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American Express Platinum just got even better.
$550 is a lot of money, but if that $550 annual fee creates value in excess of $550, it’s more of a pre-payment for future benefits and services. That’s exactly how I look annual fees, they are the cost of doing business, and in business, both parties are happy when value is created. I view each and every card I hold as a relationship. American Express just made their Amex Platinum a lot more valuable for new cardholders with the current offer that includes 10x points on all US gas and US supermarket purchases made with your Amex Platinum.
That blows any and every single competitor out of the water on US supermarket and US gas spend.
*You should keep in mind that the 10x earn rate on us gas and us supermarkets is capped on a combined $15,000 spend, but that means you could earn a whopping 150k Amex points in your first year if you max it out in your first 6 months of card membership.
Interested in an American Express Platinum?
Learn More
Do you qualify?
Amex has a once in a lifetime clause that limits the ability to get a welcome offer more than once, so if you’re had the Platinum card before, you may not qualify for the welcome offer.
Is this the best offer we’ve seen?
I think this offer is absolutely incredible. People have reported anywhere from 75k to 125k welcome offers depending on how you’re targeted – make sure you check and leave your links on our referral page. The ability to earn 10x on US gas and US Supermarkets for 6 months, up to $15k is second to none. I really wish I could sign up for this card right now.
What are some awesome ways to use Amex points – read our list
I have an entire post dedicated to some truly awesome ways you can use your points. The best ways, in my opinion, to make use of American Express points are by utilizing their long list of transfer partners.
One of my favorite ways to fly is Lufthansa First Class which can be accessed by transferring to Aeroplan, Avianca, ANA, or Singapore Airlines.
Here are 10 additional ways I think the card is worth the annual fee
1) 5x points on airline purchases made with the airline or Amex Travel
- This is the highest earn rate for any card on the market for indiscriminate airline spend ( Jetblue has a 6x card solely on Jetblue). If you value Amex points at 2 cents a piece…you’re essentially getting 10% off every qualifying flight.
If you spend $1000 a year on your card – you’re earning 5k points back. That’s $75 at a 1.5 c valuation and $100 at 2c.
2) $200 Uber Cash Credit
- $15 a month and $35 in December on Uber or Uber Eats
Not everyone makes use of this perk like I do, but I’d be spending that on uber every month regardless of the perk. It’s an easy $200 recoupment for me. Plus they are offering an Uber Eats Pass which equates to $0 delivery fee and 5% off orders more than $15.
3) $200 Airline Incidental credit
- Each calendar year – which means if you apply now, you’ll get $200 this year, and then another $200 starting 1/1/21
I easily make use of the card each and every year I hold the card. Read this for tips, but it’s a solid $200.
4) $100 Global Entry Fee Credit
Global Entry is a phenomenal program that expedites your immigration when entering the country. It’s saved me hours and hours of time over the years. I just renewed my global entry this year and the refund was very fast.
- Simply charge to the card and get it refunded once every 4 years
5) Centurion Lounge access
- Access for you and 2 guests at their growing group of luxury lounges worldwide
I probably visit Centurion lounges 1/2 a dozen times a year. At just $5 saved on a coffee or beer it’s worth min $30.
6) Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Insane benefits including
- Upgrade upon arrival when available
- Unique property amenity ( this is usually in the range of a $100)
- Free continental breakfast
- Early Check-in and guaranteed 4pm late check out
FHR offers incredible value if you like to stay at high end resorts and hotels. The breakfast and property credit are easily worth a couple hundred on every stay over 2 nights. I’ve also had great success with double upgrades, and having a guaranteed 4pm late check out is huge when you have a late flight, and a distinct advantage of Virtuoso.
What’s even better…if you pre-pay the hotel…you’ll earn 5x points on it as well.
7) Hotel Elite Status
- Marriott Gold
- Hilton Gold
Why spend a gazillion nights staying at hotels when your credit card get get you mid-tier status. Hilton Gold especially is nice as it gives you free breakfast when using points for your stay.
8) $30 PayPal credit until June 2021
- Until June of 2021 US based cardholders will receive a monthly $30 PayPal creidt
- There are few restrictions so make sure you read the terms and conditions. Namely, must be in US dollars and person to person PayPal transactions and direct to business via PayPal app don’t qualify.
