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If you’re interested in this card, check to see if this is your highest offer. With a high annual fee but numerous benefits that can offset it, this card offers exceptional value for those who can take advantage of its offerings. The right credit card pairing will help cardholders amplify rewards, provide value beyond travel benefits and elevate the overall experience for cardholders. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or an aspiring homesteader, finding the perfect credit card pairing can unlock unparalleled benefits and experiences. This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally.
American Express Platinum Benefits and Features
The Amex Platinum Card earns American Express Membership Rewards points that you can transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners. If you don't travel much to begin with, this probably isn't the card for you. But if you travel frequently and want as many premium perks as possible and don't get an invite for the exclusive Amex Black card, this is the next best thing. Many of the best cards have no annual fee, but here's why the Amex Platinum's fee might be worth it for you.
Existing perks haven't changed
If you spend a lot and expect a lot, then the original luxury card may be for you. If your score isn't quite where it needs to be yet, read our guides on improving your credit score and how using credit cards can help boost your score. The card offers various digital entertainment credits, which are awarded in chunks of up to $20 per month (maximum $240 per year). Cardholders will get up to $200 in credit each calendar year toward prepaid bookings at Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts or Hotel Collection properties (with a minimum of two-night stay) when they book with their card through Amex Travel. This credit expires at the end of every year and doesn't roll over, but you're only required to book by December 31 to receive the credit— your travel dates can be later. If you stay at hotels even a few nights a year, these benefits can be extremely valuable — Hilton offers Gold elites free breakfast for two each morning (currently awarded as a food and beverage credit in the US).
Prepaid hotel booking credit: Up to $200 annually
Long before the pandemic, Platinum Card membership also opened the door (literally) to numerous events, from a speakeasy at the U.S. The Platinum isn't shedding its travel roots, but it's expanding beyond to become a lifestyle card — and Amex seems to be going all-in with this overhaul. We've noticed an undeniable shift, however, as the card's perks extend beyond travel. Peloton is closely aligned with Chase through a partnership that can give Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders up to 10 points per dollar through March 2022. Unlike the invitation-only Amex Centurion Card that comes with an Equinox Destination Access membership valued at more than $3,000, a $25 credit per month would only cover a fraction of an Equinox membership, depending on the location.
Virtual Experiences
For additional options, check out our full list of the best cards for travel rewards and lounge access. The Amex Platinum has undergone significant changes in recent years and carries a steep $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) — one of the highest on the market. That's why people often ask whether the Amex Platinum is still worth the annual fee, even with the new perks. Instant Card Number eligibility is based on our ability to instantly authenticate you. If you are eligible for Instant Card Number, you will receive an Instant Card Number that you may be able to use virtually anywhere American Express is accepted and a physical Card will not be required.
Saks had the same price as all the other sellers I could find, the overall cost would get free shipping, and I was already going to buy it anyway. No one needs all three different variations of the Platinum card in their wallet, but there's definitely room for one or two, especially if you're in the market for a valuable welcome offer. But even if you're using this for non-bonus spending, it can be a great deal. Those 1.5x points aren't the highest possible return you can get. While you need to have the full amount of points in your account to book this way (your rebate will post in 6-10 weeks), these are revenue flights, so you'll earn miles and elite qualifying metrics on them, unlike standard award tickets.
Julie Mehretu and Kehinde Wiley Redesign AmEx Platinum Cards, and Other News – SURFACE - Surface Magazine
Julie Mehretu and Kehinde Wiley Redesign AmEx Platinum Cards, and Other News – SURFACE.
Posted: Thu, 20 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The three iterations of the Platinum I'm comparing today include The Platinum Card® from American Express (the most popular choice), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The American Express Platinum® Card for Schwab. Visit the offers tab in the Amex® App or online and continue adding offers to your Card. If there is a fraudulent or incorrect charge on your statement, American Express will work with you to help resolve the issue. Can provide coverage for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when You use Your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for an Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.
Additionally, each card’s statement credits can offset its annual fee in value and savings, making it easier to justify keeping long-term. With most travel cards, the rewards you earn for your spending are the signature feature. To be sure, the welcome offer for new cardholders is lucrative, but even earning 5X points on eligible flights and hotel stays, you'll have to book an awful lot of travel before you earn back that fat annual fee. The bulk of this card's value lies instead in its annual statement credits for specific purchases, along with automatic upgrades, premium services, exclusive access and other "soft" benefits.
What credit score do you need to get an American Express Platinum card? - CNBC
What credit score do you need to get an American Express Platinum card?.
Posted: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Welcome Bonuses
Some of this could be chalked up to temporary pandemic adjustments, but there's more to it than just that. Before the pandemic, the card added partner credits from Uber and Saks Fifth Avenue. In addition to Walmart+, Amex has added an up-to-$300 statement credit when purchasing one SoulCycle at-home bike.
The Centurion® Card from American Express, known as the American Express Black Card, is considered higher than the Amex Platinum. It’s an ultra-exclusive credit card with premium benefits available by invitation only. The main criteria appear to be credit card spending and income, though American Express doesn’t reveal this information publicly. I would (and have) paid cash to visit the lounges if I hadn't had alternative access. Between the food, drinks, and workspace, they're well worth the value in my book. Similarly, I would have a Disney/Hulu subscription and get the occasional meal delivery even if I didn't get credits for them.
This card is identical to the personal Platinum card in most ways, except it comes with one neat perk — the ability to cash out Membership Rewards at a rate of 1.25 cents each to a linked Schwab brokerage account. Note that this is significantly below TPG's valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, but if you find yourself racking up points faster than you can spend them, this can be a worthwhile option. One reason you might want to consider a different version is that Amex only allows you to get a welcome offer on any card once in a lifetime. Technically, these three Platinums are all different cards, so you can get the welcome offer on each. Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date.
Brittney is a data-obsessed finance nerd whose personal credit card collection is in the double digits. She has been sharing personal finance advice with readers since 2016. The most important thing to remember is that everything on this list was something I would have 100% paid for in cash regardless of the situation. That's the only reason I give it the same value as the cold hard cash I handed over when I paid my annual fee. Even if you never plan to cash out your points, that alone could be reason enough to pick this version over the standard personal Platinum card. Like the regular personal Platinum, the Schwab Platinum has a targeted 100,000-point welcome offer, so make sure to keep a close eye on your email to see if you're targeted for this elevated bonus.
Amex sometimes offers up to 150,000 points to targeted individuals through other channels — like the CardMatch tool, so it's worth checking out if you're targeted. Just remember that offers are subject to change at any time and are not necessarily available to everyone. The Art x Platinum artistic collaborations are a natural extension of a Card that aims to inspire you every day with its wide range of unique benefits. From an artist’s canvas to yours, new and existing Card Members can choose the art that resonates the most. Whether you want to match or be different, any Additional Platinum Card added to your account can choose the Card design that suits their style, be it Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, Platinum x Julie Mehretu, or classic Platinum. Overall, the limited-time welcome offer of 150,000 Membership Rewards points on the American Express Business Platinum Card can provide significant value for business owners with high spending needs and those who travel frequently.
