20 Amex Platinum Benefits and Perks You’ll Love

This article may contain references to some of our advertising partners. Should you click on these links, we may be compensated. For more about our advertising policies, read our full disclosure statement here.

card_name has been a favorite credit card of experienced travelers for many years. It offers up to 5x points on travel, provides lounge access, and has valuable points that transfer to 16 hotel and airline partners (terms apply). But there are many more reasons why people love this card so much.

Today, we’re going to share 20 Amex Platinum benefits that make this card so great for travel enthusiasts.

1. Earn an 80,000-Point Welcome Bonus

Earning a welcome bonus is one of the easiest ways to earn a lot of points quickly. The 80,000-point welcome bonus on the Amex Platinum is one of the biggest you’ll see. With these points, you can book airfare, convert them into airline miles or hotel points, redeem them for gift cards, and more.

To earn this bonus, you’ll need to spend at least $6,000 on your card within the first six months. If this amount seems daunting, there are many ways to meet minimum spend requirements, including paying bills, annual insurance premiums, home improvements, or even your mortgage. Terms apply.

>> Learn How to Apply

2. $200 Airline Fee Credit

Another nice Amex Platinum benefit is the $200 Airline Fee Credit. You can use this annual statement credit to pay for things like baggage fees (and more) during each calendar year.

Here’s the catch: Although you can spread this credit across multiple flights, you can only select one qualifying airline with whom you can use this statement credit. It isn’t a huge deal, but if you fly multiple airlines, it is something to keep in mind. As always, terms apply.

3. Earn 5x Points on Flights

One of the downsides of the Amex Platinum Card is that it does not have many bonus categories like other rewards cards do. However, if you spend heavily on flights, you’ll earn a lot of American Express Membership Rewards points.

To earn 5x points on your airplane tickets, purchase them directly from the airlines or through Amex Travel. The 5x points through Amex Travel are earned through the Amex Travel website or by calling customer service at 800-525-3355. This accelerated earning opportunity is limited to the first $500,000 in purchases per calendar year.

If you buy the tickets through an online ticket agency (OTA) or anywhere else, you’ll earn just 1x points per dollar. Terms apply.

4. Earn 5x Points on Prepaid Hotels

When booking hotels, you can also earn 5x points on your reservations made through Amex Travel. However, these reservations must be prepaid and cannot be booked directly with the hotel. You may change or cancel your reservations through Amex Travel, but they are subject to the normal hotel cancellation policies.

Keep in mind that most hotels require you to book directly if you want to earn stay credits and hotel points. You also might not receive your elite status benefits, such as late checkout, room upgrades, and free breakfast when booking through a third-party like Amex Travel. Terms apply.

5. Complimentary Access to 1,400 Airport Lounges

card_name provides members with entry to more than 1,400 airport lounges around the world through the Global Lounge Collection. Importantly, this benefit also includes access to their proprietary American Express Centurion Lounges. You’ll receive complimentary entrance for you and two guests to enjoy gourmet food, top-shelf drinks, massages, manicures, showers, WiFi, and more.

The card also includes a Priority Pass Select membership, providing free entrance to airport lounges in over 600 cities across more than 140 countries. Unfortunately, however, American Express eliminated restaurants from its Priority Pass benefits list. Even with that change, there are still many great airport lounges to enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary drinks and snacks, and free Wi-Fi.

You may also enter Delta Sky Club locations when flying Delta or one of its partner airlines. American Express also partners with airport lounges that you may not be familiar with, including Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium, and Air Space.

Terms apply.

6. Book Flights With Your Points

When booking flights through Amex Travel, you can pay with cash, points, or a combination of the two. Membership Rewards points are worth one cent each when booking airplane tickets. If you don’t have enough points or want to save some for later, you can pay the remainder of your ticket with cash. You’ll earn 5x points per dollar when you use the Amex Platinum Card to pay the cash portion.

Through Amex Travel, you can also book other portions of your vacation, such as hotels and cruises. However, when you redeem Membership Rewards points for these expenses, you’ll only receive 0.7 cents per point. This is a 30% reduction compared to using your points for flights, so carefully consider your options before using your points this way. Consider applying for a hotel credit card or transferring your Membership Rewards points to a hotel transfer partner instead.

Terms apply.

