The American Express Platinum Card Review
The American Express Platinum Card is not a just a “travel rewards card.”
It’s a premium travel membership disguised as a credit card. And at $895 per year, it’s one of the most expensive personal cards on the market.
But here’s the real question: Is it actually worth $895?
For the right person, absolutely.
For the wrong person… it’s an overpriced coupon book.
Let’s break down exactly how this card works, what you really get, and whether it deserves a place in your wallet.
Apply for the American Express Platinum Card here (affiliate link)
Or see all my current best offers here: Best Credit Card Offers Page
This post may contain affiliate links. If you apply through my links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend cards I personally use or believe provide real value.
The Basics
Annual Fee: $895
Rewards Program: American Express Membership Rewards®
Current Welcome Offer: Often as high as 150,000–175,000 Membership Rewards® points after meeting minimum spend (offers vary)
This card earns:
5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
1x point on everything else
This is not an everyday spending card. It is a travel and perks card.
Apply Now for the American Express Platinum card
Welcome Offer: The Real First-Year Math
Let’s talk about why almost everyone should consider this card at least once.
If you earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points and redeem them strategically through transfer partners, it’s realistic to get 1.5–2+ cents per point.
That means:
150,000 points = $2,250–$3,000+ in travel value.
Even after paying the $895 annual fee, you are massively ahead in year one.
That’s why premium cards like this can make sense if you play the game correctly.
Check the current highest available offer here.
A Quick Note on Amex “Lifetime Language”
American Express typically limits welcome bonuses to once per lifetime per card. If you’ve had the Platinum before and earned the bonus, you may not qualify again. In practice, this might just mean that it takes about 7 years before you qualify again for this card. This can vary and change at any time.
Amex will usually show a pop-up during the application if you are not eligible. If you see that message, you can cancel before submitting.
Offers are also frequently targeted, so some people may see higher bonuses than others.
The $895 Annual Fee: Let’s Talk Net Cost
Here’s how I evaluate premium cards:
Never justify a card based on credits you wouldn’t naturally use. Only count credits that replace organic spending.
The Amex Platinum has a long list of statement credits. In theory, they total well over $1,500 annually. In reality, your usable value depends on your lifestyle.
Let’s break them down.
Annual Credits & Benefits
Most credits require enrollment.
$200 Airline Incidental Credit
Up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits for incidental fees with one selected airline.
Eligible charges typically include:
Checked baggage fees
Seat selection fees
In-flight food and beverages
Lounge day passes
You must choose your airline in advance through your Amex account. This does not typically cover airfare.
$200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One
Cardholders receive:
Up to $15 per month in Uber Cash
$20 bonus Uber Cash in December
Up to $120 annually toward Uber One membership
Uber Cash can be used for rides or Uber Eats in the U.S. Credits are issued monthly and do not roll over. I personally like to use these credits on Uber eats because you can get some good deals on food and grocery delivery.
$600 Fine Hotels + Resorts Credit
Up to:
$300 in statement credits January–June
$300 in statement credits July–December
Valid on prepaid bookings made through Amex Travel at:
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) properties
The Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay required for THC)
FHR bookings include:
Daily breakfast for two
Guaranteed 4PM late checkout
Noon check-in when available
Room upgrades when available
A property experience credit (often $100)
Some properties in these collections can be very expensive, but not all of them. Sometimes you can find hotels that will cover a 1-2 night stay without you having to pay much of anything on top of the $300 credit.
$300 Digital Entertainment Credit
Up to $25 per month in statement credits for eligible subscriptions, including:
Disney+
Hulu
ESPN+
YouTube Premium
Youtube TV
Paramount+
Peacock
The Wall Street Journal
The New York Times
Enrollment required. Credits are monthly and do not roll over.
$400 Resy Credit
Up to $100 per quarter (total $400 annually) in statement credits for eligible purchases made at restaurants on the Resy platform in the U.S.
The credit applies to:
Dining purchases at restaurants that use Resy for reservations
Takeout or delivery purchases made directly with participating restaurants
You do not have to book through the Resy app to trigger the credit. As long as the restaurant is part of the Resy network and processes the charge correctly, the credit can apply.
The $100 resets every calendar quarter:
Jan–Mar
Apr–Jun
Jul–Sep
Oct–Dec
Unused amounts do not roll over.
Because Resy includes a large number of mid-range and upscale restaurants in major cities, availability will depend heavily on where you live and travel.
$300 Lululemon Credit
Up to $75 per quarter (total $300 annually) in statement credits for eligible purchases made directly with lululemon, either online or in-store in the U.S.
The credit resets each calendar quarter:
Jan–Mar
Apr–Jun
Jul–Sep
Oct–Dec
Unused amounts do not roll over.
Eligible purchases generally include apparel, accessories, and gear. Gift cards may not qualify. Purchases must be made directly through lululemon because third-party retailers will not trigger the credit.
Because the credit is split quarterly, you would need to make at least one qualifying purchase each quarter to maximize the full $300 annual value.
$209 CLEAR Plus Credit
Up to $209 per year toward CLEAR Plus membership.
CLEAR provides expedited identity verification at select airports and stadiums. Can be combined with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry for faster security processing.
Walmart+ Membership Credit
Statement credits toward the cost of a Walmart+ membership when charged to the Platinum Card.
