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The American Express Platinum Card®
The American Express Platinum Card® is one of the most talked about cards in the marketplace, and the rumor mill has been abuzz since we learned Amex would be revamping the card this year. Well, a new mirrored version, chock full of hefty new credits, is here. It immediately draws attention anytime someone whips it out especially since its made of hefty metal. But, all that glitz and glam comes with a hefty $895 annual fee (Rates and Fees).So, is it worth it?
Personally, I keep Amex Platinum because it provides a lot of value for WHEN I travel, and ultimately put more spend on my American Express® Gold Card to earn points TO Travel along with other cards. Both are great cards, but let’s break this bad boy down so you can make an educated decision on whether it’s worth it to you or not.
Personally, if you travel a lot, then yes, I think this card actually makes more sense at $895 than at $695. And not just travel… you like to travel well.
I think over the last few years, even with price hikes on the annual fee from $450 to $550 to $695… the prestige of the Amex Platinum and the lounges it accesses has been watered down. At $895… this is going to deter a lot of people.
And it’s meant to weed them out. If you’re someone who doesn’t frequent 4 and 5 star hotels… I think you probably have your work cut out for you in making this fee make sense compared to a lot of other excellent travel cards on the market. $400 of credits was alotted to those who frequent those hotels. The credits and benefits are designed for that strata of traveler.
What does that mean?
Lounges will hopefully be less crowded and enjoyable, and if you’re getting value from the added new benefits that are anywhere close to face value, you’ll earn back your STEEP $895 fee without much trouble. Those who won’t, and don’t value a mirror faced card at $895 will decide it just isn’t worth it to them.
To those people…here is what I would suggest
- Capital One Venture X –
- Amex Gold
- Great 4x categories on Dining and Supermarkets with a cap.
- American Express Green Card®
- 3x on travel and dining
- Citi Strata Premier
- 3x on airfare, hotels, gas, groceries, dining, and ev charging
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card®
- low fee and great bonus categories…cornerstone of the Chase portfolio
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card® is a heavy hitter, and not just because it’s made of metal. This is a card I carry and is jam packed with benefits including lounge access, VIP travel benefits, and a ton of statement credits.
Welcome Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Annual Fee
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
A card we have carrried and love. The American Express Platinum Card® is chock full of benefits and credits.
You’ll also have access to Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Amex’s own uber lux Centurion Clubs, earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or Amex Travel ( up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1x ), access to Amex’s own Fine Hotels and Resorts program for upgrades, breakfast, and credits with a massive $600 annual hotel credit, earn $200 a year in Uber credits (enrollment required), $400 annual Resy credit (enrollment required), and their Membership Rewards are some of the best points you can possibly earn.
I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points
- All flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, Including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
- Flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit:
- You can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit:
- Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners.
- Now includes Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV alongside Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required
- Enrollment required.
- Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners.
- $600 Hotel Credit:
- Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®.
- *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy:
- When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter
- Platinum Nights by Resy,
- you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit:
- CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit:
- Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $300 lululemon Credit:
- Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit:
- Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Up to $200 ŌURA Credit: (enrollment required )
- Up to $200 back in statement credits each calendar year when Card Members use the Platinum Card to purchase an ŌURA Ring through OURAring.com. Enrollment required.
- Lounge Access
- Global Lounge Collection®,
- Access to Centurion Lounges,
- 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations),
- Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- Rental Car Status (enrollment required )
- Hertz President’s Circle
- Avis Preferred Plus
- National Executive
- Hotel Status (enrollment required )
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold
- Hilton Honors Gold
- Leading Hotels of the World Sterling Status
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
150k after $6k spend in 6 months along with 15x worldwide dining ( up to $25k ) was the best we ever have seen publicly through Resy. However, the 150k referral without the dining is pretty hard to beat imo.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Table of Contents
A quick overview of the benefits:
What do you get for $895 a year?
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points
- All flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, Including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
- Flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Lounge Access
- Global Lounge Collection®,
- Access to Centurion Lounges,
- 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations),
- Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit:
- You can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit:
- Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners.
- Now includes Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV alongside Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required
- Enrollment required.
- Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners.
- $600 Hotel Credit:
- Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®.
- *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy:
- When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter
- Platinum Nights by Resy,
- you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit:
- CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit:
- Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $300 lululemon Credit:
- Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit:
- Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Up to $200 ŌURA Credit: (enrollment required )
- Up to $200 back in statement credits each calendar year when Card Members use the Platinum Card to purchase an ŌURA Ring through OURAring.com. Enrollment required.
- Rental Car Status (enrollment required )
- Hertz President’s Circle
- Avis Preferred Plus
- National Executive
- Hotel Status (enrollment required )
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold
- Hilton Honors Gold
- Leading Hotels of the World Sterling Status
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Personally I will undoubtedly use the $600 hotel credit (enrollment required ), $209 Clear Credit (enrollment required ), $200 Uber Cash, $400 Resy Credit, ( enrollment required ) and $200 incidental airline free credit (enrollment required ). That’s $1609 of the $895 without including Lulu Lemon, Priority Pass, Saks Centurion Lounge, etc. Wait, that’s more than the card is worth itself.
