Earning American Express Platinum card rewards
American Express makes it easy to earn and redeem rewards. Here’s what you can expect as an Amex Platinum member.
1. Welcome bonus
Spend $8,000 on eligible purchases within your first six months of membership to earn 80,000 bonus points. These points could be worth over $800 depending on your selected redemption method.
▶︎ See our picks: Best credit card welcome offers
2. Earning rewards
One of the biggest American Express Platinum card benefits is the rewards rates for travel.
You can earn rewards at the following rates:
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5X on your first $500,000 per year in flights booked via American Express Travel or directly with airlines
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5X on prepaid hotels booked via American Express Travel
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1X points on all other eligible purchases
3. Redeeming rewards
Once you rack up enough points with this rewards credit card, you can redeem them in these ways:
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Book flights, hotels and rental cars at AmexTravel.com: Points are worth 1 cent each when you use them on the American Express Travel portal.
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Transfer to Amex partners at a 1:1 ratio: American Express partners with several airlines and hotel brands.
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Request statement credits: If you have purchases you haven’t paid off yet, you can request a statement credit to cover some or all of your expenses. Points are worth 0.6 cents each when redeemed for statement credits.
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Pay with points at participating merchants: Amazon, PayPal and other authorized merchants allow Amex Platinum cardholders to pay with points. Each point is worth 0.7 cents when used this way.
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Purchase goods from an Amex merchant partner: You can also use your points to buy items, but note that points are only worth 0.5 cents each when redeemed this way.
▶︎ Learn more: Amex Membership Rewards guide
Amex Platinum travel benefits
The benefits of the American Express Platinum card aren’t limited to earning and redeeming points. You also get some fabulous travel perks.
4. Airport lounge access
Cardholders have access to the American Express Global Lounge collection, which has more than 1,400 lounges spread across 40 countries. Depending on which lounge you visit, you may enjoy perks such as free snacks, meals, alcoholic beverages, nonalcoholic beverages and shower facilities.
The American Express Global Lounge collection includes these lounges:
- Delta Sky Club
- American Express Centurion Lounges
- Escape Lounges
- Plaza Premium Lounge
- Lufthansa
- Priority Pass® lounges (enrollment required)
▶︎ See our picks: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
5. International airfare discounts
One of the best Amex Platinum card benefits for travelers is access to the International Airline Program, which offers up to 20% off international airfare when you book First Class, Business or Premium Economy tickets with a participating airline via American Express Travel.
6. Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts program
The Amex Platinum travel benefits keep coming with access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. Cardholders receive extra benefits at each participating hotel, such as daily breakfast for two, complimentary room upgrades, free Wi-Fi, guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, a $100 credit to use toward on-property charges and 12 p.m. check-in.
7. Gold Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy
Access complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status, which entitles you to perks like room upgrades, bonus points, late checkouts, free Wi-Fi and more.
8. Hilton Honors Gold status
Amex Platinum cardholders can enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. This benefit gives you access to a complimentary free fifth night on reward stays of 5 nights or more, 80% bonus points on every stay, room upgrades when available, and more.
▶︎ Learn more: What Hilton Elite status gets you
9. Car rental privileges
Platinum cardholders receive complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® status, which comes with one car-class upgrade when available, up to 15% off standard rates, up to 25% off vehicles in the Prestige Collection and a four-hour grace period when returning a Hertz rental.
10. No foreign transaction fees
If you love to travel overseas, the Amex Platinum may be a great fit for your needs. Cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees, so you can buy all the souvenirs you want without worrying about extra charges.
▶︎ See our picks: Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
Amex Platinum travel credits
Many Amex Platinum card benefits relate to travel, including hotel and airline credits, Uber Cash and fee credits for CLEAR®, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
11. Up to $200 hotel credit
Get up to $200 per year in statement credits for prepaid hotel bookings made through American Express Travel. This includes Fine Hotels + Resorts and properties in The Hotel Collection. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
▶︎ See our picks: Best hotel credit cards
12. Up to $200 in airline fee credit
You can earn up to $200 per year in airline fee credits if you charge incidentals to your Amex Platinum card. To qualify for the credit, you must purchase incidentals from a participating airline. Your options include Alaska Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways and American Airlines.
