Platinum Card® from American Express takes the cake for the highest price of the year ($695, see rates and fees) again the highest number of annual statement credits for any card. As a quick recap, here are the basic Amex Platinum features (registration required for select benefits; terms apply):
- New card members can earn an 80,000 bonus after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. You may be directed to a higher offer through CardMatch; offers are subject to change at any time and not everyone will receive the same offer.
- Earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point) and hotels booked through Amex Travel and 1 point on all other qualifying purchases.
- The Amex Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass and more.
This card has more benefits than any other rewards card on the market. What you may not realize, however, is that you have to register for some of them before you can use them. Here are the top ones to keep in mind.
Airline statement credit
Select one eligible airline in your Amex online account and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward incidental charges on the airline of your choice – applicable to baggage fees, seat assignments, inflight beverages, snacks and other similar charges . Terms apply.
Don’t forget — if you don’t register, you won’t get any statement credits. It is also important to remember that once you have selected your airline, you may not be able to change it before the end of the current calendar year.
You may be successful if you haven’t used any credit, but if you’ve used any of these benefits this year, you won’t be able to change your airline until the end of the calendar year.
Marriott and Hilton elite status
If room upgrades and bonus points sound appealing, sign up for Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy elite status, both at the Gold level. To register, log in to your Amex Platinum account to request registration in both loyalty programs. Terms apply.
Additional Priority Pass accommodations
While you’ll have automatic access to Amex Centurion Lounges when you present your Amex Platinum card, be sure to sign up for your paid Priority Pass Select membership in your Amex online account. Terms apply.
This will give you access to more than 1,300 lounges around the world — which is a great option if there’s no Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Club (if you’re flying on the same day Delta; starting February 1, 2025, Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive a Visit 10 Qualifying Platinum Card per year to Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day flight operated by Delta).
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Hotel statement credit
Cardmembers earn up to $200 in annual statement credit each calendar year when they pre-pay for Best Hotels + Resorts and Hotel Collection stays through the Amex Travel portal using Amex Platinum. Booking through these programs will also get you benefits like these, so it’s worth checking out.
Note that a minimum stay of two nights is required to book a Hotel Collection. Additional terms apply.
Uber money
Earn up to $15 per month (and up to $35 total in December) with Uber Cash, redeemable on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders. That’s up to $200 each calendar year.
After you add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account, you can get your monthly Amex rewards in your Uber Cash balance. Note that you will need to pay with an eligible Amex card to use your Uber Cash.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit
You don’t necessarily have to register for this benefit, but use your card to pay for your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application through the appropriate website and receive $120 in Global Entry statement credits (up to $85 for TSA PreCheck). You will be eligible for a Global Entry credit every four years or a TSA PreCheck credit every 4½ years. Terms apply.
Clear the Plus statement credit
Similar to the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, pay for your annual Clear Plus membership with your Amex Platinum and automatically receive up to $199 in statement credit per calendar year. Terms apply.
Statement credit for digital entertainment
After registering for this benefit in your Amex Platinum account, you’ll get up to $20 in monthly statement credits (up to $240 each calendar year) when you use your Amex Platinum to pay for monthly subscriptions with eligible digital entertainment providers, including Peacock, The New York Times, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu , Disney bundles and the Wall Street Journal. Terms apply.
Statement credit to Equinox
With a monthly Equinox membership or your Equinox+ fitness app, you can earn up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year when you pay with your Amex Platinum. Registration is also required for this online benefit; terms apply.
Saks statement credit
Also, register for this benefit on your card account. Then, when you shop at Saks Fifth Avenue with your Amex Platinum card, you’ll get up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to another $50 in statement credits from July through December.
That’s up to $100 each calendar year. Remember that these credits don’t expire, so be sure to use your Saks credit before the end of June and December. Terms apply.
Bottom line
Amex Platinum comes with plenty of lifestyle- and travel-related credits that you’ll want to sign up for, either by paying for a service with your Amex Platinum or by signing up for your Amex online account.
These ongoing benefits crown the card as one of the best – especially when it’s pushed to its full potential. If you can take advantage of all these benefits, justifying the Amex Platinum annual fee each year becomes very easy.
To learn more, check out our full Amex Platinum review.
Apply here: Amex Platinum
Related: How the Amex Platinum Card gave me access to $3,000+ in value this year
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
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