What’s new to the Amex Platinum on September 18th, 2025?
Not only did Amex Plat get a mirrored finish option to add to your wallet so you can really bling it out when paying, but the fee went to $895 and the following benefits were either adjusted or added. None of the old benefits/credits were removed.. these are all net adds or “enhancements.”
- Up to $600 Hotel credit
- up to $300 back in statement credits semi annually ( Jan to Jun and again July to Dec ) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
- The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
This was $200 per year, so $600 is a big change, and you can still use it on a 1 night stay with FHR. I’ll be able to use this easily since I travel so much, but keep in mind the credit is every 6 months and doesn’t roll over.
- Up to $400 Resy Dining Credit
- Up to $100 in statement credits each quarter on eligible purchases with Resy – enrollment required
Completely new and pretty easy to use. Resy has over 10k resaurant partners, you don’t need to make a reservation, just pay with the card after enrollment.
- Up to $120 Uber One Membership Credit:
- Up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year after purchase of an auto-renewing Uber One membership in the U.S. with the Platinum Card, adding to the existing Uber Cash benefit.
I never use Uber Eats for delivery, but getting some money back on rides is fine. I don’t value this that high, but I’ll sign up since it’s a benefit.
- Up to $200 ŌURA Credit:
- Up to $200 back in statement credits each calendar year when Card Members use the Platinum Card to purchase an ŌURA Ring through OURAring.com. Enrollment required.
No value to me at all
- Premium Hotel Status:
- Card Members can receive complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World® and enjoy exclusive benefits at more than 400 independent luxury hotels worldwide – including upgrade opportunities subject to availability, daily breakfast for two, and on-property perks. Enrollment required.
Very little value. I never stay in LHW and the status doesn’t really give you much from a base member.
- Up to $300 lululemon Credit:
- Up to $75 back in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases at retail lululemon stores (excluding outlets) or lululemon.com in the U.S. when Card Members pay with the Platinum Card. Enrollment required
My wife likes Lulu. $75 per quarter will maybe buy you one leg of some leggings, but it’s something, and maybe we can find a sale
- Up to $300 Digital Entertainment Credit
-
- $25 in statement credits each month (up to $300 each calendar year) after Card Members pay with their Platinum Card on select digital subscriptions.
- Now includes Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV alongside Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
-
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?
Check our best offers spreadsheet
Great ways to use American Express points: transfer partners
Amex points are some of the most valuable points in the biz. Just look at all of these partners listed below, but if you really want to get a good taste of how luxuriously you can travel with them, read this article on their best uses.
As I mentioned, 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 benefits I think outweigh the $895 fee
1) 5x points on airline purchases made with the airline of your choosing 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) Up to $600 Hotel credit
This is a brand new credit that applies to pre-paid bookings with Amex Travel on American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings. I absolutely love the Fine Hotels and Resorts program and will undoubtedly make use of this credit every year
For instance, if you were to book the Whitley in Atlanta for 2 nights over Valentine’s Day 2026, you’d knock $300 off the final bill. Pretty awesome.
Plus you’d get all of the typical FHR benefits which include another $100 food and beverage credit, upgrade, breakfast, and 4pm check out. More on this program down below.
4) Up to $400 Annual Resy Credit ( Enrollment Required )
Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 U.S. Resy restaurant.
This will be super easy for me to use since some of my favorite restaurants are listed.
4) Up to $200 Uber Cash Credit
- $15 a month and $35 in December on Uber
- Valid in the US Only
- You need to enroll your card by adding it to your profile and selecting it as a payment option
Not everyone makes use of this perk like I do, but I’d be spending $15 a month on uber every month regardless of the perk. It’s an easy $200 recoupment for me. .
5) Up to $120 Uber One Credit
As a Platinum Card® Member, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year after you purchase an auto-renewing Uber One membership with your Card.
What do you get with Uber One?
- Rides: Receive 5% in Uber One credits on eligible rides.
- Uber Eats: Get a $0 delivery fee and 5% off eligible orders.
6) Up to $200 Airline Incidental credit
- You must select an airline for the fee to trigger – this will enroll you.
- 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.
7) Up to $120 Global Entry Fee Credit or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit ( enrollment required )
- Up to $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit (enrollment required )
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or
- a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
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.
8) Up to $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit
Clear basically expedites your security experience. If you already have TSA Pre this will pop you to the front of that line. If you don’t, you’ll just skip to the front of the normal line. Either way, it’s saved me many a time.
- you need to enroll in Clear to qualify
I’ve had Clear for a few years now, and it’s extremely helpful if you live at a busy airport, not as much elsewhere. In LA, Atlanta, and NYC it’s literally been the difference between making and missing my flight.