9) $100 Saks Fifth Avenue annual credit
- $50 for each 6 months of the year
Once between Jan and June you’ll get $50 back as a statement credit, and then again between July and December. Even if you don’t shop for high end apparel, or accessories, Saks sells a ton of toiletry items that this credit offsets. Think Kiehls, Fekkai, etc
10) Priority Pass Membership
- Access to the global network of lounges and restaurants
- American Express eliminated the $28 restaurant credit, so keep that in mind.
Bonus Reasons:
Amex Offers
- These are targeted spend offers that each cardholder can take advantage of by fulfilling spend requirements with certain retailers. The opportunities are frequently updated, and I’ve found that these alone could pay you back for an annual fee.
International Airline Program
I’ve some absolutely fantastic deals on airfare ( Premium Economy and up ) via the IAP. Highly worth checking out before you book elsewhere. Note that you must be on one of the following airlines departing from the US in Premium Economy, Business, or First Class.
And Referrals points – 55k a year
You can earn up to 55k points per card every single year. In fact, you can add your referrals to this post. It gets a lot of traffic so many are earning quite a few referral bonuses from us.
Overall:
While the $550 is a lot, I personally, am able to get over $1000 a year in benefits without even taking into account a welcome offer, or the other benefits like Rental car status, rental car insurance, free Boingo, global lounge collection, etc . Throw all that in, and you’re doing incredibly well at putting those $550 to good use.
What’s even better is how much the card can improve the way you travel. Having a lounge to access while you wait can make delays and layovers so much more bearable, and having status at hotels less costly at check out because of comped wifi, upgrades, breakfast, or even just in-room bottled water. Regardless, if you’re a travel geek like me, this card provides an incredible amount of value year after year
Anyone need an Amex Platinum 100K SUB offer with a $5K spend, six months plus the 10X points on Gas & Groceries??? Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/CHRISJpjQc?xl=cp102n
Hi everyone,
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/SHENGZPXd4?xl=cp01
Hi everyone,
I recently signed up for the Amex Platinum based almost entirely on reading this post. I’ve always been a chase UR guy but will try Amex out since this offer was so strong. If you’re looking for a referral link, please use the link below if you can!
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/JOSHUBklBT?XLINK=MYCP
*** Hi Everyone! You can apply for an American Express Card using my link below. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved!
http://refer.amex.us/ASHLEMHuLc?xl=cp15
Hey everyone. Please use my Amex platinum link below! I would really appreciate any help I can get as I start on this points journey with Zachary !
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved!
http://refer.amex.us/SPENCYWKAv?XL=MIACP
Hi Miles, I think you must’ve rewrote an old post. There is a Centurion lounge in LAX, and they are open again. You might want to update section 5.
Ah yes! Updated this post and missed that – appreciate the head’s up!
Hey – I just got the new Amex Platinum offer thought you….thx!!!!
That 10X bonus rate (150,000 point cap) on groceries is hardly a sure thing if you’re going the gift card purchasing route to try and take advantage of this one. AMEX Hilton clawed back nearly all the bonus points initially earned on gift card purchases earlier this year when they offered this lucrative grocery bonus spend.
Also a great benefit is the International Air Program , I saved about $800 off the beat available price for two business class by to zur tickets.
ah yes totally slipped my mind, but I 100% concur
thanks Ro! ahhh i actually overlooked that! thanks for the head’s up – i’ll update
alpha – i don’t really get the agro sentiment, but i’ll give my response. 1 – amex incidental airline credit is dictated by amex and plenty of charges trigger the credit, never had a problem hitting $200, 2 – i valued at $30, they are crowded, but i still get value 3 – $15 is useless – my paypal is miles@monkeymiles if $15 is useless to you…i’ll take 15 a month thanks 🙂 4 – you prefer trip delay ( now 6 hours ) to guaranteed 2x higher earn, purely subjective. i’ve traveled over 100k miles this year and not been delayed 6 hours. jinx
this also wasn’t a comparison to reserve, which is a great card in itself, but rather how i end up getting a lot more in value than the fee.
Turgutbey – thanks for the head’s up – updated the post to reflect 60 day issue, but looks like anecdotally the credit is still working for people, and i don’t know how much it’s a trick as it’s amex discretion on what to credit as indidental… https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1300459-airline-fee-250-200-100-reimbursement-reports-only-57.html