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Annual Fee: $695
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
The American Express Platinum Card offers some of the best perks available. The welcome bonus is an excellent value, and the $695 is completely offset by spending credits. This card will also net 5x the points on select hotel and flight purchases (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Of course, our favorite benefit from this card has to be an entrance to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to the Centurion Lounge. Terms and restrictions apply to these fantastic benefits.
Still afraid of the $695 annual fee? Check out our deep dive on this card where we break down exactly how you can justify this annual fee... and even profit off of it.
Plus, you might be eligible to get an elevated welcome offer on the Amex Platinum card by going through CardMatch, a simple and secure tool. Check it out here!
[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on eligible prepaid hotels booked including The Hotel Collection
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem]per $1 on other purchases, terms and limitations apply
For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
🏆 Best for travel credits
🏆 Best for travel credits
Annual Fee: $550
🏆 Best for premium travel perks
🏆 Best for premium travel perks
Annual Fee: $395
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
I love this card, and I don’t care who knows. While the high annual fee can seem scary at first, it’s really not something to be afraid of. The overwhelming number of credits makes that annual fee easy to offset, even if you use only a handful of them. In my mind, the biggest highlight of this card’s the lounge membership. It’s one of the only ways to access the luxurious Centurion Lounges, and the Priority Pass membership gives you unlimited visits to hundreds of lounges in countries all around the world. Throw in the high earning rates on travel, and you’ve got a powerful tool for your credit card arsenal. If you want to learn more about how to offset the AmEx Platinum’s annual fee while making the most of its perks, Brendan explains exactly how to do that in this YouTube video 👇
[.pro]Statement credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®[.pro]
[.pro]Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges (more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market, as of 03/2023)[.pro]
[.pro]Automatic Gold status with both the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs (enrollment required) [.pro]
[.con]This card does come with a $695 annual fee (rates and fees)[.con]
[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
[.redeem] 5x [.redeem]per $1 on eligible prepaid hotels booked including The Hotel Collection
[.redeem] 1x [.redeem]per $1 on other purchases, terms and limitations apply
This card has saved me so much money and stress with the airport lounge access. I travel frequently and have discovered the world of airport lounges over the past year since I’ve had this card and it is glorious. Not having to pay for food or beverages at the airport almost makes the annual fee worth it on its own for me. Plus the airline incidental fee credit, hotel credit, CLEAR membership, and streaming service credit are all great benefits that I’ve been able to use. Could not recommend this card more if you travel 6+ times a year!
My luggage was lost during an international trip and thanks to this card's travel insurance benefit I was able to get money to buy new clothes and toiletries without adding more expenses to my trip. I'm giving it four stars because of the hefty annual fee but honestly if you use the card well, you'll be able to get your money back easily. I also signed up for the card during the all-time high sign-up bonus and got 175k points! If you don't see that many points right away, either use incognito mode or keep checking back. Happy travels :)
This card has opened up a new world of travel that would never be possible before while traveling and at home. I LOVE all the perks and deals. I have saved tons on travel and use the monthly perks to save money on things that I already buy. Traveling in business or economy never felt so special, stepping into the Centurion Lounge makes you feel like a superstar! thanks Daily Drop for helping me navigate this card!
First to get it out of the way, yes - the annual fee is high. The fee does allow you to access many benefits that can offset the fee, or at least come close. The perks could also add conveniences that’s worth its own. Personally, I place value in the lounge network. Between amex centurion lounges, access to delta sky clubs, and priority pass; it gives plenty of options in any airport. The automatic status at Hilton and Marriott and hertz brings its own perks. Mainly, the benefit of such a flexible points programme makes this card valuable. You can transfer points to so many other places and it’s usually with a bonus. I use the card and its’ benefits all the time. With its points I’ve redeemed for countless trips. Some trips include Hong Kong, Dubai, Milan, Iceland, and so many more. It’s not for everyone, but for those it is for, it becomes the most powerful tool in your wallet for travel.
