The American Express The Platinum Card is a premium credit card designed for individuals who want to enjoy luxury benefits, exclusive rewards, and unparalleled customer service.
With a focus on travel benefits, airport lounge access, and a range of luxury perks, the Platinum Card has become one of the most sought-after cards for frequent travelers and high spenders.
Unlike other cards, it offers a wide variety of concierge services, elite status upgrades, and robust rewards programs.
The American Express Platinum Card is known for its prestige, providing cardholders with access to exclusive airport lounges around the world and numerous travel-related benefits.
Reasons to Choose the American Express The Platinum Card
Extensive Travel Benefits
One of the main reasons to choose the American Express Platinum Card is its unmatched travel benefits.
The card provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs for cardholders flying with Delta Airlines.
These lounges offer a quiet, comfortable space to relax before your flight, complimentary refreshments, and other luxury amenities.
The card also offers $200 in annual airline fee credits, which can be used for incidental airline charges such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments.
This benefit can help offset some of the costs associated with flying.
Rewards Program
The American Express Platinum Card allows cardholders to earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com and 5 points per dollar on eligible hotels booked through American Express Travel.
This is one of the highest earning rates in the industry, particularly for travel-related purchases.
Cardholders also earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, making it a great option for everyday spending if you want to rack up rewards for travel-related expenses.
Exclusive Perks and Upgrades
The Platinum Card offers a wide array of exclusive perks. Cardholders are eligible for elite status in hotel loyalty programs like Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
This gives you access to benefits like room upgrades, late checkouts, and additional points on eligible stays.
For car rentals, cardholders can enjoy complimentary upgrades through Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rental when booking through the American Express Travel portal.
This can make your car rental experience much more enjoyable and offer additional value during your travels.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
The American Express Platinum Card offers extensive travel insurance benefits.
This includes trip cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance, and baggage insurance, which can help protect your trip in case of unforeseen events.
The card also provides car rental insurance, offering protection against damage to your rental car when you book through eligible companies.
Additionally, cardholders can access emergency medical insurance when traveling abroad, making it a great card for international travelers.
Access to Concierge Services
One of the standout features of the American Express Platinum Card is the access to 24/7 concierge services.
The concierge can assist with a wide range of tasks, including booking reservations, arranging special events, and helping with gift buying.
Whether you need a dinner reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant or tickets to an exclusive event, the concierge service can make it happen.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The American Express Platinum Card comes with no foreign transaction fees, which is a major perk for frequent travelers.
Whether you’re making purchases abroad or booking travel online, you won’t incur extra fees for using your card internationally, which can save you a significant amount on international spending.
Negative Factors of the American Express The Platinum Card
High Annual Fee
One of the biggest downsides of the American Express Platinum Card is its high annual fee. At $695 (as of 2025), this fee is significantly higher than most other premium credit cards.
For individuals who do not frequently use the card’s benefits, the cost may outweigh the rewards and perks.
If you’re not using the travel benefits, the card may not be worth the investment.
Limited Acceptance
While American Express is widely accepted in the U.S., it is not as universally accepted as Visa or Mastercard globally.
Some merchants, especially in countries outside of the U.S., may not accept American Express, which can be inconvenient when traveling abroad.
Reward Redemption Restrictions
While the American Express Membership Rewards program is generous, there are some restrictions on how points can be redeemed.
For example, points earned through the card can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, but the transfer process may not always provide the best value depending on the partner and how you choose to redeem the points.
Additionally, using points for merchandise or gift cards typically provides lower value than travel redemptions.
High APR
Like many premium cards, the American Express Platinum Card comes with a high APR for purchases and cash advances.
If you carry a balance from month to month, the variable APR of 19.24% to 26.24% could result in expensive interest charges.
It’s important to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid these high-interest costs.
What Are the Requirements to Apply for the American Express The Platinum Card?
To apply for the American Express Platinum Card, you must meet the following requirements:
Credit Score
You typically need a good to excellent credit score, which means a score of 700 or higher.
Those with lower credit scores may have difficulty being approved for this card, as American Express generally requires strong creditworthiness.
Income
American Express does not specify a minimum income requirement, but applicants are expected to have a stable and sufficient income to support the high annual fee and the potential high spending limits.
A higher income may improve your chances of being approved.
Age
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet the age requirements in their state.
U.S. Residency
You must be a U.S. resident and have a valid Social Security number to apply for the card.
Credit History
A strong credit history with on-time payments and low debt-to-income ratio is highly recommended.
American Express may also assess your overall financial health during the application process.
Fees and Costs
Here is a breakdown of the fees and costs associated with the American Express The Platinum Card:
- Annual Fee: $695.
- APR for Purchases: 19.24% to 26.24% variable.
- APR for Cash Advances: 25.24% variable.
- Balance Transfer Fee: None, but transferring balances is not typically recommended for this card.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0.
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40.
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40.
- Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of having the American Express Platinum Card?
The Platinum Card offers a range of benefits, including airport lounge access, elite hotel status, concierge services, and comprehensive travel insurance.
It is especially beneficial for frequent travelers.
How many Membership Rewards® points can I earn?
You can earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and 5 points per dollar on hotels booked through American Express Travel.
Is the American Express Platinum Card worth the high annual fee?
If you travel frequently and utilize the card’s travel benefits, concierge services, and rewards program, the high annual fee may be worth it.
However, if you do not use these benefits, the card may not justify the cost.
Can I use the Platinum Card abroad?
Yes, the American Express Platinum Card has no foreign transaction fees, and it can be used internationally, although it may not be accepted everywhere.
How can I redeem Membership Rewards® points?
You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or transfer them to partner airlines and hotels for travel rewards.