13. Up to $200 in Uber cash
As a cardmember, you’re automatically enrolled in Uber VIP status, which gives you access to the highest-rated Uber drivers in your area. You get up to $15 per month in Uber Cash, plus a $20 bonus (up to $35 total) in December, for potential earnings of $200 in Uber Cash per year. (To receive this benefit, you must have your eligible card added as a method of payment in your Uber account. This benefit is only good for Rides and Eats orders in the U.S.)
14. $199 CLEAR® Plus credit
If you use your card to pay for a CLEAR® Plus membership, you’ll receive up to a $199 statement credit to cover your costs.
15. Fee reimbursement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
As a Platinum cardholder, you’re eligible for up to a $100 statement credit to cover the cost of your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
16. Up to $300 Cruise Privileges Program (CPP)
Use your Amex Platinum card to book a cruise of five nights or more via the Amex Travel portal and get up to $300 worth of shipboard credit per stateroom.
Amex Platinum travel protections
As a travel credit card, the Amex Platinum comes with several valuable travel protections.
17. Trip delay insurance
Trip delay insurance reimburses you for up to $500 if you experience a common-carrier delay lasting six hours or longer. You’re limited to two claims in a 12-month period.
18. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Your Amex Platinum card comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance to give you extra peace of mind. If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, or if a covered event disrupts a trip in progress, the insurance company will reimburse you for up to $10,000 in prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. This benefit has a limit of $20,000 per card in a 12-month period.
19. Baggage insurance plan
American Express gives Platinum members baggage insurance with coverage limits of $2,000 for checked luggage and $3,000 combined for checked and carry-on items. You can use this benefit if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged while you’re traveling via a common carrier.
▶︎ Learn more: Amex travel insurance
20. Premium Global Assist Hotline
If you run into trouble when you’re more than 100 miles from home, you can call the Premium Global Assist Hotline for help. Trained agents are on hand to provide referrals and help you overcome any travel-related obstacles.
21. Premium car rental protection
Premium car rental protection gives you primary coverage for damaged rental vehicles. You pay a flat fee for up to 42 days of coverage when renting a vehicle with your Platinum card. Members also have two coverage options for extra peace of mind.
22. Car rental loss and damage insurance
Your Amex Platinum card also comes with car rental loss and damage insurance for eligible vehicles. To use this benefit, you must decline the waiver offered by the rental company. You must also use your Platinum card to pay for the entire rental fee. Note that coverage isn’t available for vehicles rented in Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
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.
The Amex Platinum card comes with many shopping and lifestyle perks.
23. Global Dining Access by Resy
When you create a Resy account and add your Platinum card to your profile, you’ll gain access to some of the most prestigious restaurants in the world.
24. Events with Amex
Platinum members have access to a wide range of events, including ticket presales and Amex fan experiences. You can even use your Platinum card to find exclusive merchandise or take advantage of special offers just for cardholders.
25. Premium Events Collection™
Level up with access to the Premium Events Collection, which offers customized experiences that aren’t available to the general public. Think major sporting events, impossible-to-book restaurant reservations and in-demand art exhibits.
26. ShopRunner
Your Amex Platinum card comes with a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which makes you eligible for free two-day shipping on eligible items at more than 100 online stores. Participating merchants include Under Armour, Coach and Kate Spade New York.
27. Platinum Card® Concierge
Live like royalty with the Platinum Card® Concierge service, which puts you in touch with concierge professionals who can find the best restaurants or help you obtain tickets to upcoming events.
American Express Platinum benefits also include shopping and lifestyle credits, making this one of the most versatile credit cards available.