Even with its higher annual cost, year in and year out, I am getting far more value out of this card than its membership fee! Not only that, but I've also gotten some pretty awesome value from point redemptions. For instance, thanks to information in the DailyDrop fee newsletter, I learned about low-point flights on Iberia between the US and Europe. I just got back from my trip where I transferred points from my AmEx Platinum card to British Airways (with a 30% bonus)! I ended up using 170,000 Avios points (which I got from my AmEx pts transfer + 30%, and a few Avios I already had in my account). We booked two Business Class seats from the US to Madrid, and two Premium Economy seats from Madrid to JFK. We spent just $473 in cash, for flights that were selling for a total of just under $20,000 cash. The points we transferred from our AmEx Platinum card got us close to $0.15 each, when compared to the cash price we would have spent in order to travel in these upgraded seats!
I cannot say enough about how much I love this card also. At first, I signed up for the global entry and lounge access, which is hard to beat peeps! But I've become attached to the monthly Uber and streaming benefits, $200/yr hotel and airline fee benefits, their owne rental car coverage, Walmart plus membership for paramount+, ability to build points thru Rakuten and ability to transfer points to so many loyalty programs. Yes, the yearly fee is high but if you use the benefits, it is worth it. As a global cosmetics Co ad once said, "I am worth it."
I recently got this card after going back and forth on the annual fee. My partner and I have a big trip coming up so we figured it was the perfect opportunity to get the card so we can take advantage of all the welcome points after the minimum spend. There are so many perks that come with this card so after weighing out the pros and cons it made sense for us!
Yes, the annual fee is high, but the perks of this card can easily surpass the annual fee. I get $20 a month towards a Disney+Hulu bundle, $15 per month for Uber expenses (pick up a free Chipotle bowl every month), and other benefits that make it totally worth it. My local airport has a Centurion Lounge, too. Now, my favorite perk of the Platinum card is AMEX insurance for your rental cars. Use your platinum card to pay for a rental car and if you’re enrolled in the program they’ll simply charge you an extra $20-25, regardless of how long you have the car, and AMEX becomes the primary insurance on the vehicle. Daily Drop has a fantastic video on their YouTube page discussing some of the pros and cons of the platinum card you can reference, too.
When it comes to Membership Rewards points, the best way to maximize your points is to redeem them with travel.
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Redeeming your Membership Rewards points for cash back [.dontreco]
While you can use your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit, essentially getting cash back, those points are typically worth just 0.6 cents each. This simply doesn’t provide the best value for your points.
[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Booking through the AmEx travel portal [.sometimesreco]
You can redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals through AmEx Travel, but this usually gives you a value of 1 cent per point or less, which is at least 50% lower than the normal value of Membership Rewards points. While this is a decent option, it’s still not the best.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Using Membership Rewards points to book with transfer partners [.alwaysreco]
The bottom line is — if a flight or hotel room can be bought with cash, you can use your points to book it. Transferring your AmEx Membership Rewards points can score you more than 1.25 cents per point by moving rewards to AmE’s super-duper-wonderful airline and hotel partners. Top picks include Delta, Emirates, Qatar, Hilton, Marriott, and so many more. Taking advantage of these transfer partners is one of the best ways to justify your Amex Gold Card.
But how can I actually transfer my Membership Rewards points?
Simply log into your AmEx account, click on “earn and redeem,” and you’ll see AmEx’s long list of transfer partners. From there, make your transfer selection based on your trip and transfer those points. And just like that, you’re on your way! ✈️
Here’s that sweet list of American Express Membership Rewards points transfer partners we were just chatting about:
Kara and Nate flew Lufthansa first class, a ticket normally costing around $8,000. But…drumroll please…they booked with miles and points! 🎉 Because of that, the price tag was under $100 for one of the most exclusive seats in the sky. We’re talking lie-flat seats, caviar and champagne, and tailor-made service throughout the flight. The first step? Applying for an American Express card! Want to learn more about how to use your AmEx Platinum to book this seat? Check out this video:
Why? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers an enticing bonus, allowing you to earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (up to $20,000 in the first year). This can amount to a substantial $300 cash back. But the real magic happens if you have another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, like the Sapphire Preferred, for example. With these cards, you can convert your cash-back rewards into valuable Chase points, opening up opportunities to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for greater value. Besides the Sapphire Preferred for points transfers, consider the Freedom Unlimited for 1.5 points per dollar on miscellaneous purchases, and a Chase Freedom card for the rotating 5% categories. This combo helps you maximize the World of Hyatt points earned via Ultimate Rewards transfers.
