Signed Up for an Amex Platinum Card? Do These 4 Things Now
KEY POINTS
- The Platinum Card® from American Express has many benefits that justify its big annual fee.
- You should sign up for Priority Pass lounge access and register for your airline fee credit.
- Don't forget to apply for CLEAR Plus to get through airport security faster.
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it also includes more than enough cardholder perks to justify the expense -- as long as you use all of the benefits it offers. That can be easier said than done, as there are some extra hoops you may have to jump through in order to make the most of this travel card.
To ensure you aren't missing out on perks you're paying for, check these tasks off your to-do list ASAP after becoming a cardmember.
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
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This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy, and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Terms apply.
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- Big welcome offer
- Substantial spending credits
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel benefits
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Spending credits can be complicated to manage
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- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
1. Get your Priority Pass card
Airport lounge access is one of the biggest reasons to sign up for The Platinum Card® from American Express. When you're an American Express cardholder, you'll be able to wait for your flight while relaxing in one of more than 1,400 airport lounges located in 140 countries (terms apply, enrollment required). You can also access Centurion Network and Delta Sky Club lounges.
You'll have to enroll in Priority Pass if you want to enjoy those lounges, though, either by signing into your American Express account online or by calling the number on the back of your card. You'll be able to get a Digital Membership card once you've enrolled, but you must activate the membership before using it. You'll also get a physical card and membership packet within 10 to 14 days after registering.
Take care of this task ASAP so you're ready to hit the lounge next time you go to the airport -- and ideally have your physical card in your wallet for added convenience at the time.
2. Register for your airline fee credit
American Express provides a $200 credit on your statement each year if you pay for airline incidental fees using your credit card (terms apply, enrollment required). These could include fees for snacks purchased on board or paying for seat selection. Tickets, gift cards, and purchases from third parties such as inflight wifi purchases aren't eligible.
To get this credit, though, you must enroll with American Express before you charge the fees on your card. You also have to select a qualifying airline after signing into your Amex account. If you don't do this, your purchases won't count.
Take care of this task once you've signed up for your card, and select an airline you fly often and where you're likely to buy these upgrades. Once you select your airline once, you can change your choice each year in January either through your online account or by calling American Express directly. So this task should go on your to-do list when you become a new cardmember and once at the start of each year.
3. Sign up for your hotel perks
American Express isn't just great for frequent flyers. Your card also gets you Gold Elite Status with the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, as well as Hilton Honors Gold Status (terms apply, enrollment required). If you want to be eligible for all the benefits this elite status offers at these hotels, you must enroll via your online American Express account. Be sure to do so before you book your next hotel reservation.
4. Apply for CLEAR Plus
CLEAR Plus makes going through airport security a breeze. Once you become a member, you can go through a designated CLEAR Lane at TSA security checkpoints. You'll verify your identity with your eyes or fingerprint and get escorted by an ambassador through to your security check, where you can move quickly through the physical screening without having to wait in a long line.
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll be eligible for a $199 credit that covers the CLEAR membership fee (terms apply, enrollment required). Just sign up for CLEAR, charging the purchase on your American Express card to ensure you get back the funds you paid.
If you haven't already, you can also sign up for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and get a statement credit back for joining these programs, too. They also help you move more quickly through customs and airport security.
Doing these four tasks helps you ensure you're on the right track to both making the best use of your American Express card and to having some of the best vacations of your life. Be sure to take care of them right after signing up for your card so you don't forget.
Our Research Expert
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For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
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