The American Express Platinum card is considered a status symbol because of its exclusive benefits, high annual fee, and reputation as a premium metal credit card. It caters to high-spenders who travel frequently. With amazing benefits like airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and value in annual card credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards.
Benefits and Features
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel elite status
- Annual card credits
High Annual Fee and Target Audience
The card comes with a host of benefits designed to appeal to high-end customers. It has a $695 annual fee significantly higher than many other cards. The card is for a well-heeled, jet-setting minority and those with ample corporate spending accounts.
High Rewards and Eligibility
It includes airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, bonus points, and cashback. Platinum cards give higher minimum credit limits and earn more rewards points than gold cards. Despite having high status, all you need is a good credit score. You don’t need to be wealthy.
The card gives hotel elite status and bonuses. It offers room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and bonus points on stays. The hotels are Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold Elite, Hotel Collection, and Fine Hotels & Resorts.
Airline Status and Benefits
While the Amex Platinum card doesn’t offer any airline status, it does offer status in multiple hotel and rental car programs. The card allows access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling with Delta. The Platinum Card doesn’t give airline status but has the most perks and benefits of nearly all travel cards. You can add an authorized user and split the annual fee.
$600 in Credits and Fee Benefits
The $600 in airline, hotel, and Uber credits alone are worth the annual fee. You can call to get credits manually approved for valid charges if they haven’t posted after four weeks. The Amex Platinum provides an up to $200 airline fee credit for incidentals like seat assignments, lounge passes, and checked bags. You can use it to purchase airline lounge day passes for future use, valid for one year from purchase.
Flight Discounts and Participating Airlines
The Amex Platinum offers flight discounts on premium flights with participating airlines when an eligible cardholder is flying on the itinerary, up to 8 tickets through Amex Travel. Over 20 airlines participate including Delta, Air France, and Emirates.
Gold Elite Status in Hotel Rewards Programs
The Amex Platinum comes with Gold Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors rewards programs. You must first register to receive status benefits. Platinum status comes with priority baggage handling, ensuring your bag is among the first to arrive.