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The Platinum Card® from American Express: A Comprehensive Review (2025)
February 6, 2025
What Is The Platinum Card® from American Express?
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards credit card designed for frequent travelers who value luxury perks and exclusive benefits. With its iconic metal design, this card has long been considered the gold standard of premium travel cards. While it carries a significant annual fee, the extensive travel benefits, lifestyle benefits, and statement credits can provide substantial value to cardholders who maximize these offerings.
The Platinum Card® from American Express stands out for its comprehensive travel protections, airport lounge access through the Global Lounge Collection, and generous statement credits toward various lifestyle expenses. From airline fee credits that cover incidental fees to Clear® Plus membership credits and digital entertainment credits for streaming services like Disney+, the card offers numerous ways to offset its annual cost while elevating your travel and everyday experiences.
The Platinum Card® from American Express Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extensive Lounge Access: Complimentary entry to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying Delta), Priority Pass Select, Plaza Premium lounges, Escape Lounges, and Lufthansa lounges, creating the most comprehensive airport lounge network available on any card
- Annual Statement Credits: Multiple statement credits including $200 hotel credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings via AmexTravel.com, $240 digital entertainment credit, airline fee credit for incidental fees, and credits for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases
- Premium Travel Rewards: Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Exclusive reservations, special dining experiences, and premium Resy profile status for memorable culinary adventures
- Uber Benefits: Monthly Uber Cash for rides and Uber Eats orders
- Hotel Elite Status: Complimentary gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs
- Flexible Payment Options: Access to Pay Over Time with a variable APR and Plan It® for breaking larger purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee
Cons:
- High Annual Fee: One of the highest among premium cards, requiring significant usage of benefits to offset
- Limited Bonus Categories: Outside of travel bookings, everyday spending doesn't earn accelerated points
- Credits Require Activation: Many statement credits require manual enrollment and have specific eligible charges or participating partners
- Auto-renewal Concerns: Some benefits like Clear Plus membership or Walmart+ membership require monitoring auto-renewal settings
- Pay Over Time Limit: May have restrictions on larger purchases for newer cardholders
Who Is The Platinum Card® from American Express For?
The ideal holder of the The Platinum Card® from American Express is someone who:
- Travels Frequently: Regular travelers who can take advantage of the airport lounge access, hotel benefits, and airline fee credits will extract maximum value
- Values Luxury Experiences: Cardholders who appreciate Fine Hotels + Resorts perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and complimentary breakfast
- Can Utilize Multiple Credits: Those who can naturally use the various statement credits across dining, entertainment, and retail categories
- Seeks Exclusive Access: Members looking for special reservations through Global Dining Access by Resy and unique Amex Offers for select brands
- Appreciates Concierge Service: Travelers who benefit from personalized assistance for bucket-list escapes and reward getaways
The Platinum Card® from American Express is less suitable for those who rarely travel, prefer cashback rewards, or would struggle to utilize enough benefits to offset the annual fee. If you're primarily looking for everyday spending rewards without premium travel perks, other cards might provide better value.
Comparing The Platinum Card® from American Express With Other Credit Cards
When considering The Platinum Card® from American Express, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the premium travel card category:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X on vacation rentals and flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
- Annual fee: $550
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel and dining
- Standout feature: $300 annual travel credit and 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase TravelSM
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Platinum Card® from American Express excels in offering extensive travel benefits, lifestyle benefits, and statement credits
- Capital One Venture X provides high rewards on travel bookings
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® features flexible travel credits and point redemptions
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Consider Using Kudos
While The Platinum Card® from American Express offers tremendous value for luxury travelers, managing multiple credit cards to maximize rewards can be challenging. This is where Kudos can help elevate your credit card strategy even further.
Kudos is a free AI-powered smart wallet that automatically suggests which of your cards—including The Platinum Card® from American Express—will earn the most rewards for each purchase across over 15,000 stores. This is particularly valuable for Platinum cardholders who might have multiple American Express cards or want to ensure they're using the right card for the right purchases.