Walmart+ includes:
Free shipping
Free grocery delivery on $35+ orders
Fuel discounts
Scan & Go in-store checkout
Paramount+ or Peacock premium streaming subscription
I personally think that the Walmart + membership is one of the most undervalued credits that the card has. I use my Walmart+ membership weekly and I love the free delivery perk.
$300 Equinox Credit
Up to $300 per calendar year in statement credits for eligible Equinox purchases, including:
Equinox club memberships
Equinox+ (the on-demand fitness app)
Enrollment required.
I don’t have an Equinox in my area, so I don’t find value in this credit.
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
Up to $100 per year in statement credits at Saks Fifth Avenue, split into two windows:
Up to $50 for purchases made January–June
Up to $50 for purchases made July–December
Valid on in-store or online Saks purchases after you enroll. Credits do not roll over between periods.
It’s important to be aware that Saks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy. Therefore, it is recommended that Amex platinum cardholders either use these credits as soon as possible, or don’t plan to use them at all.
$200 Oura Ring Credit
Up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits toward the purchase of an Oura Ring (a wearable health tracker).
This benefit requires enrollment, and the purchase must be made through ouraring.com for the credit to trigger.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit
Reimbursement for one application fee (per eligibility window):
$120 statement credit for Global Entry, available once every 4 years, or
Up to $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck, available once every 4.5 years
Only one program credit applies per window (you don’t get both).
What the Amex Platinum Offers Beyond Credits
The American Express Platinum Card offers three things:
Premium travel access
High-value Membership Rewards earning on airfare
Entry into the American Express ecosystem
The credits get attention, but they are not the only power of this card.
The real power is access.
Access to lounges, hotel perks, airline transfer partners, and premium travel protections.
This is a lifestyle accelerator card for people who already travel, not a card that turns a non-traveler into one.
Apply for the American Express Platinum here.
Lounge Access: The Real Differentiator
The Platinum Card includes access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes:
Centurion Lounges
Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta same day)
Priority Pass Select lounges
Plaza Premium lounges
Escape Lounges
For frequent travelers, especially those flying multiple times per year, this can dramatically improve the airport experience.
If you value lounge access for a family, note that guest policies have tightened in recent years. Complimentary guest access typically requires meeting an annual spending threshold. Otherwise, guest fees may apply.
This is important to understand before applying.
Membership Rewards: Why This Ecosystem Matters
The Platinum earns Membership Rewards® points.
This is one of the most flexible transferable currencies in the travel space.
Transfer partners include major programs such as:
Aer Lingus
Aeromexico (1:1.6)
Air Canada Aeroplan
ANA
Avianca Lifemiles
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Delta
Emirates (1: .8)
Etihad
Flying Blue
Iberia
JetBlue (250:200)
Qantas
Qatar
Singapore Krisflyer
Virgin Atlantic
Hilton (1:2)
Choice Privileges
Marriott
The strength of Membership Rewards lies in:
Frequent transfer bonuses
Strong international airline partners
Premium cabin sweet spots
Flexibility across alliances
This card does not maximize everyday earning, but it gives you access to one of the most powerful points ecosystems available.
If you want to understand how to maximize transferable points, read my Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles.
Apply for the American Express Platinum here.
What Cards Pair Well With the Amex Platinum?
The Platinum is not designed to be a standalone setup. It only earns 1 point per dollar spent on normal everyday spend.
It works best when paired with stronger earning cards inside the Membership Rewards ecosystem.
Common pairings include:
American Express Gold Card
4x Membership Rewards on dining
4x on U.S. supermarkets (up to annual cap)
This card handles everyday food spending far more efficiently than the Platinum.
Read my full American Express Gold review here.
American Express Business Platinum
For business owners, the Business Platinum can complement the personal Platinum with:
Additional credits like Hilton and Dell.
35% Pay With Points rebate (on eligible airfare bookings)
Expanded travel benefits
Read my Business Platinum review here.
Blue Business Plus
For a no-annual-fee Membership Rewards earner, the Blue Business Plus offers:
2x points on everyday business purchases (up to annual cap)
This fills the gap where Platinum only earns 1x. The Amex BBP is one of my favorite cards in my wallet!
Read my Amex Blue Business Plus review here.
Who Should Get the Amex Platinum?
This card makes the most sense for:
Frequent travelers flying multiple times per year
People who value airport lounge access
Travelers booking premium hotels or premium cabin flights
Households already spending in categories covered by the credits
Individuals building a long-term Membership Rewards strategy
It makes far less sense for:
Infrequent travelers
People who prefer simple cashback
Anyone unwilling to track monthly and quarterly credits
Those who do not plan to use airline transfer partners
View Current Offers for the American Express Platinum card
What This Card Is Not
The Platinum is not:
A beginner starter card
A one-card solution for everyday spending
A strong everyday earning card
A low-maintenance setup
This card rewards intentional users, but if you don’t keep track of the “coupon” credits, then you can easily lose money on the annual fee.
How I Think About This Card
Year one is always a yes because of the welcome bonus. Beyond year one, it becomes a strategic decision.
If the lounge access, travel perks, and Membership Rewards ecosystem are part of your regular travel life, this card can justify itself.
If you’re stretching to make the credits work, it’s probably not the right long-term fit.
I personally find the Amex Platinum to be well worth the annual fee. I highly value the annual hotel credits, lounge access, airline incidental credits. Everything else is just icing on the cake!
If you want to apply for the Amex Platinum, click here for a link to the application.