Travel is ramping up, and security lines are getting fuller and fuller. It’s a no brainer to pay for it with your Amex Platinum.
Don’t forget to link your Delta SkyMiles account, you’ll get a discount on the yearly subscription which easily puts it under the credit your card gives you.
9) Up to $300 annual Lululemon Credit ( enrollment required )
NEW – $300 lululemon Credit: Up to $75 back in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases at retail lululemon stores (excluding outlets) or lululemon.com in the U.S. when Card Members pay with the Platinum Card
10) Up to $300 yearly Equinox credit (enrollment required )
I have several friends who are loyal Equinox members and this would be a benefit they’d surely make us of. Personally, I may download the Equinox+ app and see how the workouts are…it’s discounted for Amex Platinum cardholders so it’s a push. Regardless, for those who are members…it’s an easy $300 if you have an eligible membership:
- The credit goes towards monthly Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ memberships fees
11) Up to $300 digital entertainment credit ( enrollment required )
You get $25 in statement credits each month (up to $300 each calendar year) on Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV alongside Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. It’s capped at $25, not $25 per company.
Take a look at the restrictions as well.
12) Cell Phone Protection
If you pay your cell phone bill with your Amex Platinum you now have cell phone insurance. The prior’s month bill must be paid with your card, but the actual phone itself doesn’t need to be purchased with your Amex Platinum.
- Reimbursement, up to $800
- Towards the repair or replacement
- If damaged or stolen
- $50 deductible
- 2 approved claims per 12 months.
13) Centurion Lounge access
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.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card® is a heavy hitter, and not just because it’s made of metal. This is a card I carry and is jam packed with benefits including lounge access, VIP travel benefits, and a ton of statement credits.
Welcome Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Annual Fee
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
A card we have carrried and love. The American Express Platinum Card® is chock full of benefits and credits.
You’ll also have access to Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Amex’s own uber lux Centurion Clubs, earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or Amex Travel ( up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1x ), access to Amex’s own Fine Hotels and Resorts program for upgrades, breakfast, and credits with a massive $600 annual hotel credit, earn $200 a year in Uber credits (enrollment required), $400 annual Resy credit (enrollment required), and their Membership Rewards are some of the best points you can possibly earn.
I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points
- All flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, Including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
- Flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit:
- You can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit:
- Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners.
- Now includes Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV alongside Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required
- Enrollment required.
- Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners.
- $600 Hotel Credit:
- Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®.
- *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy:
- When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter
- Platinum Nights by Resy,
- you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit:
- CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit:
- Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $300 lululemon Credit:
- Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit:
- Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Up to $200 ŌURA Credit: (enrollment required )
- Up to $200 back in statement credits each calendar year when Card Members use the Platinum Card to purchase an ŌURA Ring through OURAring.com. Enrollment required.
- Lounge Access
- Global Lounge Collection®,
- Access to Centurion Lounges,
- 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations),
- Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- Rental Car Status (enrollment required )
- Hertz President’s Circle
- Avis Preferred Plus
- National Executive
- Hotel Status (enrollment required )
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold
- Hilton Honors Gold
- Leading Hotels of the World Sterling Status
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
150k after $6k spend in 6 months along with 15x worldwide dining ( up to $25k ) was the best we ever have seen publicly through Resy. However, the 150k referral without the dining is pretty hard to beat imo.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
14) 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.
15) Hotel Elite Status ( enrollment required )
You’ll need to link both of your Marriott and Hilton accounts, and once you do… you are now carrying elite status in two hotel chains.
- Marriott Gold
- Hilton Gold
- Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World®
Why spend a gazillion nights staying at hotels when your credit card can get you mid-tier status. Hilton Gold is especially nice as it gives you free breakfast credit when using points for your stay.
16) up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue annual credit
- $50 for each 6 months of the year
- note that you need to enroll your card in order to trigger the credit
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
17) Up to $200 Oura Ring statement credit
Oura Ring can help you meet your health goals. You can receive up to $200 in statements credits when you use the Platinum Card® to purchase an Oura Ring at Ouraring.com each calendar year. Enrollment required.‡
This isn’t something that I will personally use, but I have a few friends with Oura rings so perhaps it would be of value to them
18) Priority Pass Membership
- Access to the global network of lounges and restaurants
- You do need to enroll your card in order to enjoy this benefit
19) 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.
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.
And Referrals points – 100k a year
You can earn up to 100k 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 $895 is a lot, I personally, am able to get well over $1400 a year in benefits without even taking into account a welcome offer, upgrade offer, or the other benefits like Rental car status, rental car insurance, global lounge collection, etc. Again.. I travel A TON, and these credits align with how I travel.
What’s even better is how much the card can improve the way you travel. Having a lounge 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
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card®: See Rates and Fees
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Points Boost
- each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.