The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the best cards for frequent travelers, carrying maximum benefits for a premium card. Aside from being a rewards credit card, cardholders receive benefits in the form of statement credits, exclusive perks, and unbeatable rewards. Therefore, cardholders can maximize the card’s benefits by spending more on eligible purchases, which earn the cardholder Membership Rewards points.
However, the Platinum Card is best suited for those who frequently travel since most rewards are geared toward travel purchases. The card carries one of the best travel purchases among other premium competing cards available in the market.
The American Express Platinum Card is exclusive, making it available to those who can afford it. The card comes with a $695 annual fee that is unattainable for many, hence, maintaining its exclusive nature. However, the benefits received by the cardholder outweigh the steep annual fee, making it a luxurious and lucrative card.
The 80,000 Membership Rewards points welcome bonus alone is over $800 in value, depending on how the cardholder redeems their points. The redemption options allow cardholders even more benefits, such as room upgrades during travel, without spending money.
Key Takeaways
· The American Express Platinum Card is among the best cards that offer the best rewards suited for travel
· The Platinum Card is the best option for cardholders who are frequent travelers since most rewards are tied to travel
· Some of the rewards offered to cardholders of the Platinum Card include statement credits and complimentary travel insurance
Annual Airline Credit
Cardholders will receive an annual airline credit of a $200 statement credit for incidentals spent during their flight. The airline fee credit does not cover the airfare since it only covers incidental fees acquired before or during the flight. Also, the airline fee credit covers only one qualifying airline, meaning that you select an airline that receives the statement credit annually.
Thus, the cardholder will receive the statement credit for incidentals such as checked baggage fees, and refreshments bought in-flight, and seat selection fees. However, the benefit can only be accessed with prior enrollment required by the cardholder before flights.
While traveling, most people pass through travelers’ security programs, with prior enrollment required for some. Cardholders of the Platinum Card will receive a fee credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. The cardholder must apply and be approved for the five-year plan through an Authorized Enrollment Provider to receive the fee credit.
If the cardholder is approved for Global Entry, they are automatically approved for TSA PreCheck. Thus, the cardholder may use the line at Global Entry if the one at TSA PreCheck is full, and vice versa.
Hotel Credit
The American Express Platinum Card offers its cardholders a statement credit worth $200 each calendar year as hotel credit. The cardholder must book prepaid hotels through the Hotel Collection or the Fine Hotels & Resorts program for a minimum two-night stay. There are over 1500 properties from the Hotel Collection and the Fine Hotels & Resorts program for your stay.
The two booking programs can be found through the American Express Travel website, which allows cardholders to book flights and prepaid hotels.
Cardholders receive an authorized user benefit available to the Platinum Card for $100 statement credit for booking prepaid hotels through the Hotel Collection. The statement credit is considered an experience credit which may vary depending on the property booked. Select properties under the program will also offer welcome benefits, including complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi, late check-ins and check-outs, and room upgrades.
That way, cardholders will enjoy more benefits through the Hotel Collection since the benefit is exclusive to cardholders of the Platinum Card.
Credits for Uber Rides
Uber is a partnering company of American Express that offers $200 statement credits for cardholders using their Platinum Card to pay for Uber. The statement credit is available for cardholders who use Uber for Uber Rides and Uber Eats. Aside from the statement credit, cardholders will enjoy Uber VIP status, although the option is only available to a Basic Card Member.
Uber VIP status ensures cardholders have access to the best drivers with the highest rating transporting them during their rides. The statement credit is divided into $15 monthly and up to $35 in December, but they do not roll over to the next month if unused.
Complimentary Hotel Status
Complimentary hotel status means that the cardholder receives hotel status from partnering hotels for having the Platinum Card. Therefore, the cardholders will receive mid-tier elite status from the Hilton and Marriot Hotels without requiring a co-branded credit card. Individuals with an elite hotel status will receive extra benefits that others visiting the hotels lack access to.