Earn 5x Miles – Travel for less and earn 5x miles on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year). You can also earn 5x points on prepaid hotel reservations through Amex Travel with the Amex Platinum card! Terms apply. Learn how to apply here.

7. Transfer to 16 Airline and Hotel Loyalty Programs

American Express has the most available transfer partners of any credit card with flexible points. Chase Ultimate Rewards gives cardholders 13 hotel and airline options and both Capital One Venture Miles and Citi ThankYou have over 10 airline transfer partners each.

You can transfer your Membership Rewards points to 3 hotel and 13 airline transfer partners with American Express. Enrollment in participating loyalty programs is required. In most cases, points transfer on a 1:1 basis. Examples of participating airlines and hotels include:

• Air France KLM Flying Blue
• Asia Miles
• Delta SkyMiles
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy

Pay attention to special promotions that pop up periodically. These transfer promotions can offer a huge incentive for transferring your Membership Rewards points to the targeted airline or hotel loyalty program. Terms apply.

Here is a past example of a now expired offer: Hilton was offering a 50% bonus when transferring points to Hilton Honors. Instead of receiving 2,000 Hilton points for every 1,000 American Express points transferred, you’d receive 3,000 points.

8. Credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck

Skipping lines at security can drastically improve the airport experience while traveling. When you enroll in Global Entry and TSA Precheck, you’ll use special lanes that have a less-intrusive screening process. You can keep your belt and shoes on, 3-1-1 liquids in your carry-on, and your laptop in its bag.

Thankfully, every four years, the Amex Platinum Card offers a statement credit of $100 toward Global Entry fees. The card also offers a statement credit of up to $85 toward TSA Precheck fees every 4.5 years. Primary cardholders and all authorized user Gold and Platinum cards can use this benefit. Terms apply.

9. $189 CLEAR Credit

In addition to the Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit, the Amex Platinum benefits also include a $189 annual statement credit toward a CLEAR membership. Simply use your card to purchase the membership to apply your credit. Terms apply and enrollment is required.

10. Gold Status With Marriott and Hilton

Hotel elite status can offer great perks like late checkout, room upgrades, and complimentary breakfast. Instead of spending countless nights at hotels to earn elite status, Amex Platinum benefits include complimentary status with two popular hotel loyalty programs.

Marriott Bonvoy normally requires guests to stay 25 nights per year to earn Gold Elite status. Hilton Honors members have to stay 40 nights for Gold status. With your Amex Platinum benefits, you’ll get Gold Elite/Gold status starting with your first stay each year. (Enrollment required.)

To activate this benefit, contact American Express customer service and provide your loyalty number for each hotel loyalty program.

Terms apply.

>> Learn How to Apply

11. No Foreign Transaction Fees

Some banks charge a fee of up to 3% for processing transactions in another country. This convenience charge can really add up over the course of a vacation. Similar to other top travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Amex Platinum does not charge any foreign transaction fees. This means that the prices you pay while traveling internationally will be the prices you pay on your statement. (card_name)

To avoid any hidden fees when shopping internationally, always pay in the local currency. Not only will American Express waive the fees to convert your purchase into U.S. dollars, but you’ll also receive a much more favorable exchange rate. Terms apply.

12. Up to $200 Uber Cash

If you take a lot of rides with Uber, and even if you only use Uber occasionally, you’re going to love this Amex Platinum Card benefit. As a member, you’ll enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in savings on Uber rides or with Uber Eats each year. This perk has monthly caps ($15/month and a $20 bonus in December), applies to U.S. transactions only, and is reserved for Basic Card Members. Terms apply.

13. Up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit

Save up to $240 a year on your digital entertainment subscriptions with this Amex Platinum Card benefit. Simply use your card to pay for a variety of eligible digital purchases, and get up to $20 per month back in statement credits. Some eligible purchases include Disney+, Audible, Hulu+, Peacock, SiriusXM, ESPN+, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.

14. Up to $155 Walmart+ Credit

Use your Amex Platinum Card to pay your $12.95 Walmart+ monthly membership fee and receive up to $155 in statement credits annually. Plus Ups are not eligible. Enrollment required.

>> Learn How to Apply

15. Shop at Saks Fifth Avenue with $100 Annual Credits

I like looking nice while traveling, and the Amex Platinum Card makes it easier to do so. Each year, cardholders receive $100 in credits at Saks Fifth Avenue. (Enrollment required.) This credit is broken into two $50 credits. One credit is available from January to June, while the second is available from July to December.