28. Walmart+ monthly membership credit
Use your card to sign up for a monthly Walmart+ membership, and you’ll receive a $12.95 statement credit each month to cover the fee. Walmart+ entitles you to fuel discounts, free shipping on Walmart.com purchases, free grocery pickup on orders of $35 or more and a host of other benefits.
29. Up to $100 at Saks
Pay with your Amex Platinum card to receive up to $100 for purchases made at Saks.com or Saks Fifth Avenue stores. This is split into $50 increments— $50 from January through June and the other $50 from July through December. Enrollment required.
30. $100 InCircle point card
Until August 15, 2024, new Platinum members can enroll in InCircle to receive a $100 Point Card for every 10,000 points earned. Points are good for purchases at Last Call, Horchow, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Note that Platinum cardholders will no longer have InCircle status after December 31, 2024.
31. Up to $240 digital entertainment credit
Receive up to $20 in statement credits per month for subscriptions to Peacock, The New York Times, Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+. You must use your Platinum card to pay for the subscription. Enrollment required.
32. Up to $300 Equinox credit
Exercise to your heart’s content with a credit of up to $300 per year for an Equinox club membership or digital subscription. Enrollment required.
33. Up to $300 SoulCycle credit
Platinum cardholders are also eligible for a credit of up to $300 toward the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike. Enrollment required.
Amex Platinum offers additional protections to help you get the most out of your card.
34. Purchase Protection
Purchase Protection will reimburse you up to $10,000 per covered item ($50,000 per card each calendar year) for theft, loss or accidental damage occurring within 90 days of the purchase date. Note that this benefit only gives you $500 in coverage for damage caused by a natural disaster.
35. Extended Warranty
Extended Warranty Protection adds one year to the manufacturer’s warranty on covered items. This applies to products with original warranties of five years or less.
36. Cell phone protection
If someone steals your mobile phone, or it needs repairs, the cell phone protection plan makes you eligible for up to $800 in reimbursement. This benefit is limited to two approved claims in a 12-month period.
37. Return Protection
If the merchant won’t take back an eligible item within 90 days of purchase, use Return Protection to get reimbursed for up to $300 (excluding shipping and handling charges).
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.
Other Amex Platinum benefits
38. Amex Offers
Amex Offers gives you cash back, discounts and other perks on eligible purchases. To use this benefit, you must add each offer to your Platinum card and then use the card to pay for the item. Enrollment required.
39. Payment flexibility
American Express allows you to split purchases, send money via PayPal or Venmo and use a digital wallet to manage your transactions. Cardholders even have access to flexible bill payment options.
40. Amex Auto Purchasing Program
The Amex Auto Purchasing Program allows you to browse available vehicles and see how much other people have paid for your favorite models. You can also request Upfront Price Offers from dealerships.
41. CreditSecure®
Maximize your American Express Platinum card benefits by using your card to sign up for CreditSecure. It comes with credit monitoring and other tools to help you prevent fraud and manage your credit wisely. CreditSecure costs $1 for the first 30 days and $19.99 per month thereafter.
42. American Express® MyCredit Guide
MyCredit Guide gives you access to your Experian credit report and FICO® score, making it easier to monitor your credit situation. The tool also gives you personalized credit insights to help you improve your score over time.
43. Amex Carbon Emissions Tracker
If sustainability is one of your top priorities, use the Amex Carbon Emissions Tracker to understand how each purchase made with your connected card is likely to affect your carbon footprint. You can also set up a monthly contribution of $5 to $100 to support carbon removal projects.
How to maximize Amex Platinum benefits
Follow these tips to maximize the benefits of your American Express Platinum card:
- Add an authorized user to make it easier to meet the minimum spend for the welcome bonus.
- Pair Amex Offers with your favorite cash-back programs for extra earnings.
- Use partner airlines and hotels whenever possible.
- Make travel arrangements via the Amex Travel Portal.
- Stack streaming subscriptions to maximize your monthly entertainment credit.
▶︎ Read more: Amex Platinum review
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For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.