However, the cardholder must have prior enrollment required to access the hotel status and its benefits in the hotels.
The Hilton Gold Status requires cardholders to book a minimum 28-night stay to receive extra benefits. Cardholders with the gold status will receive 80% Hilton Honors points and food and beverage credit for Hilton Hotels in the US. Most loyalty programs reserve such perks for top-tier elite status, but Hilton extends them to mid-tier elite status.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status requires cardholders to book a minimum 25-night paid to stay for extra perks. Cardholders with the gold status receive 25% Marriott Bonvoy points and welcome gifts like a room upgrade and late check-outs from the hotel.
Travel Insurance
Accidents, damage to rental cars, and trip delays may occur out of the blue during travel, affecting an individual’s trip. The Platinum Card from American Express offers a complimentary travel insurance plan that cardholders do not pay for. Travel insurance includes coverage such as baggage insurance, trip delay, cancellation, and interruption insurance, and rental car insurance.
Also, the card offers Premium Global Assist, a free hotline for emergencies faced during travel, including emergency medical evacuation. The travel insurance plan is underwritten by the New Hampshire Insurance Company, which oversees claims and reimbursements made to cardholders.
The cardholder must pay for their trip in full using their Amex Platinum Card to receive full reimbursements through the insurance. Cardholders will receive reimbursements on baggage insurance coverage and rental car insurance after meeting the condition. However, some insurance plans allow cardholders to use the Pay with Points option and still receive reimbursements, such as trip delay insurance.
For car rental loss or damage, the insurance plan offers secondary coverage, but primary coverage applies if the cardholder lacks auto coverage. Premium Global Assist is only available to premium American Express cards, including the Platinum Card.
Global Lounge Collection
The American Express Global Lounge Collection has over 1300 airport lounges worldwide, offering complimentary access to Platinum cardholders. The Global Lounge Collection is available in over 650 cities globally since the Platinum Card is accepted in most countries worldwide. Cardholders will receive entry to some of the most exclusive airport lounges, including the Centurion Lounges, with prior enrollment required.
Most airport lounges also offer free complimentary guest access for up to two guests per cardholder. Additionally, some airport lounges accept additional Platinum Cards to carry the same benefits on airport lounge access as the primary card.
Usually, the cardholder must show their eligible Platinum Card from American Express and their same-day boarding pass. The name on the boarding pass must match the name on the eligible Platinum Card for the cardholder to receive access. Some airport lounges, such as the Delta Sky Club, only accept cardholders flying Delta with proof using the boarding pass.
The Priority Pass Lounges require membership to access the lounge, with the cardholder showing the Priority Pass Membership Card before entry. Also, most lounges require cardholders to pay an annual membership fee or daily access to the lounge.
Fine Hotels & Resorts
The Fine Hotels & Resorts program is on the American Express Travel website, allowing Platinum cardholders to book hotels and resorts. Cardholders will earn 5X Membership Rewards points, which is five points per dollar spent for prepaid hotels booked through the programs. Also, cardholders will receive complimentary benefits, including an experience credit worth $100 for amenities such as food, beverage, and spa activities.
Other benefits offered by Fine Hotels & Resorts include complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi, daily breakfast for two, and late check-outs or check-ins, if available. Cardholders will also receive a room upgrade when available, but some benefits will vary depending on the available property.
Travel Spending Rewards
The Platinum Card from American Express is a rewards card where cardholders receive Membership Rewards points while spending using the card. The cardholder will earn different points from different categories for eligible purchases. For example, the cardholder receives 5X Membership Rewards for air flights and prepaid hotels that are booked through Amex Travel.
Also, the cardholder earns five points per dollar when they book their prepaid hotels and flights directly and not through third-party platforms. All other eligible purchases will receive one point per dollar spent, for example, on hotels and rental cars.
American Express offers cardholders different options for redeeming the Membership Rewards points earned through the Platinum Card. Membership Rewards points redeemed through transferring to hotel and airline loyalty programs will earn the cardholder two cents per point. Thus, the point’s value is the highest when the cardholder transfers them to earn miles from partner airlines.
