The Platinum Card® from American Express

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $895
• APR: 21.24%–29.99% variable
• Rewards: 5X points on flights & prepaid hotels, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Frequent travelers, lounge access enthusiasts, luxury travel
• Credit Needed: Excellent (720+)

Overview

The Platinum Card from American Express is the ultimate premium travel credit card, offering elite benefits including airport lounge access, 5X points on flights and hotels, and over $3,500 in potential annual value through various statement credits. With its 2025 refresh featuring $895 annual fee and enhanced benefits, this card is designed for frequent travelers who want luxury and convenience.

This is not just a credit card—it's a travel lifestyle upgrade. From exclusive Centurion Lounges to complimentary hotel elite status, the Platinum Card transforms how you travel. While the $895 annual fee is substantial, travelers who maximize the extensive credits and benefits can extract far more value than the fee, making this one of the most rewarding premium travel cards available.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.24%–29.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 21.24%–29.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 21.24%–29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: This is a charge card designed to be paid in full each month. Carrying a balance defeats its value proposition and incurs high interest charges.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• Global Lounge Collection: Access to 1,550+ airport lounges worldwide (valued at $850+ annually)
• Centurion Lounges: Complimentary access to exclusive Amex Centurion Lounges with premium food, drinks, and amenities
• Delta Sky Club: 10 complimentary visits annually when flying Delta
• Priority Pass Select: Unlimited visits to 1,500+ lounges worldwide
• Plaza Premium Lounges: Complimentary access
• Guest Access: Bring 2 guests for free to Centurion Lounges
• Fine Hotels + Resorts: Daily breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in/late checkout, and property credits at 1,900+ luxury hotels
• The Hotel Collection: Similar benefits at a broader range of hotels
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: Complimentary (worth $150+ annually)
• Hilton Honors Gold Status: Complimentary (worth $150+ annually)
• Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $500 per trip for delays over 6 hours
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Up to $10,000 per trip
• Baggage Insurance: Lost or damaged baggage coverage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Primary coverage worldwide (saves $15-30 per rental day)
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
• Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency assistance while traveling
• Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $500,000 coverage

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage for damaged or stolen purchases up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty: Adds an additional year to eligible U.S. manufacturer's warranty
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Concierge Service: 24/7 personal concierge for reservations, travel planning, and more
• ShopRunner: Free 2-day shipping and returns at select retailers
• Global Dining Access: Reservations at exclusive restaurants worldwide

Lifestyle Benefits

• Amex Experiences: Exclusive access to concerts, sporting events, culinary experiences
• Entertainment Access: Presale tickets and VIP packages for events
• Equinox+ Digital Access: Complimentary digital fitness membership
• Walmart+ Benefits: Statement credits for Walmart+ membership
• SoulCycle At-Home Bike Discount: $300 off purchase

Rewards & Points

• 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
• 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
• 1X point on all other purchases

Redemption Options:

• Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners at 1:1 ratio (typically 1.5-2.5+ cents per point value)
• Redeem through Amex Travel with 35% points back on flights (1.3 cents per point effective value)
• Pay with Points at eligible airlines and hotels
• Statement credits (1 cent per point—least valuable option)
• Shopping with points at Amazon and other retailers
• Gift cards

Points never expire as long as your account remains open.

Transfer Partners Include:

• Airlines: Delta, JetBlue, Air Canada, British Airways, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, and more
• Hotels: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Choice Privileges

Welcome Bonus

Earn as high as 175,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 175,000 points can be worth $2,625–$4,375+ when transferred to airline partners for premium cabin flights or redeemed strategically through transfer partners. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $895
• Additional Platinum Cards: $195 each (up to 99 authorized users)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: Not applicable (charge card)
• Cash Advance Fee: Not applicable
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent travelers who fly 10+ times per year
• Business travelers who value lounge access and travel benefits
• Luxury travelers who book premium hotels and flights
• Airport lounge enthusiasts who spend hours in airports
• Membership Rewards collectors building points for aspirational travel
• Those who maximize credits and extract $2,000+ annual value from benefits
• International travelers who benefit from no foreign fees and global benefits
• Status seekers who value Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold elite status