For example, while The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5X on flights and prepaid hotels through AmexTravel.com, you might have other cards that offer better rewards for dining, groceries, or other categories. Kudos eliminates the guesswork, ensuring you always get the maximum return on your spending.
Additionally, Kudos can help you discover exclusive "Flash Boost" events that can multiply your rewards up to 5X, potentially enhancing the value you're already getting from your Platinum Card® membership.
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
The Platinum Card® from American Express continues to define the premium card space in 2025, maintaining its position as one of the most prestigious cards available. For frequent travelers who value exclusive experiences, airport comfort, and luxury hotel perks, the Platinum Card® value proposition remains strong despite the high annual fee.
The key to maximizing this card lies in strategically using its benefits throughout the calendar year. From utilizing the airline fee credit for baggage fees or seat upgrades to enjoying monthly digital entertainment credits for streaming services, every benefit adds to the card's overall value. The Global Lounge Collection alone provides tremendous comfort during travel, particularly the Centurion Lounges which are widely regarded as some of the finest airport lounges in the United States.
Furthermore, the flexibility provided through Pay Over Time and Plan It® features adds practical payment options for managing larger expenses, though cardholders should be mindful of the variable APR or fixed fees associated with these programs.
In our expert assessment, while The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't for everyone, those who travel regularly and appreciate premium experiences will find exceptional value that can far exceed the annual fee. When paired with smart optimization tools like Kudos, the card becomes even more powerful as part of a comprehensive rewards strategy.
The Platinum Card® from American Express FAQ
What is the annual fee for The Platinum Card® from American Express?
The Platinum Card® carries a substantial annual fee that reflects its premium benefits package. This fee is charged once annually and appears on your first statement or anniversary statement.
How does the airline fee credit work?
The airline fee credit applies to incidental fees like checked bags, in-flight refreshments, and seat assignments on one qualifying airline of your choice. You must select your preferred airline at the beginning of each calendar year, and the credit doesn't apply to ticket purchases or airline gift cards.
Can I access Delta Sky Club lounges with the Platinum Card®?
Yes, Platinum cardholders can access Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on a Delta-operated flight the same day. This benefit makes the card particularly valuable for Delta flyers, though it's worth noting that the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card offers similar access specifically for Delta loyalists.
What is Global Dining Access by Resy?
Global Dining Access by Resy provides Platinum cardholders with exclusive reservations at sought-after restaurants, special dining experiences, and an enhanced Resy profile. This benefit helps secure tables at prestigious restaurants that might otherwise be fully booked.
How do I enroll in Clear® Plus membership with my Platinum Card®?
To receive your Clear® Plus membership credit, you must enroll in Clear® using your Platinum Card® as the payment method. After enrollment, you'll receive statement credits to cover the annual membership fee. Be mindful of auto-renewal settings to ensure continued coverage.
What are the benefits of Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings?
When booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts via AmexTravel.com, cardholders receive benefits including noon check-in (when available), room upgrade upon arrival (when available), daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4PM late checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a unique property amenity valued at $100 or more.
How does the Pay Over Time feature work?
Pay Over Time allows eligible charges to be carried beyond the payment due date with interest charges at a variable APR. Cardholders receive a Pay Over Time limit based on their creditworthiness and account history. This feature adds flexibility to what has traditionally been a charge card requiring full payment monthly.
What is the difference between Pay Over Time and Plan It®?
While both options allow for paying over time, Pay Over Time charges a variable APR on the remaining balance, similar to traditional credit cards. Plan It® allows you to create monthly installment plans for qualifying purchases with a fixed fee rather than interest charges, providing more predictable payment terms.
Does the Platinum Card® offer purchase protection?
Yes, the card provides purchase protection for eligible items against damage or theft for up to 90 days from purchase date, up to certain limits per occurrence and calendar year. This benefit adds security when making significant purchases with your card.
How can I maximize Amex Offers with my Platinum Card®?
Regularly check your Amex Offers section in your online account or mobile app for targeted offers at select brands. These offers provide statement credits or bonus points for qualifying purchases, effectively providing discounts at participating partners. Remember to explicitly "add" each offer to your card before making eligible purchases.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