Why? It’s no secret that, here at Daily Drop, we’re pretty much obsessed with the Sapphire Preferred — and can you blame us? First of all, the Sapphire Preferred is just an easy card to keep in your wallet, especially because of its small annual fee. When paired with the AmEx Platinum, you’re covering the map of transfer partners and earning rates pretty well.
Pairing the Sapphire Preferred with the AmEx Platinum is a smart move for several reasons. With the Sapphire Preferred, you earn 3x points on dining and 2x points on travel, while the AmEx Platinum offers 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, among other perks. By strategically using both cards, you can earn points across various spending categories and access a wide range of transfer partners, enhancing your flexibility. Plus, you'll enjoy superior travel benefits such as lounge access, airline fee credits, and elite hotel status. With comprehensive purchase protections and exclusive deals, this card combination offers exceptional value and convenience for frequent travelers.
Why? With this combo, you’re simply unlocking two very separate earning categories with two very separate programs. The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a must-have for frequent travelers looking to maximize their Hyatt loyalty. With this card, you’re looking at 9X points per dollar on Hyatt purchases, 2X points on dining, airline tickets, local transit, commuting, and fitness club memberships, and 1X points on everyday purchases. You’ll also get complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open, which provides exclusive benefits during your stays. For each cardmember anniversary, you'll receive a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort. Plus, if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year, you'll earn an additional free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property, making it even more rewarding.
The card also includes 5 qualifying night credits towards your next tier status every year and an extra 2 qualifying night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card. Currently, the welcome offer makes it even more attractive: Earn up to 60,000 points: 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2X total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent. When paired with the AmEx Platinum, you’re covering the map of flights and hotels, making for a more well-rounded trip. Plus, you’ll be adding a very small annual fee to your wallet, which is nice considering the AmEx Platinum’s is pretty steep. (rates and fees)
Interested in pursuing an “AmEx Trifecta"? In this YouTube video, Brendan explains why he holds three cards from the same bank in his wallet 👇
By now, you’ve probably guessed the Amex Platinum is not a beginner card — quite the opposite, actually. If you’re trying to climb the credit card ladder, this one sits somewhere near the very, very top. The Amex Platinum is the epitome of luxury, loaded with perks that elevate your travel experience:✨ Travel credits ✨ Hotel elite status ✨ Airport lounge access ✨ Faster airport security ✨ Uber VIP status ✨ Access to The Luxury Collection, a group of world-renowned hotels and resortsLet’s talk about Centurion Lounges for a second. Any airport lounge is a nice escape (most of the time). But if we’re ranking airport lounges based on quality food, atmosphere, space, and service — the Centurion Lounges reign king. This is one of very few cards on the market offering access to those lounges.
The Amex Platinum should live in the wallets of those frequenting the airport. Do you find yourself flying through the air quite often? Our team can certainly relate, which is why we choose to keep this magical piece of metal close by. Most of the credits and perks you’ve seen listed make the most sense for people traveling pretty often.
The Amex Platinum is loaded with credits. LOADED. To start, you’re looking at a few major travel credits: up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement (every 4 years) and up to $199 (in statement credits) to use annually for CLEAR® Plus. People tend to look over these, but if you’re making your way to the airport more than twice a year, this is a super nice perk to have. Saving all of that time in the security line gives you more time in that Centurion Lounge. 😎 You’ll get that $200 in annual airline credits that we were talking about earlier, and up to $200 in hotel credits each year. For this credit, you’ll have to book prepaid hotels through AmEx Travel. And, your hotel must be part of AmEx’s propriety hotel collection (Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection).
Still — we’re at $699 so far. So we’ve already exceeded that annual fee! The Amex Platinum isn’t just about travel; it also offers benefits for entertainment, wellness, and retail. Other statement credits to be excited about include: up to $155 in Walmart+ credits each year, $200 in Uber Cash each year, and up to $240 in digital entertainment credits each year. Not to mention, this card’s travel insurance is something to be excited about. While he used the Canadian version, Mike recently had a nightmare-ish medical experience abroad. Thankfully, he had The Platinum Card® handy, which saved him tons of money in a really stressful and scary situation. Read more here about how Mike used the Canadian version of this card. And if you’re in the U.S., read our travel insurance guide here.
Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 700, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, is unlikely.
Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
An excellent credit score of 670 - 850 is recommended for the Amex Platinum Card. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, use the reconsideration line, and be granted the Amex Platinum. While it’s not considered a beginner card, the worst they can say is “no.”
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