with your normal spending habits. Make sure you aren’t spending just to spend!
Bottom Line
The Platinum Card® isn’t a card you can “get and forget.” It’s built for people who take advantage of its perks, not those who toss it in their wallet and hope for the best.
If you’re tapping into several of those credits, the value can far exceed the $895 annual fee.
Spend 30 minutes setting things up now, and future-you will be riding in an Uber, sipping coffee in a Centurion Lounge, and streaming Disney+ — all courtesy of your Platinum Card®.