Other redemption options allow the cardholder to book flights at one cent per point and prepaid hotels, cruises, or rental cars at 0.7 cents per point. Depending on the partnering retailers, check-outs and gift card redemptions offer 0.5 cents to one cent per point.
Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card
If you are looking for a luxurious card that covers all your travel needs, then the Platinum Card from American Express is the best choice. The card’s advantages and benefits are best suited for frequent travelers with a better chance of maximizing the card’s benefits. The cardholder will receive statement credits worth over $1,200 in total and exclusive perks such as airport lounge access.
Cardholders will receive complimentary travel insurance that offers coverage for baggage loss, car rental loss, and trip delay. Therefore, the cardholder will have one of the best rewards a travel credit card offers, including help during emergencies.
The American Express Platinum Card has one of the highest value of Membership Rewards points after redemption. The Amex Platinum Card has 20 airline and hotel partners that allow cardholders to transfer their Membership Rewards points at two cents per point. Most partners have a 1:1 transfer ratio, giving cardholders the best value for their points.
Cardholders can use Pay with Points, which allows them to pay for or upgrade flights using their Membership Rewards points. That way, cardholders will save on money spent on travel since they have cheaper and better alternatives by using the Platinum Card.
Conclusion
The Platinum Card is one of the most lucrative and luxurious cards, offering the best travel benefits to cardholders. Although the card has a steep $695 annual fee, the travel benefits make the annual fee worth it. The travel benefits are unlike any other ever seen since cardholders receive exclusive perks, complimentary benefits, and amazing offers.
However, maximizing the travel benefits requires cardholders to spend big during travel while using the Platinum Card. The cardholder stands a chance of receiving several statement credits every calendar year across multiple partnering companies.
The American Express Platinum Card is an exclusive card only available to those who can keep up with their spending and payments. Some benefits will require cardholders to meet some conditions, with prior enrollment required by the cardholder to unlock the benefit. For example, airport lounge access requires prior membership for the cardholder to receive the complimentary entry.
All in all, the cardholder must meet all the set conditions to receive specific rewards. Individuals who spend less on travel should look for an alternative card since the Amex Platinum Card will not meet their needs.
FAQs
What airport perks do you get with Amex Platinum?
Several airport perks are accessible to all Platinum cardholders, from statement credits to complimentary access. First, cardholders will earn up to $200 annual airline statement credits for incidentals, such as baggage fees, occurring during flights. Secondly, cardholders receive a fee credit on TSA PreCheck and Global Entry security programs at the airport, with prior enrollment required.
Cardholders will also receive complimentary access to over 1300 airport lounges worldwide as long as the Platinum Card is accepted there. The Amex Platinum Card offers the best airport perks making the cardholder’s travel enjoyable and cost-saving.
Does Amex Platinum give you trip insurance?
Yes, the American Express Platinum Card offers complimentary travel insurance, meaning the insurance plan comes with the card. The insurance plan covers trip delay, trip interruption and cancellation, lost baggage, and rental car loss or damage. Also, the card offers Premium Global Assist for emergencies, including emergency medical transportation.
The cardholder may choose to purchase a standalone insurance plan, although the complimentary insurance plan covers most issues faced during travel. The trip insurance plan is underwritten by the New Hampshire Insurance Company, which oversees the claims and reimbursements of the Platinum cardholders.
How do I use the Amex Platinum while traveling?
You can use the American Express Platinum Card to earn Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases which do not expire. The points can be redeemed for up to two cents per point, increasing the value of the Platinum Card. Alternatively, cardholders can use the card to earn statement credits, exclusive perks, or complimentary hotel status.
The cardholder maximizes the card’s benefits by spending more using the Platinum Card, especially on eligible purchases. You will find that you will receive more cost-saving benefits, such as room and airline seat upgrades, using the Membership Rewards points.
