The Platinum Card® from American Express
An ultra-premium travel card for people who actually use the perks. If you’ll take advantage of lounges, hotel benefits, and monthly statement credits, this card can more than earn its keep.
Card Details
- Annual fee: Premium annual fee (see Rates & Fees for current amount).
- Rewards: 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel; 5X on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1X on other purchases.
- Points: Membership Rewards® points (transferable to a wide list of airline and hotel partners).
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Lounge access: Centurion® lounges, Priority Pass™ (enrollment required), Escape/Plaza Premium, and Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta (visit limits apply under current Amex/Delta rules).
- Travel protections: Trip delay/cancellation, baggage insurance, and rental car damage coverage (terms apply).
- Hotel status: Gold with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required).
- Purchase protections: Extended warranty, purchase protection, and return protection (terms apply).
- Monthly/annual credits: Airline incidentals, rides/food delivery, hotel bookings through Amex Travel (FHR/THC), expedited airport security, select retail/wellness/entertainment credits (activation/enrollment often required; see Rates & Fees for details).
Premium Benefits (highlights)
- Global Lounge Network access to make airports easier—plus Sky Club when you’re on Delta (visit rules apply).
- Fine Hotels + Resorts® / The Hotel Collection perks on eligible prepaid bookings via Amex Travel (daily breakfast at many properties, room upgrades when available, on-property credits, late checkout—benefits vary by property).
- Statement credits that touch real life: airline incidentals, rides/food delivery, hotel credits, expedited security (CLEAR® Plus or Global Entry/TSA PreCheck®), and select lifestyle/retail/entertainment partners.
- Elite hotel status (Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold) for better stays at no extra cost.
- Strong protections for travel hiccups and big purchases.
(Exact amounts, enrollment steps, and terms live under Rates & Fees.)
About The Card
This is a travel-first Membership Rewards card. You get the lounge network most people care about, premium hotel perks through FHR/THC, and credits that line up with how many frequent travelers already spend. Book flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel to earn at the top rate; use statement credits and protections to smooth out the rest.
The key is fit. If you travel several times a year and will actually activate and use the perks (lounges, hotel credits, airline incidentals, expedited security, rides/food credits), the value adds up quickly. If you won’t use them, it’ll feel like an expensive piece of metal.
Qualifications
- Best for good–excellent credit and people who travel regularly.
- Amex may show a welcome-offer eligibility pop-up if you’ve had this product before (“once-per-lifetime” language often applies).
A hard inquiry is typically made at approval; additional cards for family members are available (fees/limits vary).
Pros
- Deep lounge access + premium hotel benefits that improve real trips.
- 5X on flights and prepaid Amex Travel hotels; flexible points with strong partner network.
- Useful credits across travel, rides/food, and lifestyle—easy to offset the fee if you plan.
- Robust protections and elite hotel status built in.
No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- High annual fee—you must use the perks to come out ahead.
- Best earning is via Amex Travel and can be less rewarding for everyday swipes elsewhere.
- Sky Club visits have limits unless you meet specific rules; guest policies vary.
- Many benefits require enrollment/activation and can be “use it or lose it.”
Is this card for me?
Choose Platinum if you fly several times a year, want real lounge access, book prepaid hotels via Amex Travel now and then, and will activate and use the monthly/annual credits. If your travel is light, or you dislike booking through specific portals, a lower-fee travel card may be a better fit.
Membership Rewards® Transfer Partners (U.S.)
Ratios and speeds are typical; transfers are final. U.S. airline transfers may include a small excise tax offset fee. Always verify current terms before moving points.
|
Program |
Type |
Transfer Ratio |
Typical Transfer Speed |
|
Air Canada Aeroplan |
Airline |
1:1 |
Usually instant |
|
Air France–KLM Flying Blue |
Airline |
1:1 |
Usually instant |
|
ANA Mileage Club |
Airline |
1:1 |
~24–48 hrs |
|
AeroMexico Club Premier |
Airline |
1:1.6 |
~3–5 days |
|
British Airways Executive Club (Avios) |
Airline |
1:1 |
Usually instant |
|
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles |
Airline |
1:1 |
~24–48 hrs |
|
Delta SkyMiles |
Airline |
1:1 |
Usually instant |
|
Emirates Skywards |
Airline |
5:4 |
~1–2 days |
|
Etihad Guest |
Airline |
1:1 |
~24 hrs |
|
Iberia Plus (Avios) |
Airline |
1:1 |
~24–72 hrs |
|
JetBlue TrueBlue |
Airline |
250:200 |
Usually instant |
|
Qantas Frequent Flyer |
Airline |
1:1 |
~1–2 days |
|
Singapore KrisFlyer |
Airline |
1:1 |
~24–48 hrs |
|
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club |
Airline |
1:1 |
Usually instant |
|
Choice Privileges |
Hotel |
1:1 |
Usually instant |
|
Hilton Honors |
Hotel |
1:2 |
Usually instant |
|
Marriott Bonvoy |
Hotel |
1:1 |
~1–2 days |