The credits are good at Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the U.S. and online. Gift cards and purchases at outlet locations are not eligible for the credits. I learned this one the hard way because my nearest store is an outlet location, and I did not receive a credit for my purchase. If you’re like me and don’t have a nearby location, shop online. Terms apply.

16. Enjoy Elite Benefits With Fine Hotels & Resorts

Although card_name provides complimentary Marriott and Hilton Gold status (enrollment required), you might not want to stay at one of those hotels. Fine Hotels & Resorts is another Amex Platinum benefit that is exclusive to cardholders. When booking a prepaid room through Amex Travel, you’ll earn 5x points per dollar on your reservations.

Fine Hotels & Resorts (FH&R) is a collection of more than 1,100 properties offering elite-level benefits with every stay. You’ll enjoy these perks even if you don’t have elite status with a particular hotel brand. With each booking, you receive the following:

• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Daily breakfast for two people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in, when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Unique property amenity valued at $100 minimum
• Terms apply

Additionally, some FH&R properties have promotions offering one night free on longer stays.

17. $100 Onsite Hotel Credit with The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection is another luxury travel benefit available to Amex Platinum and American Express® Gold Card members. With this program, you’ll receive the following benefits on stays of two nights or longer:

• Room upgrade at check-in, when available
• $100 onsite hotel credit

You’ll earn 5x points on your prepaid reservation when using your Amex Platinum Card through Amex Travel. American Express Gold Card members earn 2x points through Amex Travel. While these benefits are not as expansive as what’s offered through Fine Hotels & Resorts, there are still good values available.

Terms apply.

18. Up to $300 Equinox Credit

Do you use the Equinox+ digital fitness app or frequent an Equinox fitness club? Use your Amex Platinum Card to pay your membership fees and get up to $300 back each year in statement credits. Enrollment required.

19. Redeem Rewards for Gift Cards and Shopping

American Express offers a lot of flexibility while redeeming its Membership Rewards points. However, these options are generally not as lucrative as booking flights or transferring to an airline or hotel partner. You’ll often receive substantially less value when using these options, so think twice before finalizing any of these redemptions.

Ideally, you will receive at least one cent per point when redeeming your points. Here are some examples that offer much less than that:

• Best Buy — 0.7 cents
• Ticketmaster — 0.5 cents
• Delta Gift Card — 0.7 cents
• American Express Gift Card — 0.5 cents
• American Express Statement Credit — 0.6 cents

Terms apply.

20. Complimentary Authorized-User Gold Cards

With so many amazing Amex Platinum benefits, you might want to share them with a family member or friend. You can add up to three authorized users with Platinum-level benefits for a total of $175 per year. Each additional Platinum Card authorized user is $175 each.

The cost of additional authorized users can add up quickly, though. So, American Express offers authorized user Gold cards for no charge. You can add up to 99 of these complimentary Gold cards to your account. Keep in mind that these authorized user Gold cards are not the same as the American Express Gold Card that you can apply for.

Instead, these cards have a very limited number of benefits:

• One Global Entry or TSA Precheck statement credit every four years
• Amex Offer promotions (enrollment required)

These cards do not have airport lounge access or hotel elite status like Amex Platinum Card members receive. Terms apply.

Amex Platinum Benefits: Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum Card is a premium travel credit card with incredible benefits. Although the annual fee is annual_fees (card_name), you receive hundreds in annual credits and benefits at select hotels, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. Plus, benefits like airport lounge access, automatic hotel elite status, and no foreign transaction fees really enhance your travel experience. (Note: Terms apply and enrollment for some programs is required.)

New cardmembers will find great value if they’re able to earn the 80,000 point welcome bonus. Those points are very flexible and can be used to book travel, transfer to airline and hotel partners, go shopping, and so much more.

I’ve been carrying the Amex Platinum Card with me on all of my travels for years. Once you’ve experienced its perks, I think you’ll keep it for a long time, as well.

>> Learn How to Apply

What is your favorite benefit of the Amex Platinum credit card? Share with us below!

To see rates and fees of the American Express cards featured here, please use the following links: Platinum Card from American Express: card_name; American Express Gold Card: card_name.