Not Good For

• Casual travelers who fly 1-2 times per year
• Budget travelers who prioritize low costs over luxury
• Those who won't use credits (requires engagement with specific merchants)
• Light spenders who can't meet $8,000 welcome bonus threshold
• Cash back preferrers (Membership Rewards are most valuable when transferred)
• Balance carriers (this is a charge card with high APR)
• Those who can't justify $895 annual fee with their travel patterns
• Non-urban travelers who don't use Uber, dining credits, or entertainment benefits regularly

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Over $3,500 in potential annual value through statement credits and benefits
• Access to 1,550+ airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club, and Priority Pass Select
• $600 annual hotel credit ($300 semi-annually) for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
• $400 Resy statement credit for dining experiences
• $300 annually in lululemon credit ($75 quarterly)
• $200 airline fee credit for incidental fees
• $320 in Uber benefits ($200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit)
• $209 CLEAR Plus Membership credit annually
• 5X earning rate on flights and prepaid hotels provides exceptional value for frequent travelers
• No foreign transaction fees
• Premium travel protections including trip delay/cancellation insurance and baggage insurance
• Exclusive access to Amex Experiences and events
• Complimentary Gold Card status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
• Primary car rental insurance (saves money and hassle)
• 24/7 concierge service for travel planning and reservations

Cons

• Very high $895 annual fee requires heavy travel and credit utilization to justify
• Many credits are use-it-or-lose-it and require specific merchants (Resy, lululemon, Uber)
• $195 fee per authorized user can add up quickly for families
• Airport lounge access can be crowded during peak times
• 1X earning rate on non-bonus categories is modest (no bonus for dining, gas, groceries)
• Hotel credit requires booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
• APR is high if you carry a balance (best used as a charge card paid in full monthly)
• Benefits are most valuable for frequent travelers; casual travelers may not maximize value
• Requires active management to maximize all credits and benefits
• Welcome bonus requires $8,000 spend in 6 months (high threshold)

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $50,000 per year on typical expenses:

Credits Value:

• Hotel Credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts): $600
• Resy Credit: $400
• lululemon Credit: $300
• Uber Cash + Uber One: $320
• Airline Fee Credit: $200
• CLEAR Plus Membership: $209
• Total Credits: $2,029

Additional Benefits Value:

• Airport lounge access (20 visits × $40/visit): $800
• Marriott Gold + Hilton Gold status: $300
• Primary car rental insurance (10 rentals × $25/day): $250
• Global Dining Access & Amex Experiences: $200
• Total Benefits: $1,550

Total Annual Value: $2,029 (credits) + $1,550 (benefits) + 110,000 points (worth $1,650–$2,750 when transferred) = $5,229–$6,329

Net Value: $5,229–$6,329 - $895 annual fee = $4,334–$5,434 net value (if you maximize all credits and benefits).

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly 10+ times per year and value airport lounge access
• You book premium hotels and can use the $600 annual hotel credit
• You already use or would use Uber, Resy, and lululemon regularly
• You understand how to maximize Membership Rewards transfers to airlines
• You want Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold elite status
• You frequently travel internationally (no foreign transaction fees)
• You're building Membership Rewards for aspirational travel in premium cabins
• You can extract $2,000+ annual value from credits and benefits
• You value luxury travel experiences and exclusive access
• You can comfortably pay the balance in full each month

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly fewer than 5 times per year
• You won't use the Uber, Resy, lululemon, or hotel credits regularly
• You prefer simple cash back over transferable points
• You're a casual traveler who doesn't need lounge access
• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR makes this expensive)
• You can't justify the $895 annual fee with your spending and travel patterns
• You don't want to actively manage multiple credits and benefits
• You prefer cards with broader bonus categories (this card earns 1X on most purchases)
• You're looking for your first premium card (consider Gold or Chase Sapphire Preferred first)

Apply Now

Apply for The Platinum Card from American Express

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.