The Platinum Card® from American Express is a heavy hitter in the travel credit card world — and not just because it’s metal.
Between statement credits, serious travel perks, and plenty of other benefits, this card comes loaded with perks that add up to over $1,500 in annual value.
But here’s the catch: most of those perks require a few clicks to activate. So if you just tossed your shiny new card into your wallet without doing anything else, you may be leaving hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on the table. And we’re not about wasting here at Daily Drop.
Let’s walk through exactly what to do after you get your Amex Platinum, so that the $695 annual fee starts paying for itself.
Step 1: Set Up Your Travel Credits
$200 Hotel Credit
Every year, you can get up to $200 back in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel.
These bookings often come with perks like room upgrades, early check-in, and daily breakfast, so they’re worth considering even if you’re not chasing high-end hotels. Free breakfast? Uh, yeah… sign me up. Just note that The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
How to activate: Book a qualifying stay at AmexTravel.com using your Amex Platinum.
$200 Airline Fee Credit
Pick a qualifying airline, and Amex will reimburse you up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees like seat assignments, checked bags, and lounge passes.
How to activate: Log in to your Amex account, go to “Benefits,” and select your preferred airline before making any purchases.
$200 Uber Cash
You’ll get $15 per month in Uber Cash, plus a bonus $20 in December. This works for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, but is only valid in the U.S. and expires monthly if not used. As someone living in New York, this is one of my favorite perks… basically a free lunch every month (and that’s with girl math).
How to activate: Add your Amex Platinum to your Uber app wallet. You must use an Amex card as the payment method to utilize your monthly Uber Cash benefit.
Step 2: Don’t Miss Out on Everyday Credits
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit
Get up to $20 in monthly statement credits when you pay for services like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal using your Amex Platinum. Enrollment required.
How to activate: Head to the “Benefits” section of your Amex account and enroll before updating your payment methods.
$155 Walmart+ Credit
A Walmart+ membership includes free shipping, grocery delivery (in select areas), and streaming via Paramount+. When you use your Amex Platinum to pay the monthly fee, you’ll get back up to $12.95 each month. This is an easy one that many people miss… don’t be one of them.
How to activate: Sign up for Walmart+ and make sure your Amex Platinum is your primary payment method.
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
You’ll receive up to $50 in statement credits from January through June, and another $50 from July through December, when shopping in-store or online at Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks Fifth Avenue is for sure random, but their catalog is huge. You could easily spend this $100 on a Christmas or birthday gift once a year and get some money back. Enrollment required.
How to activate: Enroll in this benefit through your Amex portal before making a purchase. No minimum spend required.
Step 3: Maximize Your Travel Perks
Global Lounge Collection
The Amex Platinum gives you access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
These include:
Delta Sky Clubs (must be flying Delta, limited to 10 visits per year between February 1 and January 31)
Escape Lounges
Priority Pass Select lounges (enrollment required).
Gosh, I’m blushing just reading that!
How to activate: Enroll in Priority Pass via your Amex account. You’ll receive a separate membership card in the mail. And, don’t forget to download the app!
$199 CLEAR Plus Credit
CLEAR lets you skip the ID check line at airport security by using some fancy-schmancy screening. With your Amex Platinum, you can get reimbursed for up to $199 annually when you pay for a CLEAR Plus membership.
How to activate: Sign up at clearme.com and pay with your Amex Platinum to use the credit.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
Use your Amex Platinum to receive a $120 statement every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® application fee.
How to activate: Apply through the official government websites (here for TSA, and here for Global Entry) and use your Amex Platinum for the payment.
Step 4: Maximize Dining Perks and Bonus Earnings
Global Dining Access by Resy
This benefit gives you access to exclusive tables and special dining experiences at some of the world’s best food spots. I use this one all the time, and it’s gotten me a seat at some pretty nice restaurants. Turn on Resy notify and let the fun begin!
How to activate: Add your Amex Platinum to your Resy profile and look for restaurants with the “Global Dining Access” badge. You can filter this on the app, which is the best strategy, in my opinion.
Amex Offers and Bonus Categories
Don’t overlook the Amex Offers tab in your account. You can earn extra Membership Rewards points or statement credits with certain merchants.
Also, remember that the Amex Platinum earns 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), and 5x points on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel.
How to activate: Check your Amex Offers regularly and activate any that align with your normal spending habits. Make sure you aren’t spending just to spend!
Bottom Line
The Amex Platinum isn’t a card you can “get and forget.” It’s built for people who take advantage of its perks, not those who toss it in their wallet and hope for the best.
If you’re using just two or three of these benefits, you might be breaking even. But if you’re tapping into five or more, the value can far exceed the $695 annual fee.
Spend 30 minutes setting things up now, and future-you will be riding in an Uber, sipping coffee in a Centurion Lounge, and streaming Disney+ — all courtesy of your Amex Platinum.
