American Express Platinum
Overview
Both the AMEX personal and business platinum cards are excellent “capabilities” cards and lousy earners. Think of them less as a card for daily spend and more as a premium travel membership plus a coupon book to offset the annual fee.
AMEX Platinums distinguish themselves from other premium cards with.
- Best airport lounge access.
Centurion lounges outnumber Chase and Capital One 5:1 plus they have more partnerships. - Best customer service.
Available over chat, without a wait, and it’s actually very helpful. - Hilton and Marriott Gold Status.
Free breakfast or dining credit at Hilton.
In choosing between the personal and business variants, the personal has a few advantages:
- Credits that are more suitable for individual use.
Individually, they are easier to use, but in aggregate, it can be easy to miss things. - Shop Runner Membership.
Free shipping from several retailers. - Walmart Plus Membership.
This can sometimes be useful, and it includes Paramount Plus.
Basic Information
- Cardholder Type
- Personal
- Network / Type
- Amex
- Earns
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Annual Fee
- $695
- Card Type
- Charge
- Foreign Transaction Fees
- No
Earnings
- 5x Airlines
- 5x Portal Flights
- 5x Portal Hotels
- 1x Everywhere Else
Rare Capabilities
- Premium Card Efficiency
- This card has an enormous number of benefits and credits, some of which, like hotel status, might normally require separate cards. If you use and value the credits, it's not too hard to come out ahead on the annual fee. In this sense, despite the high cost, the platinum can be a net profitable card and a paragon of efficiency in the premium space.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- If you are travelling and need emergency medical treatment, AMEX will get you some place you can get it. There are a lot of rules and exceptions to this, and I wouldn't want to count on it, but it's there for you or a family member, and you don't have to pay for the travel with the card.
Credits
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit
- Monthly: $20 per month on Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal.
- $200 Airline Incidental Credit
- Annual: Valid for incidentals with your preferred airline.
- $200 Fine Hotels And Resorts Credit
- Annual: Some hotels require 2+ night stays.
- $200 Uber Cash
- Monthly: $15 per month in Uber (or Uber Eats) credit plus a bonus $20 in December.
- $100 Saks Credit
- Semi-Annual: Two $50 credits, one ending in June, the other in December.
Status
- Hilton Gold
- Basic hotel perks plus a breakfast credit.
- Marriott Gold
- Basic hotel perks.
- Avis Preferred Plus
- Mid tier status with Avis.
- Hertz Presidents Circle
- Top status with Hertz.
- National Emeralds Club Executive
- Mid tier status with National.
Lounges
- Centurion
- Arguably the best domestic lounge network for those without airline loyalties.
- Delta
- When flying Delta.
- Lufthansa
- When flying Lufthansa.
- Plaza Premium
- These are technically covered by Priority Pass as well.
- Priority Pass
- Access lounges but not restaurants.
Memberships
- Clear Plus
- Implemented as a statement credit.
- Global Entry
- Implemented as a statement credit.
- Shop Runner
- Free enrollment required.
- Tsa Precheck
- Implemented as a statement credit.
- Walmart Plus
- Implemented as a monthly statement credit.
Travel and Purchase Protections
- Baggage Insurance
Up to $3,000 for carry-ons and $2,000 for checked baggage. - Car Rental Insurance
Up to $75,000 for damages and $300,000 for injuries in secondary coverage. Excludes certain cars and countries. Does not include liability. - Cell Phone Protection
Up to $800, subject to a $50 deductible. - Extended Warranty
Up to $10,000 per item during one year extension to manufacturer's warranty of five years or less. - Global Assist
Premium coordination services when things go wrong: lost passport, luggage, legal, medical, medical evacuation, etc. - Purchase Protection
Up to $10,000 per purchase against accident or theft in the first 90 days. - Return Protection
Up to $300 per item within 90 days if a merchant will not accept a return. - Trip Delay Insurance
Up to $500 dollars after 6 hours. Requires round-trip.
All policies may:
- Have terms, conditions and exclusions not listed here.
- Require purchases be made with the card for a non-business purpose.
For exact terms, please carefully read your cardholder agreement.