The Platinum Card® from American Express Review: Is It Worth the Annual Fee?

💳 Why the Amex Platinum Still Reigns Supreme

The Platinum Card® from American Express has long been the gold standard (or should we say platinum?) for luxury travel cards. Launched in the 1980s, it’s known for elite perks, top-tier service, and unmatched airport lounge access. While the annual fee is steep at $695 (See Rates and Fees), savvy travelers who maximize the benefits will easily come out ahead.

This card is packed with over $1,500 in value through travel and lifestyle credits, making it ideal for frequent flyers, luxury hotel guests, and digital nomads alike.

🔍 Key Benefits at a Glance

Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points welcome offer (after spending $8,000 in 6 months; offer varies)
5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (on first $500K/year)
5x points on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
Comprehensive airport lounge access (Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass & more)
Travel protections including trip delay, interruption, rental coverage & evacuation
Up to $200 airline credit (for incidentals on a selected airline)
Up to $200 hotel credit on Fine Hotels + Resorts®/Hotel Collection bookings (2-night min stay)
CLEAR Plus: $189 credit/year (to speed through airport security)
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit ($100 or $85 every 4–4.5 years)
Up to $200 Uber Cash/year ($15 monthly + $20 bonus in December)
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit (Disney+, Hulu, NYT, etc.)
$100+ Saks Fifth Ave & Walmart+ credits
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold & Hilton Honors Gold status

✈️ Travel Rewards & Transfer Partners

Membership Rewards® Points are among the most flexible in the industry. You can transfer to 20+ top airline and hotel partners, including:

Airlines: Delta, ANA, Air Canada, Emirates, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and more.
Hotels: Hilton (1:2), Marriott (1:1), Choice Privileges

You can also book travel through the Amex Travel Portal — but transfers usually yield better value.

🛫 Travel Perks & Lounge Access

Airport experience is where the Amex Platinum shines. Cardholders enjoy:

Access to The Global Lounge Collection (Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Clubs)
CLEAR® Plus membership credit
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit
Hotel upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out at luxury properties through Fine Hotels + Resorts®

💰 Lifestyle Credits Breakdown

Make the most of your lifestyle spend with these credits:

Uber Cash: $15/month + $20 in December (U.S. only)
Digital Entertainment: Up to $20/month for Disney+, Hulu, NYT, Peacock, etc.
Walmart+: Up to $155/year
Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 every 6 months
Hotel Credit: $200 on prepaid luxury hotel bookings
Airline Incidental Credit: $200/year on pre-selected airline (baggage, seat fees, in-flight meals)

🛡️ Built-In Travel Insurance

The Amex Platinum includes impressive travel protections, as long as you use the card for booking:

Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Up to $10,000/person per trip
Trip Delay: Up to $500 (6+ hour delay)
Emergency Medical Transport: No cap if coordinated through Amex
Lost Luggage: Up to $3,000/person
Secondary Rental Car Insurance
Cell Phone Protection: Up to $800 with $50 deductible (2 claims/year)

Full benefit details here →

⚠️ Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Get This Card?

✅ Ideal For:

Frequent flyers & global travelers
Luxury hotel guests
Digital nomads & remote workers
People who will use at least $500+ of the credits each year

❌ Skip This If:

You don’t travel often
You carry a credit card balance (high APR will negate any rewards)
You have poor or fair credit (this card requires excellent credit)

🧮 Final Verdict: Is the Amex Platinum Worth It?

If you travel regularly and can take advantage of the lounge access, credits, and elite hotel perks, the Platinum Card® can offer incredible value that far outweighs the annual fee. It’s a high-end card designed for high-value experiences — and it lives up to the hype.

📲 Click here to check your eligibility or apply (applying won’t impact your credit score unless you accept the card).